Is There a Significant Advantage to Using Mechanical Keyboards Over Other Types of Keyboards?
Mechanical keyboards have become popular among gamers and typists, but are they really better? After all, they’re much more expensive than membrane keyboards.
The answer depends on your needs and preference. If you’re a gamer, you may prefer optical switches, which offer faster actuation. But those are rare and expensive, and only benefit a few genres of games.
1. They’re quieter
When someone mentions mechanical keyboard, the first thing that comes to mind is loud clicking noises. While that’s not a bad thing when typing alone, it can get annoying around others in the office.
However, there are a few things you can do to make your keyboard quieter and eliminate the clicky noise altogether. The first is to replace your keyboard’s switches with quieter ones.
The best silent mechanical keyboards feature linear switches, which give off no tactile bump or click. They also often have additional dampening to help keep noise down.
Generally speaking, these switches are designed to be as silent as possible without sacrificing feedback, but they can still be noisy if you don’t choose them wisely. You can even take a look at enthusiast mods to make your keyboard a bit quieter and dampen your keys as well.
Another way to make a keyboard more-quiet is to use a different keycap set. Usually, these are thicker and regular height, so they won’t produce as much sound when depressed.
Finally, you can also install a foam layer underneath the PCB on your keyboard to reduce any sound vibrations that may be bouncing off of it. This takes a little more work than just putting a new keycap on, but it’s well worth the extra effort for a quieter keyboard.
2. They’re more durable
There are many reasons to buy a mechanical keyboard, but are they really better? They can be a great choice for anyone looking to improve their typing experience.
One of the biggest benefits of mechanical keyboards is their build quality and ability to be customized. They give you more options than non-mechanical keyboards, allowing you to choose from a variety of colors, designs, lights, and more. They also allow you to create your own layout so you can customize your keys and find the best way to type.
Another major benefit of mechanical keyboards is their durability. The switches on a mechanical keyboard are usually much more durable than those on a membrane keyboard, with average designs holding up to five million key presses before they start to show signs of wear.
The switches on mechanical keyboards are different from those on membrane keyboards in that they have a spring inside of them instead of a rubber switch. This makes them feel more clicky, and can make them sound louder as well.
Some people prefer the clicky feeling of a mechanical keyboard over the soft feel of a membrane keyboard. This is especially true for fast typists, who appreciate a distinct key indication.
Linear switches are also popular with gamers, who like the smooth and consistent response of these switches. Depending on the keyboard, you can also choose between clicking or tactile switches.
This process is extremely simple, but can be difficult to understand if you’re not familiar with what it is that goes on behind the scenes. The switch is a mechanical device that’s made up of plastic, a metal spring, and metal electrical connectors.
3. They’re more comfortable
There are a lot of reasons why people prefer mechanical keyboards, but one of the most important is how they feel. Most of us know that using a keyboard with long-lasting, comfortable switches can help prevent wrist pain and fatigue.
Wrist stress and fatigue can be caused by a variety of factors, but having a keyboard that fits your hand properly is the most effective way to prevent this problem. You may even find that you’re able to work for longer periods of time when you use a mechanical keyboard.
If you’re a gamer, a good mechanical gaming keyboard can be vital to your success. They’re more durable than most membrane keyboards and have been rated for millions of key presses, allowing gamers to get the most out of their games.
In addition, many of these keyboards have customizable backlighting. This can be helpful for gamers who spend a lot of time in dark rooms and need to type in low-light situations.
You can also customize your mechanical keyboard with different switch types. There are three main options: linear, tactile, and clicky. Linear switches have a smooth keypress without any tactile feedback, while tactile switches give a slight bump to each keypress.
A few switches are better than others for certain applications, so it’s important to decide which switch is best for you before making a purchase. You might even want to try out a few before deciding on your final choice.
Tactile switches offer more feedback than a linear switch, which can be useful for touch-typists and speedy typists alike. They also allow you to half-press a key and still register it, reducing errors and improving typing speed.
4. They’re more customizable
Mechanical keyboards are much more customizable than their membrane counterparts, with a variety of switch types to choose from. This gives you the flexibility to find a switch that best suits your needs and preferences, whether that’s a faster response speed, audible clicks, or tactile bumps.
The key switch type you choose can have a big impact on how comfortable the keyboard feels. Gamers tend to prefer red switches that are faster and have an audible click, while content creators might opt for brown or blue switches that offer a satisfying ping when pressed.
Another important factor in choosing the right key switch is the polling rate. A higher polling rate will allow the keyboard to communicate with your computer more quickly and will help reduce input latency for competitive gamers.
It’s also worth noting that some mechanical keyboards have a backlight feature, which is mainly for aesthetic purposes but can be helpful when playing games in a dark room. Depending on the keyboard, you can choose from different backlight colors, such as white, green, red, or blue.
For instance, if you spill something on your keyboard, it won’t ruin the membrane and can be easily cleaned. You can also detach the keys to check if there are any issues with them and replace them if needed.
Some gaming keyboards also have a feature called anti-ghosting, which allows you to press multiple keys at once without damaging the keyboard. This is a must-have for gamers, as it can make the difference between winning and losing.
It’s also important to note that there are many types of mechanical switches, with a wide range of actuation points and other specifications to choose from. These switches are a bit more expensive and can be difficult to find in the first place, but they’re well worth the price when you get them.
