My current keyboards are X-Bows ("no name" generation before Nature / Knight models) with Gateron red (non-silent) switches. I like them, but not the rather high-pitched sound. So I'm tempted to replace the one at work with a silent one, but don't know whether 35 or 45 cN actuation force.
The switches I know are:
- Cherry MX red silent: Used them for ~ 1 year.
- Gateron red: I prefer their feel to Cherry MX red silent, because they feel lighter.
- Gateron brown: Briefly tested on a collegue's board. AFAIR, force was okay like Cherry red silent. The tactility was not noticeable enough to be of any use.
- Cherry (?) MX black: Briefly tested on a collegue's board. Much too heavy.
I wonder: If Gateron non-silent 45 cN "are less than" Cherry silent 45 cN, is that
(a) because of the often claimed Gateron smoothness, or
(b) because silent feels heavier than non-silent?
I'd like to stick with same force as the Gateron reds. So if it's (a), I'd choose 45 cN silent silver (or maybe silent red). In case of (b), 35 cN silent yellow.
Thanks!