Things to know about gaming keyboards and regular keyboards
Gaming keyboard definition
A gaming keyboard is a type of computer keyboard specifically designed for gaming needs. They are optimized to provide maximum performance, advanced features, and great user experience for gamers. 
Key features of gaming keyboards include:
- Durable structure: They are often made from high-quality materials such as aluminum, steel or sturdy plastic to withstand pressure and continuous use for long periods of time.
- LED Backlighting: RGB or monochrome backlighting provides customizable lighting effects and attractive aesthetics, enhancing the gaming experience.
- Anti-ghosting technology: Allows receiving multiple keys at the same time without missing any command.
- Good key press feedback: The key travel is short, but still has a clear feeling when pressed, helping to meet the requirements of quick reflexes in the game.
- Key customization: Many gaming keyboards allow custom macros or commands to be assigned to the keys.
- Control software: Dedicated applications for LED customization, macro assignment, etc.
Regular keyboard definition
A regular keyboard is a basic keyboard built into or designed for use with a desktop or laptop computer for common office, programming, and typing tasks. 
Main characteristics of conventional keyboards:
- Simple design, serving basic purposes such as data entry and text editing.
- Usually no backlight or only basic monochrome backlight.
- Not optimal for gaming experience, such as lack of anti-flash features, design that does not focus on performance/speed.
- Average key response, not too sensitive or too heavy.
- Not as highly customizable as a gaming keyboard.
- Lower cost than specialized gaming keyboards.
Design and build quality between gaming keyboards and regular keyboards
When comparing gaming keyboards and regular keyboards, design and build quality are some of the most important aspects to consider. Gaming keyboard manufacturers often invest a lot of effort in using high-quality materials and sophisticated manufacturing processes to create products that are highly durable, have good user experience, and meet the needs of users. professional users.
Construction materials
Gaming keyboards are often made from high-quality materials such as aluminum, stainless steel or magnesium alloy, ensuring impact resistance, abrasion resistance and long service life. Important parts such as the keyboard frame, keycap and switchboard are all carefully crafted to create outstanding rigidity and durability. In contrast, regular keyboards are often made from cheaper plastic, which is easily damaged after a period of use.Durability and lifespan
Because it is made from high quality materials, gaming keyboards have a much longer lifespan than regular keyboards. Manufacturers often give impressive numbers about the maximum number of keystrokes their keyboards can withstand, usually from 50 million to 100 million keystrokes. This means that a gaming keyboard can serve users for many years without any significant durability issues. Meanwhile, conventional keyboards have a significantly shorter lifespan, usually only 5 to 10 million keystrokes, making them more suitable for office or home use than professional gaming.Aesthetic appeal
In addition to build quality, aesthetics is also an important consideration in the design of gaming keyboards. Manufacturers have invested a lot in creating gaming keyboard models with eye-catching, modern designs and suitable for gaming style. RGB backlighting features, transparent keycaps or special designs such as curved keyboards are all intended to increase the aesthetics and gaming experience for users. Meanwhile, regular keyboards often have a simple design, not too outstanding in terms of appearance. In short, design and build quality are some of the most important aspects that differentiate gaming keyboards from regular keyboards. Gaming keyboards are created for long-term use, high quality and impressive aesthetics, suitable for the needs of professional gamers. Meanwhile, regular keyboards usually only meet basic needs for data entry and office use.Features and performance between gaming keyboards and regular keyboards
When comparing features and performance, gaming keyboards are superior to regular keyboards. Manufacturers have integrated many advanced technologies and advanced features to optimize the gaming experience for users.
