The Disadvantages of a Large Key Keyboard

• Using a keyboard with large keys may cause you unintended difficulties. Steve West/Photodisc/Getty Images

  As it the case with other computer peripherals such as mice and audio speakers, computer keyboards are available in a wide array of variants. One aspect of keyboards which can differ between models is the size of the keys. In spite of the easier visibility they offer, large-key keyboards present a host of potential problems to their users.

Productivity Disadvantages

• Although you may prefer a large-key keyboard for aesthetic reasons, using one can impede the accuracy of your typing output, particularly if you are a seasoned computer user. For example, if you are accustomed to typing on a standard-sized laptop or desktop keyboard without having to look and begin doing the same on a large key keyboard, your fingers are likely to hit incorrect keys, causing numerous errors in any documents you might be working on---or cause you to work more slowly while you figure out how to use the keyboard properly. When and if you do become accustomed to the large-key keyboard, reverting to a smaller-key variant in the future may cause you similar headaches.

Ergonomic Disadvantages

• In layman's terms, ergonomic products are designed to make it easier for users to work and prevent injury. Ergonomic keyboards, distinctive for their "V" shape, are widely available and are said to be configured to allow for more natural use. Ergonomic keyboards are equipped with normal-sized keys, however. According to Geeks.com, the root cause of carpal tunnel syndrome, which affects hand and finger use, is stress to the wrist. Moving your fingers more dramatically to reach larger (and thus further spread-apart) keys will only increase stress to your wrist.

Practical Disadvantages

• Logically speaking, a keyboard with larger keys will itself be larger. As a result, having a large-key keyboard can result in lesser utilization of your desk space. In fact, if your desk has a "roll-out" apparatus for a keyboard, your large-key keyboard might not even fit. Additionally, large-key keyboards tend to be more expensive than their regular counterparts.