Cherry Brown vs. Capacitive

[unicomp]

I have seen some references recently to the comparison of the two switches. I have only had the opportunity to briefly use the Cherry brown switches, and I am wondering as to how the switches compare. Can these be compared fairly? The Cherry browns that I had seemed to be rather worn and I had no real time to use them (the keyboard was malfunctioning).

[majestouch]

I think they are only compared because they're both very light switches. I've been using Cherry browns on one board for over 4 years but they still feel snappy; what is the "worn" feeling you experienced?

[unicomp]

I think they are only compared because they're both very light switches. I've been using Cherry browns on one board for over 4 years but they still feel snappy; what is the "worn" feeling you experienced?

I had been using scissor switches for some time prior to using the browns. Initially I thought that the board was actually a membrane board, however after having typed on a membrane board I note that it did feel different. I suppose that it felt rather linear, this is what caused my thoughts that the switches were worn. I did not really get to type much on that board.

I am just interested as it is much cheaper to get a Cherry brown board, and therefore it would be annoying to get a capacitive switch board and then feel underwhelmed.

[bionicroach]

Are you interested in capacitive / browns for noise reasons?  If not, it sort of sounds to me like you might like blues better if you're after a "snappy" feel.  (I prefer them, personally, having tried all three.)

[unicomp]

I have a blue switch board that I can use in a few days. I seem to be able to get fairly decent typing speeds regardless of the board, given that I have some time to become accustomed to a given board. I am rather interested in the HHKB as this was the first board I saw that made me interested in keyboards. However the price is rather high and probably does not justify an efficient layout alone; i.e. there must be a good feel to the typing.

Edit: Noise is not usually a problem, however I cannot really use buckling spring boards as I do find that they are too loud for my environment.

[bionicroach]

I'd say my personal stance on the Topre based boards is that in order to justify the price, there has to be something else about the board that really, really appeals to you besides just the key feel, otherwise I think you will be at risk for the "meh" reaction after your purchase.

For instance, if you love the way the HHKB looks, the size, the layout, portability, detachable cord, don't mind lack of arrow keys, have a Unix beard, etc, then it probably makes sense to pull the trigger and just get one.

If you really like the black on black keys, are annoyed by cost-cutting build quality like uneven seams and squeaks and rattles, think the capacitive technology is neat, and want to support economies where workers are treated fairly and care a little bit more about the products they build (as Majestouch has pointed out before), then a Realforce might be a good choice.

That said, when people come sit at my desk to log on to my PC and help troubleshoot, log in to time-tracking software, etc, I have never had anyone make any comments about my Realforce like "Wow, this is a really nice keyboard!" or "What kind of keys are these?  They feel different somehow."  The average non-keyboard-enthusiast really can't tell the difference between a Topre and a decent rubber dome in my non-scientific-totally-random samplings so far.

Whenever I have one of my Cherry Blue boards in service, though, people always notice it right away.  Not everyone likes it, to be sure, but people always point out how it feels different than what they're used to.  Interestingly, many people think it feels really "light" or "sensitive", even though the Topre is technically much lighter.  I assume that's because on the Topre it doesn't make much difference if you bottom out or not, but the tactile feedback on Cherry switches lets you know you don't need to bottom out.

[unicomp]

It has been a while since I used by blue switch board, I will have to give it another try before changing. However the small size of the HHKB is a big draw; the reason I haven't been able to use the blue switch board is that it was too large to transport on my person.

[bionicroach]

If portability is important to you, then it's hard to beat the HHKB, as that's one of its strong points.  I wish more keyboards had detachable cables for that reason -- it's nice not to have to worry about stressing the cable joint if you put the keyboard in a bag or whatever.  (The Filco tenkeyless are pretty darn small too, though.)

In any event, I certainly don't mean to dis the Topre switches in any way as they are very, very, nice and I like them quite a bit.  They just don't have quite enough tactile feedback to be my favorite for high speed typing.

