What motivated you to try a mechanical keyboard?

[1391406]

Up until a few years ago, I never really gave keyboards a second thought. I was totally ignorant of switch types. It wasn't until I stumbled across a YouTube video of a guy using a board with Cherry Blues that I had any motivation to try a mechanical keyboard. For me, I liked the way they looked and sounded, but then that's all I had to go on at the time. It wasn't long before I discovered I was drawn to the look and feel of vintage boards, specifically terminal types(which is why I use an IBM F-122).

What was your motivation for trying one?

[Kraksx]

Just being on a gaming forum and seeing these gorgeous keyboards when people posted their setups.

[Smasher816]

Saw someone post about their switch from a Logitech G15 to Das Ultimate. I also had a G15 and figured it could be time for an upgrade (I never used the screen much). I loved the way the blank keycaps looked and heard in the comments that it felt/sounded great. Did a lot of research and found this site.

Got a WASD v2 with mostly blanks, then moved onto the gorgeous HHKB. I still need to get some new caps for the WASD at work...

[hwood34]

My friend giving me flak about my logitech g19, and me eventually realizing I'd rather have the beautiful click of mx greens than mush

[SpAmRaY]

 I went through 4 or 5 non-mechanical boards very quickly and I ran across a blank poker x with reds on another forum and bought a mechanical that had some quality issues then came here and started my journey.

Wanting to have the 'best' keyboard was also a motivation, I had already upgraded my mouse and since I use a mouse and keyboard all day it was only the next step.

[koalapear]

While I was building my PC and doing research on parts I came across some forum topics on mechanicals. They seemed interesting and I figured since I was buying really nice parts for the rest of the build that the keyboard should be no exception. It wasn't until a couple of months after I got my first mech (my QFR) that I found out that there were whole communities dedicated to them. Once I discovered all of the possibilities for variety and customization I haven't looked back.

[BucklingSpring]

A friend handed me over an authentic Buckling spring IBM M and asked me if I remembered those.

One thing lead to another... See my sig for the rest of the story :-)

[ShawnMeg]

I was ignorant about the different types of keyboard switches (rubber dome vs. mechanical), but remember using an IBM Model F XT on the IBM PC years ago.  After reading articles about the Model M, Model F and various forums, it got my juices flowing.  About 2 months ago, I picked up a couple Model M's on Craigslist (sold one and kept the other).  I decided to get a Model F XT to relive the fond memories of days past typing away on that awesome keyboard.  I do like my Apple Pro Keyboards despite that they are rubber dome. 

[Hundrakia]

I got the idea to try them when I started researching ergonomics after some hand pain, then I got to try that 710 recently; it was life affirming xD

[Findecanor]

I have always been picky about the feel of my keyboards. Some rubber dome keyboards were better than others.
It was the prospect of mod'ing that got me to this place. Posts on this board motivated me to buy a Cherry MX blue keyboard, which I bought cheap and found that it felt amazing.

[dante]

I wanted to annoy my coworkers and my rubberdome wasn't up to the task.

[Coff_man]

I listened to multiple videos and streams of people with Mx blue switches in the background.
That is the switch that I started with. I was in it for the click.
now i use reds. because reasons.

[apathy3cs]

I always figured I'd buy a gaming keyboard at some point, but was never getting around to it, since it wasn't something I "needed" at the time.  Earlier this year though when I dropped an SSD into my main gaming rig though my Fang (Terrible terrible drivers) decided to stop working and wasn't recognized by Windows.  at that point I started looking for a replacement and bought an ergodox and been using it since.  I jumped on here after seeing the groupbuys where I can make more keyboards to replace my aging Saitek Eclipse I've had since 2006.

Is it bad that I like my 5 dollar BENQ over this Saitek??

[Txduck]

I didn't know mechanical keyboards even existed. I just got so tired of replacing keyboards because the letter's kept wearing off of the keys. I started searching for quality alternatives and by chance I discovered mechanical keyboards.
Curiosity took over from there and eventually I happened across geekhack.

[False_Dmitry_II]

Nothing. I one day was told to carryoff and deal with someone's old desktop setup. One of the things that I kept was the keyboard, merely because it was PS/2 and I wanted an extra. One day I decided to plug it in just because. It clicked. I never plugged my rubberdome back in again. It turned out to have Acer switches and I used it alone for at least 3 years without looking up anything else.

[HipsterPunks]

Bought a laptop for gaming, terrible decision with limited upgrade options and that chiclet keyboard. Decided to splurge on a keyboard. Bought a shine III and have been poor ever since.

