One of the most important functions of a laptop is the ability to type on it. However, one of the things you will immediately notice when you compare your laptop to a desktop is how different the keyboard is. So with that said, does that mean that it is harder to type on a laptop compared to a desktop?
Laptop keyboards are generally smaller but don’t take too much effort for you to press down. Meanwhile, regular membrane desktop keyboards can be more difficult to press compared to laptop keyboards, but mechanical keyboards offer a typing experience preferred by many. It depends on the keyboards of the laptop and the desktop.
The fact that there are different types of keyboards for both laptops and desktops can make a huge difference in your typing experience. Generally speaking, typing on a desktop should be easier than typing on a laptop but there are now laptops that are made with better keyboards than regular desktop keyboards. So, in a sense, the typing experience highly depends on the types of keyboards.
Is it harder to type on a laptop?
Typing on a laptop can be more difficult in comparison to typing on a desktop. And this is in large part to how laptop keyboards tend to be smaller and are prone to putting your hands and wrists in awkward positions as you are typing.
Then again, it does depend on the type of laptop keyboard you have and on the desktop keyboard that you own. In most cases, laptop keyboards tend to be difficult to type on when they are smaller and are angled in positions that may be too difficult for most wrists to bear for prolonged periods of time. However, there are also desktop keyboards that are just as awkward to type on.
Of course, some membrane desktop keyboards are too tough and rigid to the point that you would have to exert more than usual effort into every keystroke just to press down a key. Putting more effort than necessary can tire your fingers out faster, and that’s why you can’t say for certain that desktop keyboards are easier to type on.
Still, in a more general sense, it is more ideal to type on a desktop keyboard rather than on your laptop’s keyboard precisely because of how some of the best keyboards were made and designed for prolonged use and comfort. On the other hand, laptop keyboards were primarily designed for convenience and portability.
What are the differences between typing on a laptop and on a desktop?
Before we talk more about whether or not typing on a laptop is more challenging, it is important to look at what makes a laptop’s keyboard so different from the keyboard that is used by desktop computers. This is because knowing the difference between the two will shed light on the experience of typing on a laptop as compared to a desktop.
- Keyboard size
Regularly speaking, laptop keyboards are smaller than your regular desktop keyboard because the form factor of a laptop requires the keys to be placed in a smaller space. This has led to smaller keys and even to missing keys.
Meanwhile, there are some desktop keyboards that are actually now smaller or just as small as laptop keyboards because some people prefer smaller keyboards. However, the size of the keys tends to be the same. These smaller keyboards were made smaller by compressing the keys into a smaller form factor and by removing certain keys that don’t tend to be too important.
- Tactile feel
Whether you are talking about a membrane keyboard or a mechanical keyboard, the tactile feel on a desktop keyboard tends to be better. That is due to the fact that the keys on a desktop keyboard are bigger. As such, your fingers will find it easier to feel these keys.
On the other hand, laptop keyboards tend to be smaller. While there is an advantage to that, the problem here is that smaller keys tend to be more difficult to feel on your fingers. As such, you might end up making more mistakes on a laptop keyboard compared to a desktop keyboard.
- Comfort
Comfort is important when it comes to typing because you need to be able to feel comfortable throughout prolonged periods of typing. This is essential for writers and for those who tend to spend hours typing.
So, in relation to a laptop, typing comfort varies from one laptop to another especially when it comes to how thick the laptop is. However, thicker laptops tend to be more difficult to type on because of how you need to raise your wrists at an angle that is uncomfortable.
On the other hand, there are some desktop keyboards that aren’t really that comfortable to type on but the fact that you can angle desktop keyboards and even use wrist pads will make typing on a desktop computer more bearable and more comfortable.
- Effort
The effort you have to put into typing refers to how much force you need to exert when you are pressing the keys on the keyboard.
Now, in relation to laptop keyboards, this can vary depending on the laptop. That’s because slimmer laptops tend to make it more effortless for you to type as you barely need to press the keys while other laptop keyboards require more effort on your part.
On the other hand, the effort you need to put into typing on a desktop keyboard can depend on the keyboard as well. Membrane keyboards tend to be tougher to type on in terms of the effort you need to put into every keystroke. However, the same can’t be said when it comes to mechanical keyboards because mechanical keyboards are so effortless to type on as even putting a bit of weight on your fingers will already be enough to press the keys.
How to make it easier to type on a laptop?
If you do have a laptop and you want to have an easier typing experience on it without having to sacrifice the weight or portability of the laptop, you can invest in a good 60% mechanical keyboard that is usually just as small and as compact as a laptop keyboard but is angled better and is less demanding in terms of the effort you need to put into every keystroke.
When you are traveling, you can simply carry a small and compact external keyboard with you so that you will be able to have an easier experience while typing.
However, if an external keyboard seems to be a bit too much for you to carry while you are traveling, you can rely more on your laptop keyboard when you are working away from your home or office.
Meanwhile, if you are at home or in your office, you can set your workstation up with a good external mechanical keyboard that will allow you to have a better typing experience while you are using your laptop. You can just simply use your laptop’s keyboard when you are traveling or on the go.