Palm rest
The presence of an additional
palm rest in the design of the keyboard. Such a stand is located in the lower (closest to the user) part of the device and is a kind of continuation of the “board”, providing additional support and increasing the comfort of use. However, comfort is largely a matter of personal preference, and not all users like stands; therefore, most often they are made removable.
Audio jack
The type of audio jack provided in the design of the keyboard (if it has such a function at all).
The audio jack on the keyboard is often more convenient than the jack on the PC case: it is right under the user's hand, you do not need to reach for the system unit to connect audio devices (headphones, microphones, etc.). Specific types of connectors can be as follows:
— Mini-Jack (2x3.5 mm). A set of two 3.5mm mini-jacks. It is for such connectors that plugs are made in most modern headphones, as well as specialized computer speakers and microphones. Note that each of the jacks has its own specialization: one (usually green) is an output for headphones / speakers, the second (red) is an input for a microphone (or headset microphone plug). The same principle of connecting audio devices is used in most modern sound cards, so this option is most popular in keyboards.
— Mini-Jack (4-pin 3.5 mm). A specific type of 3.5 mm mini-Jack connector that has 4 pins (instead of the standard 3). It is intended mainly for connecting mobile headsets: such headsets, unlike computer ones, have one plug through which both headphones and a microphone work. However, ordinary “ears” can also be connected to the 4-pin socket — this possibility is allowed by the design. Connectors of this type are found mainly in
tablet keyboards, as well as in some
gaming models.
Lighting effects
The presence of additional effects in the backlight provided in the keyboard (see above). For models with the
backlight synchronization function, this item indicates the synchronization technology.
Additional backlight effects can be different: multi-coloured backlighting of individual keyboard zones, smooth “flowing” of one colour into another, response to system or game events, etc.; specific features should be clarified for each model separately. As for synchronization, it allows you to coordinate the backlighting of various system components — keyboards, case mice, graphics cards, etc.; this opportunity is especially appreciated by the owners of high-end gaming stations. Coordination requires that all highlighted components support the same technology; usually, each manufacturer has its own — Aura Sync for Asus, RGB Fusion for Gigabyte, etc.