Guide to Pricing and Costs of Computer Keyboards

Computer keyboards for sale in every price bracket

By Jamie Belanger, Computer Technician & Marketing, 1-800-905-GEEK (Geeks on Call)

1. Find corded computer keyboards for sale for under $10.
2. Pick up Bluetooth wireless computer keyboards for around $30.
3. Buy an RF or IR wireless computer keyboard for anywhere from $30 to $200.
   

Action Steps for Computer Keyboards
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get your hands on corded keyboards for less than ten bucks each

Wireless keyboards are nice, but sometimes in your office you're just looking for dependability. A keyboard that's plugged directly into your computer tower is far less likely to have flaky communication problems, and will never run out of batteries. They're also a great bargain, at under $10.

I recommend: Check out the great selection of corded keyboards at OutletPC. They have both PS2 and USB corded keyboards. They even have some specialty selections, like dust and water resistant keyboards, or mini computer keyboards and keypads. You can purchase corded keyboards in wholesale lots of ten or twenty units at Global Sources Direct. This is a great deal if you're buying keyboards for your entire office.

Purchase Bluetooth keyboards cheap from overseas computer keyboard manufacturers

For right around $30 you can get a wireless Bluetooth keyboard. Often you can find great wholesale prices at computer keyboard suppliers overseas, such as China.

I recommend: Pick up wireless Bluetooth computer keyboards in either black or white at GuildNav.com. Purchase ergonomic keyboards for a few dollars more at Wholesale-Star.

Buy competitively priced IR and RF computer keyboards that meet your business needs

Infrared keyboards require a direct line of site with the receiver, and have a very minimal range, but they can be useful for certain specialty applications, such as a keyboard for your Palm Pilot or Pocket PC. RF keyboards other than Bluetooth have the greatest range, and are usually less power-hungry than Bluetooth keyboards. RF keyboards are the most common, which is why there is such a wide range in price. Cheaper RF keyboards provide just the bare bones setup. As you go up in price, there are additional handy features, like a bundled mouse or remote, or more ergonomic layout.

I recommend: Super Warehouse has a great selection of RF wireless keyboards. Directron.com also has wireless keyboards in all shapes and sizes, including keyboards specifically for Mac computers. Fentek Industries has a nice selection of reasonably priced mini infrared keyboards.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Bluetooth wireless computer keyboards are the most power-intensive. They suck up the juice faster than other RF keyboards. They also frequency-hop, which means that you might experience small delays in response time when you press a key. This isn't an issue with standard RF keyboards, which use a single frequency to transmit.

Guide to Computer Keyboards

Get your hands on the best computer accessory for your business

By Chris Maxcer, Freelance Writer

1. Productivity
2. Comfort
3. Ease of use

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Traditional computer keyboards

When you purchase a computer, a basic PC keyboard is often included in the price. In many typical business environments, the keyboard will be sufficient for your needs. Most vendors have improved traditional computer keyboard design and function with shortcuts that help you input text and access information faster.

I recommend: Check out the PC keyboards available from major vendors of computer hardware and accessories, such as HP and Apple. At Dell, computer keyboards are sold separately and you have numerous options.

Wireless keyboards

Wireless keyboards, extremely popular with gamers, can also be beneficial in a business environment. They allow you the freedom and mobility to work up to 30 feet away.

I recommend: Logitech is a leader in wireless keyboard innovation and offers several models that offer access and control to the Internet, email, IM, Internet phone calls and more. Mac users should consider the Bluetooth-enabled Apple Wireless Keyboard.

Ergonomic keyboards

For heavy use, ergonomic keyboards may be the best option. These keyboards come in split models and adjustable models that let you and your employees work with hands and wrists in a more natural and more comfortable position. The only downside is that it can take a few days to acclimate yourself to an ergonomic keyboard, and the 'odd' shape can make it harder for less typing-adept employees to find the right keys.

I recommend: Microsoft offers several models of ergonomic keyboards, including its best-seller, the Natural. Other popular ergonomic models include the Comfort keyboard available at Ergo-Items.com and several Kinesis models you can find at ErgoKey.com.

Retail and point of sale (POS) keyboards

In a retail environment, you may need a programmable keyboard that reads barcodes, magnetic stripe cards or smart cards.

I recommend: DataCal.com and Fentek Industries provide keyboards designed for retail and POS systems.

Flexible keyboards, industrial keyboards, and other specialities

If you or any staff members have special needs or space restrictions, look into specialty keyboards.

I recommend: Ruggedized or industrial keyboards, flexible keyboards, Illuminated keyboards, mini-sized keyboards, touchpad and trackball keyboards are available at companies like Fentek Industries. Hooleon.com offers large-print and Braille keyboards among its specialty models.