[rowdy]

I learned a lot of my programming skills using a NEC APC-H4100E keyboard.  Many years ago I got rid of it.

Fast forward many years, and while doing releases at work I noticed that the build PC had a nice keyboard on it, but didn't really think much about it.

Fast forward another couple of years, and a build PC upgrade or two, and we had a clear out of old hardware, including a bunch of keyboards.  One had been under someone's desk and used as a footrest for several years, but had clicky switches.  It turned out to be an NCE APC-H4100E!  With the left arrow switch kicked off, although still there (in many parts).

I rescued it, cleaned it, and for a short while relived the joy of the olden mechanical keyboard.

Then I found Geekhack while attempting to repair or replace the broken switch.

One thing led to another, and I ended up buying my first "modern" mechanical keyboard - a Ducky Shine (version 1) with MX blues, which at the time seemed to most closely reproduce the effect of typing on the old APC-H4100E that I enjoyed so much back in the day.

Now I have a small collection of keyboards with various switch types - and only a couple more on my wish list.

[Enigma]

I saw a bunch of mechanical keyboards around on various forums and reddit and the like, but they were all Razers and the like. Frankly, I couldn't afford to buy something like that and I wasn't aware that there were cheaper options. Trying my friend's mech made me want one, but it wasn't until I saw one of matt3o's custom builds and realized that I could make one myself that I managed to get one. 

[davkol]

I was picky about laptop keyboards and it eventually affected my choice of external keyboards as well, but I couldn't find one with a 75% (or at least standard full-size) ANSI layout, good quiet scissor switches and solid non-glossy case. I somehow knew there was MS Natural, BWU, SS 6Gv2, Leopold and maybe IBM Model M—and I knew there were people using vintage keyboards. I started to hoard old stuff too, because the new stuff I found in computer stores was disappointing.

The very first five kinds of switches I tried were complicated white Alps, Cherry MY, Amstrad linear spring-over-membrane, Cherry MX Black and finally Cherry MX Red, the first one that I really enjoyed.

Surprisingly enough, I'm back to where I started, after having tried dozens of various good keyboards with all kinds of switches *and* layouts. However, I can type on anything, unlike when I started with keyboards. Most time is spent on Cherry MX Black or scissor switches and more importantly, a custom matrix layout.

[divito]

Well my initial usage of a mechanical without my knowledge of it being so, was just simply being around back in the day with IBM Model Ms. My foray into the more current generation came by way of a streamer who used his Das for StarCraft 2. My ASMR brought me to purchase my first clicky goddess, re-discover GeekHack, and become subject to this wonderful forum, more keyboards, key caps and infinite wallet hack.

[FoxWolf1]

I hoped I could save money by buying the cheapest possible mechanical keyboard and having it last forever simply by virtue of being mechanical.

It didn't work.

[terrpn]

i needed something else to throw money at................

[dorkvader]

was digging around in the attic, and I found an IBM PS/2 we had that I remember playing snake and gorrilas on as a kid. I hated the KB that came with our newer W95 packard bell. I took the KB when I went to college and have never looked back.

Much later on, when I had a job, I looked into mechanical KBs more.

[osi]

Haphazardly typed on a filco MX brown. My friend said geekhack.org

That's all it took. =)

[Fnzzy]

One time (like one and a half years back) I was in bed and decided to watch some random streams on Twitch.tv on my iPad. I got stuck on a WoW stream from Reckful and he was using a Noppoo Choc Mini with reds. He was very entertaining and I stuck around for a few hours and ended up following him.  After that I watched his stream everyday even though I wasn't interested in WoW AT ALL, but he was just so entertaining and always had good music in the background.

One thing I noticed was the keyboard he was using. I couldn't see or hear it properly when I was watching on my iPad but noticed it when I started watching him regularly. I got very interested in it, so interested that one day I decided to buy my own compact mechanical keyboard with mx reds. I saw the exact same keyboard he had on german Amazon but I was concerned about the layout since it only came in ANSI. Back then this seemed like a problem for me since I didn't know how it would work with a german layout or if I could adapt to it, so I ended up buying a Quickfire Rapid with german ISO layout and red switches.

From there on I got more and more interested and somehow went deeper into "the game" and now I am here, eagerly waiting to get some korean customs and to get some soldering work done!

[onishima]

I figured I spend hours on keyboards at work and at home, so I might as well give my fingers a nice luxurious ride. Same reason I have nice shoes and a nice mattress - the things I spend the most time with!

[BucklingSpring]

I hoped I could save money by buying the cheapest possible mechanical keyboard and having it last forever simply by virtue of being mechanical.

It didn't work.

