Why do they make keyboard keys matte finish still?

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mrk

mrk

mrk

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This has bothered me for the past few days as I search for the next keyboard (although by the looks of it I think the diNovo will be with me for some time yet until Logitech out the next best thing that is not priced above £60 !) where laptop/desktop keyboard keys go shiny over time.

The matte finish layer wears down and makes most frequently used keys shiny as well as the area of the space bar you hit the most.

I just wondered why keyboard makers don't make keys with a gloss surface instead to combat this problem once and for all - are there any makers that do this? I've never seen one.

Is it because a gloss keyed board is pricier to manufacture the keys for or is it because they want to keep driving sales of newer models since the old ones will over time with use go all shiny ?
 
the mat finish is much nicer to type on, as your fingers wont slide about and it wont feel "oily" - try using a really well worn mouse thats gone shiney, its a terrible feeling. a matte key will also resist reflecting the environment at you, while a shiney key, esp with strong overhead office lighting will reflect the light, ratehr than be iluminated by it.

the keys go smooth simply due to wear and tear, every time you hit a key your skin and the key rub together and a little of each surface wears away. only, your skin grows back. the effect will always focus on the peaks of whatevr surfaces are contacting, tnding to make them smooth.

in summary: why dont they make them flat:
because then they are useless in offices or anywhere else with overhead lighting (an dprobably for any bright screen at the right angle relative to keys and viewer)
and also becase if its smooth to begin the lettering will be worn away faster than if the matte finish has to wear first.
 
It's only really an issue for black matte key keyboards, that one above is not black :p
 
title said:
Why do they make keyboard keys matte finish still?
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i'm guessing it's for texture/grip reasons - i can't imagine it's for cost reasons.

Have you noticed worn keys have less friction/grip? (mine do) - and i, personally, find them not to be as comfortable to type with.

I find the matt finish makes for a more tactile experience - but you may prefer the feel of smooth shiny keys – so I guess it’s a subjective thing.

Having seen some of the weird and whacky keyboards that have been released – I’m surprised it’s an option that hasn’t been taken up. The diNovo keyboards would look very sleek with shiny keys.
 
Crysis averted but a little too late as the dinovo desktop I ordered online at a great price arrived today. Still, will bung it on Gumtree or something for not much loss!

Managed to fix the shiny keys using DOKTOR POWER Magic Eraser blocks :D

pc_dinovo_shinygone.jpg



Good as new, also spray painted the bezel so it's matte black now not piano black which seemed to attract dust the moment it was statically changed :eek:
 
mrk said:
Managed to fix the shiny keys using DOKTOR POWER Magic Eraser blocks :D
Click to expand...

Is that the stuff that's like very dense polystyrene? (i'm sure i've seen my wife cleaning the kid's 'spontaneous art work' off walls with it.)

If it is that’s a handy tip to know.
 
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Yup 99p for small blocks at Range for Duzzit brand or £5 for a big block by Doktor Power.

I used the last bit of mine but only now just realised I missed a few keys as I went round rubbing each key so will pick up a 99p one tomorrow :p
 
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