Mechanical Keyboard Guide - Page 7

Well they aren't all clunky, just the Model M

The main reason is that they provide tactile feedback that rubber domes don't - you actually feel when the switch hits, instead of not knowing until noticing that a letter didn't appear on the screen.

They feel a lot more crisp as well. Like, you know how scissor switches (laptop style) boards aren't as mushy as regular keyboards? Mechanical switches take it one step further.

You also don't have to press the keys all the way down while you're typing, and they don't require as much force to press either. This results in less fatigue, and once you get fully accustomed to it, faster typing as well.

Linear switches also give you a good advantage with games because they don't have a tactile bump. Because of this, plus the fact that they actuate before you reach the bottom, you get slightly faster reaction times. Kind of like the difference between a laser mouse and a ball mouse. They suck to actually type on though, heh.

Then there's the weight of the keyboard. Most of them are pretty heavy, which means that they won't slide around on your desk while you're typing.

And the durability. As long as you don't spill anything on it, smash it with a hammer, or try to kill someone with it, a mechanical keyboard can last over 20 years easily.

Not all of them are loud and clunky either. The new ones are no bigger than a regular keyboard (see the ABS M1 or Steelseries 7G on newegg), and you can always stick to Cherry MX Brown or Black switches if you care about the noise. And there are plenty of keyboards that are tenkeyless (no number pad), which take up even less space.

^^ What he said.

I suggest you get an MX11800 from ebay to try out. They shouldn't run more than $30, even brand new. It uses cherry MX brown switches, which require very little force to type on. My laptop keyboard actually requires more force than it does.

And if you want really, really light typing, try a Topre Realforce 87U. The letter keys all need only 35cn of force to actuate. Compare that to the 80cn required for buckling springs . Its pretty expensive though, and will run around $350....so its really not worth it just to 'try out'.


Edit: Here you go, an MX 11800 for $25+shipping.

Correct, tactile only, and the bump isn't as pronounced as it is on the blues.