Mechanical Key Switch Keyboards Demystified

by Marco Chiappetta — Monday, March 09, 2009, 12:54 PM EDT

Arguably, the best made keyboards available today have mechanical key switches. They are known as mechanical key switch keyboards. What makes them so desirable is that mechanical keyboards tend to be constructed of higher quality materials, they last longer, are more reliable, and most importantly, once properly acclimated to one, a mechanical key switch keyboard will make you a better typist. The vast majority of keyboards included with white box systems or sold at office supply stores are rubber dome or membrane keyboards. They are inexpensive, mass produced, relatively low quality devices that are inconsistent and degrade the user experience.

The differences between the various mechanical switch keyboards you're likely to come across are subtle, but definitely perceptible. Buckling springs are the type of switch used in the original "killer" mechanical keyboard, which still has a loyal following today, the IBM Model M. Buckling springs are still used in many of Unicomp's keyboards, like the Customizer 104. Buckling spring switches have a coil spring supporting each keycap that buckles or collapses, at a certain point when pressed, which provides auditory and tactile feedback to the user. The keys are usually fairly firm, but improve the experience immensely.

We take a look at the technology in more detail here:
Mechanical Key Switch Keyboards Demystified

Tags: Keyboards, Keyboard, das, filco, cherry, alps

Marco Chiappetta

Marco's interest in computing and technology dates all the way back to his early childhood. Even before being exposed to the Commodore P.E.T. and later the Commodore 64 in the early ‘80s, he was interested in electricity and electronics, and he still has the modded AFX cars and shop-worn soldering irons to prove it. Once he got his hands on his own Commodore 64, however, computing became Marco's passion. Throughout his academic and professional lives, Marco has worked with virtually every major platform from the TRS-80 and Amiga, to today's high end, multi-core servers. Over the years, he has worked in many fields related to technology and computing, including system design, assembly and sales, professional quality assurance testing, and technical writing. In addition to being the Managing Editor here at HotHardware for close to 15 years, Marco is also a freelance writer whose work has been published in a number of PC and technology related print publications and he is a regular fixture on HotHardware’s own Two and a Half Geeks webcast. - Contact: marco(at)hothardware(dot)com