N00b question...chiclet keyboard???

Sorry for the n00b question, but what is a chiclet keyboard? What is the difference between this kind of keyboard and a "normal" notebook keyboard?

 

A chiclet keyboard is slang for a computer keyboard built with an array of small, flat rectangular or lozenge-shaped rubber or plastic keys that look like erasers or pieces of chewing gum. The term comes from "Chiclets", a brand of chewing gum. Most often the top of the Chiclets were hard, but sometimes (notably on the Sinclair Spectrum) they were made of the same material as the rubber dome itself. Specific about Chiclet keyboard is that each key is surrounded (and held in place by) a perforated plate, so that there is a space in-between each key.

The expression "chiclet keyboard" is not common to every country. For example, in the UK (where Chiclets gum is not sold), it is more often referred to as either a dead-flesh keyboard (from the feel of the keys) or simply a rubber-keyed keyboard. In Norway, the term eraser keyboard was commonly used (from the keys' likeness to pencil erasers).

 

Dome switch or Chiclet Keyboards
Dome switch keyboards are a hybrid of membrane and mechanical keyboards. They bring two circuit board traces together under a rubber or silicone keypad using either metal "dome" switches or polyester formed domes. The metal dome switches are formed pieces of stainless steel that, when compressed, give the user a crisp, positive tactile feedback. These metal types of dome switches are very common, are usually reliable to over 5 million cycles, and can be plated in either nickel, silver or gold. The rubber dome switches, most commonly referred to as polydomes, are formed polyester domes where the inside bubble is coated in graphite. While polydomes are typically cheaper than metal domes, they lack the crisp snap of the metal domes, and usually have a lower life specification. Polydomes are considered very quiet, but purists tend to find them "mushy" because the collapsing dome does not provide as much positive response as metal domes. For either metal or polydomes, when a key is pressed, it collapses the dome, which connects the two circuit traces and completes the connection to enter the character. The pattern on the PC board is often gold-plated.

Both are common switch technologies used in mass market keyboards today. This type of switch technology happens to be most commonly used in handheld controllers, mobile phones, automotive, consumer electronics and medical devices. Dome switch keyboards are also called direct-switch keyboards


Scissor switch keyboard (Normal Keyboard)
A special case of the computer keyboard dome-switch is the scissor-switch. The keys are attached to the keyboard via two plastic pieces that interlock in a "scissor"-like fashion, and snap to the keyboard and the key. It still uses rubber domes, but a special plastic 'scissors' mechanism links the keycap to a plunger that depresses the rubber dome with a much shorter travel than the typical rubber dome keyboard. Typically scissor-switch keyboards also employ 3-layer membranes as the electrical component of the switch. These stabilizing scissor-like devices extend the lifespan of the membrane to as much as 10 million keystrokes. They also usually have a shorter total key travel distance (2 mm instead of 3.5 – 4 mm for standard dome-switch keyswitches). This type of keyswitch is often found on the built-in keyboards on laptops and keyboards marketed as 'low-profile'. These keyboards are generally quiet and the keys require little force to press.

Scissor-switch keyboards are typically slightly more expensive. They are harder to clean (due to the limited movement of the keys and their multiple attachment points) but also less likely to get debris in them as the gaps between the keys are often less (as there is no need for extra room to allow for the 'wiggle' in the key as you would find on a membrane keyboard).

 

From these definitions, almost all keyboards that I've seen are chiclet keyboards. I know that business class notebooks, especially Lenovo, have really good keyboards with no flex. Does anyone know which kind Lenovo / Sager use? Also, if you know where I could see a picture of a notebook with either type of keyboard I would really appreciate it.

 

Both are Scissor-switch keyboards

Lenovo D300 laptop keyboard


Sager (Clevo D400) laptop keyboard

 

Do these companies use scissor switch across their entire lineup? I am looking at the W510 or the 8760. Thanks for all your help, it's much appreciated!

 

Also, just so I can compare the two...It looks like the ASUS G73JH uses a chiclet keyboard, and not a scissor switch? At least, from these pictures in the gallery, that's what it looks like.

ASUS G73JH-A1 - XOTIC PC - ASUS Gaming Laptop

 

That is correct, the G73 has a 'chiclet' style keyboard. You can see our full review of the laptop here:
ASUS G73JH Review

As noted, 'chiclet' is a very annoying name for a keyboard where the keys are raised above the surface of the notebook and have more than usual spacing. Apple MacBooks are a prime example. Sony actually invented them years ago though it was not until this year that they were picked up by mainstream makers.

