Keyboards, Mice & Bundles

Type, draw and work in comfort and confidence with keyboards, mice & bundles. Whether you want to go wireless, need a replacement peripheral or change up your desk space, Cromwell offer a wide range of keyboards, mice & bundles from leading brands such as Logitech®, Kensington®, and Q-Connect®.

What are keyboards, mice & bundles?

Keyboards, mice & bundles are all computer peripherals which take user inputs and apply them on screen.

Keyboards are used to input text and can also be used to input shortcuts which can increase productivity. When a key is pressed on the keyboard, a small circuit is completed allowing for current to pass through the board, allowing for the computer to register a keystroke.

Mice are used primarily for navigating around the user interfaces of the computer, quickly and easily highlighting text, making selections, and inputting commands. Mice track the surface they are placed on and read the direction of travel to calculate the movement and transmit that to the computer

Bundles are a collection of keyboards and mice, which fit the same design theme and are usually cheaper than buying each of the components separately.

Why use keyboards, mice & bundles?

Although touchscreen computing is becoming more common, keyboards, mice and bundles still offer benefits over using touch such as tactile feedback when typing or increased precision offered from a mouse.

When are keyboards, mice & bundles used?

Keyboards, mice, and bundles should be used whenever tactile feedback when typing or the precision offered from a mouse is required when using a computer.

Keyboards, mice & bundle types

There are various types of keyboards, mice and bundles available on the market. Below are some of the key differentiations between the different types:

• Membrane keyboards - Cost effective keyboards with good tactile feedback making them perfect for office use.
• Mechanical keyboards - More expensive but offer superior sound and tactile feedback. Perfect for professional writers and gamers.
• Ball mice - These were very common in the past and uses a ball to track the surface and input movement onto the screen.
• Optical mice - These mice use an optical sensor to track the surface and input movement onto the screen. These come with LED and laser light sources where the latter offers higher precision.
• Wired bundles - These bundles tend to be cheaper compared to wireless and use a USB connector to connect to the computer.
• Wireless bundles - These bundles work without wires by usually using a 2.4GHz signal and using a USB receiver connected to the computer, however Bluetooth bundles are also available.

Considerations when choosing keyboards, mice & bundles

• Connectivity - This is an important consideration when selecting a keyboard, mouse or bundle as wired peripherals will ensure there is no input delay, where wireless peripherals will reduce clutter on the desk space.
• Connector - Most input devices now use USB connectors to connect with the computer, but in the past PS/2 connectors were used. As some PS/2 devices are still being sold, it's important to make sure your computer can support it.
• Keyboard layout - This is an important consideration when selecting a keyboard as different languages have different key layouts. US/UK use QWERTY whereas French keyboards use AZERTY, and German keyboards use QWERTZ.
• Ergonomics - Ergonomics are an important factor to consider as it can help mitigate onsetting carpal tunnel syndrome as it helps to keep hands and arms in natural positions.
• Additional Features - Keyboards, mice and bundles have additional keys which can help to increase productivity. Keyboards can have media and volume shortcuts, whilst mice can have forward and backwards buttons which can speed up internet browsing.

Keyboards, mice & bundles jargon buster

What is 2.4 GHz - 2.4GHz is a specific radio frequency which various devices use and is an effective form communication with low latency. Wireless keyboards, mice and bundles use this frequency to communicate to the USB receiver and apply user inputs to the computer.

FAQs

Why are keyboards not in alphabetical order?
Keyboard layouts are based on when typewriters were in the mainstream. The QWERTY (and variants) were selected to reduce jamming when typing on a typewriter, and the layout has remained since then. Although the QWERTY layout isn't as efficient as other layouts such as Dvorak, it has remained in popularity due to wide market adoption.

Can computer mice cause carpal tunnel syndrome?
Repetitive motions such as typing on keyboards or operating mice can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. It is recommended to maintain healthy workspace habits such as sitting with good posture and ensuring your arms are flat on the desktop when typing and keeping elbows tucked in when using mice. Ergonomic keyboards, mice and bundles are also available to help keeps hands and arms in natural positions.