Choosing alaptopwith a comfortable and responsive keyboard should be a priority for most buyers. While specs like the processor and RAM get more attention, you interact with the keyboard constantly. An excellent keyboard makes working on a laptop much more enjoyable. In our research to find laptops with the overall best keyboards in 2024, these six models stood out from the competition.
We evaluated criteria like key travel distance, spacing, layout, responsiveness, and feel while typing lengthy documents. While preferences can vary between mechanical, membrane, and scissor switch keyboards, these options scored highly across all the factors we deemed most critical for an exceptional typing experience. Whether using the computer mostly for work or play, owners can expect to enjoy the keyboard on any model featured in this 2024 laptop buyer’s guide focused solely on superior keyboards available today.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 11)
ThinkPad Magic!
The featherlight 1.12kg ThinkPad X1 Carbon effortlessly balances heavyweight power. Intel’s latest 12th Gen Core i7 CPU, 64GB RAM, and a generous 2TB SSD - in an ultraportable carbon fiber and aluminum chassis. Topped by a stunning 14-inch high-resolution 2880 x 1800 OLED display, the Gen 11 ThinkPad tackles demanding work with vivid visuals no matter where work takes you.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon impresses professionals with its blend of portability, performance, and premium build quality. However, the machined aluminum chassis and carbon fiber lid merely provide a stage for the laptop’s starring feature - its exceptional keyboard. This full-sizedkeyboardoffers deeply satisfying tactile feedback via its sculpted and well-spaced keys, fostering efficient typing over extended periods. Its versatility shines through thoughtful touches like backlighting for low-light conditions and the iconic TrackPoint nub for easy navigation without shifting the hands.
While lightweight construction makes it effortlessly portable, spill resistance lends durability to survive life on the move. These keyboards withstand over a liter of liquid without operational impact, complementing the Mil-Spec tested chassis. For business users and frequent travelers alike, the keyboard forms the cornerstone of an exceptional user experience that enhances productivity wherever work may happen. The X1 Carbon keyboard simply delivers a best-in-class input mechanism for professionals who rely on comfortable, precise, and durable data entry.
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M3, 2023)
Power Meets Portability!
Apple crafts the 14.2-inch MacBook Pro 14 into a productivity powerhouse within a striking yet supremely portable design. Behind the stunning 3024 x 1964 Liquid Retina XDR display lies the immense processing potential from M3’s 10-core GPU and 8-core CPU. This aluminum road warrior connects to anything through Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, and more while barely tipping the scales.
TheAppleMacBook Pro 14 (M3) stands out with its Magic Keyboard, delivering a best-in-class typing experience. The full-height and inverted-T arrow keys allow for precise and comfortable navigation, while the addition of Touch ID enables seamless biometric authentication. With 78 (US) or 79 (ISO) responsive backlit keys, professionals can power through projects into the late hours without compromising on speed or accuracy. Apple has minimized key travel to boost responsiveness, resulting in satisfying tactile feedback suited for extended typing sessions.
Whether drafting reports or developing code, the keyboard empowers users to take on demanding workloads. Paired with powerful new M3 silicon bringing up to 60 percent faster performance, the MacBook Pro 14 promises to blaze through daily multitasking and creative workloads with ease. The keyboard punches above its weight, offering desktop-class tactility to maximize productivity on the go. For professionals and creatives alike, it sets a new bar for laptop typing experiences.
Acer Swift Go 14
Your Go-To for On-the-Go!
Encased in an ultra-portable 2.76-pound body, the Acer Swift Go 14 deftly balances performance and mobility. Its brilliant 14-inch OLED display offers intricate details, while the 13th Gen Core i7 processor, 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and 512GB SSD equip the Swift Go 14 for demanding creative work wherever inspiration strikes.
The Acer Swift Go 14 packs decent performance into a portable frame, but its keyboard leaves something to be desired. This 14-inch laptop features a spacious layout with large keycaps, although the smaller function row keys disrupt the aesthetic. Despite a decent travel distance, key presses feel flat and mushy without satisfying tactile feedback.
While the white backlighting in two adjustable brightness modes assists nighttime use, keycap quality diminishes the experience over extended periods. The built-in fingerprint scanner within the power button offers easy logins, adding convenience. Ultimately, the Swift Go’s keyboard lacks the premium touch found on more expensive ultrabooks. However, for students and office workers seeking a device for occasional productivity, its portable form factor and solid features may outweigh middling keyboard quality. Enhancements to key press feedback and materials would complement its OLED brilliance and processing capability. Still, the Acer Swift Go 14 is a satisfactory choice for mobile productivity.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5
Sleek Design, Stellar Performance!
