“what's the difference b/n optical and membrane keyboards”
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One you use with your eyes, the other you don't.
Sorry, there was a problem. Please try again later.Hello buster, Great question! Optical keyboards use light that's emitted below the surface of each key. When a user presses a key on an optical keyboard, also known as a photo-optical keyboard, the light that's hidden below the key is blocked. This blockage is registered as a keystroke, and that's how characters are relayed through this type of keyboard. Because optical keyboards use lights, rather than true mechanical switches, this style of keyboard can be made to be quite lightweight with a low profile. Another perk for some users is the fact that optical keyboards are usually engineered to resist liquid intrusion, making this style of keyboard a solid option for use in environments where moisture poses a risk to peripheral devices. Unlike optical and mechanical keyboards that have individual keys that cover each switch, membrane keyboards consist of a flexible, one-piece printed silicone keyboard, or membrane. The membrane has the key pattern printed directly on it, and the underside of this membrane is printed with specialized ink that conducts electricity. When a user presses a key on a membrane keyboard, the upper layer makes contact with conductive traces located below the keyboard underneath a small air gap. This allows a very mild electrical current to flow, and that's what registers the keystroke. Because membrane keyboards are crafted using flexible, waterproof materials, this type of keyboard is known for being durable and quite resistant to liquid and dirt intrusion. Another notable benefit of a membrane keyboard is the fact that they are very affordable compared to other keyboard styles. - Richard from Logitech
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