Backlighting and lighting effects
RGB backlighting is a common feature on most gaming keyboards. It allows users to customize colors and backlight effects according to their own preferences or style. Some high-end gaming keyboard models can display millions of different colors and support many dynamic backlight effect modes such as flashing, changing colors, glowing according to the music rhythm, etc. This is not true. not only creates an impressive visual experience but also helps users easily see the keys clearly in low light environments.Water/dust resistance
Many high-end gaming keyboard models are equipped with varying degrees of water and dust resistance, with IP67 certification being a common standard. This allows the keyboard to withstand water spills or food spills without damage. Some keyboard models can even be completely immersed in water for a certain period of time. In contrast, regular keyboards are often not water/dust resistant and are easily damaged when exposed to liquid or dust.Anti-ghosting technology
In games, pressing multiple keys at the same time is very common. However, on a regular keyboard, when too many keys are pressed, some keys may be "swallowed" and not recognized by the computer (a phenomenon called "ghosting"). The gaming keyboard is equipped with anti-ghosting technology, allowing up to dozens of keys to be pressed simultaneously without missing any commands. The number of keys that can be pressed simultaneously is usually from 6 to 10 keys on popular gaming keyboard models, and up to about 30 keys on the most advanced models.Configuration software
Most gaming keyboards come with dedicated configuration software, allowing users to customize and control keyboard features. Through this software, users can change the backlight effect, assign macros to keys, adjust the light intensity and key response speed. Some advanced software even provides the ability to program and create individual profiles for each game. These advanced features help deliver flexibility and a highly customizable experience for professional gamers. In short, with modern features and technology, gaming keyboards are superior to conventional keyboards in their ability to meet professional gaming needs. From the ability to customize multi-color backlighting, to anti-interference and water/dust resistance technology, gaming keyboards provide the perfect experience for gamers.User experience
User experience is an important factor in evaluating the quality of a keyboard. While regular keyboards only need to meet basic needs, gaming keyboards are designed to provide an optimal experience for gamers.
Key travel and feedback
Keystroke feedback refers to key travel and key press feel (key feedback). Gaming keyboards often have shorter key travel, about 2-4mm, compared to regular keyboards of 4mm or more. This helps make keystrokes faster, meeting the need for quick reflexes in the game. At the same time, the key press feedback on the gaming keyboard is also clearer and more decisive, helping gamers clearly feel each press.Response time
Response speed is the factor that determines the time from pressing a key to when the computer receives the corresponding command. Gaming keyboards have extremely fast response speeds, usually less than 1ms. This number can even be down to 0.2ms on some high-end models. In contrast, regular keyboards have a slower response speed, about 8-20ms. This difference can determine success or failure in stressful gaming situations.Operating noise
Noise level during operation is also a criterion for evaluating user experience. Gaming keyboards often have significantly lower noise levels than regular keyboards. Thanks to the use of specialized technologies such as Cherry MX, the keys on gaming keyboards only emit a small sound when pressed, about 30-50 decibels. Meanwhile, conventional keyboards can make noise up to 60 decibels, causing discomfort for users for long periods of time. With specific numbers, we can clearly see the difference in user experience between gaming keyboards and regular keyboards. Fast response, extremely high response speed and low noise level make this gaming keyboard the perfect choice for professional gamers. Meanwhile, regular keyboards only meet more basic needs.Applications and benefits
Advantages for gamers
The gaming keyboard is specifically designed to meet the needs of professional gamers. They bring many undeniable benefits:
- Outstanding performance: With fast response speed, anti-interference technology, short key travel and clear feedback, gaming keyboards give gamers important advantages in situations that require quick reflexes and accuracy.
- Highly customizable: RGB backlight, configuration software, ability to assign macros, profiles for each game help gamers easily customize the keyboard according to personal preferences.
- Better experience: Durable design, water/dust resistance, low noise level provides a comfortable gaming experience for long periods of time.
Office/multipurpose use
Although designed primarily for games, many current gaming keyboard models are also capable of meeting office or other multi-purpose tasks well. However, there are still some limitations such as:- RGB backlighting is sometimes considered distracting in office environments.
- Missing some commonly used function keys in the office, such as number keys and calculation keys.
- The key structure is usually smaller than traditional office keyboards.
Cost
One of the biggest differences between gaming keyboards and regular keyboards is cost. Due to the integration of many advanced features and the use of higher quality materials, gaming keyboards often cost significantly more than regular keyboards.- Cheap gaming keyboard: about $50 - $100
- Mid-range gaming keyboard: $100 - $200
- High-end gaming keyboard: $200 or more
