What is the difference between these plates?

[dman777]

I was going to place an order for the FULLY ASSEMBLED TOFU 60% KEYBOARD. For the plates, the choices are polycarbonate, aluminum, and brass. Which plate would be considered the best where cost is not a issue?

[IronCheeks]

Hello again!

So, you will find that people will recommend certain plate materials for certain switches and also for certain sound profiles. The best is dependent on what you want.

Aluminum offers a hard surface which works best for linear switches as the keyboard doesn't flex when one presses on the key, making the travel feel smoother. Aluminum is also known to create a brighter sound - think a louder ping or higher pitch switch sound. This higher pitch sound is more pronounced in tactile & clicky switches.

Brass offers the same benefit that aluminum does for linear switches, however, does make switches sound deeper and more on the low-end. You will find that tactile/clicky switches will sound more full and solid with a brass plate, maintaining some metallic qualities and feel.

Polycarbonate has some nice benefits to it. As a plastic, it offers some flex, so tactile/clicky switches feel a bit more tactile and responsive as the upstroke returns to base after a press. Linear switches still feel good, but the press can have a little bit of give. It isn't too noticeable while typing at speed, but is something you slowly become aware of. Also, being plastic, it insulates and absorbs vibrations, so you get a softer thock and more refined switch sound. Combine it with hollow keycaps and whatever switch you choose, you can create a great sounding board.

tl;dr Aluminum = keeps switches grounded, higher pitch sound. Brass = similar effects to the previous, but makes the sound full. Polycarbonate = generates thock and adds flex for feel.

[suicidal_orange]

Great summary by IronCheeks, all I will add is that brass is heavy.  In a 60% it won't be a big difference but could be a consideration if you're going to be transporting the board often or worry about it moving around on your desk.

[JCraftCables]

I couldn't find any video out there that shows a brass/PC plate being more thocky than an alu one. Anyone managed to find something? Not sure how accurate this video is in showing that alu is the thocky one contrary to popular belief...

[dman777]

Oh wow, thanks Iron cheeks....that is a excellent description and helps a lot.

Hmm.... I like clicky switches with a tactile feel. I also like a keyboard that feels solid, heavy, with no flex. I don't care about noise because I live alone.  But I also like the switches that do not give to much resistance(I prefer less stiff) because I get nerve pains in my joints sometimes from so much keyboard use. I was going to go with the box white switches to try something new(I usually go with cherry blues).

What plate would best fit my preferences?

[IronCheeks]

Oh wow, thanks Iron cheeks....that is a excellent description and helps a lot.

Hmm.... I like clicky switches with a tactile feel. I also like a keyboard that feels solid, heavy, with no flex. I don't care about noise because I live alone.  But I also like the switches that do not give to much resistance(I prefer less stiff) because I get nerve pains in my joints sometimes from so much keyboard use. I was going to go with the box white switches to try something new(I usually go with cherry blues).

What plate would best fit my preferences?

Depending on the type of Tofu you are getting, you should have a board with no flex. If you are getting an aluminum Tofu built, I would say go polycarbonate full plate as the case is thick, solid aluminum. I have one of my own and that will never flex unless you were to run it over with something. However, if you are going with the polycarbonate case or acrylic case, you can choose either brass or polycarbonate. In the plastic-case builds, brass can really shine in both sound and feel for clicky switches (since you want a more solid typing feel).

Personally, I would go aluminum case with polycarbonate plate if I am going to use tactile/clicky switches OR polycarbonate case and brass plate with tactile switches.

[Leslieann]

I couldn't find any video out there that shows a brass/PC plate being more thocky than an alu one. Anyone managed to find something? Not sure how accurate this video is in showing that alu is the thocky one contrary to popular belief...

While this does demonstrate that they sound different it's almost completely pointless without being fully assembled.

I'm not saying the video isn't informative but this isn't how a plate is used and is therefor at best, incomplete information.