Aside switches, is the rest of the kyboard important?

[dbme]

Switches are important. But what about the rest?

From the point of view of typing, do different PCBs feel different? How? Why? Do different kinds of plastic for the frame make a difference?

[Quardah]

Switches are important. But what about the rest?

From the point of view of typing, do different PCBs feel different? How? Why? Do different kinds of plastic for the frame make a difference?

Well yes. On top of my head, i'd say the form factor matters (mostly Full sizes, TKLs and 60%), also the material in which the casing and the keycaps are made of, also O-rings and lube.

The keycap different materials feel different one of another "from the point of view of typing". The casing is, in my opinion, only aesthetic, but you may consider that a metal casing should be more resistant than a plastic casing. O-rings reduce mostly the sound but alter the typing feel as well, and lube also alters the typing feel but i think you have to relube your board once in a while (never used lube).

Also, different PCBs offers different controllers presoldered on them (i am not sure on that one if all PCBs can have all constrollers whatsoever but i believe PBCs are controllers specific), and that makes some keyboard programmable (Like the Poker II PN Layer) or give access to FN-Layer key replacement (Like the Poker II Printscreen key is on FN-P) which allow the keyboard size to be shrinked.


All in all the main typing feel comes from the switches, then you can get optimal feel from the details mentionned above.

Hope that helps, please answer if you want further explainations.

[CPTBadAss]

The plate material and thickness will also affect how the keyboard feels when you type on it.

Different PCBs are different thicknesses and will feel different. A Cherry PCB board might not feel the same as a KBC (Poker/Pure).

And yes, different cases, even plastic cases, will feel different as well.

[tp4tissue]

THe truth...  NONE of it is important..    Get your work done... face book dem' hoes ..  and go to sleep...

[Defect]

Switches are swappable, so rest of Keyboard is very very important

[katushkin]

Everything matters. Size, PCB, switches, caps, case. Hell, if all of that is the same, two different manufacturer's boards may feel completely different.

[Puddsy]

absolutely

when you type on a QFR, it does not feel the same as typing on, say, a 356 or a KMAC. Everything matters in a keyboard. The plate material, the case material, the PCB and whether or not it's 2 layer, whether or not it has rubber feet, the way the case is constructed, the way it goes together...

I could go on...

[ideus]

It has been pointed very clearly that all the parts of the keyboard are important. I may add that the overall assembly matters. As if it were a system the holistic principle applies, the keyboard overall assembly is more than the sum of its individual components.

In particular I have found the plate and the case weight to be two key characteristics that affect heavily in the final typing experience, both functionality and feeling wise.

[qwack]

In particular I have found the plate and the case weight to be two key characteristics that affect heavily in the final typing experience, both functionality and feeling wise.

I fully agree. One thing to remember also is that different does not necessarily mean superior or inferior. Some will like the change of feel provided by a heavier case, some will not.

[Puddsy]

In particular I have found the plate and the case weight to be two key characteristics that affect heavily in the final typing experience, both functionality and feeling wise.

I fully agree. One thing to remember also is that different does not necessarily mean superior or inferior. Some will like the change of feel provided by a heavier case, some will not.

this goes for everything, not just cases

[Razor Lotus]

I think PCBs are really important.

If not you switches won't work unless you solder a bunch of wires between them and a controller too.

As a starter, i'd say get your switch and keycaps down first. As you go deeper into the hobby, you might want to think more about the case and the plate, maybe even stabilizers, then move on to the other stuff like PCB, controller, and other smaller stuff like type of solder used, type of lubricant used in your switches, adding stickers, made by which specific person, whether the planets were aligned properly when you added that specific keycap to your keyboard etc.

Of course along the way overall build is very important. At every point of your keyboard's life, whether it is new out of the box or heavily used, you want it to be well made. You want all the solder joints to be done nicely. You want the screws to be tightened reasonably and you want your switches to be in perfect working condition and lastly, you want your keyboard to be clean.

[eth0s]

Hmm, I think you guys forgot to mention the fingers of the typist.  You need to get an expensive manicure to really enjoy a keyboard.  Properly manicured fingers are the only way to experience the look and feel of the keyboard.  If you understand the concept of "gestalt", then I'm preaching to the choir, otherwise, get thyself to the nail salon but quick.

[Oobly]

I agree with most posters, everything matters to a greater or lesser degree. Plate or PCB mount, whether the PCB or plate mounts to the case, how it mounts to the case, damping materials, case material and mass, board angle, keycap material, keycap profile, keycap mass, stabiliser type, form factor, etc.. Not to mention switch mods

Most important to me are form factor (I like 60%), plate mount, trampoline mod, thick and heavy lowish profile (Cherry for instance) keycaps, heavy case (aluminium if I can get it), flattish board angle.

Less important: Latex mod, Cherry stabilisers, plate mounts to case rather than PCB, dampening material under PCB, case feet, etc..

[FrostyToast]

At first glance, small things like keycap material, profile, backplate material, case material, etc. may not seem to make a huge difference, however they have a huge impact when they're all put together.

For instance, if I had a wood case with pond liner, wood backplate, and thick PBT keycaps, then the board would have a deeper and more quieter sound.
However if the board has a thin aluminum backplate, metal casing, thin ABS keycaps with no pond liner then you may find that the board has a sharper and much more prominent sound to it.
The parts of the keyboard other than the switches are still important to the feel of it. For a lot of people, one board just isn't enough for the sole reason that there are so many different combinations of things in a keyboard that can change the feel. Just like how someone may desire two keyboards because they sometimes like linear and sometimes like clickies. Someone may desire multiple keyboards because of how they feel.

[cmadrid]

Tactical you should put up some pictures of the insides of your KUL if you open it up!  I want to see

[davkol]

EHMAGERD ERGODOX

[ideus]

Hmm, I think you guys forgot to mention the fingers of the typist.  You need to get an expensive manicure to really enjoy a keyboard.  Properly manicured fingers are the only way to experience the look and feel of the keyboard.  If you understand the concept of "gestalt", then I'm preaching to the choir, otherwise, get thyself to the nail salon but quick.

What?! 

[vivalarevolución]

What really matters in the grand scheme of it all, anyways?

[Skull_Angel]

What really matters in the grand scheme of it all, anyways?

All of it, every part and the way it's assembled effects the feel of actuation.

[ideus]

What really matters in the grand scheme of it all, anyways?

All of it, every part and the way it's assembled effects the feel of actuation.

Holism principle does apply to keyboards actually.

[Pacifist]

after getting my mx mini which has a 10 pound case, I can say yes, the case is important

[Skull_Angel]

What really matters in the grand scheme of it all, anyways?

All of it, every part and the way it's assembled effects the feel of actuation.

Holism principle does apply to keyboards actually.

I guess, but there's no real mystery to how it all works together if you go all mad scientist with it, haha.

[vivalarevolución]

What really matters in the grand scheme of it all, anyways?

All of it, every part and the way it's assembled effects the feel of actuation.

Holism principle does apply to keyboards actually.

The big questions about life and keyboards, answered in one thread.


But really, the thickness of the case and plate can have a substantial effect on the feel of the keyboard.  I find that the more weight under the switches, the lighter the switches will feel.