Gaming Keyboards VS Regular Keyboards

I always wondered why people spend hundreds of dollars on a gaming keyboard when it looks the same as a regular one. Are you curious about what makes gaming keyboards differ from regular ones? Well, the following article answers your questions regarding gaming and regular keyboards.

Though both keyboards look similar, their performance is different from each other. One of the most highlighted differentiating factors is that a gaming keyboard contains additional keys that help perform certain actions in the game. Many other characteristics make them completely different from each other. Read the following guide to explore both types of keyboards.

Gaming Keyboards VS Regular Keyboards

Gaming Keyboard

As clear from its name, a gaming keyboard works for gaming purposes, and the advanced characteristics and technologies make it ideal for gaming. When I first bought a gaming keyboard, I thought it only worked for gaming, but I was wrong.

Besides enhancing your gaming performance, a gaming keyboard significantly improves your typing speed because of its modern technology. I won’t be wrong if I say that a gaming keyboard can also function as a regular keyboard.

Most gaming keyboards use mechanical switches because they are the most reliable types of keyboard switches and are easy to use. Furthermore, these keyboards have RGB lights under the key to enhance their design.

As I stated, a gaming keyboard has additional keys to improve gaming performance. These additional keys are known as macro keys. You can use these keys to perform various shortcuts while gaming.

Regular Keyboard

Contrary to gaming keyboards, a regular keyboard helps to type text on your computer system. A regular keyboard has many uses. People use them in schools, offices, hospitals, and many other areas to use their computer systems.

A regular keyboard includes basic keys that any computer keyboard contains. Unlike gaming keyboards, a regular keyboard does not necessarily have RGB lights under its keys. In addition, a regular keyboard can have tactile, mechanical, or other types of switches that can help perform different tasks.

Difference Between Gaming And Regular Keyboards

Price

The first and most prominent factor I consider when purchasing a keyboard for my computer system is its price. A product with more advanced technologies costs more than one with fewer advancements.

Hence, modern features make a gaming keyboard comparatively more expensive than regular keyboards. A gaming keyboard’s average price rate ranges from 50 USD to 200 USD or more. Since gaming keyboards are perfect for gamers, gamers can easily afford a 50 to 200 USD product with premium advancements for their system.

Though gaming keyboards are slightly more expensive than regular keyboards, there is not much difference between their prices; hence, you can afford any of them.

Simply put, if you plan to purchase a keyboard on a budget, you can afford a regular or a gaming keyboard. Regular keyboards are ideal if you don’t want to spend more than 20 to 30 USD on a keyboard.

Keyboard Switches

One of the many factors that made my experience with gaming keyboards better than regular keyboards was their switches. As I mentioned, a gaming keyboard uses mechanical switches that enhance performance and help in easy typing. Thanks to the mechanical switches of these keyboards because they increase your typing speed to a great extent.

In contrast, regular keyboards use different types of keyboard switches. They can be either tactile, clicky, or mechanical. Many premium-quality and expensive regular keyboards also use mechanical switches to improve your typing, but others use tactile or clicky switches.

Typing

Since gaming keyboards are mechanical, their keys are light and have less travel distance, resulting in more effortless typing. Such keyboards are ideal for gamers because they can perform sudden commands during their game.

Another significant feature of a gaming keyboard is that it produces a certain clicking sound when you press a key. Since I find such noises disturbing, I’ve made them quieter through certain methods.

In contrast, regular keyboards contain membrane keys and lack physical switches. The rubber membranes in regular keyboards are key in registering a certain keypress. That is why a regular keyboard has hard keys that one might find challenging to type.

Durability

Durability is a key factor when looking for any product. Who wants to invest money in a less durable product? No one. Right? Well, the same is the case with keyboards. Since gamers have expensive gaming systems, they prefer a high-quality keyboard with more durability. Now the question arises, are gaming keyboards more durable than regular keyboards? The answer is yes.

