What is Keyboard Flex?

Hi:

I have heard this time mentioned often, but no explanation of it. Can someone explain what this is? Sorry if it is a noobish question.

 

when you push down on the keys of a keyboard, the areas surrounding it will sink in. Go to your local computer store and try pressing a Toshiba Sattelite or an Averatec keyboard.. they tend to have alot of flex.

 

Thanks for the explanation Goren. Does this definition apply to the term screen flex and anything with 'flex' in notebook context?

 

basically yeah when you press on it. of course if you press anything hard enough, it'll produce some kind of affect.. but there's certain degrees. Again I will use some of the Averatec models I've seen. attempting to lightly bend (flex) the lid will easily produce ripples.

 

Whoa, the area around the key SINKS? Dear god, how is that possible?

 

Because the board supporting the keys is not 100% rigid. Nothing is, in our Universe. Depending on the type, quality, and thickness of the material used, and on the layout of the points in which it is supported underneath, it flexes more or less, in various areas.

For good keyboards, the effect shouldn't be noticeable.

 

heh...i'm sure there is got to be a term for the key turning 'shiny' as well from use.

 

"wear", perhaps?

I've got a better one: "patina" (although it technically applies to oxidation of metals only)

 

My asus is only a day old and ive just got down to some serious typing on it, im mortified to find that all the left side is loose and rattles when you press the following keys......anthing from the letter G and to it left, so fasicly half the keyboard makes a terrible noise when you type.

I must have a dud here, the hard disk whines, now the keyboard rattles.

It happens to be the key area over the dvd drive, so I ges theres no support underneath it, that would explain the problem