Features of mechanical keyboards
Under each key of such a keyboard is a full-fledged mechanical switch, or switch (from the English switch).
Switches vary in loudness, click and tactile response (when you feel that the key has dropped, and then returned to its original position):
- Linear – the most “soft”, without resistance to pressing and click sound;
- switches with tactile feedback;
- switches with tactile feedback and sound.
These mechanical keyboards differ from membrane and scissor keyboards in laptops (99% of keyboards in our houses and offices), in which the rod under the key presses on the “bubble” on the elastic membrane and closes the contact. But the membranes wear out, so some keys may fall over time. Also, each key should be pressed to the stop, so that you feel the pressure, and the keyboard registered it.
Advantages of mechanical switches:
- do not need to press the keys, they quickly return to the original position, thereby increasing the speed of printing;
- more accurately and faster are recorded pressings;
- a much longer lifespan (manufacturers give a guarantee of 40-60 million keystrokes, while good membrane keyboards have a hard time reaching up to 10 million).
The most popular switches are made by German firm Cherry. Also on the market there are Chinese Kailh and Gateron, Japanese Romer-G and many others.
Working on a mechanical keyboard: personal experience
In the store, the keyboard is not particularly rasprobuesh, for this you need to use it in “combat” conditions. The problem was that the mechanical keyboards:
- stand in the region of 4-10 thousand rubles (and above);
- have different switches under the buttons depending on the model, so for completeness, it was desirable to test at least a few options.
I had to turn to the producers for help. Responded colleagues from the companies EpicGear and RedSquare. I chose the Defiant model from EpicGear for testing because of an interesting feature: it is a keyboard-designer, in which you can change switches at any time and thus try three types of keys in one model.
I worked on it for a month. Recorded a small video, because it is very important to demonstrate the click sound with different switches.
Switches EpicGear uses its own (EG MMS Purple, Gray and Orange) with a total speed of 4 mm and a trigger point of 1.5 mm. Unfortunately, I did not manage to test the keyboard with the most popular Cherry switches, but judging by the reviews of other authors who compared the Cherry and EpicGear switches, the latter do not have distinct differences from Cherry, although they have their own “character” .
Printing is really more convenient than on a membrane keyboard. In membrane keyboards, the keys sometimes do not work out completely, and you have to press harder to be sure of the result: I have this problem with the Ctrl + C / Ctrl + V link. I forgot about this with mechanics.
A little bit about the game: linear switches EG MMS Gray (without resistance to kickback, to quickly press) are well suited for WASD, space, Ctrl and Shift. Strike in shooters was twice as convenient. Again, do not strongly press keys for reinsurance, as on membrane keyboards.
Pros and cons of the mechanical keyboard
pros
- The assembly uses better materials. Naturally, the more expensive the keyboard, the better. For example, in the Defiant model, the keys stand on an aluminum substrate – an integral metal sheet.
- Convenience and speed of printing.
- Some people like the sound that clicks: it seems that you work on a typewriter.
- Mechanical keyboards often have key illumination. In some models, it can be adjusted up to a separate color for each key.
- Mechanical keypads are often accompanied by software: you can adjust the backlight of the keys, reassign functions to the keys, set the frequency of the keyboard interrogation in Hertz. Although for the most part it is interesting only for professional gamers and does not affect office work.
- You can give the child to play. My daughter loves the arcade of Rayman Origins, and every time she fiercely pressed on the keys on the membrane keyboard, my heart ached. ???? The mechanical keyboard is just designed for increased loads.
Minuses
- Price. To buy a good mechanical keyboard you need to cook about 10 thousand rubles. Specifically, EpicGear Defiant costs about 9 thousand. But it is worth considering that in the “repair kit” only 24 replaceable switches (three kinds of switches of 8 pieces). If you want to change all the keys, you’ll have to buy at least 4 sets. Of the more affordable models, you can mention Red Square Old School, built on switches Gateron Blue (about 4 thousand rubles) or Lenovo Y Mechanical on Kailh Red (about 5 thousand rubles).
- Click volume. Even the most quiet linear switches still produce a sufficient audible “klats”. During the day it is not very noticeable, but closer to the night, when the day’s noise subsides, it becomes palpable. And when working on loud blue switches, such as EG MMS Purple, Cherry MX Blue, Gateron Blue, Kailh Blue, you are most likely to annoy your colleagues or family. At night it is impossible to print them, everyone in the apartment wakes up. Although the blue switches are often considered to be the best for printing.
conclusions
All computer gadgets and furniture for work belong to one of two categories: “just fulfills its function” and “performs its function and makes life easier.” For example, on a standard office chair we just sit. A chair with support for the back protects against osteochondrosis. An inexpensive office mouse makes it possible to click and drag objects. A mouse with a more ergonomic design and a quality sensor helps the hand less tired and does not “blunt” when you try to aim at a particular small pixel on the screen.
I was convinced in practice that this also applies to keyboards. The more expensive model pays for itself in comfort and durability. If you find the option with an acceptable click sound for you personally and the price, it will be ideal.
If you have a mechanical keyboard at home or at work, share your impressions in the comments.