A gaming keyboard is a perfect pick when looking for a durable and long-lasting product. Gaming keyboards are more durable because they can run long and tolerate heavy loads of games, unlike regular keyboards. The built-in advanced features in gaming keyboards make them long-lasting.

Some regular keyboards are durable but most of them are short-lasting. I have seen many regular keyboards whose parts start to fall off after several uses. If you want to purchase a regular keyboard, consider an expensive one with a premium quality material and keys that can make it last longer than other keyboards.

Response Time

Gaming keyboards are more reliable than regular keyboards because their advanced mechanical switches result in easy and fast typing. Besides enhancing typing, these keys result in fast responses because they are light and have short travel distances.

On the other hand, a regular keyboard uses membrane switches with rubber that is hard to type with and hence has a slow response time compared to gaming keyboards. A highly expensive regular keyboard with advanced mode features can respond faster than the average.

N-Key Rollover

N-Key rollover is usually known as NKRO and is an essential keyboard feature. Both gaming and regular keyboards have this feature, which might be absent in some regular keyboards.

The NKRO feature of a keyboard allows a user to press different keys at the same time. All gaming keyboards, whether cheap or expensive, have NKRO because it allows the keys to perform independently. Therefore, you can type multiple keys simultaneously to add them to your system.

You might have heard about a common keyboard problem: ghosting. Well, it results due to the absence of NKRO. You can type six keys at a time on a regular keyboard. In short, pressing more keys at a time causes ghosting that does not allow you to insert certain keys in your text. Hence, a gaming keyboard wins the race against a regular keyboard regarding NKRO features.

Macro Keys

Macro keys are a prominent part of gaming, making them different from regular ones. These special keys on a gaming keyboard are shortcuts to help you perform certain commands during the game. Moreover, they can perform simple tasks like opening new documents on your system.

A regular keyboard does not contain macro keys. Instead, it contains the basic keys that perform the basic functions of an ordinary keyboard. But if you want to enhance your experience with these additional keys, various products can help you.

RGB Lights

RGB lights in a gaming keyboard are my favorite feature because they enhance your keyboard’s look and overall gaming experience. These are the special lights present under every key on a gaming keyboard. RGB stands for red, green, and blue.

Therefore, gaming keyboard keys have these lights under them that improve their appearance. Although some mechanical keyboards have basic white lights, they lack RGB lights. In short, RGB lights are specific to gaming appliances and make gaming keyboards more convenient and reliable than other keyboards.

FAQs

What are the two types of keyboards?

Different types of keyboards are available in the market with various advancements. The two major types of keyboards are regular keyboards and gaming keyboards.

What is the benefit of a gaming keyboard?

A gaming keyboard helps in fast response and easy typing. Moreover, a gaming keyboard is much more durable and has macro keys that a regular keyboard usually lacks.

Can gaming keyboards be used as regular keyboards?

The best part about using a gaming keyboard is that you can use it for gaming and basic commands. In other words, a gaming keyboard acts as a regular keyboard and has more speed than it does.

What is the difference between a gaming keyboard and a regular keyboard?

A gaming keyboard contains RGB lights, macro keys, and many other advanced technologies that enhance your gaming experience. On the other hand, a regular keyboard has basic keys and performs basic typing functions.

Do gaming keyboards help you type faster?

Yes, modern technologies and advanced mechanical switches in a gaming keyboard play a vital role in increasing your typing speed to a significant extent.

Finalizing

The above guide contains a detailed comparison between gaming and regular keyboards. Although they both perform typing functions, gaming keyboards are more reliable and durable because of their advanced RGB lights, mechanical switches, and macro keys that enhance your performance.

Moreover, a gaming keyboard functions as a regular keyboard, increasing your typing speed. In contrast, a regular keyboard can’t function as a gaming keyboard because it lacks some modern technologies. Hopefully, the details in the above guide cleared up your confusion regarding both types of keyboards.