Blending portability and pixel-packed touchscreens ranging from 13.5 to 15 inches, the Surface Laptop 5 empowers creativity wherever you roam. Its 12th Gen Core power and ample 32GB RAM team with Thunderbolt 4 to drive intensive tasks, while the swappable SSD and marathon 18-hour battery life let you work and play all day unfettered.
The Surface Laptop 5 brings subtle but meaningful upgrades, including Intel’s latest chips for better performance within its slim, lightweight chassis. However, the keyboard steals the show with best-in-class ergonomics. Its 1.3mm key travel provides a responsive, laptop-style feel for comfortable all-day typing. Keys register inputs accurately without mushiness, facilitating fewer errors. The standard layout has intelligently placed shortcuts, and enough spacing to enable fluid touch typing.
Beyond the keyboard, the Surface Laptop 5 stands out through its premium build. The aluminum body looks sleek while meeting military-grade durability standards. It has a 3:2 pixel sense touch display, bringing more vertical space to scroll through documents. Battery life is equally impressive, delivering up to 18 hours for the Intel Core i5 model. Ports include USB-C with Thunderbolt 4 support in addition to the Surface Connect port for charging. For those who spend more time typing than gaming or editing media files, the Surface Laptop 5 brings one of the best typing experiences in a portable yet powerful package.
Dell Alienware m18 R2 Gaming Laptop
Unleash Your Gaming Beast!
The Alienware m18 packs desktop-caliber power into a boldly designed 18-inch gaming laptop. With QHD+ visuals accelerated to 165Hz by a 14th Gen Core i9 and 32GB of RAM, it brings maximum frame rates to a sharp 2560 x 1600 display. Despite its substantial size at over four kgs, multiple USB and Thunderbolt 4 ports provide versatile connectivity worthy of a premium desktop replacement.
Alienwarehits the right buttons with the m18 R2’s mechanical gaming keyboard. This snappy number rocks CherryMX keys, serving up buttery smooth strokes and a riot of RGB colors dancing under your fingertips. It may sound like overkill, but once your hands take it for a spin, you realize each detail aims to please - from the curved keycaps hugging your fingers during WASD strafes to the tactile feedback nudging your actions along. And with anti-ghosting packed in, even frantic combo smashing registers with precision.
Basically, Alienware built a keyboard to level up your play. While the m18 R2’s blistering specs already pack a punch, its best hook is this control center, priming your hands for combat. Illuminated in a rainbow of hues and armed with features fine-tuned for gameplay, it’s the ultimate battle station for taking your sessions to the next level. Good luck trying to play on anything else afterward. This keyboard will spoil you for life.
HP Spectre x360 14
Versatile, Vibrant!
With its gem-cut style and premium specs, the HP Spectre x360 14 makes a sparkling statement. Behind the dazzling façade lies a potent mix of innovation and flexibility. From the ultra-crisp 14-inch 2.8K OLED touch display to its versatile 2-in-1 functionality. All powered by a 7-core Intel processor, this brilliant laptop delivers on both form and function.
Settle into the HP Spectre x360 14, and let your fingers find home on a spacious, edge-to-edge keyboard with expertly tuned feedback. Keys offer a deep 1.5mm of travel, enough depth for that satisfying click with each press, their stable scissor mechanism, and slight concave shaping, maximizing comfort. Notice the hushed sound, the soft land of each keystroke, as one flows through lines of text or code. Precision comes easily here, and the ample spacing and grippy texture aid in accuracy. Errors are rare when keys effortlessly register even gentle taps.
Beneath lies a wide glass trackpad, its surface smooth yet nicely resistant under the finger for navigation that feels assured and natural. With a light press or swipe, the trackpad answers reliably, cursor gliding or multitouch gestures executing seamlessly. Like the keys topping it, the sensations here are subtle yet substantive, with no cheap hollowness, just quality materials coming together for a refined typing experience. For those valuing both form and function, details like these set the Spectre x360 14 apart.
FAQ
Why is the keyboard important when choosing a laptop?
The keyboard is crucial because you interact with it constantly. A good keyboard makes working on your laptop more comfortable and enjoyable, potentially increasing your productivity.
What features make a laptop keyboard good?
Key factors include comfortable key travel distance, good spacing between keys, responsive feedback, backlighting for low-light use, and a layout that suits your needs.
Can laptop keyboards be as good as external keyboards?
While external keyboards often have advantages, many high-quality laptops now offer keyboard experiences that rival standalone keyboards in comfort and functionality.
Are mechanical keyboards available in laptops?
Yes, some gaming laptops now feature mechanical keyboards. However, they’re less common in standard laptops due to size and weight constraints.
