Europe Computing Keyboard Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Wired Keyboard, Wireless Keyboard), By Application (Enterprise and Institutional Use, Professional Individual Use), By Sales Channel (Offline Sales Channel, Online Sales Channel) and By Country(Germany, The U.K., France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Benelux, Rest of Europe) Forecasts, 2024-2032

Market Overview

The europe computing keyboard market is expected to grow at a CAGR 2.0% during the forecast period, 2023–2031.

The computing keyboard market refers to desktop keyboards and laptop keyboards used by enterprises across verticals and professional individuals. The computing keyboards are of various types that include a mechanical, membrane, and optical, among others. It also includes TKL keyboards where numeric pads in keyboards are eliminated. Additionally, the study includes business to business (B2B) and Business to customers (B2C) segments that are categorized as enterprises and institutional and professional individuals. However, the study excludes gaming keyboards, which are majorly used by individuals.

Market Dynamics

Technological advancements resulting in innovations in keyboards

In light of the progress in the technological infrastructure, most of the companies have shifted their entire processes online; thus, accelerating the usage of computers for daily activities. The keyboard is one of the most essential input devices that allows users of all categories to enter data into the computer. With rigorous research and development by the companies, there has been an advent of differential keyboards that cater to the varied needs of professional users.

Every innovation is projected to ease the strain caused to the user by using the keyboard for a long period.  As stated in a report by Microsoft, a study revealed that 50% of the professional Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) during the first year of their new jobs. Thus, companies have developed keyboards such as mechanical keyboards that have activated key switches, ergonomic keyboards that are curved at certain angles to fit perfectly to the users, and others.

Additionally, certain keyboards comprise of the n–key rollover function (NKRO) that enables the keyboard to register the number of clicks. For instance, a keyboard with two key rollovers (2KRO) function will only identify the two keys that are pressed simultaneously, similarly with 3KRO, 4KRO, and so on. Also, 6KRO and NKRO are the most widely used technology in keyboards. Some of the companies offering the n-key rollover are Cherry, Adesso, and others.

Improvements in the existing keyboards

Various types of keyboards are being offered by the companies, such as membrane keyboards, mechanical keyboards, and ergonomics, wired, wireless, and compact, among others. The differential improvements in the keyboards have made the working convenient. For example, the Cherry Stream Keyboard from Cherry is an extra silent keyboard; the soundless nature of the keystrokes makes it a fair choice in the office environment. Additionally, the other products comprise features such as a backlit keyboard, touchpad and trackball integrated keyboard, and smart card reader.

Further, the Razer Pro Type – a quiet wireless mechanical keyboard from Razer Inc., allows it to be connected with 4 devices at a single time. The keyboards offer easy switching of devices mechanism with just a click, and customizable fully programmable keys have that allow the user to add personal shortcuts. Thus, the improvisations in the traditional keyboards have bolstered the growth of the market.

Regional Analysis

The scope of the computing keyboard market is limited to the European region, primarily focusing on primary countries such as Germany, the U.K., France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Benelux, and the rest of Europe. In the region, Germany leads, while the U.K. is anticipated to exhibit the fastest growth rate.

Germany has always been at the forefront of the industry vanguard and is considered one of the prominent countries in the automotive sector. Other industry verticals such as mechanical, engineering, chemical, and electrical also have a prominent presence. A slew of enterprises and significant adoption of cutting-edge technology has bolstered the computing keyboard market in the country. According to RM analysis, approximately 19.7% of the enterprises from all over Europe are located in Germany. Thus, higher penetration of the wired keyboards — membrane and mechanical type— are mainly preferred by the industry verticals.

The coding keyboards, on the other hand, have also gained traction in this region due to their extensive use by the engineers of the prominent industry verticals, especially automotive, to design and code. Further, most of the German-speaking countries prefer the QWERTZ or the ‘Swiss ‘keyboard due to the higher usage of the ‘letter Z’ than the ‘letter Y’ in the German language.

Additionally, as stated by Germany Trade and Invest that is supported by the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy, Germany is leading in terms of the adoption of Industrie 4.0. The goal of this national strategic initiative by the German government is to provide an impetus to modern production by dint of digitalization and interconnection of goods, value chains, and business models.

