This article is meant to supplement any articles on this site that cover or review mechanical keyboards. Custom or pre-built mechanical keyboards all have features that make them more desirable and superior to standard off-the-shelf keyboards. We encourage you to use this as a springboard for your research and a foundation for your journey into the world of keyboards.
The Concept of Keys
The term “keys” covers the keycap and the switch mechanism that it houses. Keyboards that allow for tool-less modifications are known to be hot-swappable. Different keycap materials offer different sounds, feel, and rigidity. Other switches also significantly contribute to the sound of the keyboard. They range from silent to extremely loud. The sound quality is the sound profile and refers to the pitch, tone, resonance, and character. This is where enthusiasts choose between their keyboard having a “click,” “clack,” or “thock” sound, amongst many others.
The point of actuation and the feedback your fingers receive while typing are also covered by the various types of key switches. Since there is no consistency across the industry regarding naming conventions, we strongly recommend carefully reading the descriptions of the switches you are looking at. Then, compare them to other options by the same manufacturer and contrast them with those of different manufacturers.
Being able to change the keys is not only an aesthetic endeavor. It also makes the board easier to maintain and repair over time, making customizable mechanical keyboards not nearly as disposable as OEM boards. In the long run, if you type enough and do not get carried away, a good mechanical keyboard can save you money.
Types of Key Switches
If you search online for different types of key switches, you will be presented with the general terms, which cover the experience you will get from the switch. We covered the effect of these in the previous section, and they are referred to as either linear, tactile, or clicky.
We will cover the mechanisms that you may encounter. The author’s HHKB is seen here but is not a conventional mechanical keyboard. It uses switches called Topre, domes, and springs atop a capacitor. These keyboards are not compatible with the industry’s standard mechanical switches.
To keep it simple, these key switches are often called Cherry switches, after the company Cherry MX. Think of them as the “Kleenex” brand of tissues for the mechanical keyboard world. These switches are most commonly swappable on customizable boards. They consist of a stem that goes into a housing, which guides the stem into a coil spring into a lower housing, ultimately to the contact where the keystroke is actuated.
Layout Percentage
When comparing keyboards, you will often see a percentage in the specifications. This percentage refers to the number of keys the keyboard has.
A full-sized keyboard has 104 keys. The popular Tenkeyless (TKL) layout (the number pad is absent) is an 80% keyboard. The HHKB layout uses a 60% layout. Smaller layouts are available; most, if not all, below 65% use function key combinations to access the missing keys.
The Case’s Profile
The profile of a keyboard refers to how high the keyboard is and the (angle) rake. If your profile is too high, you will require a wrist rest. The case that houses your entire keyboard determines this.
The Keys’ Profile
The term profile refers to how tall the keys are. An example of a low-profile key would be examples found on modern Apple keyboards.
Lubrication
Keyboards and keycaps can either be lubricated from the factory, or many enthusiasts take it upon themselves to lubricate their keyboards. Lubricating the keycaps and the mechanisms within (such as the springs, domes, and switches) yields two benefits. First, the sound profile becomes quieter. Second, the action of the keys becomes much smoother.
Most silenced keys are lubricated and employ additional rings. They are usually favored by those who share a common workspace with others or who prefer a quieter typing experience overall.
It should be noted that lubricating your keys is time-consuming, hence the availability of factory-lubricated keys.
The PCB
None of the above would work without the printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB is where all the features reside, such as operating system compatibility, RGB lighting, programmability, and whether or not your switches can be swappable. Think of the PCB as the keyboard’s brain and central nervous system. The benefit of keyboards such as the WhiteFox Eclipse, which you can read our review for here, is that its PCB has nearly all of the features that anyone could want while being extremely easy to modify, service, and clean – thanks to its structural use of magnets which negates the need for tools. Some enthusiasts even custom-build their own PCB units.
Connectivity
This is the simplest concept that you will encounter in this short primer. The connectivity of the keyboard refers to whether the keyboard is wireless or not. Various protocols for wireless signals are used, but Bluetooth is the most common.
Wireless keyboards like the WhiteFox Eclipse can be charged through their connection port (commonly USB-C). In contrast, the aforementioned HHKB Professional Type-S uses AA batteries and is not chargeable.
Final Thoughts
Regardless of why your interest in mechanical keyboards has peaked enough to read this brief primer, know that the industry is still growing and maturing. Look to forums and pages on Reddit for more detailed information, for the amount of information on this topic is vast. If you purchase a mechanical keyboard for work or leisure, you will enjoy a greater workflow, more productivity, and a level of joy that is impossible with standard keyboards.
