Slashdot Mirror
Know Your Type: Five Mechanical Keyboards Compared
MojoKid writes As a power user, you notice certain things that the average person might not. One of those is the difference between typing on a sweet mechanical keyboard with luxurious key action, versus pounding away on a run-of-the-mill squishy plank that relies on membrane switches to register your keystrokes. The difference may seem subtle to the uninitiated, though even casual typists can recognize that there's something inherently superior about a mechanical keyboard. Of course, it's the mechanical key switches that are responsible for elevating the typing experience. These are better than the rubber domes found in membrane keyboards in a number of ways, including feel, responsiveness, and durability. Mechanical keyboards are growing in popularity, as word is spreading about how good they are. In turn, keyboard manufacturers have responded by feeding more mechanical models into what was once a niche market. If you go out in search of a mechanical keyboard, you'll now find a mountain of options. This roundup further reinforced something we've known for a long time, which is that mechanical keyboards are the superior choice for both gaming and daily typing chores. That doesn't mean they're all created equal — there are different key switches to choose from, and features vary from one plank to the next. The choice of key switch type is highly subjective but we can say that Cherry MX key switches are indeed of higher quality than knock-offs like the Kailh switch. That's not to say Kailh switches are bad, just that you can discern a difference when going from one to the other.
How much did this ad placement cost?
It's worth doing some reading, to understand the differences between the switch types. Here's a good description of three of the switches. You likely don't want the really loud ones - I recently bought a keyboard using Cherry Brown, which are tactile, but a bit quieter - it's still loud enough that my officemates had to get used to it, but at least they didn't kill me.
Enjoy life! This is not a dress rehearsal.
their r ppl hoo yoos gramma
The "feel" of the keys is precise, the noise is great in a .. distinct way - they feel professional for lack of a better word.
None the less, I can STILL wack out about 5 to 10% more WPM on a standard US layout HP or Dell 101 traditional rubber dome. There's something about the amount of springyness in the keys and my typing style which makes me make a tiny amount more mistakes on a mechanical and I just can't quite thrash the keyboard as well. I think the throw depth is different.
Only one I haven't tried is blue :/ can't be bothered.
Also! My particular type style and depth throw when I hit keys, I manage to cause the keys to go haywire within 6 to 12 months. The black I'm typing on right now will double press certain keys fairly regularly (at least 3 to 5 times a day, it will result in something looking liike thiis more often than n ot)
Honestly, I don't hate my mechanicals but I'm just not convinced 3 years on after owning 5 of the things, that they are for everyone.
Keyboards using the "buckling spring" design, which is what the original IBM Model M keyboards used, are still available new. They're now manufactured by a company called Unicomp, and have been updated with USB and some other changes (Windows keys, etc.).
Unicomp's cheapest model is $79, which would make it tied as the cheapest keyboard in their test. I'm curious how it compares, in terms of performance, to the newer offerings. I've never used one of the Unicomp models personally -- just the old IBM ones.
I do find it odd that these keyboards are almost never considered in discussions of mechanical keyboards. They're among the cheapest models sold, and the buckling spring design is a well-known and respected one, at least historically.
And I prefer the Keytronic keyboards.
But you can't get them anymore.
If builders built buildings the way programmers wrote programs, then the first woodpecker would destroy civilization.
As a touch typist I am very particular with keyboard
I have been using keyboard equipped with Cherry key switches for decades and there are five different Cherry key switches ...
Red
Blue
Green
Brown
Black
All of them function differently. Some with 'clicks', some without. The 'tactile' feel is different as well
There is one site that I recommend --- no, not ad placement, I promise --- that gives you a brief description of the difference of the Cherry key switches
Hope this helps !
Muchas Gracias, Señor Edward Snowden !
Sorry, forgot to include the link
http://www.keyboardco.com/blog...
Muchas Gracias, Señor Edward Snowden !
In their spare time, they're audiophiles ;)
If you're going to compare mechanical switches, the unicomp keyboard should be included too.
No, that is not technically correct, and is somewhat of an elitist attitude.
Feel is something very subjective. Responsiveness and durability depends on the particular brand and type of switch that you use. There are some very good rubber-dome and scissor switches as well as there are mechanical switches that are crap.
