Why Aren't Keyboards Built To Last?

Keyboards and mice are the two devices that get the most use out of any computer. Or, I should be saying direct use. Keyboards are used for typing or performing commands. So they take a lot of abuse especially if we are the type of person to use them quite frequently for a lot of typing. I find, that.... the same problems exist with laptops, but they aren't as easily replaced. Quite frankly though your keyboards seem to be lasting you a lot longer then most do.

because they want you to have to buy a new one every few years, but I have to admit that I have had pretty good luck with keyboards over the years

Oh well... Let me tell you what I know about keyboards.. Every keyboard has a definite life. I have studied 4-5 different types of keyboards when I was in college- it was part of our syllabus, basically. All of them have different lift-spans and it is defined on the basis of 'million key presses'. Suppose a particular keyboard's life is said to be '20 million key presses' then it means that the keys of that board can be pressed 20 million times safely and after which, one isn't sure whether it is going to work fine or not!!! I am sorry I can't provide with detailed information, as I left college before 5 years and my memory is too feeble when it comes to studies . I don't know much about modern keyboards, but the ones we use at office are much sophisticated and easy to use. I wish you I could provide with more info about this.

for the same reason nothing lasts anymore. if they make it too good,we won't buy new ones for a long time.they don't make money that way.

Hi, I have a desk top and the keyboard is the part that needs replacing the most. In 11 yrs, I've replaced my computer once. The Keyboard doesn't last the brand or the price doesn't seem to matter. I'd always bought the cheaper ones because it was all I could afford. Well, last year I had the extra cash and once again needed a keyboard so I went to Radio Shack and got a fairly expensive one and was sure that in the long run it would save me money. It didn't. I really did not last any longer than the cheapo ones that I normally buy. I usually buy one for 10.00 and it lasts me a year or more. so that really isn't that bad. I will never pay much for a keyboard again. If I pay 10.00 and it starts to look bad or not work so good then I'm ok with replacing it.A couple of them have lasted well over a year. Sometimes it is totally our fault when they need replacing. Spilling a drink in them will kill them instantly. I had one last me almost 3 years. For 10.00 (maybe 15) that's not too shabby. I suggest go with the cheap ones.

If you think about it and apologies if someone else has mentioned this, the keyboard and also the mouse are the two pieces of a computer system which comes into the most human contact. So in many ways it’s sort of makes sense that these two items, which are more open to physical abuse and heavy handedness would be the ones more likely to break and look worn and dirty. I think in the last 10 years I have probably gone through about 7 keyboards, some suffer actually technical faults of unresponsive keys, others have lost the lettering making it that bit harder to type. I am yet to find one which is hard wearing and that I feel comfortable with. I actually keep a keyboard in reserve so that if the one I am using breaks or becomes unusable I have an immediate fallback. But the one thing I have learned is not to waste too much money on them because even the more expensive ones, and I have spent silly money on a couple, are just as likely to loose their lettering or break as a cheaper one. Oh and as for laptop keyboards, well I love them except I’ve wrecked those as well and they are more of a pain to replace.

It appears that things are just not meant to last any more, it is a throwaway culture we live in it seems...things are produced is a huge mass so they are cheap to buy and replace. MUst admit, I'm shocked at Sony...not like them usually.

I have never had to replace a keyboard. I guess I do much more mouse work than keyboard work. The way my daughter pounds on it, I might have to replace the one at home eventually though.

the price is not the problem, even if you buy it with expensive equipment still can be damaged condition or not working properly. It depends on how you use it, type it roughly can make no button is pressed and the keyboard can also be sensitive to humidity temperature. For me the most important thing is to be used.

Well, i have seen a lot of programmers in my day to day life and even i'm a programmer, but we have not complained about keyboards .... I have Logitech Mouse and Keyboard .. The Lettering are still visible ...i updated my CPU just before 7 months, but i did not change my keyboard \ Mouse \monitor.. They are giving very high performance.. Even i have seen my friends using Laptops and they dont tell that the keys are going out.. I think u have to check out the manufacturer .. Sony is very good brand and have a good reputation ..

Maybe it's just from how much you use your keyboard... how much do you type? with my keyboards, I have 2, a wireless and a wired one, and both of them have lasted me through the entire life of my computers. Granted, I'm not a huge typer, I don't need to be typing pages and pages all day, just pieces like this, plus e-mails and so on, and my keyboards are still in good condition.

Unfortunately, it could be that you simply have a higher level of acidic skin oil. Or possibly you have stuff on your fingers that causes the paint to smear. Or even you might just sweat a lot. I have a roommate that sweats a lot. Nothing can be done about it. They have to replace their keyboard on a more routine basis. I, on the other hand do not, and most last 4 to 5 years. I have owned a few Sony products and have not noticed them to be much better than any other manufacturer. Not sure where that "Sony lasts forever" idea comes from. Must be great marketing.

I have been using my keyboard like over 10 years now and it still in perfect condition although it's kinda dirty. I practically use my keyboard everyday. I was quite surprise that it still lasted until now

They are. You just need to care for them a little. Don't hammer the keys too hard, don't spill liquid on them. They will last as long as the computer will. By the way, a computer's life is around 3 years, after that it becomes hopelessly obsolete. So what's the difference if the keyboard does not outlast the computer? And, yes, the same thing applies to laptops, though some brands have much crisper keystrokes than others. Lenovo is one I particularly like, so is Dell.

computer keyboards tend to be disposable. if you're a touch typist, the keyboard that you're using may last longer. keyboards are really cheap these days, so why not replace your defective keyboard to new one when the right time comes.

Well, I've had a Logitech keyboards for around 6 years now, and (touch wood) it is still going well. One or two keys are slightly sticky now and again, but overall it works well. The letters on "S" and the "D" keys have gone very faint, but it seems my fingers know exactly there they are. _Derek

I have changed my keyboard a few times too. It is indeed the most used and abused item on my desktop. I think the designers of these items just made them last a certain limit. Maybe a couple of years. That way, consumers would continue buying new ones.

Are you sure the keyboard is bad or is it that when you type you bang the keys!!! Don't laugh I am serious, nor am I making fun or a joke on you; as I had the same problem till someone told me that my problem was what I just mentioned - you see I graduated to the computer keyboard from the manual typewriter where we I was used to using a little more pressure and that habit stayed,( I think most of my age do the same), so much so that when I got a laptop after using a desktop for almost 18 years I was advised to buy a separate keyboard ( either USB or cordless & I bought the latter with a cordless mouse!!) because my daughter told me that with my hard typing the keyboard would go kaput before its lifetime and then laptop keyboard replacing is costly whereas external ones are not. Hope you take this in the right spirit Bye, regards

Laptop keys get shiny with use. Mine has a highly polished sheen on the most used keys and the space bar. You can get replacement laptop keyboards but they have to be specific to the model. By splodgy I guess you mean the printing is coming off the keys? You can clean them with meths on a cotton bud(meths evaporates so wont kill the keyboard) but you need to have it all turned off while you do it. My desktop keyboard allows the keys to be prized off and cleaned and that is useful for getting out any dust and crumbs from underneath.

Try buying more expensive keyboards like IBM. Like in shoes, there are expensive shoes that last almost a lifetime. This also applies to keyboards.