Best Durable Keyboards and Mice for Office Use?
Asked by
TechSavvyTom123
I'm in charge of IT for my company, and we're dealing with a lot of e-waste due to keyboards and mice looking pretty grungy after just a year or two of use. When employees leave, we often toss out these peripherals, which isn't great for the environment or our budget. What I need is advice on getting keyboards and mice that won't show significant wear over time. I'm okay with regular cleaning (like using alcohol wipes) to keep them tidy, but I'd prefer something that isn't super ugly or worn out after a short period. Ideally, I'd love to find durable plastic options or any peripherals that can last 4 to 5 years before needing replacement. The mouse should be standard with a scroll wheel and back/forward buttons, and the keyboard just needs the usual layout with a keypad. Does anything like this exist?
Answers
Look, in my experience, keyboards and mice tend to be disposable in a corporate setup. Management usually opts for cheaper, low-maintenance ones. The thought of handing out used keyboards doesn't exactly scream 'professional,' you know?
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I don’t know about fancy, but I’ve found that a lot of the basic Lenovo or Dell keyboards do the job great. They usually last a long time in decent condition, and during regular work, they don’t show much wear. Just cleaning them helps keep them looking sharp!
KeyboardHero: I’m using one of those Dell models, and it’s surprisingly held up for over 5 years without any visible wear.
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For hygiene and durability, consider industrial rubber covers for keyboards. Or, even better, some places have been using silicone keyboards that are washable. I provided about 50 of them to a warehouse, and they’ve held up surprisingly well!
CleanRoomCarol: I deployed some too, and they’re meant to withstand dishwasher cleaning! Super handy in messy environments.
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If you’re looking for durability, I’ve had great experiences with Logitech MX keys and their mice. They look sleek, work like a charm, and handle pretty well over time. Just a heads up though, the mouse can show some wear after about a year.
MiceFan23: Right? I wish they'd make an IBM compatible version of the MX keys, but I've bought a couple sets for myself, and they’ve held up really well!
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I totally get the frustration! We hand out new peripherals whenever there’s a new hire, and leaving the plastic on makes a big impression. It’s only about $60, and it feels like a fresh start for the new team members! But I see your point about waste.
EcoFriendlySara: But isn’t e-waste still a big issue with that approach?
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BudgetConsciousBob: Totally agree—new hires shouldn’t get someone else’s old gear, no matter how clean it is.