QWERTY computer keyboards have been accessible by consumers since the dawn of PCs (personal computers). Sure, desktop keyboards have become more ergonomic and sleeker, but the shape of the keys has remained consistent until now. Well…sort of. The new chiclet keyboard is mimicking fashion – meaning you have to go way way back to find the design in certain gadgets manufactured in the 80’s.
Is the chic here to stay? I said I like the chiclet, and I do, but did I mention the keyboard I love? Lenovo’s ThinkPad keyboard is without a doubt the best non-ergonomic keyboard I have used. The key responsiveness is perfect and the sound it makes is music-to-my-ears. I use the touchpad rather than the pointing stick. I have it in a desktop set up as a dock extension from my Tablet PC. If I were Lenovo I wouldn’t touch a thing…(The sound of screeching breaks before a CRASH!) Too late… Guess what walked through the door at this years 2010 CES show? Yep, an all new chiclet keyboard design on the new ThinkPad X100E and Edge series. (BTW… the X100E is a great affordable ultraportable laptop, but hold out until spring/summer for the duo core version.)
Therefore, given that Apple is 100% married to the chic, and Lenovo dumped perfection to embrace it, I guess you know where I’d place my bet on whether the chiclet is here to stay. Given how long it took the computer industry to "somewhat" circle back in fashion, I would say the chiclet is here to stay. That is until NUI (Natural User Interface) become the next hot thing.
In summary, chiclet keyboards are not revolutionary by any means. In fact, they are probably more of a fashion statement. However, as mobile keyboards go, anything that offers more typing space is a good thing. To the contrary I think the whole "space issue" on a desktop keyboard is arguable or gratuitous at best. Desktop keyboards should be focused on ergonomics. I think the desktop manufacture who manages to pack uber ergonomics into a minimalist design with ThinkPad-like key responsiveness will win the writer’s prize. To date, it really doesn’t exist, but give it some time.
Images Courtesy of Hothardware.com, Apple.com and Lenovo.com respectively.
