The keyboard and trackpad/mouse are the most essential components of a computer/laptop. They make it easier to navigate the device, including copying and pasting items, implementing keyboard shortcuts to open and close apps, drafting emails, etc. If they suddenly stop working, your computer may feel useless. For instance, if your MacBook keyboard and trackpad not working, it can put you in a fix. Sometimes, the problem is related to a malfunctioning application or an interfering program. This can be easily fixed by quitting or installing the troublesome app or program. Or, you may have spilled something on your keyboard, and that has resulted in the keyboard not functioning. Whatever the case, the problem can be solved by taking your device to the nearest service center. 
That said, this article doesn’t deal with keyboard problems or shortcuts. It doesn’t even deal with the trackpad or mouse. The article is on the different keyboard layouts, some of which may surprise you. Generally, QWERTY is the most popular keyboard layout, but this isn’t the only one. Let’s learn about the others.
- QWERTZ layout
QWERTZ is a keyboard layout similar to QWERTY but with a few changes. This keyboard layout is used by people living in Central Europe, especially the ones who speak German.
The QWERTZ keyboard layout is commonly used in the Czech Republic, Germany, Australia, etc. This layout is not necessarily one single layout, and country-by-country variations exist that are customized to match the needs of the area’s specific linguistic nuances.
- AZERTY layout
The AZERTY keyboard layout is famous in Asia and Europe, especially in those countries where French is the primary mode of communication. The layout is similar to QWERTY, but there are slight changes. For instance, AZERTY replaces the Q with A and W with Z. That’s how it got its name.
There are also some more changes in the right-hand key set, and you will find that the semicolon key is instead of M. Another difference is in the number row. QWERTY users predominantly use the top numerical row for entering numbers or pressing the shift key to enter the desired symbols on each numerical key.
Using the AZERTY layout means you have to press the shift key to get the numbers because the top keys are predominantly for symbols and accents.
In short, AZERTY is the ideal keyboard layout if you are typing in French.
- Maltron layout
To meet the ergonomic requirement of a keyboard, the Maltron keyboard layout was designed. If you compare the Maltron layout with the traditional full-size keyboard layout, you will notice the former features different rectangular groupings of keys in place of a single key group.
In the middle, there’s a number pad and two square-shaped groups of letter keys. In the home roy key of the left-side group, you will find A, N, S, I, and F. In the right-side letter group, you will find D, T, H, O, and R.
The Maltron layout is similar to split keyboards.
- Colemak layout
Are you uncomfortable using the QWERTY layout? If so, consider shifting to the Colemak keyboard layout. This isn’t QWERTY, but not completely new either.
The Colemak layout has made seventeen changes to the key layout and has done away with the Caps Lock key. Instead, there’s a second backspace key. If you are prone to making too many mistakes while writing a novel, eBook, or blog, this layout is worth checking out.
- JCUKEN layout
QWERTY is not the universal keyboard layout because it doesn’t cut it for some languages and countries. Take Russia, for example. The Russian language uses the Cyrillic alphabet, which is different from the Latin-based English alphabet.
In Russia, JCUKEN has been the default keyboard layout since 1917.
- Dvorak layout
The Dvorak keyboard layout got its name from the surname of its inventor, August Dvorak. This layout’s inventor felt that QWERTY was uncomfortable and uneconomical. Hence, he patented a new design.
Dvorak believed his keyboard layout was more efficient, and there are several studies supporting his idea. People using the QWERTY layout only make up thirty-two percent of strokes on the home row. On the other hand, it rises to 70% on the Dvorak layout.
Also, most people are right-handed, and Dvorak accounts for that. That’s why it accounts for more than half the strokes right-handed. While QWERTY is for people who use their left hand more. However, Dvorak is still a lesser-known keyboard layout.
The Final Thoughts
These are the different keyboard layouts used in different countries and languages. Most of them are similar to QWERTY, and others have changed according to the symbols, languages, etc.
It is up to you to decide which keyboard layout is the best for you, or you can continue using the QWERTY layout.