Production of Gigabit Ethernet switches on the rise as makers match demand for high-performance networking equipment.

Suppliers of Ethernet switches in China are stepping up to Gigabit Ethernet technology in a bid to match the performance and transmission requirements of today's networking environment.

Adoption of wireless technologies is boosting development of cablefree keyboards, with supply comprising 2.4GHz, 27MHz and Bluetooth units.

China suppliers offer both wired and wireless computer keyboards. Corded models still rule production because of their price advantage and relatively stable performance. They are about $3 less expensive than cordless units.

Many suppliers, however, expect output of wireless keyboards to keep growing in coming months due to the increasing adoption of wireless technologies in different product lines. Currently, 80 percent of makers offer cablefree keyboards and many others have declared plans to develop such models.

In terms of connectivity, most wired keyboards adopt PS/2 and USB interfaces. For cordless units, three wireless standards are currently used: 27MHz, 2.4GHz and Bluetooth. Many of the newly released keyboards from China are based on 2.4GHz, and this type is expected to continue leading the wireless segment in the next 12 months.

The rising adoption of the 2.4GHz standard is owed mainly to its longer operating distance of 10m, as compared with 27MHz 1.8m. The 2.4GHz wireless keyboards also consume less power than 27MHz units.

Models based on 2.4GHz are less expensive than Bluetooth types as patent costs add to the price of the latter. Although some suppliers have released Bluetooth-enabled keyboards, output remains small because of the high production outlay.

In terms of design, recent releases from some foreign computer keyboard makers indicate a trend for the integration of viewing displays and touch panels. To illustrate, Logitech has launched a keyboard equipped with an LCD, which shows calendar, clock, temperature, e-mail and music functions. The model also has a longer delete key. One company in Taiwan, on the other hand, has introduced a keyboard with a touch panel that can be used as a mouse.

There are currently no new designs from China suppliers as efforts are concentrated on increasing output of 2.4GHz and multimedia models. Makers are also developing more mini keyboards due to the increasing popularity of laptops, especially netbooks, among consumers.

China companies will continue to boast low prices to attract orders. The keyboard and mouse combo remains a primary marketing strategy among suppliers as this approach offers added value without significantly

Mainstream products

China suppliers offer wired and wireless keyboards in standard, mini and multimedia types. Models specially designed for gaming are also available. Most standard keyboards have 104 to 108 keys. Multimedia versions are commonly equipped with more than five hot keys, with some having up to 20. These can be shortcut keys for media player functions such as play/pause, previous, next, mute and volume control. Others also have keys for the Internet, e-mail, search, screenshot, page up/down and home.

Products are often made of ABS. Most flexible keyboards, however, adopt silicone. These models are portable, foldable and water- and dust-resistant.

Corded units belong to the low-end segment, with prices ranging from $1.50 to $5. They are offered in mini, standard, silicone and multimedia versions. Standard keyboards go for $1.50 to $2.50, while multimedia ones are $3 to $5. Products made of silicone are quoted at $3 to $4.

Upscale models are mainly 27MHz, 2.4GHz and Bluetooth units that are often released as part of combo sets. The 27MHz keyboard and mouse pairs are between $10 and $13, while 2.4GHz types are $12 to $20. Some makers, however, sell the latter for as low as $10. Bluetooth keyboards are $10 to $20.

Sliding export business

The drop in worldwide PC shipments as a result of the global economic crisis has significantly affected the overseas business of computer keyboard makers in China. Many suppliers suffered sliding exports and revenue. Shenzhen Mark Technology Co. Ltd, for instance, now ships 1 million computer keyboards a month, 25 percent less than before the crisis.

Yasong Electronics (HK) Co. Ltd said its export volume slumped by about 20 percent.

The output of mice and keyboards at Shenzhen Vigor Electronic Co. Ltd also dropped by a significant amount.

The worldwide PC industry has still not shown any sign of improvement this year. According to market research firm Gartner, global PC shipments totaled 67.2 million units in 1Q09, a 6.5 percent decline compared with the same period last year. The popularity of laptops is also negatively affecting the production of desktop computer keyboards.

Another major concern among suppliers is the high material costs. Because of these challenges, a number of companies are expected to quit the line this year.

Although many makers are pessimistic about growth in the country�s computer keyboard industry in the next 12 months, some foresee a gradual recovery as they expect the global economy to improve by 2010.

Catering to midrange, high-end segments

Hong Kong has at least 15 computer keyboard makers, most of which manufacture other computer peripherals as well. Some also produce industrial computers, consumer electronic devices and mobile gadget accessories.

Most suppliers are not into entry-level, low-cost keyboards. Products are not merely for the general desktop PC user sector, but are mainly multifunction models and keyboard and mouse combo sets that cater to the midrange and high-end markets. Special-purpose, highly customized units such as those for banking and industrial controls are also offered. Many of these come with membrane or mechanical switches.

Wireless keyboards are targeted at both desktop and handheld PC users. Mainstream models support 2.4GHz. The most competitively priced units adopt 27MHz, while the pricier ones incorporate Bluetooth.

Flexible keyboards are among the specialty products from Hong Kong suppliers. These are encased in silicone and designed to suit wet, dusty and other extreme environments. Their key press accuracy is still below that of regular desktop computer keyboards, but it is an area that suppliers continue to improve.

Products are offered in corded and cablefree versions.

Incorporating more functions in new releases is among the R&D priorities. For instance, Speed Digital Ltd�s SKB-1000 has a touch pad, four Internet shortcut keys, eight multimedia keys, two application hot keys and 12 Windows Vista function keys. The 2.4GHz multimedia keyboard also includes a start key for the Windows Media Center and is paired with a USB dongle.

Connectland Technology Ltd, on the other hand, offers numeric keypads that double as stand-alone calculators. These have 21 keys, including eight hot keys, and a 12-digit LCD.

The calculator function is powered by a computer through a USB connection, or by a CR2032 battery when standing alone. The company also makes models with a built-in 2-port USB hub.

Units with a touch pad and a built-in solar panel are produced by Forrum Electronics Ltd. The supplier also offers EL keyboards in white, blue, green, red and other light shades.

This article "Computer wired keyboards: Wired models drive production" is originally posted in Global Sources.

Contact suppliers in this article

Shenzhen Kaile Electronics Co., Ltd.
Shenzhen Mark Technology Co., LTD
Shenzhen Vigor Electronic Co.,Ltd
Forrum Electronics Ltd
Speed Digital Limited
Cycer Technology Co.LTD

Note: All price quotes in this report are in US dollars unless otherwise specified. FOB prices were provided by the companies interviewed only as reference prices at the time of interview and may have changed.

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