It sounds like durability might also be a criterion for you if you had a Cherry board fail before, so the Topre boards probably win that point since they seem like they'd be more resistant to debris and jarring since they don't have the tiny, high precision parts that the Cherry switches do.

[unicomp]

If portability is important to you, then it's hard to beat the HHKB, as that's one of its strong points.  I wish more keyboards had detachable cables for that reason -- it's nice not to have to worry about stressing the cable joint if you put the keyboard in a bag or whatever.  (The Filco tenkeyless are pretty darn small too, though.)

In any event, I certainly don't mean to dis the Topre switches in any way as they are very, very, nice and I like them quite a bit.  They just don't have quite enough tactile feedback to be my favorite for high speed typing.

It sounds like durability might also be a criterion for you if you had a Cherry board fail before, so the Topre boards probably win that point since they seem like they'd be more resistant to debris and jarring since they don't have the tiny, high precision parts that the Cherry switches do.

Thanks for the response. In all fairness, with regards to the board failure, I think that it was a rather old board that might have been damaged in transit due to poor packaging.

[Superfluous Parentheses]

That said, when people come sit at my desk to log on to my PC and help troubleshoot, log in to time-tracking software, etc, I have never had anyone make any comments about my Realforce like "Wow, this is a really nice keyboard!" or "What kind of keys are these?  They feel different somehow."  The average non-keyboard-enthusiast really can't tell the difference between a Topre and a decent rubber dome in my non-scientific-totally-random samplings so far.

I can't comment on Topre (or Cherry) keys, but I can tell you people definitely notice the feel (and, especially sound!) of the Model M.

Not that that's necessarily a good thing, but it's noticeable.

[aeoc]

First I will inform you that I am a very picky person.

From my experiences with cherry key switches (blue, brown, black, whites), I honestly did not like the feel of the browns and blues too much.
What I found was that the blues and brown felt fiddly, messy, cheap and wobbly.
(used filco and a variety of POS style keyboards)


I use a good quality scissor switch which feels more crisp and solid than the blue and brown. Currently the logitech illuminated, although the external thinkpad keyboard looks good as well.

It seems like the OP and I are on similar pages.


When I was in Japan, I tried the HHKB2 which I very much liked. Nice solid feel, crisp clean feel, comfortable, not much key flexing and ease of type. On this basis, I highly recommend topre key switches.

Unfortunately due to lack of time, and having an outing with old friends, I was unable to purchase this keyboard. It is definitely on my list next time an opportunity arises though.

Another keyswitch I am very interested in are those of the BS which I've never had the chance to experience.

OT, but does anyone know if 'new in box' model M's from clicky-keyboards have a yellowish colour compared to the unicomps? Does the plastic on old model M's discolour and change?

[spolia optima]

First I will inform you that I am a very picky person.

From my experiences with cherry key switches (blue, brown, black, whites), I honestly did not like the feel of the browns and blues too much.
What I found was that the blues and brown felt fiddly, messy, cheap and wobbly.
(used filco and a variety of POS style keyboards)


I use a good quality scissor switch which feels more crisp and solid than the blue and brown. Currently the logitech illuminated, although the external thinkpad keyboard looks good as well.

It seems like the OP and I are on similar pages.


When I was in Japan, I tried the HHKB2 which I very much liked. Nice solid feel, crisp clean feel, comfortable, not much key flexing and ease of type. On this basis, I highly recommend topre key switches.

Unfortunately due to lack of time, and having an outing with old friends, I was unable to purchase this keyboard. It is definitely on my list next time an opportunity arises though.

Another keyswitch I am very interested in are those of the BS which I've never had the chance to experience.

OT, but does anyone know if 'new in box' model M's from clicky-keyboards have a yellowish colour compared to the unicomps? Does the plastic on old model M's discolour and change?

scissor switches are nice and all that, but i would never recommend them over a brown mx 'board. scissor switches are quick and smooth but they're nowhere near as comfortable for long-term typing.