Back in the '80s and early '90s when mechanical key switches was the norm there were more types available. These days, the market is dominated by the Cherry MX. It was one of the better mechanical switches then and now and it comes in several varieties. These varieties can feel quite different from each other, and you might like the feel of one, all or none of them - and that is OK.
The Cherry MX has also been cloned several times by other manufacturers, often in lesser materials and with larger tolerances.
The big durability argument with Cherry MX is not that they wouldn't break: because they sometimes do. The durability advantage is that you could replace individual key switches (or parts) that have broken.
"We mustn't be caught by surprise by our own advancing technology" -- Aldous Huxley
Great news! Another path to snobbery!
Come on, guys, find something creative to do instead of nitpicking over the "sound" and "feel" of your overcooked keyboards! And please note, a "deep" and shiny backspace key doesn't make you a professional. You need education for that...
I have a Das Keyboard that I'm very happy with. However, I let my ego get the better of me and went with the ultimate model that is entirely unmarked. My typing is good, but not good enough for this board. On top of that, something that I certainly didn't realise before, is that while keyboard markings are not required for touch typing, they are still very much essential for keyboard shortcuts. Seriously, I don't care how good your touch typing is, when you're "hands off" from the board you'll find it really hard to hit a two-hand keyboard shortcut without markings on the keys. It's even more of a problem when the application is shortcut-rich and hitting the wrong key does something strange...
Otherwise, I'm happy to recommend this Model S but with the key labels!
PS: This board is loud. Too loud for a shared office environment. Though it did intimidate the absolute hell out of my office mates for the short while I was allowed to use it there... :)
As a software developer, I have to admit I avoid mechanical keyboards like the plague, they require more force to type, they're louder (a really BAD thing when you're blazing out code), they take more time to press and debounce, and they cost ~600% more than a scissor switch keyboard (that has none of those problems if you have a typical 2mm travel vector on your keys, 200% less than most mechanical keyboards).
Not these?
I'm partial to IBM/Unicomp buckling spring keyboards.
thegodmovie.com - watch it
even casual typists can recognize that there's something inherently superior about a mechanical keyboard.
Are you sure it's not that there's something inherently smug about clicky-keyboard fetishists?
I couldn't help feeling just a little bit dirty after reading the summary.
systemd is Roko's Basilisk.
I briefly used what I realise (in retrospect) was a Model M keyboard at a job I had in the late-90s. At the time I found the fact the resistance was half way down and very obviously "click switchy" (i.e. requires relatively high amount of pressure to get through, then suddenly breaks) to be strange and unnatural. I'm no millennial membrane-weaned weenie; I'd been using computers since the 80s, most of which had mechanical keyboards back then, and while some had been mediocre, some I really liked. They all went "tap" at the bottom, unlike this weird and unsatisfactory action. I have to say that Model M did nothing for me, and I'd no desire to return to it.
When I bought a Cherry mechanical keyboard for myself, I intentionally avoided the ones with the Model M style force gradients in favour of the ones that go "tap" at the bottom.
I've said it before here, and I'll say it again- the people who like Model Ms seem to *really* like them, but I'm convinced that the majority of people who didn't grow up using that keyboard or anything like it would- at best- find it an acquired taste, and probably be happier with one of the better membrane jobs (sacrilege!) or a mechanical keyboard with a more regular action.
I also think that membrane keyboards nowadays aren't that bad. Maybe I'm just used to them, but while I've come across some truly horrible examples at the dirt-cheap end, I've also come across some that were quite pleasant to use (and oddly, were also dirt-cheap models). Still not quite as good as the best- in my judgement- mechanical keyboards, but much better than the mechanical keyboards on some 80s home computers.
Anyway, back to the Model M. Yes, it feels "expensive" and "well made" in that it's obviously mechanical, and heavy, but that doesn't make it that great to type on IMHO (any more than I'm going to deny that my membrane keyboard at work is okay, simply because it's cheap). Some people think they're really great, and that's fine, they're entitled to their opinion. However, given that the borderline fetishisation from a disproportionately vocal number of fanboys might give others the impression the Model M was the be all and end all, I'm quite happy in balancing things out by saying I don't think they were all that, to be honest.
