The US or ISO keyboard – see which layout is for you. We check the differences: from Enter to Alt Gr and explain what affects writing, playing and coding.
US and ISO keyboard – how are they different?
Keyboard is something that everyone is dealing with every day – we stick emails on them, write posts, and sometimes we unload anger on them while playing. Only have you ever noticed that there are two different key systems? Today we take two popular standards to the workshop: ANSI (US) and ISO. What is different, what does it mean to you and why is it worth getting interested in? We explain.
Two different types of keyboards
At first glance, the keyboard is a keyboard. It has letters, numbers and a few strange stamps, which we sometimes press by accident. However, it turns out that not all keyboards are the same when it comes to the key layout. Ansi (also called the US due to popularity in the United States) and ISO are two different standards that were created for different users and their needs. Let’s take a closer look at them.
Where did the ANSI and ISO standards come from?
The US, i.e. the American system, was created – as the name suggests – in the United States. It was there that writing machines have evolved into something that we know today as QWERTY keyboards. ISO, in turn, is a more international standard, adapted to the needs of Europeans and the rest of the world, where languages have more “” ą “,” ę “or” Ö “” stamps “. Both systems have their roots in history, but today they differ mainly in the physical distribution of the keys and their shape.
Keys that make the difference
The most striking difference is Enter. In the US system it is simple and levels – such a classic rectangle. In ISO it looks like the inverted letter “L”. The key is larger, more vertical, occupying two rows. For some it is a fairy tale, because it is easier to hit, for others – a loss of space. Next to Enter in ISO you will find an additional key, usually “” and “|”, which in the US is somewhere else, closer to Backspace. And here the first Zagwozdka: if you do not write in English, ISO can be more convenient, because it has more space for diacritical signs.
Another difference is the left shift. ISO is shorter, because next to it you press an additional key – most often “<" and ">” or “` `” and “~”. In the US Shift it is longer, and these signs land around Enter. Like a detail, but if you write quickly and the muscles are already used to one system, you may be surprised that the finger does not go where you expected (-aś). And also Alt Gr – in ISO you will find it on the right side of the keyboard, because in many languages (including Polish) without it, if you want to enter “ł” or “Ż”. In the US ALT GR variant, there is often not at all, because Americans do not need such combinations.
Numbers and ergonomics
Looking at the upper government, there are no differences – numbers and signs like “@” or “#” are in the same places. When we go down, the stairs begin. There are 102 or 105 in the ISO keys, depending on the version, and in the US usually 101 or 104. This one or two keys more in ISO are these add -ons for national signs. For programmers or players it can be a slightly worse solution, because the US system is more compact and predictable – everything is closer to itself.
Ergonomics is also a matter of taste. ISO with a great enterium and additional keys may seem more spacious, but for someone who is used to the US system, it will be too stretched. In turn, the US is minimalistic, but if you write a lot in Polish, you can get tired without alt gr.
What does this mean in practice?
If you are Polish and write a lot in Polish, ISO with the Polish system (so -called “programmer”) will be a natural choice. You can easily stick “ś”, “ć” or “ź” without finger gymnastics. In turn, the US is a better choice in the world of gaming and programming – most premium mechanical keyboards, such as Razer or Corsair, come in the US version by default. Why? Because it is a global standard, and players and coders value simplicity and speed. You can always assign the Alt Gr button function, which is closest to the right side of the space. You can always invest in special keyboard stickers with the appropriate characters. You can find a lot of such products on Allegro or Amazon.
US vs. ISO: Which keyboard should you choose?
It depends what you do. If you pace the code or play CS, the US will find as you find-less keys, less confusion. If you write texts, explain or just like how everything is on hand without combining, ISO wins. It is also worth taking a look at your habits – as you have broken on one arrangement for years, the change can be felt for several days.
The differences between the US and ISO are not only cosmetics – these are two different approaches to what the keyboard should look and work. The US focuses on simplicity and versatility, ISO on flexibility and adaptation to local languages. There is no better or worse choice here – there is what suits your needs better.
