Best Keyboards for Hindi Typing

One common question from budding Hindi typists is if the type of keyboard or hardware makes a difference; the answer is a definite yes, and for more reasons than you think. Although you don’t get to pick the keyboard used in a government exam, it’s good to know about the different types of switches for your own keyboard. Having a good Hindi typing keyboard can make a difference in your practice and help you develop the sensitivity of a touch typist faster.

Actuation Points and Tactile Response

When exam keyboards and mechanical keyboards are compared, the biggest difference is in the \”actuation point\” on the keyboard. In a membrane keyboard, you have to bottom out the key in order for it to register. This is a lot of work and can lead to finger fatigue and more exhaustion more quickly. In mechanical keyboards, the actuation point is above half, so you do not need to press the key all the way down, and you can use a lighter touch. In Hindi Typing, a keyboard that has Tactile Feedback will work better; Tactile Feedback keyboards have a small bump that you can feel when the key is actuated, and it helps provide the mental feedback that the key was typed.

Why Practice on “Bad” Keyboards?

For example, a mechanical keyboard costs a lot of money, and I understand the comfort, but it is a keyboard that can cause a false sense of comfort. More often than not, government exam centers have older, more worn-out keyboards that have mushy keys that feel spongy or are sticky. This is why the 2-minute practice method is designed for “Hardware Rotation”. Spend 80% of your practice on a good keyboard to build the correct muscle memory and 20% on a cheap, standard office keyboard. This way it will ensure that your fingers are \”tough enough\” to adapt to the different and unpredictable hard ware that you will inevitably face on the exam day.

Key Travel and Speed Ceilings

Key travel is the distance from the top of the key, to the bottom of the key. Keyboards (especially laptop ones) that have a shorter key travel may feel quicker but actually lead to a lot more \”double strikes\” or more commonly known as accidental key presses. On the other hand, older desktop keyboards with longer key presses, or more so the \”deep travel\” ones, allow for greater \”spatial separation\” between keys, which is a big plus for the more complex Remington where you are jumping from row to row quite a lot. In Lesson 28, pay careful attention to the amount of force you are using. This is because, regardless of the keyboard, you should always try to achieve the minimum amount of force needed to trigger the key to ensure it registers. This is what is known as \”Economic Typing\” and is the mark of someone who is skilled.