LoL - Priceless

[0100010]

The first keyboard I can remember was a mechanical - though I don't recall what type of switch.  Only that it was basically a Model M clone, but with a 'big ass enter' key and an XT interface (the PC was a clone of an IBM as well).

Don't remember exactly when we got rid of that keyboard - but I can pretty much only remember rubber domes since.  It wasn't until a few years ago that I was reminded of mechanical keyboards on a different forum.  That reminder is what lead me here.

[ficklampa]

I was sick and tired of rubber domes always loosing it's feeling after a few months use, well often depended on the rubber dome of ourse. Also I started noticing all the fun keycaps for Cherry-switches, so I decided I should at least try it and see if I like it. So I picked up a Filco TKL with browns and haven't stopped using it ever since. Some keycaps needs to be replaced soon I think.

[mashby]

It was 1999 and I had recently moved to Nashville. I was trying to build up my IT consulting business having lost all my previous customers due to the move and I was working as a sub-contractor for an accounting technology firm.

One day, while working in the back, I came across a couple of boxes of "junk" that they had. I noticed an older keyboard sticking out of the box and reached over tapped on a few keys. It sounded magical. Turns out that it was a Model M.

I didn't know anything about mechanical keyboards, or what it was that made the keyboard sound and feel so awesome, but I loved it. I asked one of the guys what the story was on it. He said "Why? You want it?" I immediately said "YES!" and they let me take it. From their perspective, I was taking junk off their hands.

That Model M became my main keyboard at my home office for the next 7 years until I made the switch to the Mac in 1996. It took me a few years to make my way back to mechanical keyboards, but I eventually made it back. 

[Melvang]

Me I was a gamer while in the Navy (still am primarily a gamer) and wanted a keyboard that wouldn't flake out after a few/six months.  Bought my blank Das.  Never did buy into the whole "for gamerz by gamerz" with the exception of my Naga (though I do use the thumb buttons very extensively).  After having the Das I wanted something different than the blank black caps and after about a week of pretty much all search topics leading me here I was hooked very quickly.

[ClarusWorks]

Remembering the noisy but awesome keyboards that were on some 486 class PCs my school had when I was in the 2nd or 3rd grade.  They had bought new PCs to replace a bunch of PS/2 Model 30s but opted not to replace the keyboards.  The PCs were uninteresting generic beige boxes, the only thing I remembered about the keyboards were that they were huge, had no Windows keys, and were made by IBM.  Years later after having several cheaply made (but not always cheaply priced) rubberdome boards start acting up after a year or two of use (double letters, no letters, etc. on commonly used keys was the usual failure mode) I decided to do some reading about quality keyboards and discovered that the old indestructo keyboards I remembered from being a little kid were IBM Model Ms.

[suby4me]

I can't really remember since its been a while.  I remember back in undergrad, I used to game on a saitek gaming keyboard (rubber domes). It worked quite well, and was one of the first back lit keyboards I had. It was my roommate that got into mechanical keyboards. He kept praising how awesome his Das keyboard MX blue were and that they were typing heaven for a programmer such as himself. I decided to go with a razer black widow for some reason. That keyboard worked really well, especially for mac. I was actually using that for a while, until I stumbled upon this place. I think one of the blue leds on the razer was dim and I was looking for a way to change it out. Then I started reading more threads about the various other vendors that existed. I decided to go with a Das keyboard mac version, mx blue. I had fun with that for a bit, but tragedy struck and it had to be cast aside due to coffee floods. Then I actually picked up the Das 4. It was nice, then I started reading about the poker II. Got one with MX reds to experiment with. Then plopped down a bit of cash for custom cables, pbt caps, tex case, and more... Then I read threads about topre... and well I'm typing on it now  ) Not sure where I might go next, possibly nab a tester kit to mess with soon.

[Smasher816]

It took me a few years to make my way back to mechanical keyboards, but I eventually made it back. 

That is exactly what I say to people. The rabbit whole goes deep. Very deep...

[mason]

For some reason I wanted a loud keyboard and started looking at mx blues. Next thing I know I have a Razer Blackwidow but that's gone now lol.

[rowdy]

For some reason I wanted a loud keyboard and started looking at mx blues. Next thing I know I have a Razer Blackwidow but that's gone now lol.

Loud?  You need Model M then!

[Melvang]

For some reason I wanted a loud keyboard and started looking at mx blues. Next thing I know I have a Razer Blackwidow but that's gone now lol.

Loud?  You need Model M then!

With no rubber mat between the membrane and the backplate.

[StylinGreymon]

I saw a 3D render of DSA Retro, and needed to know more.