Cherry GmBH, one of the leading companies located in Germany, produces German Engineered products that are durable, long-lasting, and beautifully designed. This technique is also utilized in all the keyboards produced by the company overseas, thereby adding additional value to the dominance of the region. Besides, the aforementioned factors have played a pivotal role in the proliferation of German industries, thereby enabling the country to hold a massive share in the Europe Computing Keyboard market.

The U.K. is anticipated to grow with the highest CAGR in the computing keyboard market on account of the increased digitalization, a large amount of working population mainly in the BFSI sector, Fintech, automotive, and the construction sector, among others. Further, as per RM analysis, roughly 1.1 million employees were employed in the financial service sector in the year 2019. Thus, the surging digitalization across industry verticals and the presence of advanced infrastructure have furthered the use of personal computers.

Segmental Analysis

Wired keyboards cater to the larger market share in the Europe computing keyboard market owing to their inexpensive nature and the high demand from enterprises that purchase wired keyboards in bulk. Wired keyboards are preferred over wireless keyboards by enterprises due to the availability of various types of keyboards that suit specific organizational needs.

Wired keyboards mainly comprise membrane keyboards, mechanical keyboards, ergonomic keyboards, left-handed keyboards, and vertical keyboards, among others. Besides, the massive price difference between wired and wireless keyboards has inclined businesses to opt for the former. For instance, the Wireless Microsoft Bluetooth Desktop (Combo) is valued at USD 59.99, whereas the wired desktop from Microsoft is valued at USD 29.95.

Most companies prefer purchasing complete systems of wired keyboards for regular use, which further drives the adoption of wired keyboards among enterprises. The increasing number of SMEs is also positively influencing the demand for wired keyboards as these enterprises are cost-sensitive.

However, Wireless keyboards provide more ease in operation and also elevates the level of security. The lack of wires allows wireless keyboards to be made from differential materials, such as hard plastic, rubber, and wood. Some of the keyboards made from rubber come with variants that are dustproof, water-resistant, and foldable. Further, the use of efficient, secure connectivity, such as Bluetooth, eliminates some of the security concerns.

According to the segmentation by application, the individual professional use of keyboards has grown significantly during the pandemic due to the rise of the work from a home model, which requires comfortable and easy to use devices. As per our paid databases, personal computer sales in Q2, 2020, in the EMEA region grew almost 22%, with the Western European region recording YoY growth of 30.6%.

The availability of different types of keyboards gives individual users choices, from membrane keyboards, mechanical keyboards, and keyboards with backlighting to laser projector keyboards and ergonomic keyboards. Overall, the professional individual use segment still holds a moderate share as sales in the segment are yet not comparable to enterprise-level sales.

Wired keyboards are expected to cater majority of the enterprise and institutional use due to the cost-effectiveness and maintenance-free use

The enterprise and the institutional use segment cover large, medium, and small companies and institutions from various verticals, such as BFSI, automotive, and IT industries and universities, schools, and hospitals, among others. Wired keyboards are preferred for enterprise and institutional use for their hassle-free maintenance and convenience.

Membrane keyboards or mechanical keyboards, which are extensively used on an enterprise level, offer advantages, such as continuous power supply, quick responsiveness, longer lifespan, quick typing, and easy repair. Very little utilization of other types of keyboards has been observed on enterprise and institutional levels, mainly due to cost constraints.

On the supply side, companies such as Lenovo, Dell, and HP offer wired keyboards to enterprises at comparatively lower costs than wireless keyboards. Besides, enterprises prefer wired keyboards because of their easy installation and compatibility with all machines due to their USB switches. In sectors that demand specific features, different keyboards do record higher adoption. For instance, in many hospitals, washable silicone keyboards are the preferred choice.

In the BFSI sector, differential keyboards have no specific use, but a tenkeyless keyboard isn't ideal as a separate numeric keypad enables faster calculation. The enterprise and the institutional use segment are expected to flourish with different products gaining traction in specific industries.

Impact of covid-19

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Post COVID-19, mining will also be looked at as an important platform for employment generation as millions have lost their jobs. Automation in mining is likely to be a driving factor, subsequently driving the motorized pulley market. As per the OECD, global material use is projected to grow from 79 Gt in 2011 to 167 Gt in 2060. This indicates how massive the scope for material processing is, which eventually will benefit the material handling industry.

Recent Developments