[Poll] Mech Keyboard Switches - Page 2

On March 02 2011 08:40 sawedust wrote:


1. Of all the keys listed in the poll, the browns would be the fastest. Quickest actuation, less travel, and doesn't have the double tap issue that some blue keyboards do.

2. Once again, it's personal preference. The click of the blues help people get into a rhythm while typing. With 5g of difference between the browns and blues, the difference between the two is mainly in the sound of the key when pressed.

3. Laptop keyboard actuation can be guesstimated by using nickels. Just stack them on top of a key (preferably in the middle of the keyboard) until you can get it to register. I tried it on one of my old XPS laptops that has a scissor switch and it registered at 15 nickels, or around 75g. I pretty much guarantee that a blue or brown switch keyboard will have a actuation point than that of a scissor-switched keyboard.

Hope this helps!



BoxeR was last seen using a Filco with cherry blues; you can tell it's blue from the green LEDs as well as the pitch the keyboard makes when watching BoxeR's Wings. Jinro confirmed he's using a BlackWidow; you can also see it in the GSL VODs.

Tester's using a cherry brown board as speculated by the fine folks at Geekhack. I haven't seen what board he's been using as of late but if he hasn't switched to a SkyDigital board (TSL's sponsors) then I'd assume he still has a cherry brown keyboard.

On March 02 2011 09:21 sawedust wrote:




Unless you're a purist, programmer, or someone with lots of money to spare, topre switches are generally unnecessary for the common consumer and too expensive for the poll at hand. Not to take away from the fact that from what I've read they are amazing keyboards, the best ones out there.

ALPS switches are also varied, they can vary with linear/nonlinear, clicky/nonclicky just like a cherry MX switch would. But seeing as how the trend has moved away from ALPS and toward cherry keys, I don't think ALPS should be an option for this poll.

Buckling spring keyboards have been around for quite some time, but seeing as how they are comparable to a cherry black actuation force in feel and cherry blues in sound I'm not sure how they would fare in an RTS setting over that of lighter switches. Not saying that they can't be used, but would they be ideal?

Just my opinion.

On March 02 2011 09:13 ChThoniC wrote:
Buckling spring keyboards have been around for quite some time, but seeing as how they are comparable to a cherry black actuation force in feel and cherry blues in sound I'm not sure how they would fare in an RTS setting over that of lighter switches. Not saying that they can't be used, but would they be ideal?

Just my opinion.

On March 02 2011 10:05 triangle wrote:
Awesome, thanks for your help. I tested my laptop and it requires 70g to register.

What is the "double tap" issue that you mentioned some blues having?

The reason I was guessing that blues would be better for typing is that looking at force diagrams it seems that the blues have a much larger tactile bump, which I thought might help.

On March 02 2011 10:30 ChThoniC wrote:
It's a poll, why wouldn't you have the option (especially since ALPS switches and topre are far more available than Cherry clears, for example).

On March 02 2011 11:33 iPlaY.NettleS wrote:
They're fine , you guys are being too pedantic.

On March 02 2011 12:03 sawedust wrote:


You're welcome! It seems that the majority of rubber dome/membrane keyboards have that actuation point of 65-75g or so. When you think about the extra force, it's nice to know that you don't have to be mashing on your keys as hard if you're trying to type an essay or spamming in SC2.

Double tap issue is the concern people have when trying to press a key twice in rapid succession on blue-switched keyboards; you need to let the key return all the way up past the point of actuation before you're able to press the key again and have it successfully register.

I'll just say in short that it's nitpicky and doesn't apply to all keyboards and/or users. One can train him or herself to avoid that problem through repetition.

On March 02 2011 10:17 D3ath3nat0r wrote:
I got the blackwidow few days ago, i hate it, ive tried blacks, ive hated it, are browns much different from blues?

On March 02 2011 10:17 D3ath3nat0r wrote:
I got the blackwidow few days ago, i hate it, ive tried blacks, ive hated it, are browns much different from blues?