A TKL keyboard is tenkeyless board meaning it has less keys on it. TKL keyboards are common in the gaming space and even preferred by many pro players and content creators. They remove the excess numpad keys as they’re not necessary for gaming and competing. Some companies, such as Razer, may refer to these as TE or Tournament Edition keyboards. You can also get keyboards that have even fewer keys such as 60% keyboards.
Advantages of TKL Keyboards
More Desk Space
A lot of professional gamers choose to work with smaller keyboards and TKL seems to be one of the preferred options. The smaller keyboard helps give more desk and mouse space. The smaller design can also help if you have a small desk or just need more room when playing. This can be incredibly useful for games, like Fortnite and CSGO, which require precise accuracy and movement.
Closer/More Comfortable
When using your mouse and keyboard simultaneously you are able to have your hands much closer with a TKL. Although this may not seem like a major factor for some, it can be much more comfortable when using the equipment for long periods of time. This can be an essential factor for people that need to have their hands on both the mouse and keyboard simultaneously.
Travelling and Competing
The small size and light weight of a TKL or even 60% keyboard makes travelling with it a lot easier. Whether it’s for a gaming tournament or a work trip you can easily take your keyboard of choice with you for added comfort.
Can be Cheaper
Most prominent brands in the gaming and keyboard industry tend to manufacture a full size keyboard with an alternative TKL variation. Due to the TKL version using less components, such as mechanical switches, they can be cheaper than their full sized counterparts. However, you might notice that price difference might not be as big as expected, and might feel like you’re paying a premium for less.
Easier positioning and form factor
The smaller size of a TKL keyboard can help you achieve your ideal form factor. This is important for gamers as you may like your keyboard tilted to some degree. The smaller size allows you to adjust the rotation and positioning better to suit.
Detachable Cables
A common feature amongst TKL keyboards is a detachable cable. The cable is what allows you to connect the keyboard to the computer or selected device. Being able to remove this cable can be a huge advantage for travelling as you can pack the cable separate. Replacing a broken cable also becomes easier, and you can switch the default cable with a custom braided one for aesthetic purposes.
Perception of Durability
The shorter keyboard structure can give a keyboard the perception of increased durability. Although this might not be a major concerning factor for most people, it’s a good peace of mind to have.
Disadvantages of TKL Keyboards
Less Keys / No Numpad
TKL keyboards are considered to be 80% keyboards, because they have roughly 80% of the keys a normal board would have. This means that the numpad isn’t featured on these devices which can be a major letdown for some. Navigating the numpad is incredibly easy which makes it useful for tasks like data input and completing sums. If you find yourself often using the numpad you may want to steer clear of a TKL.
Less Room for Customization
With less keys on the keyboard there is less room for customization. Through the use of supported software you can customise your binds and even setup macros. Without the additional keys it can be hard to assign a lot of macros to your device.
No Side Enter
With no numpad comes no side enter key. This key can be important as it has its own separate function in many programs. The work around for this is the combination of Ctrl + Enter. There is a slight learning curve to using this method and it will slow down the process.
No Media Controls or USB Slots
Tenkeyless keyboards are designed to be smaller, meaning there is no room for media controls or USB slots. Media controls aren’t included in all full sized keyboards but many people prefer to have them. They allow you to seamlessly change your media settings, such as mute, play, pause and adjust the volume. These buttons and dials can often be multi-functional, allowing them to do even more.
Is a TKL keyboard right for you?
There is no wrong and right choice when it comes to keyboards, it all depends on what you prefer. A TKL keyboard provides a smaller device at the expense of less keys. For gamers a TKL keyboard may be the perfect solution for travel, comfortability, and use. For those that are mainly concerned about gaming you could even look into a 60% keyboard which is even smaller. If you find yourself often using the numpad, macros, or side enter key then making the switch may be a difficult adjustment.
