Comparison Vinga KB410 vs Frime Firefly

The length of the cable that the keyboard is equipped with for wired connection (see "Connection type").

When choosing this parameter, you should first of all take into account the distance from the device to the connection port: a cable that is too short may simply not reach the connector, and a cable that is too long may get confused at hand and create inconvenience. As for specific values, the reference length is 1.8 m. However, there are cables both shorter and longer.

The layout describes the physical geometry of the keys and their standard arrangement: the shape of Enter and Shift, the presence of additional keys, the width of the space bar, and consequently, compatibility with keycap sets and typing familiarity. The standards hardly affect productivity in software and gaming — comfort and how easy it is to find suitable keycaps/cases are more important. The following types are found:

— ANSI (American). A distinctive feature of the American layout is the single-row Enter key; it is the only popular layout where this key occupies one row, not two. Additionally, unlike the European ISO, the Shift keys on ANSI keyboards have the same width, and the Alt key has the same function. The backslash “\” is usually placed above the Enter and can be longer.

— ISO (European). One characteristic feature of the European layout is the Enter key, which occupies two rows and is slightly wider at the top. Also, the modifier keys are asymmetrical: the Shift keys differ in size (the left one is shorter than the right), and the Alts differ in function (the right Alt is marked as “Alt Gr” and is used for typing special characters of European languages). From the similar in many ways "Japanese" JIS layout, the ISO layout differs by the placement of the backslash “\” — it is standardly located near the left Shift (in some models, it is duplicated near the Enter). As a result,...the left Shift is shorter than usual; this can be inconvenient, especially for new users.

— KS (Korean). The “Korean” layout can be distinguished by the characteristic shape of the Enter key: it occupies two rows and is longer at the bottom than at the top. Another feature is the backslash “\”, which is located to the left of the Backspace, resulting in a shorter Backspace than in other layouts.

— JIS (Japanese). A layout much like the European ISO: it has the same two-row Enter with an increased length of the upper half. In many models, the right Alt is labeled “Alt Gr” and is designed for typing special symbols. The main differences lie in two aspects: the length of the left Shift (it is standard in JIS, not shortened) and the placement of the backslash “\” (it is standardly installed to the left of the lower half of the Enter, where some ISO keyboards have a second, additional backslash).

The distance that the key travels when pressed — from the initial position to touching the contacts and sending the "command". Indicated as high or low. Keyboards with low key travel(3 mm or less) are considered to be more comfortable for fast input (such as fast typing). However, the best option largely depends on the habits and preferences of a particular user.

— Classic type. Keyboard with keys of the usual square and rectangular shape, with a small distance between them. Such keys usually expand downwards so that the gaps between them are as small as possible.

— Island type. Also known as "soaring" or chiclet. This is a keyboard in which each key is installed in a separate hole at a small distance from the others. Island models are more convenient than classical ones in that they are less likely to accidentally press the adjacent key. On the other hand, they are more difficult to clean: debris that has clogged into the gap between the key and the “board” itself is quite difficult to clean out, while contamination can create problems in operation.

On the practical side, the choice of a particular type of keys depends primarily on the personal preferences of the user.

The colour of the backlight provided in the design of the keyboard.

In general, the backlight performs two functions: practical (makes the keys more visible in low light) and aesthetic (gives the keyboard a beautiful appearance). However, it cannot be said that non-backlit keyboards will be unusable in the dark, the light from the monitor will still illuminate the buttons. The simplest version of the backlight is one-colour. In this case, specific colours can be different: for example, white is well suited for general-purpose keyboards (work or home), but other shades can be found in gaming or design models, for example, red, green, blue, purple or orange. If two or three colours are indicated for the keyboard, this may mean either the ability to switch between these colours, or that this model comes in several versions that differ in the shade of the backlight; these nuances should be clarified separately.

The most advanced options are multi-colour and RGB backlighting. Multi-colour systems are called systems in which more than three colour options are provided, sometimes with intermediate shades. And RGB-backlight all...ows you to choose almost any shade at the request of the user; in addition, the possibility of synchronization (see "Illumination with effects") is found mainly in such systems, although single-colour keyboards can also be equipped with other 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.

Features of the cable with which the device is equipped. First of all, it's worth noting the connection interface used in a wired keyboard. Namely:

— USB-A. A standard universal port for connecting peripherals, present in almost all modern computers—from desktop PCs to microcomputers. USB keyboards are the most universal, so this option is the most common today. The main disadvantage of this option is that the USB port occupied by the keyboard might be needed for another peripheral device; however, this problem is easily solved—for example, by using a USB hub or purchasing a keyboard with its own hub (see below).

— USB-C. The USB-C plug is reversible, compact, and universal, so the keyboard easily connects to modern laptops, PCs, and docking stations. There is no difference in delay and functionality compared to USB-A: in both cases, the keyboard is recognized as a common USB-HID, NKRO, and high polling rate do not depend on the type of plug. Mechanically, USB-C is usually more durable for wear (up to ~10,000 insertion cycles compared to ~1,500 for USB-A), and it is also easier to insert "by feel". Compatibility is resolved with a cable or mini-adapter A↔C, which may be included. Bottom line: if you have a free USB-C port—opt for a keyboard/cable with USB-C; if there are few "C" ports or the PC is stationary—USB-A is just as good in operation.

— PS/2. A specialized round-shaped port used for connecting keyboards and mice; modern PCs may have either two ports, one for each, or a single universal port. In any case, this connection method is convenient because all USB ports remain free; this can be important when using a large number of USB peripherals. At the same time, the PS/2 port itself is quite large and not suitable for laptops and other compact equipment, and therefore is found only in desktop PCs. Even in these cases, it is advisable to confirm the availability of PS/2 before purchasing a keyboard with such a plug.

— USB or PS/2. Generally, this means USB keyboards equipped with an adapter for PS/2 ports. The features of both interfaces are described above; here we note that this option is the most versatile, allowing for a choice of connection method depending on the situation. Furthermore, it is convenient because there are relatively few PS/2 models, and it's easier to find a suitable USB keyboard equipped with an adapter. The adapters themselves are inexpensive and do not significantly affect the device's price; naturally, they are also sold separately, although a set is often a more preferable option.

— Brand-specific. Connection using a unique plug that is not among the standard (described above) interfaces and is mainly used in technology from a specific brand, at best in some devices from third-party manufacturers. This option is quite convenient for tablet accessories (see "By Direction").

In addition to connection, the keyboard cable may have additional properties:

— Detachable.... A cable that can be disconnected from the keyboard. Almost all devices with two connection options—wired and wireless—have this feature: in wireless mode, the cable can be removed so that it doesn't get in the way. Although, there are also purely wired devices with such a cable—mainly laptop ones, where the cable is removed for convenience during transport. It is also worth noting that a universal port is most often used to connect the cable, so if necessary, the cable can be replaced with another—e.g., a longer one.

— Braided. The presence of an additional braid on the cable makes it more durable, reliable, and resistant to bends. On the other hand, the braid tends to accumulate dirt and fray with wear; because of this, the cable's casing quickly loses its marketable appearance compared to keyboards without braiding. And such a cord costs more than a regular smooth one.

Keyboards made in a Skeleton case.

The main difference between such cases and the classical ones is that the mechanism of each key is not hidden at the base of the keyboard, but, on the contrary, rises somewhat above it. Due to this, the keys can be easily removed and put back into place, which makes it much easier to clean from dust and dirt. And in gaming keyboards of this type, the kit often includes interchangeable buttons that differ in colour and texture from the main ones. Actually, almost all models with this feature are specifically gaming (see "By Direction").