For many programmers, having a good keyboard can significantly improve workflow. Spending countless hours coding requires a keyboard comfortable to type on, switches that feel light and responsive, and features like macro-programmable keys. Of course, as with any keyboard, the most important factor is your personal preference. Keyboards come in all shapes and sizes. Keyboards usually come in full size (100 percent), 80 percent keyboard, and 60 percent compact. They are just common sizes, though; also available in 75 percent, 65 percent, and 40 percent. Compact keyboards don’t have num pads and therefore make work pretty straightforward for you.
And from my perspective, 80 percent keyboard is a good choice. Therefore, today, this article will discuss 80 percent keyboards, their benefits, and the best ones you should consider getting.
An introduction to an 80 percent keyboard
The term “80% keyboard” describes compact keyboards that remove the number pad while still preserving the function row, arrow keys, and home cluster. These keyboards are often smaller than a full-sized keyboard and are popular among hobbyists who want a smaller keyboard that still retains many keys, typically having 87 keys.
The 80 percent keyboard is also called the tenkeyless keyboard (TKL). They have the same function as a full-size keyboard but without the number pad. The function keys, arrows, number keys, and alphabets, among others, are still present.
The main aim of these keyboards is to allow users limited hand movement and wrist action. These keyboards are usually used by users who want a small keyboard with minimalistic functions. An 80 percent keyboard is a smaller, more portable version of a standard keyboard. It has all the essential keys for typing, but it doesn’t have the extra keys that are found on a full-sized keyboard. This makes it more compact and easier to carry around, making it a great choice for people who need to be productive while they’re on the go.
An 80% keyboard is usually used by people who do not use a full-sized standard keyboard and need to type on it lightly. The keys are arranged on the sides of the keyboard so that the person who uses them can easily access them. Some people have used the 80% keyboard for a long time, and people like programmers widely use it, IT professionals, graphic designers, teachers, etc.
An 80% keyboard is a great alternative to the common full-sized keyboards that you know and use today. It is an effective way of making your personalized keyboard, so the whole keyboard is tailored to your specific needs.
The main purpose of an 80% keyboard is to allow users to keep their hands in front of them while they type without touching any keys.
As a result, an 80% keyboard is generally easier on your wrists and arms than standard keyboards with their two-row layout. 80% keyboards also reduce wrist stress because no repetitive motion is done with your hands when using an 80% keyboard.
Unlike traditional two-row layouts, users don’t need their wrists bent at an angle for them not to hit any key as they type because there isn’t as much pressure on top of their wrists as when typing on a traditional keyboard with its two rows of keys.
Here are the dimensions of some of the popular 80% keyboards:
| Keyboard Name | Length | Width |
| RK ROYAL KLUDGE RK87 | 15.6 inch | 7.17 inch |
| Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition TKL | 14.27 inch | 5.54 inch |
| AULA F3287 Wired TKL | 14 inch | 5 inch |
| Average Size of 80% keyboards | 14.6 inch | 5.9 inch |
The average size of 80% keyboards is 14.6 inches in length and 5.9 inches in width. (Calculated from the 80% keyboards in the market as in the table above).
How does an 80 percent keyboard work?
An 80 percent keyboard works just like any other keyboard. You can connect it to your computer or laptop via USB, and it will work just as you’d expect. The only difference is that it doesn’t have the extra keys that are found on a full-sized keyboard. This makes it more compact and easier to carry around, making it a great choice for people who need to be productive while they’re on the go.
Pros of an 80 percent keyboard:
An 80% keyboard is excellent and is good for gaming typing, and this is a great option for spacing saving. It takes considerably less space as compared to a full-sized keyboard. Also, an 80% keyboard looks less cluttered and clean to use for a long time. An 80% keyboard does not have any less functionality than a full-sized keyboard. It only lacks the Number Pad on the right, which is replaced by the Num keys on the top of the keyboard.
80 percent of keyboards have multiple benefits, and they do not hinder your working capacity even in the slightest. Some benefits of using 80 percent keyboards are as follows:
Enormous space
If you’re a PC gamer, you’ve probably noticed that your keyboard covers about half of your desk, or if you’re a writer, you’ve probably noticed that your keyboard covers half the desk and your mouse covers the other half.
If you’re a gamer, you know how much room is taken up by the keyboard, and if you’re a writer, you know how much room is taken up by the keyboard, mouse, and mouse pad.
Now let’s say you’re a computer programmer and want to use a keyboard for your programming, but you also want to use it for gaming.
You probably want to use the arrow keys and the WASD keys, but you probably don’t need the number pad. You also probably don’t need the function keys or any other keys.
That’s where the 80% keyboard comes in.