"Slashdot - News and Chat Sites Deviant". (Click "homepage" link above for details).
Vinyl is better as it is compressed differently
Mechanical switches are just like analog vinyl. Because the action is analog it isn't just on or off but has a slight curve between the states. The problem is the in order to be reliable mechanical has to be huge. At least compared to modern designs.
i thought once I was found, but it was only a dream.
I forget the brand name of my keyboard, but I sprang for a cheap one with Cherry MX Black switches.
The mechanical keyboard I bought almost ten years ago has Cherry MX Black switches apparently. It's certainly lasted, but although I'm still using it to type this message on, I've always felt that the spring resistance was just a *little* too stiff to be truly pleasurable to touch-type on. (Something I've since read elsewhere).
The Cherry MX Red has the same "linear" key action I bought the Black-based keyboard for, but with less resistance, and having used a Red-based keyboard, it's closer to what I had in mind when I bought the Black one (mail order). Mind you, the Red switches apparently weren't around back then anyway.
Cherry MX Reds are supposedly too sensitive for touch-typing, and intended for gaming keyboards, but I (as a non-gamer) am still considering buying one.
Of course, all the above is a matter of personal preference; if possible, you should always try out a mechanical keyboard- or at least one based on the same technology- if the feel of it is important. (And you probably wouldn't be bothering to buy a mechanical one if it wasn't!)
FWIW, while I was researching new keyboards a couple of months back, I came across these, both of which are useful in explaining the different types of Cherry switch:-
An introduction to Cherry MX mechanical switches
Cherry MX overview
Note that these colour codings only apply to official Cherry switches, not unofficial clones derived from their patent-expired design. For example, Razer commissioned a custom "green" switch from another manufacturer, which is apparently similar to the official Cherry MX Blue (rather than the Cherry MX Green).
"Slashdot - News and Chat Sites Deviant". (Click "homepage" link above for details).
Are there any ergonomic mechanical (and wireless) keyboards?
Mechanical switches are just like analog vinyl. Because the action is analog it isn't just on or off but has a slight curve between the states.
This. Exactly this. Inexperienced typists just don't get it.
To convey proper nuance in text, I don't always want exactly 1 letter "A" when I press the "A" key. Using uniform whole letters can seem jarring and mechanical, particularly when writing personal email. Sometimes a message composer only wants, say, 0.95 "A", just to soften the letter out. Other times, it's nice to smooth the letter out a bit, letting it fade out genty across the length of the word instead of being uncomfortably square.
These mechanical keyboards are usually tuned to be "warmer", as well--when you press that "A" key, it has overtones and harmonics from other vowels. A little bit of "E" goes a long way, but true "golden fingers" agree that plenty of "O" adds mellowness and roundness.
The adoption of these digital, non-mechanical keyboards is also one of the major reasons why emotion and subtext - especially related to humor - are so often lost in text-based messaging.
~Idarubicin
I have a Unicomp as well, but I still prefer the Model M because the Unicomp doesn't have the steel plate in the bottom, and to me doesn't feel quite as solid. The keys are great, though.
Please stand clear of the doors, por favor mantenganse alejado de las puertas
I clicked the link, and looked at the keyboards being touted. Power users? Really? WTF? Whatever happened to the concept of KISS? They've got frigging LIGHTS under the keyboard!!! WTF needs LIGHTS to type with? And, why introduce yet another component that can go bad?
I'll second the IBM/Unicomp model M nomination for POWER USERS!
Seriously? Lights? That makes me think of the posers who put lights on their car's wheels. "Oh, look at me, I'm so cool!"
"Windows is like the faint smell of piss in a subway: it's there, and there's nothing you can do about it." - Charlie Br
:: shrug :: I've been touch typing since the 80s (Yeah, I'm most likely a youngin to you) but I find backlit keyboards to be the most indispensable improvement made to keyboards. I want mechanical, backlit keyboard. No one but my gf comes over, so it's not a matter of being "cool" (I have a guitar for that). It might be from the callouses on my fingertips (see guitar), but I often fumble looking for the nubs on f and j, and a quick glance at the keyboard puts me straight. Does this mean I'm not a power user? I'll cry myself to sleep about that later.
If you were me, you'd be good lookin'. - six string samurai