Keyboard protector

A Keyboard protector is a device which is placed on top of a computer keyboard to reduce its contact with the environment, for example to prevent dust entry, and to keep the keyboard in a pristine state and reduce or eliminate cleaning.

Background

Initiated by the recent rise of Apple Inc. (attributed to the huge success of its portable MP3 player iPod), its computers, Macintoshes (Macs), are gaining market share, too. Gartner. [http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/index.jsp?epi-content=NEWS_VIEW_POPUP_TYPE&newsId=20071017006336&ndmHsc=v2*A1192618800000*B1192682455000*DgroupByDate*J1*N1000837&newsLang=en&beanID=202776713&viewID=news_view_popup Gartner Says Asia/Pacific and EMEA Regions Drove Third-Quarter PC Shipments While U.S. Market Experienced Weaker-Than-Expected Results] "Business Wire", 2007-10-17. Retrieved on 2007-10-18.] Apple's desktop macs are packed with white keyboards, which can easily be blotted and dirtied by dust. As a result keyboard protectors came to a prominence primarily among those Mac users who treat their Macs as artworks. Later, keyboard protectors were promoted for some other of Apple's computers such as PowerBook G4 and MacBook Pro, whose keyboards are silver in colour, though not as vulnerable as the aforementioned Macs. There are similar products for PC, but their significance is not as far-reaching as in the Macintosh circle. Fact|date=February 2007

Composition

A keyboard protector is usually made with plastic, polyurethane or silicone. Comparatively, silicone is a more protective and stronger substance which cannot be penetrated by liquids (unless they are corrosive alcohol), such as oil and water.

Working principle

A keyboard protector is placed on top of a keyboard to reduce the keyboard's contact with the physical environment. Keyboard protectors protect against water, oil, dirt, crumbs, hair, and drink spills, for example.

Advantages and inconvenience

A keyboard protector is usually washable and can be used immediately after purchase. Computer users who are accustomed to typing without the keyboard protectors may take some time to become accustomed since the keystrokes are dampened and the force needed to apply to the keys are different. These factors may affect their typing speed and accuracy.

Compatibility

Since there are several major types of keyboards in the market, whose layout of keys are different, the compatibility of keyboard protectors is also important in order to have the keyboard fully and well protected. There is a comprehensive product line of keyboard protectors available for keyboards but also for laptop keyboards of all the major computer manufacturers. However, for most of the smaller brands, a well-suited keyboard protector is usually a bit harder to find. Fact|date=February 2007

References

* [http://www.macworld.com/news/2006/08/18/protouch/index.php MacWorld introduction]
* [http://www.pro-tect.nl/site/EN/pages/136?navid=359 Pro-tect Europe B.V. (manufacturer)]