Regular maintenance and continuous monitoring are key to making sure your hardware runs optimally. These tasks usually fall on IT staff, but by following these tips, you can help your IT team prolong the life of your computer equipment. ✓ Clean your computer components Wipe down monitors with a clean, static-free, non-abrasive fabric such as Learn More “Hardware management checklist for SMBs”
Just like a new smartphone or car, new keyboard models can also garner ooh and ahs from people. But novelty fades, and you may end up asking this question: What is the best one for me? Whether your keyboard is used for business or leisure, a great model will make a difference. When it’s time to shop for a new keyboard, the following can help you make the right purchase.
Connectivity
If your computer mouse can go wireless, why can’t your keyboard too? But it will depend on what exactly you use the keyboard for. Keyboards are normally plug-and-play devices that don’t require additional software installation (excluding certain gaming models).; Wired models draw power from a USB connection, eliminating the use of batteries. Gamers tend to prefer wired over wireless because they won’t have to deal with lag and interference issues.
If you want to declutter, then wireless is the way to go. With this type of keyboard, data is transmitted to your PC either through a radio frequency connection to a USB receiver or via Bluetooth. Wireless models have their pros and cons, but they reduce the number of cables on your desk and give you more flexibility. You can lie on the couch and type from across the room. Also, most models connect to the PC via a 2.4-GHz wireless dongle that can also be used for cordless phones and Wi-Fi, providing connectivity to multiple devices at once.
This aspect of keyboard design is widely mentioned in reviews, yet many people overlook the importance of the type of switches used for individual keys. Although the intricate mechanisms that hide beneath the keys may not excite you, the difference you feel from each type will.
The three main types of key switches include silicone dome, scissor, and mechanical switches. Keyboards that come with a new desktop PC generally use silicone-dome switches, whereby two dimpled layers of silicone membrane form a grid of rubber bubbles that acts as the switch for each key. This requires you to press the key hard to type a letter, gradually diminishing its springiness and responsiveness over time.
The newer laptops and ultrabooks use scissor switches which have a mechanical stabilizer for uniformity. Moreover, under each keycap is a plunger that allows for shorter key travel. This causes scissor switch keyboards to have a shallow typing feel, making them more durable than silicone dome switches.
What keyboard enthusiasts can’t get enough of are mechanical switch keyboards. Their advantages lies in the spring-loaded sliding keypost beneath each key. Several variations are available with slightly different sensations or sounds. Mechanical switches generally provide enhanced tactile feedback and have a clicking sound. Thanks to their sturdy switch mechanisms and durable springs, these keyboards last longer and can easily be repaired.. Furthermore, each keystroke registers quickly, making them ideal for touch typists.
To keep carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive stress injury at bay, keyboards are designed to keep your hands in a neutral position while typing. Not only do ergonomic keyboards provide greater comfort, but they also reduce joint and tendon stress. This prevents inflammation and pricey surgical procedures. Ergonomic features range from simple padded wrist-rests to elaborate curved and sloped keyboards.
It won’t take long to examine your current keyboard and see how well it works. Do not settle for anything but the best. If you need help finding the right keyboard, email or drop us a line. We’re more than happy to hear from you.
Imagine going back to the office after a long vacation, only to be greeted by a messy workstation. Frustrating, isn’t it? If your enterprise wants to start a new year working with clean, organized technology, this IT hardware checklist is just what you need. ✓ Clean up your computer components Wipe your monitor with clean, Learn More “An SMB’s IT hardware checklist”
As a business owner, you don’t want to start the new year faced with last year’s hardware problems. And although you can’t leave every issue behind, you can start implementing policies to avoid some of the most common hardware issues you’ve previously encountered. Here’s a checklist to get you started.
✓ Clean up your computer components
Wipe your monitor with a clean, static-free fabric; remove excess dirt from your mouse’s exterior; and tidy up your keyboard with compressed air. Don’t forget your computer tower! Dust build-up can block your computer’s air vent and affect its performance. Ensure that your workstation is getting adequate ventilation and isn’t directly exposed to sunlight and other heat sources.
✓ Manage your cables
If you’re not giving your computers’ cables the attention they deserve, now’s a good time to do so. Other than wiping the thick coat of dust on computers’ cables, consider using cable management solutions that unclutter and untangle messy wires. These don’t just organize and secure your cables, they also help ensure your PCs run quieter and are less prone to overheating as a result of blocked air vents.
Planning to relocate or upgrade in the near future? Organizing your computers’ cables now makes future relocation and upgrading processes much easier.
✓ Review and update your inventory
Keeping an inventory of all your hardware helps you manage hardware lifecycles and purchases, identify items that are near their end of life, and ensure you avoid duplicate purchases of items already in-stock.
Your inventory list should include all owned and leased devices: PCs and laptops, printers and scanners, tablets and smartphones, and modems and other network hardware. Update all your assets’ serial numbers and keep track of their respective users and location.
✓ Printer maintenance
Clean the interiors and exteriors of your printers, including paper trays, which are sure to have accumulated dirt from years of use. You should also repair and/or replace parts and accessories such as printheads and cartridges that are no longer in good condition. Should you decide to do a complete printer maintenance, check for the latest software updates for your printers and install them immediately.
✓ Implement a hardware policy
This is also a good time to create a technology guideline that your employees can follow to ensure they work efficiently. These guidelines reduce the need to spend on unnecessary repairs, keeping the succeeding year’s checklist shorter. With clear instructions on the proper use, replacement, and storage of your hardware and devices, you’ll be better able to manage your hardware for years to come.
With a more organized IT hardware inventory, you have one less thing to worry about. Want to get more in-depth hardware management recommendations? Call our experts today.