![]() Color coding is the best way to determine the characteristics of each switch. The past few years have seen a steep rise in the popularity of Cherry MX-based mechanical keyboards, primarily offered in red (linear), brown (tactile), and blue (clicky) switches. Of course, there are no rules here, and it all depends on how comfortable you are with a certain key switch. Traditionally, linear switches are said to be good for gaming, while typists prefer clicky and tactile switches. The standard travel distance is 4mm, but there are a few mechanical switches that offer a lesser travel distance. Key travel is the total distance the key travels before bottoming out, i.e. A higher actuation force will require you to press down much harder to register a keystroke and vice versa. Different switches can have different actuation points, measured in millimeters.Īctuation force is the amount of force required to successfully register a keystroke. Some of the key characteristics of a mechanical switch include:Īctuation point, which refers to the specific point when the key switch registers the keypress. Clicky switches are generally much louder than the other two types, making them a bit annoying for some users. ![]() In addition, they offer auditory feedback on key presses. They include a bump in the mechanism for a tactile feel when you're typing. It also features pins at the bottom to connect to the circuit board, better known as PCB, in the keyboard.Ĭlicky switches are almost the same as tactile switches. Finally, the lower housing connects with the upper housing on the top and keeps everything together. The metal contact points or contact leaves are where the actual electrical current flows, and the key press is registered. It also pushes the stem back to its original place after a key press. Speaking of which, the spring is responsible for how much pressure is required to actuate or register the key press. The upper part of the housing keeps the stem centered on the switch and keeps it from popping out because of the included spring. It sits inside a two-piece housing that keeps it aligned. The keycap is attached to a stem that comes in different designs and determines the actuation and travel distance of the switch. At the top is the keycap, which isn’t necessarily a part of the mechanical switch, but it's where your fingers press the switch and is partially responsible for the sound generated when the key bottoms out. Each key on a mechanical keyboard includes its own switch. To understand how a mechanical keyboard works, let’s first understand the mechanical keyboard switch. ![]() Apart from cleaning, you need to lubricate the switches and maybe even use modifiers like films to optimize the typing experience as per your preference. However, like every mechanical part, the key switches need maintenance if you want your keyboard to last long. They can fine-tune the pressure required for bottoming out each key, travel distance, actuation point, the sound made, and more.Ī mechanical switch can be offered with a wide range of customizations when compared to a membrane keyboard. Each part can have variations, thus allowing manufacturers the flexibility to give a large variety of options with different typing feels and sounds. Each switch includes a keycap with a stem, along with a spring, metal contact leaves, and a slider placed inside the switch housing. Mechanical keyboards use individual mechanical key switches for every single key. ![]() That's where mechanical keyboards come into the picture. However, they're not the best if you want an elevated typing experience with satisfying clicks when you press each key. Membrane keyboards are relatively inexpensive, and they're great for most people. ![]()
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