How Many Keys Are on a TKL Keyboard?
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Whether it’s gaming or work, having the appropriate keyboard at hand is necessary. TKL or Tenkeyless keyboards are widely used keyboards. We assume that you might be aware of this type of keyboard, but in case you’re not, we are here with all the details.
While there are multiple keyboard layouts, a tenkeyless keyboard offers a unique design that saves your desk space while providing all the necessary keys. Here is everything you need to know about a tenkeyless TKL keyboard.
What is the TKL Keyboard?
TKL, standing for tenkeyless, is a keyboard layout or type that has exactly 10 keys lesser than a full-sized keyboard. In simple words, a tenkeyless keyboard does not have a right-side numeric pad (0 – 9), making the keyboard compact and more portable than a full-sized one. Not to mention, they still have full alphabets, number keys (top rows), arrow keys, function keys and home clusters for work and gaming. Also known as the 80% or 87% keyboard, the TKL keyboard typically has 87 or 88 keys, which is roughly 80% or 87% of a full-sized keyboard in terms of number of keys and size.
How Many Keys Are on a TKL Keyboard?
TKL keyboards are keyboards that have a very compact layout. Corsair and Razer are some of the manufacturers of these keyboards. The keyboard layout eliminates the right number pad and has 87 to 88 keys, 10-keys less than a full-sized keyboard. This is 80% or 87% of the number of keys or width of the full-sized keyboards, hence earning the name 80% or 87% keyboard.
Benefits of TKL Keyboards
Today, many people prefer using a TKL keyboard over a full-sized one because of its multiple benefits. Let’s explore them;
1. Improved Form and Better Positioning
Besides being an accountant, the absence of the numeric pad shouldn’t be much of an issue. Since a TKL keyboard is lighter and smaller than a full-sized one, it offers the benefit of better positioning and easy handling for workers and gamers. The form of the keyboard is simple and the compact size gives your arm a better positioning.
2. Better Mouse-to-Hand-To-Keyboard Proximity
While some may not consider it important, a TKL keyboard is very effective in offering simultaneous keyboard and mouse use, making it more comfortable for being used for extended periods. With a TKL keyboard, you can place the mouse closer to the keyboard, which benefits people who prefer using both together.
3. Offers Greater Desk Space
Another thing a TKL keyboard offers is excellent desk space. Other than providing more space for snacks, drinks, and taking notes, a TKL keyboard’s small size offers better movement and accuracy, which is a must for gamers. Moreover, not everyone enjoys a big keyboard with keys they might never use. Hence, with a TKL keyboard, you have more desk space to keep other things.
4. Supports Removable Cables
Another feature that TKL keyboards support is the ability to be detached from their cable, making it easier to replace when a part is worn out. Moreover, this feature also makes the keyboard convenient for travel, where the cable can be packed separately.
5. Durable
Tenkeyless keyboards are shorter and designed typically for gaming. The short and compact offer more durability as well. Tenkeyless keyboards are designed with durable materials designed to last long.
6. An Economical Option
Since Tenkeyless keyboards have fewer components, they are less costly than full-sized keyboards. Even though the price difference may not be as high as expected, the functionality and comfort make it worth the cost. Based on your needs, a tenkeyless keyboard can improve your gaming or work experience and is also an economical option.
Limitations of TKL Keyboards
Although the widespread use of TKL keyboards, there are still some limitations that you should know as a user. For example;
- Not all games are efficient to play without the right side number pad. For example, it’s easier and more efficient to control various flying objections in the GTA game with the numeric pad. Moreover, looking around in different directions and moving around is also convenient with the help of number keys.
- If your work involves a lot of data editing in the numeric form, the absence of number keys on the right side on TKL keyboards makes it much more challenging and time taking.
Who Can Use the TKL Keyboard?
Tenkeyless keyboards are perfect for gaming and work. As long as you aren’t an accountant needing a numeric pad, a tenkeyless keyboard is an ideal option for you.
Are 80% keyboards TKL?
Yes, the 80% keyboards mean either the keyboard is 80% in size or has 80% of the total number of keys of a full sized keyboard. The TKL keyboards don’t have the (0 – 9) numeric pad that is often on the right side of the full sized keyboards. So, they are known as tenkeyless keyboards.
Conclusion
So, in a nutshell, the TKL keyboards are a perfect balance of size, keys, and functionality. It has all the most frequent and widely used keys on it. They’re compact and easy to carry while providing all the essential functionality, which makes them a perfect fit for most people.
FAQs
Yes, the TKL keyboards are very portable because they are compact and lighter to carry.
Yes. Tenkeyless keyboards are great for gaming because they give your mouse the space to move easily. In most cases, you won’t need the number pad for gaming. So more space is a benefit offered by the TKL keyboard for gaming.