You may have been curious about mechanical keyboards at some point. Their defenders put them on a pedestal for both playing and typing, but their appearance and price make them a little too expensive to afford. And now that ultra-portable computers with increasingly thin keyboards are triumphing (we’re talking about you Apple), the transition to a mechanical keyboard is even harder.
But there came a time when a mechanical keyboard landed on my desk. And I saw for myself what it is like to move from a conventional keyboard to one of these keyboards that seem too specific for the general public but that a priority seemed to have no drawbacks. Let’s find out if mechanical keyboards are better for gaming below.
Mechanical Keyboards are More Durable
The durability of the mechanical switches depends on the manufacturer. However, it ranges from 20 to 80 million keystrokes per key (maybe even more), a real achievement thanks to which we could be using the keyboard for a decade without damaging the mechanisms. On the other hand, the best keyboards with membrane or scissor switches tend to have a maximum of 5 million keystrokes in durability.
But it is still in mechanical keyboards where the durability is more excellent compared to regular keyboards. They are made to have the same tactile response no matter how much we use the keys, so keep in mind that if you buy one of these keyboards, you will have it for a long time. This also leads me to say that they are cumbersome, so be careful if you want to take one on a trip with you. Another critical thing to remember is that, while membrane keyboards are cheaper to manufacture and therefore cost less than mechanical keyboards, mechanical keyboards also have a longer life due to their better quality of construction.
So, it is normal that a membrane keyboard can cost less now if it only lasts a few years before it wears out, will it be a better investment than a mechanical keyboard that now costs more, but will last many years longer? The conclusion is that, on average, mechanical keyboards are the best option.
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Each type of keyboard has its advantages and disadvantages, so both have an audience of customers. No one keyboard is optimal for everyone. So if you’re looking for a keyboard that’s economical, quiet, compact for tablet or wireless use, and you’re not looking for maximum performance, membrane keyboards are a good alternative.
But if you are a heavy user who uses the keyboard for hours on end in a fixed location such as a desk (either writing text or punching code for example) or you are a fast typist, then mechanical keyboards are the right choice. Also, gamers benefit from the advantages of mechanical keyboards thanks to their speed, accuracy and longer life span. Plus, gamers like ourselves tend to get really good use out of our computer peripherals.
To talk about mechanical keyboards is to talk about the most popular brand, Cherry Industrial, an American company born in 1953 that started manufacturing keyboards in 1967, constituting the oldest firm that is still active today. Its “Cherry MX” keys offer different features that are better or worse suited to the needs of users or their business. The “Cherry MX” keyboard types, classified by color, were created in 1985 and were extended to the rest of the industry to homogenize them, to avoid confusion.
Nevertheless, and in spite of the careful design of the keys and their respective “switches” for certain activities, these indications do not cease to be generalities, so it will be the use of each person that will determine what type of mechanical keyboard he or she prefers.
Faster Input and Easier to Type On
While it is true that gamer keyboards have some peculiarities, sometimes visual, to facilitate the game, there are many more discreet keyboards in that sense, and that is an excellent option for those who want to write!
We could say that mechanical keyboards are to writing and gaming like vinyl for real record lovers.
As I was saying, the switches are the pieces under the keys that generate the activation when the key is pressed. There are switches of different hardness and travel, and each one has a different sound. The sound is essential because mechanical keyboards are much noisier than conventional ones, and that can be a problem in an office.
The most common switches are the Cherry MX, a German manufacturer that has the majority of the market. Apart from these, some brands have developed other types of switches that can be the right choice, but the reference is still the Cherry MX that is classified by color. The following are some of the most common.
- Cherry MX Blue: With a robust touch sensation, it requires relative pressure to be operated. Quite noisy. They are the most similar to the traditional (old) keyboard with a feel close to the typewriter.
- Cherry MX red: Very smooth due to its lower pressure requirements and completely linear travel, which decreases the tactile sensation when pressed. More suitable for gaming than typing.
- Cherry MX Black: Requires more strength than the rest and linear travel without touch sensation.
- Cherry MX brown: halfway between blue and red, with touch sensation and the necessary intermediate force for activation, less noisy and somewhat softer than blue. This is the first recommendation for writing.
Mechanical Keyboards are Better for Gaming
There was a time when the “click” of computer keys was the soundtrack of many offices. You don’t have to go back to the typewriter era, and you have to look back a couple of decades to remember those keyboards that looked like they were going to last a lifetime (in fact some are still in use). With the emergence of the home PC and laptops, mechanical keyboards have given way to the quieter, lighter and more economical membrane keyboards. However, the quality of mechanical keyboards has kept them alive, and in the last decade, they have returned to many desks. Yes, they are more expensive, but for many users who spend hours and hours in front of the computer, they are worth it — not only gamers but also users looking for ergonomics or improving their productivity.
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