Keyboard protection

Avoid spills, dirt, dust and germs with keyboard protectors that can be easily removed and cleaned. These are ideal for restaurant environments where spills are common and retail locations where many people use the same keyboard.

I recommend: BuyPCSupplies.com offers covers for nearly every keyboard model. Apple offers the iSkin ProTouch XT keyboard protector.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Keyboards come with either a PS2 or a USB connector. Make sure the keyboard connector matches the computer.
• •  If you're a picky typist concerned with look and feel — or even the sound of the keys clacking — head to your local computer or office supply store to try out several models to get a feel for what fits you best.
• •  Wireless keyboards require batteries to power the keyboard. If you run out of batteries, you can't type.
• •  Use a wrist rest for support if you spend a lot of time typing.
• •  Keep it clean. Regularly clean your keyboard with either an air blast aerosol or a mini-vacuum.

Guide to Making the Most of Computer Keyboards

Repair or replace your laptop computer keyboard to get more for your money

By Jamie Belanger, Computer Technician & Marketing, 1-800-905-GEEK (Geeks on Call)

1. Order a replacement directly from your computer keyboard manufacturer or another computer keyboard supplier.
2. Buy a kit to replace one missing or broken key on your laptop computer keyboard.
3. Consult a guide on how to fix keyboards for computers.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Purchase a replacement keyboard from one of many computer keyboard suppliers

If your laptop is still within the one year limited warranty, call your manufacturer first. This is one of those things they will repair free of charge. Even if your laptop is out of warranty, you can still find most computer keyboards for sale directly from the computer keyboard manufacturers. If you happened to call in to Dell or HP tech support, and tell them you had a key pop off, this is usually what they recommend. If you're comfortable buying your part from another source, however, you can often get the same part for a discounted price.

I recommend: The UCR Spare Parts Warehouse stocks keyboards for all the most popular laptop brands, including Toshiba, HP, Compaq, IBM and Sony. For Dell replacement keyboards, visit Laptop Parts World.

Save money by purchasing a kit to fix a single key on your laptop computer keyboard

This is a much cheaper option than replacing the entire keyboard. If you don't have major problems with the laptop computer keyboard as a whole, it's far more economical just to purchase a single key kit. The manufacturer will never recommend this to you, but that doesn't mean that it isn't a viable option that will be far lighter on your wallet.

I recommend: You can fix individual broken keys with kits from Machina Electronics. They have key kits for over 2000 different laptop models. Buy 1 Key also stocks single key replacement kits along with the required retainer clips, which fasten the key to the laptop keyboard.

Visit online tutorials for guidance on laptop computer keyboard repair

Even replacing a single key on your laptop computer keyboard can be a daunting task if you haven't done it before. In the end, it will save you time and money better spent elsewhere to learn how to do it yourself. There are some great guides available to help you do exactly that.

I recommend: Laptop Repair Help has an excellent pictorial guide on how to re-affix a laptop key that has fallen off. This will show you how to put on the replacement key you ordered as well. Werner Heuser provides a thorough selection of guides on cleaning, repairing, replacing and disassembling laptop computer keyboards for many different laptop models.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  f you're looking to replace an individual key on your laptop computer keyboard, another great place to check is on eBay. You can get a hold of replacement keys for almost any laptop model for under five dollars.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look for computer keyboard manufacturers that sell keyboard covers

Computer keyboard covers protect your keyboards from many things including spills, dirt and germs. Keyboard covers can be custom made to fit your computer and they fit over every key to prevent typing interruptions. Covers for computer keyboards are also sold for laptops.

I recommend: To find out all the ways a keyboard cover can protect your computer keyboard, check out Kador. Protect Computer Products sells keyboard covers, including laptop protective keyboard covers.

Purchase arms and trays to house your computer keyboards

Many computer keyboard suppliers also stock computer arms and trays to go along with your computer keyboards. Computer arms and trays work together to make a system of comfort and convenience for your workstations. By attaching to the desk, keyboards sit in a tray that can be adjusted up or down to meet the height required for absolute comfort. These keyboard trays can also be pushed under the desk for easy storage or pulled out when in use.

I recommend: AFC Industries provides keyboard arms and trays, including those that swivel to meet all a user’s needs. Check out Ergostoreonline.com to view its adjustable keyboard systems including those that adjust to height and can be pushed under the desk for easy storage.

Order custom stickers and custom keys for your computer keyboards

By using custom stickers or custom made keys for your keyboards, your employees can easily find the key they need without having to consult instructions to find out what key corresponds to the function they need to perform. Many providers of computer keyboards also sell custom stickers and custom keys that will work for ergonomic keyboards.

I recommend: DataCal Enterprises can help meet all of your custom sticker and custom key needs for your computer keyboards, while Genesis Worldwide Enterprises is a computer keyboard supplier that will make custom keys to fit your keyboard.