Mechanical Key Switch Keyboards Demystified at HotHardware.com

[news 28]

Good Morning All,

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

Marco takes a look at the technology in more detail here:

 

http://hothardware.com/cs/blogs/mrtg/archive/2009/03/08/mechanical-key-switc

h-keyboards-demystified.aspx

 

 

 

 

 

A post in your tech news section would be greatly appreciated. As always,