We explain the switches and their uses.
Gaming keyboards have come along way from the simple membrane keyboards with some fancy lighting incorporated, to the fully mechanical keyboards that are now available.
Mechanical keyboards are more responsive, versatile, and a lot more durable than their previous counterparts.
As you know more options means more confusion, so we have compiled a little “guide” to explain the mechanical switches in layman’s terms.
The two main types of keyboards are the membrane keyboard and the Mechanical keyboard.
The membrane keyboard works by sending an electrical signal between two plastic membranes. Whereas a Mechanical keyboard works via a discrete switch under each cap.
A mechanical-switch keyboard’s keys each have a complete switch under it. Each of these switches is made up of a housing, a spring, and a stem. They also sometimes have other parts such as a separate tactile leaf or click bar.
The Mechanical keyboard is not only useful in Gaming but are also used by professional typists to make for a smoother and more responsive experience.
Mechanical keyboards typically have a longer lifespan than membrane or dome-switch keyboards.
Linear vs Tactile
The switches on a mechanical keyboard are either Linear or tactile. `A linear switch requires the user to push it all the way down in order to activate it, much like a membrane key. To actuate a tactile key on the other hand you would only have to push it half-way down, which will exert half the effort allowing you to type a lot faster than on a membrane keyboard.
The Cream of the crop of mechanical switches are Cherry MX switches. These switches are pure German engineering and used by many of the top keyboard manufacturers.
These switches come in different colors and here are the functions of each color.
- Cherry MX Reds: these are the most available switches on the market. They are Linear switches and require only 45grams of force to actuate which makes them easy to use for both typing and gaming applications. These switches are known to be very quiet and especially the MX Red Silent switches. This makes them perfect for office work.
- Cherry MX Blacks: These switches are Linear and although they are pretty similar to Reds, they require a little more force to actuate 60 grams to be exact. They are more resistant than Reds but also come in a silent variant.
- Cherry MX Browns: These switches are most popular with gamers, they are tactile switches and require only 45 grams of force to actuate, they are generally silent and have a good spring back after actuated.
- Cherry MX Blues: These switches are louder than their counterparts and are “clicky” such as the keys on a type-writer. They require a medium force of 50 grams of force to actuate. These keys are for those people who enjoy that click-type noise when using their keys.
- Cherry MX Speed or Silvers: The switches are for gamers as they are Linear like the Reds and require 45 grams of force to actuate, the difference being that they only travel 1.2mm rather than the standard 2 mm. This theoretically helps gamers to pound the keys faster which helps in games where skills are constantly refreshing.
Razer
Razer mechanical switches are responsive, comfortable and some say more durable than Cherry keys. Their color switches are as follows:
- Razer Green switches: These switches are clicky tactile keys and actuate at 50 grams of force, for that old-school typewriter sound.
- Razer Orange switches: These switches are quieter and actuate at a force of 45 grams and are perfect for quiet home environments or offices.
- Razer Yellow Switches: These are the company’s newest innovation. These switches target FPS gamers specifically as they are Linear and require only 45 grams of force to actuate. These will appeal to gamers who need to hit their keys frequently and with force.
Logitech Romer-G
Logitech is known to use either Cherry MX switches or its own Romer-G switches in its Mechanical keyboards. Romer-G switches are tactile, require only 45 grams of force to actuate, and are very quiet, much like Cherry MX Browns, but are known to spring back a lot faster than the Browns.
SteelSeries QS1
SteelSeries is also known to use Cherry MX keys in their production process sometimes but on other occasions, they use new proprietary switches. These QS1 switches are tactile and require 45 grams of force to actuate, they are also known to be quiet. These switches are more for gamers than typists.
Topre
The Topre Switches are very big in Japan and are halfway between Membrane and Mechanical keys. These switches are unique in that they are rubber dome switches that come in sheets that are interconnected. They are known to be very quiet and actuate at a whopping 5 grams of force, which makes them a very light touch.
Greetech
These switches are Chinese made and are inexpensive to buy. Their colors are similar to the Cherry MX color system in that the Greetech Red will feel the same as a Cherry MX Red etc.
This brand is a cost-effective replacement if you can’t afford to buy the Cherry Mx switches.
Kailh
The Kailh switches are much the same as Greetech, as they are also a cost-effective alternative to other brands. These switches also have the same color system in place as the Cherry MX switches and are a suitable temporary replacement if you are on a tight budget.
In the end, your preference will determine which keyboard you purchase, these will include if you prefer Tactile or Linear, “clicky” or quite switches and knowing the difference will help you in your search for that perfect mechanical keyboard.