Wireless keyboards are a helpful tool for many reasons. With a wireless keyboard, hot laptops do not need to be placed on laps. Users can sit back in comfortable chairs, or even on the couch if using a TV as a computer monitor, and not worry about the cord on the keyboard reaching. Gamers use wireless keyboards to make play more comfortable. While wireless keyboards have many great uses, there are also a few disadvantages.

1

Battery Life

Wireless keyboards run on batteries. They are not powered by the computer. If using a wireless keyboard and mouse set, both objects use batteries. The batteries in one might drain before the other. Most wireless keyboards use alkaline batteries, which are cheaper than Lithium, but do not last as long. Any backlights, or LED lights, on the wireless keyboard will drain the batteries faster. Keep packs of batteries on hand.

  • Wireless keyboards run on batteries.
  • Any backlights, or LED lights, on the wireless keyboard will drain the batteries faster.
2

Receiver

Wireless keyboards have a receiver that plugs into the USB port of the computer. The receiver synchronises with the keyboard, and is what connects the keyboard and computer wirelessly. The wireless keyboard will stop working if the receiver stops reading the keyboard. Some receivers have a button that can be pressed to sync the receiver and keyboard. Most do not. If the receiver stops working, the keyboard is no longer usable.

  • Wireless keyboards have a receiver that plugs into the USB port of the computer.
  • The wireless keyboard will stop working if the receiver stops reading the keyboard.
3

Interference

Like all wireless devices, wireless keyboards can be affected by interference. Electrical devices, and other wireless devices, will disrupt the signal between the receiver and the keyboard. Some devices that cause interference include cellphones, routers, radios and fluorescent lights. Anything metal may also cause interference. Any of these objects should be kept at least 1 foot away from the wireless keyboard and receiver.

  • Like all wireless devices, wireless keyboards can be affected by interference.
4

Durability

Wireless keyboards are portable, and because of that they are easily forgotten or left somewhere. They get objects piled on them, liquid dumped on them and dropped from hands. Keys may fall off and never be seen again. Wireless keyboards take a bigger beating than wired keyboards, but they are not built any tougher. There are "indestructible" wireless keyboards on the market, but not many. Smaller wireless keyboards, those meant to be carried with laptops or tablets, are easily lost.

  • Wireless keyboards are portable, and because of that they are easily forgotten or left somewhere.
  • Smaller wireless keyboards, those meant to be carried with laptops or tablets, are easily lost.