A lot of space gets reclaimed once you get rid of your 100 percent keyboard. The saved desk space can be used and repurposed productively for other important materials. A less cluttered desk space also works to make a healthy and advanced mental space.
Portable
80 percent keyboards are very light and easy to carry around. They fit into bags because of their size and can be used anywhere. An 80% keyboard makes more efficient use of portability when you need to type something quickly while traveling somewhere where there isn’t any signboard which is usually essential for typing something here and there with a standard keyboard.
More Ergonomic
The idea behind an 80% keyboard is more ergonomic and performs better than standard keyboards. 80% keyboards also reduce the strain on your wrists caused by typing on a 60% keyboard, leading to repetitive stress injuries.
Therefore, it is the best keyboard for gamers or writers, as you do not need to move around your hands. It helps gamers stay focused and use WASD keys along with the arrow keys for manoeuvrability.
The mouse also gets a lot of space to move around as gamers barely use the num pad. A tenkeyless keyboard helps writers to focus thoroughly by removing distractions and providing only useful keys.
Performance
With the num pad removed from the right side of the keyboard, it can be a little difficult to adjust to the compact keyboard initially. After a while, you will find that your wrist action gets reduced and more focused. No more weird angles for your wrists at minimal strain. Productivity and performance increase with a shorter distance from the mouse.
80 percent keyboards are a great choice for mobile productivity because they’re smaller and more portable than full-sized keyboards. This means you can take them with you wherever you go, and they’ll still provide all the essential keys for typing. They’re perfect for people who need to be productive while they’re on the go, and they come in a variety of different colors and styles so you can find the perfect one for you.
Cons of an 80% keyboard
Many people are familiar with the 80% keyboard, which is a typing board where only 80% of the keys are available for typing. I’m not talking about a keyboard that only allows you to type 80% of the letters, but rather a keyboard that will only allow you to type that 80% of keys. As a result, people who have been using keyboards for ten years can’t do certain things like copy and paste, so some people have turned to this type of keyboard.
There are several disadvantages of 80% keyboards too:
Difficult for NumPad users
The first and most obvious disadvantage of an 80% keyboard is that they are difficult for regular NumPad users. An 80% keyboard doesn’t have a numeric keypad.
Requires a Learning Curve
The biggest disadvantage is the learning curve. It takes a while to get used to typing without the number keys.
This will be a challenging transition if you’re an old-school touch typist. The other keys are in different places than on a full-size keyboard, and the Fn key is used for other things.
Some of the best 80 percent keyboards available include the Ducky One 2 Mini, the Anne Pro 2, and the Ganss ALT 80. These keyboards are all highly rated by users, and they offer a variety of different features so you can find the perfect one for your needs.
How to choose an 80 percent keyboard?
Some of the best 80 percent keyboards available include the Ducky One 2 Mini, the Anne Pro 2, and the Ganss ALT 80. These keyboards are all highly rated by users, and they offer a variety of different features so you can find the perfect one for your needs.
When choosing an 80 percent keyboard, it’s important to consider your needs and what you’re looking for in a keyboard. Do you need a compact keyboard that’s easy to carry around, or do you need a full-sized keyboard with all the extra keys? There are a variety of different 80 percent keyboards available, so it’s important to choose the one that’s right for you.
Currently, the top five 80 percent keyboards that you can look into are as follows:
Ducky One 2 TKL
Glorious GMMK Tenkeyless
Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition
SteelSeries Apex 5 Hybrid Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Durgod Taurus K320 TKL
Some tips to use an 80 percent keyboard
An 80 percent keyboard can be a great way to boost your productivity when you’re on the go. Here are a few tips for using an 80 percent keyboard to its fullest potential:
– Use a keyboard case or cover to protect your keyboard from dirt and debris.
– Invest in a quality 80 percent keyboard so you can type comfortably and accurately.
– Take advantage of the compact size of an 80 percent keyboard by using it in tight spaces, like on an airplane tray table.
– Use the extra keys on an 80 percent keyboard to map out frequently used shortcuts.
By following these tips, you can make sure you’re getting the most out of your 80 percent keyboard and boosting your productivity while you’re on the go.
Conclusion
80 percent keyboards are a great way to get more work done while you’re on the go. These keyboards have a reduced keyboard size that makes them more portable, and they still have all the essential keys so you can type just as fast as you would on a full-sized keyboard. They’re perfect for people who need to be productive while they’re on the go, and they come in a variety of different colors and styles so you can find the perfect one for you. So if you’re looking for a keyboard that’s perfect for mobile productivity, an 80 percent keyboard is the way to go.
80% keyboards are amazing keyboards that you can use anywhere you want. If you want to do some programming on the go, you can use the keyboard.
After reading this blog, we hope you’ll be able to make an informed decision about whether or not an 80% keyboard is right for you.
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