The Giant Keyboard Thread : Part 1

Hi there!

About 2 days ago I got a new keyboard for my bday.

So, I wanted to translate this giant keyboard thread from tweakers.net to English. You will learn about everything you need to know about MECHANICAL keyboards. Don't know what this means? You'll learn soon enough by just reading the following! Note that I will post this in 2 parts - this one being the first of course!

Let's just get on with it!


What is a mechanical keyboard?

Almost all keyboards which are sold together with computers have 'rubber domes' underneath the keys. This is the same technology you will find in remote controllers. These rubber domes are made to be as cheap as possible to get as much profit from them.

Even 'high-end' keyboards are victims of this inferior technology.

But in the latest years, a big alternative has protested against this : the mechanical keyboards.

A mechanical keyboard is a keyboard based on mechanical "keyswitches". This means that each key has its own, mechanical 'switch' which registers each 'touch' or 'activation'. These switches give a unique feel to the keyboard, have a long life (more then 50 million activations!) and generally give alot more type comfort then previously stated rubber domes. The variant which is most popular for mechanical keyboards are "Cherry MX switches". There are multiple tastes to these MX switches, each with it's own character (scroll below for more info). It's thus quite important to stand still for the choice of MX switches.

Next to MX switches and normal rubber dome switches, there are still alot more types of keys. For example, the scissor switch (occur in mostly laptops, flat keyboards, mac keyboards) , Cherry ML switches, Topre mechanical switches and so on. We will cover the important ones further in the thread. Some are also found on overclockers.net

It is also worth mentioning that mechanical keyboards are alot heavier (I speak out of expierence) because each key has its own separate switch.


A couple of benefits
Mechanical keyboards are especially popular with gamers on one side and with typists on another side. But both groups still love mechanical keyboards because of the same reasons.

Not pushing keys to the bottom
The first benefit is that the actuation point (the point where the keyboard registers your push) lies halfway the key. So when you (after some excercice) push your keys right on the actuation point instead of pushing it right to the bottom (='bottoming') , you can type or give commandos faster! You will probably not suddenly become 2x faster but it's still nice to have.

Feedback

Combined with the less deep actuation point, some variants of MX keys also give tactile feedback (you feel when you reach the actuation point) or even hearable feedback. With this last one, you hear a 'click'. This is why these kinds of keys are called 'clicky'.

These techniques can help you avoid faults and are thus interesting in RTS games such as Starcraft II and the typing of huge amounts of text where you need to be sure over the fact that you've pushed your key or not.

Pressing more keys at the same time
Some keyboards can only register a specific amount of keys at the same time. So, when you are too fast for your keyboard or for example pressing keys at the same time for ducking, jumping and going backwards , this can provide some problems.

How much keys a keyboard can register at the same time is called 'key rollover'. This is determined as followed :

numberKRO

example :

2KRO = 2 keys at a time

6KRO = 6 keys at a time

NKRO = no limit

Next to this number of keys, modifier keys can still be used : SHIFT, CTRL, ALT & Windows-key. So these don't count on.

Most mechanical keyboards have NKRO.

A nice test to perform to determine how much keys your keyboard can register at a time : hold both your left and right shift pushed down and try to type the following : THE QUICK BROWN FOX JUMPS OVER THE LAZY DOG. With most (these will be USB) keyboards , alot of letters don't come on the screen, because specific letters in combination with the two shift keys don't register.

USB can, in principal, give no N-Key Rollover, this is in most cases limited to 6 keys. Some fabricants have adjusted but PS/2 still gets the preference (scroll down for more info on this).

Sometimes, there is also spoken about anti-ghosting. Ghosting means that with specific combinations of , for example , 3 keys, a 4tht key (which you didn't press) can be registered as well. The most modern keyboards (even rubber domes) solve this problem in many different ways. You can read more about this on Tom's Hardware.

Faster registration

Another benefit is faster registration. This originates from shorter key-bouncing time. All variants of key switches (even rubber domes) have key-bouncing. When you push a key, the key stays 'on' for a short period of time before bouncing back again. This should mean that the key could be registered more then one time.

That's why fabricants have implemented a 'debouncing slower'. This means that when you push a key, the controller waits for a specific amount of time before registering the key for real.

'Cherry MX' switches have a 5ms debouncing time, rubber domes need more time. The exact time is specified by the quality of rubber domes (which is in most cases not that great).

The benefit is not noticeable but still shows the superior quality of the mechanical switch.

Overview switches

The first and most important decision is the type of the switch. Such as previously stated, each switch has a unique character and thus nobody except for you can choose which key is the best for you, dear reader.

