It's for a speech class, so obviously the point is to make a case for it by any means, and I'm sure you can, but just for discussion's sake. Wall of text inc...
I'm in charge of classroom technology at a state university. I've installed a couple thousand keyboards into classrooms, media labs, study rooms, libraries etc. Cost wise, membranes are the clear winner. Our keyboards are more likely to be retired in full working condition and replaced by newer ones that come packaged with the new computers, than replaced due to breaking. Most replacement due to breakage is the result of trauma to the keyboard or spilled drinks, not normal wear and tear. We have hundreds of membrane boards over seven years old that work flawlessly. OEM membranes that come with education/institutional computers tend to be VERY tough, unlike consumer-end logitechs and such. And they are dirt cheap. We get new computers long before the keyboards on the old ones break, and the new comps come with keyboards; we'll get charged the same even if we ask for them to be left out.
As far as ergonomics/repetitive strain issues: Yes, mechanicals. Here's the problem, keyboards in an educational setting are rarely used at length by one person, but instead at short intervals by multiple people. Few people sit for hours at these boards. In a business setting, I think this argument is more easily made since employees use the boards for entire shifts.
Noise. Often the boards are used in rooms with dozens of people typing away; libraries, study rooms, labs.
Since most of our keyboards are retired before they falter, and replaced mostly when subject to accident, I can't justify spending 10x as much on mechanicals that are just as likely to befall accident, and then cost us 10x as much to replace. I don't believe a 3lb keyboard made up of 104 independent multi-part switches is gonna survive a 5 foot drop onto concrete better than a 1lb board comprised of a sheet of rubber with nubs molded in. (actually our best boards are about 2lbs).
Also here's a big one: Theft. It's a university, nuff said. Keyboards are difficult to secure.
Gateway KB-2961. Thing is a BEAST. Metal backplate, solid case, and pretty low force keys once broken in. I've seen these things thrown across rooms and be no worse for wear. About $5 to replace. I have over 400 of them in rooms and maybe have seen two malfunction from normal wear and even then I suspect shenanigans.
However I am STILL trying to get the university to invest in 20-30 topre boards for a special writing lab used by doctoral candidates doing their dissertation. And of course, one extra for me to "evaluate.":smile:
