Rant 13: Cherry MX mount is sub-optimal for keyboards, and I hope that it in time is replaced with something better.
The availability of replacement keycap sets it the only thing it has going for it.
1. Profile (This does not apply to Topre)
In general, better-feeling mechanical switches have longer coiled springs. But longer springs means that the keyboard needs to have a higher profile. In a Cherry MX switch, there is a long stem above the spring, which wastes height.
In comparison, IBM Buckling Spring and Hi-Tek "Space Invader" switches have longer springs in switches about the same size because the springs are in the stems and the height is not wasted.
There are switches, such as "Ericsson switches" and "Rafi switches" that also have the spring inside the switch stem, allowing full travel in much smaller profile.
2. Backlighting.
Cherry MX switches were not made for backlighting. The LED position was meant for indicator lights, for Caps Lock, etc.
Therefore, backlit legends are either at the top or the bottom and there is a lot of light bleed onto the mounting plate and other keys. Backlighting is also often not very well diffused over the legends, with a noticeable bright spot in the centres. On some keys the alternative legends are crowded together with the primary legends or not backlit at all.
Backlighting should be in the centre, or at the corners -- which are the two prevailing conventions for keyboard legends. Omron Romer-G, Kailh/Steelseries QS1 and many rubber dome keyboards have got this right.
Topre is basically a rubber dome keyboard, so if they kept refining the existing switch and mount with a translucent dome and hole or light guide in the centre of the stem, I think that Topre could achieve centred backlighting without lightbleed.
3. Stabilisers.
Both Cherry stabilisers, "Costar" stabilisers and Topre-Cherry MX mount stabilisers have holes in the plate which allow dust and liquids to get into the keyboard and onto the circuit board.
In comparison, Alps stabiliser mounts are snapped into small holes and cover the mounting holes completely, but the stabiliser bars are still exposed to dust.
Topre Realforce/HHKB keys have the most elegant stabilisers: the stabiliser bars are integrated into the switch, located below the switch, and there are no separate stabiliser stems for any keys except for the Space Bar.
The stabilised keys on the Novatouch are louder than on Topre Realforce -- although the Realforce's 2.75 right Shift is somewhat more wobbly although not less smooth or louder than a 1u key.
Unlike the Novatouch (and HHKB) Realforce also has the 1.75 u keys Caps Lock and right JIS Shift key stabilised.