The switches difference from 3 main factors :

How much force there is needed on a switch to reach ther actuation point : this determines how light or heavy your keys will feel like. The amount of force which is needed is determined by grams or centinewtons (+-the same)
This factor is very different from person to person. Some like the light key of the MX Red, others prefer a the heavy MX Black.

Tactile or linear : a tactile switch has a clear point where you feel that you have reached the actuation point. There is a 'bump' feeling when you have pushed the key. Linear means that you don't have this 'bump' but a constructive pressure from begin to end.

Tactile switches are most popular with typists and RTS gamers (such as Starcraft II) because of their clarity of being clicked or not. Linear switches are more loved at an FPS gamers house, Arcade racing etc... because these games require that a key is pressed during long periods of time, then very shortly let go of, then double clicked , etc...
This too is a general directive, you have to feel for yourself what is the best for you.

Clicky : some tactile switches give , next to the 'bump', a hearable click. Some people love this, others find this irritating. However, it has to be said that all mechanical keyboards will always make more noise then your normal keyboard when you bottom alot. So, when you press the key to the bottom , there will always be a noise because the key hits the backplate.
To avoid this , people can use a o-ring modification for their keys.

Now, on to the switches...

Rubber dome switches


Rubber dome switch animation. Source: forum.lowyat.net

Type : Rubber dome
Tactile feedback : None
Clicky : No
Actuation force : 55g-60g (differences from model to model)
Actuation point : 4mm to actuation (= the bottom)

These keys occur in mostly cheap keyboards. They need the longest time to go up from a push because of the rubber dome which pushes the key back up. They don't have a very long life span (1-20 million presses) and the decline of the key can clearly be felt (after a while they begin to go up even slower, more force needed to push etc. ). In comparison to mechanical keyboards, they are in all aspects inferior. When one begins on getting the hang of mechanical keyboard, is typing on a rubber dome simply unenjoyable.

-Cheap
-Quality rubber = quality board
-On all aspects inferior

Scissor switches


Scissor switch animation. Source : forum.lowyat.net

Type : Scissor switch
Tactile feedback : None
Clicky : No
Actuation force : 60g-65g (differences from model to model)
Actuation point : 2mm to actuation (= the bottom)

These keys are often used in laptops and slim keyboards. They are thin, cheap and have a longer life span than rubber domes. These keys still use the principal of a rubber dome, but the rubber dome doesn't push the key back up, because that's where the scissor mechanism comes in.

The chiclet keyboards of Apple and other laptops are also constructed on this principal. The actuation force is high but it feels light because the distance between the bottom and the actuation is small. They need less time to get up from a push and because of that, they are already alot easier to type on then rubber domes. Because the rubber does not get overloaded , they have a longer lifespan, about x2 with the better rubber domes. But still, the scissor switches are still nowhere superior to the mechanical keyboards.


- Cheap (though a bit expensive then rubber domes)
- Has a x2 longer lifespan, but doesn't get close to a mechanical switch.
- Not very deep
- Qualitywise between mechanical and rubber dome.

Cherry MX Blue Switches


Cherry MX Blue switch animation. Source : forum.lowyat.net

Tactile feedback : Yes, clear.
Clicky : Yes
Actuation force : 50g (60g highest force)
Actuation point : 2mm to actuation, 4mm to bottom.


Blue switches are based on the all father of mechanical keyboards : the IBM Model M.

These IMB Model M had Buckling Spring switches , which makes them very loved, especially by typists. The Blue switches give (like the Buckling Springs) next to clear feedback, also a click.

Further lies the reset point (the point where you need to go through to push the key again) high, which makes it so your fingers have to go almost completely up if you want to activate the key again.

This makes the Blue switches high standing on the wishlist of typist and RTS-gamers (such as Starcraft II professional players). They are in principal less suitable for FPS etc... because you have to lift the key for a small amount of time en then push it again, without letting go of it completely.

Warning : MX Blue's make alot of noise!

- Loud
- Most tactile & clicky
- Medium actuation force
- Good for SCII and typing
-Less good for FPS, racer, mmo,...


Cherry MX Brown switches


Cherry MX Brown switch animation. Source : forum.lowyat.net

Tactile feedback : Yes, light
Clicky : No
Actuation force : 45g (55g highest force)
Actuation point : 2 mm to actuation, 4mm to bottom.

Brown switches walk the path of the middle. They combine the light feeling click without sound with a light push. Above that, the reset point is almost exactly at the actuation point. Thus, you don't have to move your fingers up as much as the MX Blues.

Because of this, the Brown enjoys the preference of people who do a bit of everything (like me!). You get less, but still noticeable feedback for typing/RTS games and at the same time, FPS, MMO,... are more comfortable to play with (in comparison to the brown, at least). Brown is seen as the safe 'middle ground'.

