Mechanical keyboards have been at the forefront of the evolution of keyboard form factors. Today, we get a host of different form factors, including some ergonomic options that take the modular design even further by giving you split designs. There are four prominent form factors to consider.
Check out the differences between these layouts in the graphic, above. Mechanical keyboard switches are well-engineered. Here are the common components of the traditional mechanical keyboard switch. Also read : The best keyboards: Find the right keyboard for you. The most basic differentiation between the different mechanical switches goes three ways: linear, tactile, and clicky. Linear switches are as the name suggests — they have linear motion, straight up and down. On the other hand, tactile switches are designed to provide feedback.
Tactile switches give you a nudge in the middle of the travel to let you know that the key press has registered. Lastly, clicky switches are tactile switches that have a click. There are a ton of variations you can get with clicky switches, so we recommend you listen to the key press sound before settling on a switch.
Once you have decided the tactility, there are a few other factors to consider to help fine-tune your experience. Actuation point, total travel, tactile position, and reset point are all measured in millimeters.
Actuation and tactile forces are measured in Newtons or gram-force. You can pick the right balance of these parameters to zero in on the perfect keyboard switch for you. Picking the best mechanical keyboard switch for your needs does get simpler when you settle on your preferences of the parameters we have discussed above.
However, the world of mechanical keyboards is still a massive arena. There are a ton of switch options available, with some peripheral makers making their own custom switches. Graphs representing the parameters for each switch type are a popular way of comparing switches. Alternatively, you can get a switch tester, which has different switches laid out on a small board. Getting a switch tester might be of help, but they amount to additional spending. The brand-name keyboards mostly opt for the more popular switches.
The custom keyboard market has a ton more options. Cherry is the go-to brand when it comes to mechanical switches. The German company patented its Cherry MX switch in the s. Since then, the switch has come to become the most popular mechanical keyboard switch. Most other switches take inspiration from the Cherry MX. The patent also expired recently, leading to a host of Cherry MX clones in the market.
Cherry still offers some of the best switch options for mechanical keyboards out there. Kailh is a Chinese company that is known for being the best alternative to Cherry. For a long time, Kailh switches were popular for being Cherry MX clones. Kailh offers alternatives to pretty much all Cherry MX switches, and then some more. In recent years, however, Kailh has significantly improved the quality of its switches. Also read : The best budget gaming keyboards you can buy right now.
Gateron is also a Chinese company that makes Cherry MX-stem switches. A keypress requires a whopping 80cN of operating force for actuation. Do note that the list is non-exhaustive, largely because of the sheer number and variants of products on offer, many of which cater to an extremely niche group of consumers.
Keyboard Layouts Apart from the switches themselves, the main thing that distinguishes keyboards is their layout. While a typical full-size keyboard comes with function keys, a number pad, and an arrow cluster, various manufacturers also offer smaller keyboards with fewer keys for different purposes. They typically need an additional key-press like Shift or Ctrl in most cases, making them relatively impractical for everyday use.
TKL keyboard layout is a good choice for most gamers. There are also some non-standard variations, many of which are one-off or limited-edition designs from boutique manufacturers. There are many weird designs, including split keyboards, like the ErgoDox EZ featured below, all in the name of ergonomics.
ABS vs PBT Keycaps One of the biggest advantages of mechanical keyboards is that they are far more customizable than all other keyboard types. The keycaps in mechanical keyboards are often hot-swappable. That means users can swap out the default keycaps for a different set based on their taste and textural preference. When you buy a new set of keycaps to replace the default ones in your keyboard, the only thing to watch out for is compatibility. Once that part checks out, the sky is the limit in terms of design, materials ABS and PBT keycaps , key profiles, and the legend marking method.
Also, the reason why PBT is gaining recognition is that they are rigid and wear less over time as compared to ABS keycaps. Not at all. ABS is still one of the most commonly used materials for manufacturing keycaps. German company GMK electronic design is one of the largest keycap makers. Their thick and durable ABS keycaps are worth every penny, and you can buy them without any second thought.
Key Factors to Consider When Buying Mechanical Keyboards for Gaming The most important things to consider when buying a mechanical keyboard for gaming are your tactile preference and primary usage. Other things to consider are the environment while using the keyboard and your hand size and typing style. While the latter offers more feedback and accuracy, the former brings more speed, which matters a lot for pro gamers. Meanwhile, clicky switches are loud and are good only if you work alone with no one around.
Most people might feel disturbed at the constant clatter of clicky switches. Since people with larger hands might have more misclicks, it is advisable for such folks to use switches with high activation points longer keystroke to register each press and heavy operating force. These two factors would make it a little harder to actuate a keystroke, thereby helping you avoid misclicks. While they are more expensive than standard keyboards, you do get the best available technology for just about any use-case, provided you know what you want.
Thanks to our detailed guide, you now know about the core technology behind the most expensive mechanical keyboards for gaming and other purposes. So tell us, which type of mechanical keyboard do you use? What is your favorite kind of switch? Simply put, regulars are made cheaply. Because manufacturers tend to give out so many keyboards with computers, they looked for ways to make keyboards cheaper.
This resulted in them making membrane keyboards like the ones on you might have on your microwave , and, more commonly, the rubber-domed keyboards, which are a hybrid of mechanical keyboards and membrane keyboards. Though these dome switches can be made out of metal, you generally receive the polyurethane ones instead in your average keyboard. Because mechanical keyboards use switches that are higher-quality, they can cost more, sound different, last longer, and feel heavier.
0コメント