Jump to content

MX Linear switches for typing

As far I understand what people are saying is that linear switches (red and black) are purely for gaming and should be avoided if you type.

Any MX Red/Black keyboard owners here to confirm that?

Asrock 890GX Extreme 3 - AMD Phenom II X4 955 @3.50GHz - Arctic Cooling Freezer XTREME Rev.2 - 4GB Kingston HyperX - AMD Radeon HD7850 - Kingston V300 240GB - Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB - Chieftec APS-750 - Cooler Master HAF912 PLUS


osu! profile

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/220763-mx-linear-switches-for-typing/
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

I have a K95 that has reds and a Ducky Shine 3 with browns. Reds are okay for typing, provided that you have not tried tactile switches. As soon as I got my Shine 3, I completely stopped using my K95 for any typing. They feel kind of mushy and are very easy to press accidentally. 

 

Best thing to do is to try them yourself though. Some people can prefer linear switches for typing, although it's generally agreed that tactile switches are better for typing, especially for long periods of time. 

Link to post
Share on other sites

I use Reds and Browns, I prefer the reds for both activities. I'm used to bottoming out and for this reason I think I just like them better.

Case: Meatbag, humanoid - APU: Human Brain version 1.53 (stock clock) - Storage: 100TB SND (Squishy Neuron Drive) - PSU: a combined 500W of Mitochondrial cells - Optical Drives: 2 Oculi, with corrective lenses.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Ive got a keyboard with MX Blacks and they are ok for typing but id much prefer a MX Green keyboard cause I've got such a heavy typing style. 

Its good for gaming cause its less thinking about the keys, but there is no actuation point so sometimes its not as good.

Corsair 750D | Asus Crosshair V Formula-Z | FX 9590 | Kingston HyperX 16GB@1866MHz | MSI R9 290X Lightning | Seasonic 1050W Platinum | 2x WD 3TB Green HDD | Samsung 840 Pro 256GB SSD | Crucial 512GB SSD 


Alphacool XT45 360mm | Alphacool Monsta 280mm | Silverstone AP121 | Silverstone AP141 | EK Supremacy Elite | EK ASUS C5F-Z | EK R9-290X Lightning | EK 3/8-1/2 Nickel | XSPC D5 Acrylic Tank | Primochill 3/8-1/2 

Link to post
Share on other sites

You aren't going to be able to get a black/white response.

 

In general yes, most people prefer tactile switches for typing. But its not the rule.

Hell even though Browns are tactile, the tactile part of browns is so small, the second you build up speed the switches may as well be linear.

 

Some people love the slight bump, some people love the fact they can float over the keys and just tap and not have to deal with a bump to type. Its a purely personal thing.

CPU: 6700k GPU: Zotac RTX 2070 S RAM: 16GB 3200MHz  SSD: 2x1TB M.2  Case: DAN Case A4

Link to post
Share on other sites

I don't really like reds for typing. They just dont feel...right. Blacks are okay because they push back on your fingers a bit more. Although it is all personal preference, the descriptions given really are what 90% of all mech board users that own boards with all 3 types would agree with.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I wouldn't say avoid Red/Black switches for typing. IMO, the tactile switches offer more for the typist, and I don't understand Red/Black switches being defined solely as "gaming" switches.

 

Many users disregard the tactile and/or clicky feedback altogether; linear switches would probably suit them better.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

×