 

Looks that way

"The G73Jh's keyboard is, in conformity to the current trend, made in a chiclet design and, in our test sample, lighted. The brightness can even be controlled with the function keys.

We can't say much about the keyboard layout because the presented device had been equipped with an English keyboard. The return key, however, has the same height as a key row and the arrow keys have turned out quite narrow. This is due to the fact that the keyboard only reaches across three quarters of the case width, on the one hand and on the other because of the big gaps between the keys that is a result of the chiclet design.

Typing was an ease, though. The normally used keys have been sufficiently sized, apart from the small return key, have a distinct stroke and provide a good key pressure feedback.

The touchpad has an adequate size and permit the fingers to glide over it smoothly. There is a key beneath it that replaces the mouse when pressed on the left or right."

 

The Sager NP8760 (Clevo W870CU) has a chiclet keyboard.



I think the Lenovo W510 uses a scissor-switch keyboard.

 

All ThinkPads (and to my knowledge, IdeaPads as well) except the Edge use a scissor-switch keyboard. The ThinkPad Edge uses what is supposedly a hybrid of scissor switch and Chiclet.

 

The spacing makes for a weird typing feel, and before you get used to it some errors. For me even after getting used to it, it still is a terrible excuse for a key setup.

 

All laptop keyboards provide a horrible typing experience (not even the Thinkpad ones come close to the experience a typical Logitech or Microsoft external keyboard offers) so that really doesn't matter.

I prefer Chiclet style keyboards simply because they're easier to clean.

 

I really think that depends on the person. I have had a couple laptops that were not ANY trouble to type on. Definitely different than an external keyboard, but still easy and comfortable. But, I have small hands and fingers, so maybe it's just me.

 

That's a matter of opinion, I hate 99% of desktop keyboards because they feel too mushy. I like scissor-switch laptop keyboards; they have a good "click" to them, and solid tactile feedback. As a touch-typer, that's pretty important to me.

My 1201N is the first chiclet-style keyboard I've ever used, and it's not bad. I don't understand why people say the spacing is different; it seems identical to previous laptop keyboards I've used. The keys are a bit mushier than I'd like (like desktop keys), but it's still comfortable to type on.

 

Mechanical switches are the best keyboards, in my experience. Scissor switches are a decent compromise for the limited space available, but the rubber-dome chiclets are definitely terrible for fast and frequent typers. Rubber domes also tend to wear out much more quickly, so you'll notice less springiness within the lifetime of the laptop whether you're using scissor switches or polymer domes, although there's a bit less wear on the scissor switches. Regardless, they're mushy.

 

Mechanical switch and dome switch keyboards are both considered "chiclet" keyboards, aren't they? Any way to tell the difference between the two before you buy?

 

You're not going to find mechanical switches in a laptop keyboard. If you've ever used an IBM Model M keyboard, those are mechanical switches. And they're not chicklet-style, either.

Tl;dr - on a laptop, "normal" keyboard = scissor switch, chicklet keyboard = rubber dome.

 

For the love of god please don't confuse the guy anymore with key switches...

The following are the only 2 styles of keys that concerns you if you are looking at notebook keyboards.

Chicklet keyboard only refers to this type of keys, thats all there is to it, don't worry about key switches.






Normal (traditional) notebook keyboards are these...




If you feel like learning alittle more about key switches: Reading assignment!

 

Thanks for the link, it answered a lot of questions.

 

Cherry MX Blue hands down for typing. Of course if you're on a laptop, it *almost* doesn't make sense to get a standalone keyboard unless your laptop is a desktop replacement.

 

I won't be able to use a standalone keyboard. That's why I'm trying to find out what the best laptop keyboard is. I know lenovo keyboards are pretty good, which is one of the reasons I'm looking at the W510. I think that have a scissor type keyboard as well.

 

The HP EliteBooks have 'chiclet' style keyboards which are reportedly excellent.
HP EliteBook 8440w Review
HP EliteBook 8540p Review
The 8540w is the workstation version of the 8540p and competes with the W510. It is well worth considering.

 

chiclet is like macbook pro keyboard

 

Personally I wouldn't call those "chiclet", the Sony SZ had a very similar looking keyboard, just oddly shaped (normal) keys.

SZ: