Membrane vs Mechanical for typing

[AP_97]

Hello.

 

i've been using my trusty Logitech K110 membrane keyboard and i'm satisfied with it for typing for the last 2 months i've been using it (i don't use the keyboard for gaming, i use my DualShock 3 for that. i suck at using keyboards for gaming :p).

 

However i've been wondering since this is a popular topic among keyboards. is upgrading to mechanical switches beneficial for typing?

 

If so, what switches do you all recommend that is cheap for beginners?

[kelvinhall05]

If you learn to not bottom out the keys and only press down to the actuation point, then you can type faster. If you always bottom out (like me) you probably won't notice a difference. As for switches, I love MX Browns, but MX Blues are also good if you don't mind the noise.

[pagani123]

Its more up to personal preference than anything. I would try out both an which ever you prefer go with that

[ARikozuM]

My suggestion, as @Maybach123 mentions, would be to go out to a store and try out as many KB's as possible. Bring along a test sheet or remember an easy, but lengthy, phrase and type it on each KB. It's how I ended up going to each of my KB's and ending with the G910 this past holiday season.

[Morgan MLGman]

It's just a matter of personal preference. I bought a quality membrane keyboard instead of a mechanical one for the same price because I preferred the keys to be smaller and quieter. Both types have advantages and disadvantages.

[SCHISCHKA]

I prefer apples keyboard. It's the closest to a laptop keyboard I know of and has small travel which I think makes it faster. I might just be insane in the membrane but I used a mech once and didn't like it

[Damascus]

2 minutes ago, SCHISCHKA said:

I prefer apples keyboard. It's the closest to a laptop keyboard I know of and has small travel which I think makes it faster. I might just be insane in the membrane but I used a mech once and didn't like it

Same reason my bro got a razer deathstalker, though I personally prefer browns for typing as membrane (especially laptop style) hurts my hands

[asim1999]

7 hours ago, Damascus said:

Same reason my bro got a razer deathstalker, though I personally prefer browns for typing as membrane (especially laptop style) hurts my hands

true, my left wrist is very stiff from typing on a laptop then a membrane keyboard for the past 7 years.

switching over to mechanical is worth it. i use the brown switch and love it

if you want to type normally, then they provide good tactile feedback

but if you want to game and double tap, they are easier than blues as they are heavier and clickier

best of both worlds imo,

[SpaceGhostC2C]

9 hours ago, Maybach123 said:

Its more up to personal preference than anything. I would try out both an which ever you prefer go with that

Definitely this. You can see examples of both opinions in this thread. Personally, I'm OK gaming with mechanical keys, but I can't stand them for typing (I ended up bringing my own keyboard to the office for this reason).

With that said, I'd go a step further and say that mechanical vs membrane is not the most important question for typing. Ergonomics are an order of magnitude more important than the keys. Hence, I fully endorse the advice to test first (unless you can already tell from experience by just looking at them). Make sure to try them in a position you will typically type in, and see where your palm would goes, how's the key size and fell, the distance between keys, etc. Ultimately, the best keyboard will be the one with which you spend less time thinking about how to use it / aware that you are using it, and more time oblivious to it with your mind in the content of what you are typing.

[AP_97]

Thank you, everyone