Mechanical Keyboard FAQ & Basic Info Guide!

[MeltyMoon]

I'm so bored on this forum when I'm not starting big projects like this :P

 

 

Terms:

Touch Typing- Typing without pressing certain keys all the way down

Bottoming Out- Pressing down the key switch all the way.

Ducky- A maker of keyboards that this entire forum loves and fanboys really hard ;)

MX Key switches- The most common thing in a mechanical keyboard. If you own one, chances are it's using Cherry's MX line of keyswitches.

ALPs- People tend to dislike these keyswitches, only found in cheap mechanical keyboards.

Topre- Oh my lord.... incredibly expensive keyboards, however they are known to most accurately emulate the glorious model M from IBM  :ph34r:

G- as in grams for actuation force

 

 

Anyways, my goal here is to construct a helpful one stop information center for anyone interested in mechanical keyboards (and not passing as it's been 48 hours since I've last slept ;) and it's 3:30 A.M. while i type this B) )

 

lets start off with what makes these keyboards great! 

 

Key Switches:

 

 

Now there are many types of mechanical key switches out there on the market. Most of them come from the Cherry Corporation, their key switches are color coded, and each color feels different. I'm going to start off with these before I dive into any other key switch type.

 

Let's begin with my personal favorite;

 

MX Blues:

These key switches are the general favorite among typists, being they have solid feedback when you type on them. Very few keyboard companies, if any at all, consider this or would market this as a gaming switch. However I use these as my general key switch for everything, gaming and typing. MX Blue keyswitches are the ones most commonly associated with mechanical keyboards because they are tied with MX Greens (more on these later) for being the loudest key switch. These are the key switches that give that nice typewriter like click whenever the key switch is actuated. You get this click because when the key actuates, it bumps another piece of plastic that prompts the PC to enter that character. This has an actual beneficial reason to it, besides giving the key switch that beautiful clicking sound that all of your neighbors will hate ;). With this key switch you don't have to bottom out the key all the way. Half way down when the two pieces of plastic bump, is when the key switch actuates. This term is known as touch typing! This skill allows you to type faster, and type more before being fatigued.

 

Actuation force 60G peak, 50G

 

 

MX Browns:

Very similar to MX Blue key switches, except well....they are brown! Nah just kidding ;) These switches are similar to the Blue switch from cherry, in fact they are almost identical. You can still touch type on this key switch, and it feels just like, if not very similar to the Blue key switch. These are much quieter compared to the MX Blue, this is because the switch has been modified to not click when the 2 pieces of plastic touch to actuate the key. Your neighbors will appreciate you using this key switch instead of using an MX Blue key switch. These are considered the general purpose key switch as it offers the best of both worlds.

55G Peak, 45G

 

 

MX Blacks:

Now we are starting to move towards the 'gamers' type of key switches! MX Blacks are a very linear type of switch, as in you won't feel any bump as you did with the previous two switches. The key switch must be bottomed out for the keystroke to register, this prevents accidental double presses messing up your combos in a game like Melty Blood, Wow, DotA, etc. Even though the way the key is actuated seems very similar to a normal membrane key actuation design, I assure you that blacks still feel much better than membrane or dome keyboards.

80G peak, 40G

 

 

MX Reds:

These switches are very similar to black, personally I didn't find a difference between the two besides the fact that they were lighter. Most 'gaming' mechanical keyboards have been moving away from MX blacks and towards the red switches. These used to be obscure until recently where they've been making a very strong comeback. Especially thanks to Corsair's launch of the K-series! 

60G peak, 40G

 

 

MX Greens:

We're starting to get pretty obscure here. At the time of typing this, there's little chance of finding a keyboard with these bad boys used as the key switch. These are the 'evasive' MX Greens, these are heaven for people who find MX Blue key switches too light in nature. I've yet to been able to try out this switch, but personally I do feel that the MX Blue switch is too light for me, so Greens may be my favorite switch type. Greens are very similar to Blues, they are clicky, you can still touch type with them, the main difference is that they require more force to activate.

