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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: nmatavka on Sat, 21 August 2010, 05:03:25

Title: Mechanical Keyboards
Post by: nmatavka on Sat, 21 August 2010, 05:03:25

I'm new to this huge variety of mechanical keyboards.  I've had the fortune of growing up on a Model M, and later picked up a Maltron with black Cherry switches.  How exactly do the various keyboard technologies compare?

I'm thinking: Buckling Spring <-> Cherry Blue <-> Cherry Black <-> Cherry Brown <-> Alps

What exactly is the Topre, and what sort of key-switch does it use?  Is it just a fancy rubber-dome keyboard?

Title: Mechanical Keyboards
Post by: Voixdelion on Sat, 21 August 2010, 15:10:50

Depends on what aspect of the tech you are comparing.  The Buckling springs have the uncontested longevity afaik, but the rest of it is generally a matter of preference in terms of what you are using the keyboard for or where (which generally matters in terms of clickiness or quietness unless you just have a personal preference).  How you type and what kind of switch best complements that would be the best way to make a comparison.  Do you like a key that actuates with more or less pressure or has a longer distance of travel before bottoming out?  Those are the things that qualify which technology is better for the user.  

My own experimenting has led me to conclude that I like clicky keys and a springy response (BS, blue cherry, white alps and all the imitations of these) but that the heavier force required for the BS actuation means that I tire more easily on those than on the cherry and alps.  I found that the blue cherry has the lightest touch of the clickies that I've tried, which makes for marvelous and energetic typing without fatigue even after long stretches. My personal favorite ordering of preference, since I do a lot of writing/word processing type of input is Blue Cherry>White Alps>Capacitive BS> Membrane BS.

But I cannot offer opinions on the tactile only keyswitches (brown cherry/topre) as the only one I've tried is the black ALPS of the Dell AT101W which I liked well enough until I tried the others.  The Black Cherry switch is linear, and I don't think that appeals to me in the slightest, as well as having higher force requirement, so I intend to stay far away from those myself.

Title: Mechanical Keyboards
Post by: microsoft windows on Sat, 21 August 2010, 18:52:31

Quote from: Voixdelion;215440

The Buckling springs have the uncontested longevity afaik

I'm not sure. I think a good rubber dome like a Dell Quietkey could withstand much more abuse than a Model M due to the simpler mechanism. But nothing beats the good feel of an IBM.

Title: Mechanical Keyboards
Post by: ch_123 on Sun, 22 August 2010, 04:14:47

Quote

I think a good rubber dome like a Dell Quietkey could withstand much more abuse than a Model M due to the simpler mechanism.

Seems your understanding of engineering is as good as your understanding of politics.