Seven worst PC keyboards you would want to type on

 Mishra:

Worst keyboards to type onThe 7 worst keyboards of all times

Keyboards are the basic input device of any computing device and perhaps the most important feature in any computer, but if you feel that typing on a keyboard has always been easy, then you are in for a big surprise. There have been more than one occasions where the manufacturers have got it all wrong. From lacking basic keys to confusing arrangement of the keyboard to simply unfeeling flat keyboards, there have been numerous occasions when typing on a key board hasn't been easy. Some of the Keyboards being covered in this article are so difficult to type that it would be no less than a nightmare to work on them. There have even been times when a newly created PC failed in the market because of its totally awful keyboard.

The seven worst PC keyboards that you would never wish to handle are-

1. IBM PCjr-

IBMPCjr keyboardthe topper in the list of worst keyboards ever created.

It was the first ever keyboard that was packaged together with the IBM PCjr and is the most notorious of the lot. It is one of the few cases wherein a keyboard led to the failure of the computer in the market. It was the first wireless keyboard, but was not meant to be used in anyway that could provide comfort to the user and it ate batteries at a terribly fast rate. The worst feature, however, was the unmarked keys as every marking was made above the respective keys.

2. Commodore PET2001-

Commodore pet2001number 2 on the list because of its faulty design and difficult use.

This is one of the worst ever keyboards that resembles a child's toy. It was awfully cramped and contained membrane buttons that were prone to quick wear and tear, and the worst part of typing was that you could never be sure if you had pressed the right button or not. The usage of a small "space key" rather than the space bar brought it much criticism even at the time of its launch.

3. Mattel Aquarius-

Mattel aquariusone of the worst design blunders in the history of keyboards.

This was in fact one of the biggest design blunders of all times because of the strategically placed "reset" key that once accidentally pressed deleted hours of work done. You can also note the odd position of the Return key and the small space key in the list.

4. Timex Sinclair1000-

Timex Sinclair1000too much in too little space

This was a simple case of cramping too much in too little space. The keyboard was tiny, with each key assigned a number of values with basic commands that were created to simplify the work but rather ended up making typing a nightmare on the keyboard.

5. Atari400-

atari400full flat and feel less keyboard

This keyboard sported a real flat membrane of a keyboard that was proudly exclaimed to be waterproof. But the actual truth is said to be that it was cheaper to manufacture membrane keys than the normal ones. The keys here were so flat that it could never be confirmed whether a key has been pressed and the input taken in, later on however, a click sound was added to every key-press to compensate for this lack of sense.

6. Tandy TRS80 MC10 Micro Color Computer-

Tandy TRS80no backspace, no left shift and change in key allignment amde it difficult to operate

The keys of this keyboard were said to be highly responsive but the problem lay with the small size and multiple values added to every key press. The other defects include lack of backspace key and no shift key on the left side. The break key and control key were actually put in place of the backspace and the left shift key, respectively.

7. Texas Instruments TI99/4-

Texas Instrumentsconfusing multiple functions of the keyboard and cramping size made typing difficult.

This keyboard did not support the lowercase letters. The combination of Shift and Q was used to reset the system, but was at times unwittingly used by programmers to get a capital Q. The lack of space bar and its odd location along with the changing of position of the Enter key led to a lot of confusion.