[Shayde]

About three years ago I got nostalgic for the old clicky keyboards I'd used many years before.  I wondered why keyboards didn't click any more.  That's when I learned about rubber dome keyboards, and that the old style keyboards were alive and well in the form of "mechanicals".

My current keyboard was one of those ones that had three different coloured backlights and, due to issues with a stalker, pretty much only used the computer in the dark using the keyboard's backlight as the only form of illumination for my work area.  Because I tended to usually use the red backlight, I decided I would get a mechanical with that colour of backlight.

I looked around the web everywhere but the only backlit mechanicals had blue backlighting - which I hated - though there was one in green.  But then I came across a limited edition Blackwidow that had red backlighting and, even better, was available in my country.

And that's how I was introduced to MX blues.

My addiction for mechanicals didn't kick in till a couple of years after that when I discovered the whole world of different switches, and lighting effects.

Now I've pretty much got a keyboard for every day of the month.  I might have a problem.

[Demetrium]

If I spend a lot of time with something I like to try out options instead of settling. Since I spend most of my life in front of PCs I try to always be testing out anything related from keyboards, monitors, mice, computer chairs...you name it. You never know what kind of small improvement you're going to find and how much the satisfaction of it will add up over the course of thousands of hours. Never settle!

[maatmouse]

Remember what was so great about the old IBM style keyboards and what is so crap about rubber domes etc. Am old enough to remember the best buckling spring things.

[rowdy]

Remember what was so great about the old IBM style keyboards and what is so crap about rubber domes etc. Am old enough to remember the best buckling spring things.

Are you using a BS keyboard now?

[Wayne]

I was wondering if there was a softer alternative to the laptop keys I was typing on.  I went for the lowest actuation force MX Reds, on the theory that if I could master these without bottoming out, I might minimize strain in my typing.

...even though I find them softer, I'm also not completely sure they are comparable; they feel quite different from the old laptop keyboard.

Being a vim user, I've found I enjoy typing in short bursts with little effort.  I haven't tried any other switches, though, so maybe someone can chime in if they've also found another switch to be good for this.

[rowdy]

Personally I've found red switches way too light.  I have fairly strong fingers, and prefer blacks and greens.

And buckling spring.

And Topre (although my HHKB is only 45g, which feels too light - I have a feeling I would get on quite well with 55g Topre).

[joshator]

I used to use a cheap £5 wireless keyboard for everything on my laptop. After 2 months, the letter keys had already worn out, so I switched back to my laptop keyboard, where some keys eventually broke off. Upon searching for good quality keyboards, I found out about mechanical keyboards. So really, what made me buy one was how long they would last!

[Acknown3]

I actually bought my first by accident. I was looking up reviews on Youtube for gaming keyboards (I know, I know) and they were comparing the 6Gv2 to the Razer Blackwidow. Interestingly enough, of the three videos I watched from different people, none of them mentioned the keycap types.

I bought the 6Gv2 because I had an SS mouse and I loved it, but then the keycaps started to fade. As I looked for solutions online, I found that the keycaps were replaceable, but then I noticed how people had different colored switched beneath.

After that, I decided to buy a Filco Ninja TKL with reds since I liked the blacks but thought they were a little too heavy. Since then, I've purchased the Razer BW BF3 edition (on sale for $40 with blues), Rosewill with MX reds ($25 each due to pricing error), an IBM Model F, IBM Personal Wheelwriter, FC660M reds (I like reds), FC660C, and am currently thinking about getting an ergodox with blues.

[docwlad]

I had been using them all my life, actually. My dad has a bunch of old dell and IBM mechanical keyboards he's acquired over the years (and he's always said they're his favorite keyboards), and so whenever I needed a keyboard I just used one of them. Then I started building my own computers and wanted to strike out on my own and stuff, so I bought ****ty rubber-dome keyboards and convinced myself they were better.

But then I graduated from college and began life as a programmer, and figured I spend so much time using a keyboard I wouldn't mind spending some money to make it a good keyboard. Which lead me here, and I have since spent far more money than I thought I would... but at least I have a nice keyboard.

So... TLDR: I spend a lot of time using a keyboard, so I want it to be as good an experience as possible.

[Doyniish]

Pretty much what motivated me was seeing them in battle station setups. I thought they would magically make me a better programmer too but turns out mechs don't have that special power.

[omnigeek]

I've been using clicky keyboards since the 1980s -- IBMs and Zeniths at first, then I tried an Omnikey and got hooked on those, and later Avants.  So I've never really used anything but mechanicals since IBM PCs came out.  Not sure if that helps to answer your question, but there you go