80G peak, 60G

They're so damn obscure I couldn't find a proper gif. Sorry guys

 

That's going to be it for the Cherry MX line, if you manage to find a whole MX clear keyboard, take a photo of it. That's like finding a Sasquatch man, my god.

 

 

ALPs:

I would describe these as the 'meh' switch. You only find these in super budget mechanical keyboards, and everyone usually agrees that typing on Cherry's switches is a much better experience. You find these in 40 dollar mechanical keyboards, and at that point I would tell you to save up 50 more bucks and buy a cheap(er) MX keyboard. Trust me, you'll appreciate it more in the long run.

 

 

Topre:

 

You're playing with the big boys now son, we're talking 300 dollar keyboard territory here. Geekhack is going to be pissed.

I don't even fully comprehend the glory behind these keyswitches, so this section WILL end up being updated. But these switches are the definition of glory around the internet (geekhack.org) and come with a massive premium over any other keyboard and key switch. People have told me "It feels like you're typing on silk" which sounds awful to me, but I'm assuming the feeling is too awesome to describe with words ;)

 

 

Sound:

This section will be updated, however as a place holder I will provide you with some useful information! All mechanical key switches will make noise, they will be louder than mechanical or dome switches! Also, the switch sound may vary between keyboards due to their backplate, so blues on my Ducky Shine II may sound different than the blues on your Filco, etc.

 

Construction:

Usually any mechanical keyboard destroys a membrane or dome keyboard when it comes to it's sturdiness. I mean my Ducky Shine II weighs pretty damn close to 5 pounds, I feel like i could defend my rig with it if a thief decides to break in and dares to steal it ;). No but seriously, there's very little flex on 97% of mechanical keyboards. Which is good being every switch is rated for 50 million presses, versus the measly 5 million on membrane and dome!

 

 

Getting close to 4 A.M. Thread will be updated later on today!!

 Feel free to put suggestions, or thoughts below! Let's see if i can't earn myself another sticky ;)

[hehehehhehehehe]

Awesome!!!

Nice work man, very informative.

I also love my blue key lard although find it quite light and have been trying to get my hands on a green :P

[GamerDude]

Perhaps when more info and feedback is posted here, a mod ought to sticky it. I can help you out when it comes to Topre as I've just acquired a Realforce 103UB0-55G with dye-sublimated black on dark gray PBT caps......and it's a pleasure to type on. Typing this post with it right now....

[bradscoolio]

Reckon we could get info on ALPs and not just your opinion? 

[TheProfosist]

All I have to say a bunch is wrong in the OP or possibly just personal opinion.

[MeltyMoon]

Reckon we could get info on ALPs and not just your opinion?

Absolutely! Much more will be added in the morning :). I may have to use this reply as an extender for the Op lol.

[bradscoolio]

Absolutely! Much more will be added in the morning :). I may have to use this reply as an extender for the Op lol.

 

Don't. Just overhaul the OP ;)

[MeltyMoon]

All I have to say a bunch is wrong in the OP or possibly just personal opinion.

Sure it can be taken as an opinion, these are peripherals. It's all down to preference. I also plan on updating the Op after I get some sleep. So just give me a little more time and I'll update it with a lot more factual information, rather than my casual opinion/knowledge

[TheProfosist]

Check out the wiki on DT (Deskthority) or Ripsters on reddit which is close to the old GH (GeekHack) one. Those should give you plenty of good info. If you have any questions just as away ill answer what I can.

[TheProfosist]

Don't. Just overhaul the OP ;)

 

agreed

 

 

Sure it can be taken as an opinion, these are peripherals. It's all down to preference. I also plan on updating the Op after I get some sleep. So just give me a little more time and I'll update it with a lot more factual information, rather than my casual opinion/knowledge

 

yea just looked at the time kinda didnt notice since i woke up in the afternoon today...