-Has feedback, but less extreme
-Light push
- In most cases, more expensive


Cherry MX Black switches

Cherry MX Black switches animation. Source : forum.lowyat.net

Tactile feedback : No, linear switch.
Clicky : No
Actuationforce : 60g (80g highest force)
Actuation point : 2mm to actuation, 4mm to bottom.

Black switches are a lot different then Blue and Brown. They don't have a feelable nor hearable click, and feel heavier. The force which you use is linear.

Blacks are often used in keyboards for gamers because they are good for action full games games where you quickly press many keys and then let go again.

-Ideal for FPS, MMO...
-Combination of heavy attribute and the missing feedback makes the Black (theoretically) less suitable for typing.

Cherry MX Red switches

Cherry MX Red switch animation. Source : forum.lowyat.net
Tactile feedback : No, linear switch.
Clicky : No
Actuationforce : 45g (55g highest force)
Actuationpoint : 2mm to actuation, 4mm to bottom.

Red switches are roughly black switches which type lighter. Therefore, you will find them a lot in gaming keyboards nowadays.

Either heavier or lighter typing, it's all your choice : a personal preference.

-Ideal for FPS,MMO,...
-Light or heavy is an issue of taste.

Cherry MX Clear switches

Cherry MX Clear switch animation. Source: forum.lowyat.net
Tactile feedback : Yes, clearly. (More clear then Blue)
Clicky : No
Actuationforce : 55g (100g highest force)
Actuationpoint : 2mm to actuation, 4mm to bottom.

Clear switches are very rare to find, but sometimes you can find a keyboard with Clears.

They are heavier then most other switches and have a larger tactile nodule. Because of this, it is very clear when the key has been activated, but is at the same time easier to hang around the actuation point. Something that can be handy with some games and after familiarization making the switch alot more silent.
Because of this key being so heavy, they can be tiring for some people with prolonged use. Because of these reasons, this switch is clearly not recommended for people having their first mechanical keyboard.
Cherry MX Green switches


Since 2012, you can , here and there , find keyboards with Green switches. They are often named as heavier Blues. Or you can also say that Greens make a combination of Blue and Clear.

-Heavy, like the Clear.
-Tactile feedback, like the Clear.

-Hearable feedback, like the blue.

That's it for part 1 of this 2-part keyboard thread!
Thanks, and I hope you enjoyed reading , and that you know know more about mechanical keyboards!
Translated from http://gathering.tweakers.net/forum/list_messages/1492723/0
I do not claim to have made the original Dutch thread, nor Tweakers.

 

I totally read all of that.... yeah....

 

I don't know what I read, but I liked it.

 

Cmon guys... It aint that much to read...

 

I read it, Cherry MX blue FTW!

 

Nah!
SHITCOLOR FTW

 

I had a Scissor keyboard on my old laptop and this laptop i dont wanna ruin the keyboard so idk o-o

 

I have a nice-ish keyboard, I kind of want to buy a new/better one. My mouse is already fairly efficient so. Maybe a fancy light-up keyboard?

 

I wouldn't judge the cosmetics of your keyboard on the actual quality of it. Many rubber dome keyboards look nice, but well...
Are rubber domes.
And if you say you have a nice-ish keyboard which I guess is not a mechanical one, it's quite shit.

 

I've tried the RAZER Blackwidow Ultimate 2014, with their own RAZER mechanical switched, not MX. The thing with MX is that they are actually mostly made for typists, and weren't really made for gaming. The RAZER that I tried is actually amazing, and it's quite cheap compared to MX switches.

So, @Miner, I recommend you try that one.

 

MX? And ok, I'll see about ordering it.

Also, what's a mechanical keyboard and what's the difference from the regular

 

MX is what most mechanical keyboards use... they have different switches. However, MX switches are expensive.

Also, a mechanical keyboard is a keyboard that uses MX or RAZOR switches. They are explained in the OP.

 

I think I have a rubber dome keyboard.
It's so loud, I was typing at 5am and my mum wakes up as she does throughout the night and she couldn't go back to sleep b/c I was typing so loud lmao.
She came into le room and like 'you little child...' she said, 'Go to bed!!'
Darn loud keyboard ;-;

 

Switches?

 

You forgot kale switches on that

 

I think Kale and RAZOR switches are the same thing. I just called them RAZOR switches because I wasn't 100% sure the name.

EDIT: RAZOR switches are made by Kale.

 

english please

 

Welcome to the world of geeks. We all love our technology and enjoy using it.

You see, this is part of my reasons to want a new keyboard to connect to my main laptop. My keyboard as well is very loud and many people I have skype called with complain about it. I personally though find it rather amusing to see the other's reactions.

 

Wow, Olo, you have the time for everything....