Mechanical keyboards seem to have exploded in popularity in recent years. However, there are still many people who have not seen or know what mechanical keyboards are. Even if consumers wanted to purchase a mechanical keyboard, they can be easily confused. There are literally dozens of models and brands with different types of switches, with new models being released quite often. This guide is here to help consumers understand what mechanical keyboards are and choosing the right one that fits their needs.
History of Mechanical Keyboards
The computer keyboard is inherited from the era of the typewriter (fun fact: the reason keyboards use QWERTY format is because this format prevented the typewriter from jamming). There was a time when every computer keyboard was made with individual mechanical switches like the ones we are talking about today. They were heavy and costly to make, but great to type with. However, as advances in keyboard technology were made, there was a shift away from the expensive mechanical keyboards in favor of cheaper keyboard made from a single block of silicon. These printed "monoblock" membranes substantially lowered the cost of keyboards and became the ubiquitous standard in modern personal computers.
However, even with the dominance of these cheap keyboards, some consumers were missing the feel and touch of a mechanical keyboard. Companies responded to this demand by once again restarting production on mechanical keyboards with the same feel of the previous dated keyboards with a modern look. At first these keyboards were marketed to the journalists, gamers, and enthusiasts. Eventually, other consumers caught on to the benefits of a mechanical keyboard and began to consider a switch.
The Switches
The main difference between mechanical keyboards and membrane keyboards is the switch. Due to their construction, membrane keyboards lack feed back when actuated. Therefore, when you type, you are forced to fully depress a key or "bottom out" a keystroke to register it. Over time, this could be problematic for heavy keyboard users, causing over-exertion and finger/hand fatigue that can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. This is where switches come in. The most noticeable difference is each time you press a key; you feel the key being pressed and hear an audible or tactile click. This means that you no longer need to bottom out keys when you type, allowing you to touch type with incredible speed and accuracy. In addition, mechanical keyboards are made to withstand up to 50 million keystrokes, which is 5-10 times more than membrane keyboards.
Among mechanical keyboards there are many different types of switches; however the brand that is most popular are the Cherry MX switches and they come in 5 different specifications. These Cherry MX switches consist of a spring and two metal contacts. When a key is actuated, it causes the plastic stem to go down and the two metal contacts inside to make a circuit which sends a signal to your computer that a key has been actuated. Below we will discuss the different types of Cherry MX switches and their individual characteristics.
Linear Switch: Cherry MX Black
Cherry MX Black switches were introduced in 1984, making them one of the older switches. They are categorized as linear, non-tactile switches. This means that as you press on the keys, they feel consistent with each up and down stroke. They have a strong spring with a medium actuation force of 60 centi-newtons (cN) to operate. One centi-newton = 10-2 newtons of force. Many MX Black switches are generally marketed at gamers, where the high weighting can prevent accidental key presses that might occur on less stiff switches. They can also rebound much faster, allowing you to doublt tap your keys faster. This can be advantageous in some MOBA games. However, the downside of the black switch is that since they are heavier than other switches, you may find yourself more fatigued the more you use your keyboard.
Linear Switch: Cherry MX Red
Cherry MX Red switches, on the contrary, were introduced in 2008 and are also categorized as linear, non-tactile switches. However, they differ from black switches in that their actuation force is much lower. They only require 45 cN to operate. The result is that they feel more “smoother” and “faster” compared to black switches, making them especially popular among gaming enthusiasts. For typing, some may find that they accidently depress a key, although getting used to your keyboard will make this happen far less over time.
Clicky Switch: Cherry MX Blue
Cherry MX Blue switches are very popular with typists and with gamers. They are great for daily typing because the switch has an audible and tactile "click" when a key depressed. So you both feel and hear when the key has reached it's actuation point. They do have some drawbacks for gaming as they are harder to double-tap due to the actuation point of the switch actually being before the click or tactic feedback is felt. They are also easily the loudest among mechanical keyboards, so they can be disruptive in quiet offices.
Light Tactile Switch: Cherry MX Brown
The Cherry MX Brown switches are a hybrid between daily use and gaming. They lie between black/red and blue switches as they have tactile feedback but no audible click. Brown switches only require 55 cN to actuate a keystroke. The switch was introduced in 1994 featuring a soft, tactile bump near the middle. This means that you do not have to press the key all the way down to register an actuation. Therefore, you are able to type faster with less effort. Cherry MX Brown switches are quickly becoming the most popular mechanical switches on the market today.
Light Tactile Switch: Cherry MX Clear
The Cherry MX Clear is relatively hard to find these days. They have a high actuation force at 65 cN for a key to register as a key press. These keyboards are similar to the brown switches but heavier and clicker to press. However, heavy typist like the Cherry MX Clear switches because they offer a lot of feedback when pressed.
Clicky Switch: Cherry MX Green
The Cherry MX Green switches are designed for the super heavy typist. They require the most amount of force to actuate at 80 cN. They are similar to the Cherry MX Blue with an audible click at the actuation point. They are the newest switches on the market so they are not very popular yet. This keyboard is designed for typists who feel that blue switches are too soft and wants the feel of old school keyboards. Since they require the heaviest force to press down, fatigue may be a issue during long term use.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, not everyone will enjoy a mechanical keyboard. Despite all the advantages, some will find them too heavy, too loud, or too heavy to press. They are also a lot more expensive than membrane keyboards. A decent brown switch keyboard will cost you around $100. These keyboards are not for people who are perfectly happy with their current $5 keyboards. And if you are reading this guide, then you are most likely not in that category. There are many different types of switches, each design for specific end users. Hopefully, the guide above cleared up some of the confusion surrounding mechanical keyboards. So go ahead and do you finger a favor and grab one today and you will immediately notice a difference.
