Mechanical KeyboardsMechanical Keyboards

An IntroductionAn Introductionbyby

Marco Enrico AlviarMarco Enrico AlviarMMS 102 FMA 7MMS 102 FMA 7

What is a “mechanical” keyboard?What is a “mechanical” keyboard? A mechanical keyboad is any A mechanical keyboad is any

keyboard that uses mechanical keyboard that uses mechanical key switches to record a key switches to record a keystrokekeystroke

Most keyboards are NOT Most keyboards are NOT mechanical. They use rubber mechanical. They use rubber domes over a membrane domes over a membrane contact sheet to record contact sheet to record keystrokeskeystrokes

Key TermsKey Termspart 1 of 2part 1 of 2

Tactile – with a tactile switch, one can feel a slight “bump” when actuating Tactile – with a tactile switch, one can feel a slight “bump” when actuating a key. The following switches are considered tactile:a key. The following switches are considered tactile: Buckling springBuckling spring TopreTopre Cherry MX Brown, Blue ,Green, and ClearCherry MX Brown, Blue ,Green, and Clear ALPS Black, Blue, Grey (simplified), White, and BrownALPS Black, Blue, Grey (simplified), White, and Brown

Linear – with a linear switch, there is no bump upon actuation. The Linear – with a linear switch, there is no bump upon actuation. The following key switches are considered linear:following key switches are considered linear: Cherry MX Black, Red, and GreyCherry MX Black, Red, and Grey ALPS Green and Grey (complicated), and YellowALPS Green and Grey (complicated), and Yellow Cherry MYCherry MY

Rubber Dome Keyboard vs Mechanical Rubber Dome Keyboard vs Mechanical KeyboardKeyboard

MechanicalMechanical Less common compared to their rubber dome Less common compared to their rubber dome

counter partscounter parts Designed for comfort, quality, durability and Designed for comfort, quality, durability and

reliabilityreliability Rated at 20-50 million keystrokesRated at 20-50 million keystrokes Various levels of force required for different Various levels of force required for different

switch typesswitch types

Rubber DomeRubber Dome The most common type of keyboardThe most common type of keyboard Designed to be cheap and easy to mass produceDesigned to be cheap and easy to mass produce Rated at 1-10 million keystrokesRated at 1-10 million keystrokes Light and quiet when typing – has a “squishy” feel when Light and quiet when typing – has a “squishy” feel when

typingtyping Also used in laptop “scissors” switch keyboardsAlso used in laptop “scissors” switch keyboards

Key TermsKey Termspart 2 of 2part 2 of 2

Q: What are ALPS, Cherry, Topre...?Q: What are ALPS, Cherry, Topre...?

A: These are the common name for popular key switches. They are based on the name A: These are the common name for popular key switches. They are based on the name of the manufacturer, the model/range (often differentiated by color) or the type of of the manufacturer, the model/range (often differentiated by color) or the type of technology used.technology used. Buckling SpringBuckling Spring – a patented key switch technology created by IBM. Used in the – a patented key switch technology created by IBM. Used in the

legendary IBM Model M keyboard.legendary IBM Model M keyboard. CherryCherry – a German manufacturer of computer peripherals and devices. They are – a German manufacturer of computer peripherals and devices. They are

known for for making the very popular Cherry MX switch range as well as the much known for for making the very popular Cherry MX switch range as well as the much less popular Cherry ML switch.less popular Cherry ML switch.

TopreTopre – a Japanese engineering company that makes pressing parts, air conditioning – a Japanese engineering company that makes pressing parts, air conditioning equipment, computer parts and various other electronic and electro-mechanical equipment, computer parts and various other electronic and electro-mechanical devices. They are known for the development and patent of the Topre capacitive devices. They are known for the development and patent of the Topre capacitive switch.switch.

ALPSALPS – Alps Electric Co. is a Japanese company that is known primarily for the Alps – Alps Electric Co. is a Japanese company that is known primarily for the Alps SKCL/SKCM series of mechanical keyswitches.SKCL/SKCM series of mechanical keyswitches.

Mechanical Keyboard TypesMechanical Keyboard Typespart 1 of 2part 1 of 2

Buckling SpringBuckling Spring Manufactured by IBM from 1984-1991, then by Lexmark from Manufactured by IBM from 1984-1991, then by Lexmark from

1991-1996 and is currently manufactured by Unicomp from 1991-1996 and is currently manufactured by Unicomp from 1996-present.1996-present.

Tactile and clicky with an actuation force of 65-70gTactile and clicky with an actuation force of 65-70g Used in IBM Model F and IBM Model M keyboards.Used in IBM Model F and IBM Model M keyboards. Modern versions are still being manufactured by Unicomp.Modern versions are still being manufactured by Unicomp.

TopreTopre Manufactured by Topre Corp. of JapanManufactured by Topre Corp. of Japan Tactile and non-clicky with an actuation Tactile and non-clicky with an actuation

forces ranging from 30g to 55g forces ranging from 30g to 55g depending on the modeldepending on the model

Used in Topre Realfoce and Happy Used in Topre Realfoce and Happy Hacking Keyboards (HHKB).Hacking Keyboards (HHKB).

Mechanical Keyboard TypesMechanical Keyboard Typespart 2 of 2part 2 of 2

Cherry MXCherry MX Manufactured by Cherry Corp. from 1985.Manufactured by Cherry Corp. from 1985. Comes in many varying switch types, (Red, Blue, Brown, Comes in many varying switch types, (Red, Blue, Brown,

Black, Clear, Green) each type having its own characteristics.Black, Clear, Green) each type having its own characteristics. Used by a wide variety of keyboard manufactures, including Used by a wide variety of keyboard manufactures, including

Ducky, Filco, Leopold, CM Storm, Rosewill and Deck.Ducky, Filco, Leopold, CM Storm, Rosewill and Deck.

ALPSALPS Manufactured by ALPS Electric Co. from 1984Manufactured by ALPS Electric Co. from 1984 Comes in many varying switch types, (complicated, simplified, Comes in many varying switch types, (complicated, simplified,

XM, clones) and switch colors (Black, Blue, Cream)XM, clones) and switch colors (Black, Blue, Cream) Used by multiple keyboard manufacturers, including Ducky, Used by multiple keyboard manufacturers, including Ducky,

SiiG, Dell (during the early-mid 90s), Matias and Focus SiiG, Dell (during the early-mid 90s), Matias and Focus

Pros and ConsPros and Cons

ProsPros Ergonomics – mechanical Ergonomics – mechanical

keyboards feel better and more keyboards feel better and more comfortable to type oncomfortable to type on

Durable – lasts much longer Durable – lasts much longer than rubber domesthan rubber domes

Best keyboard for gamingBest keyboard for gaming Can use custom key capsCan use custom key caps

ConsCons Cost – mechanical Cost – mechanical

keyboards are generally keyboards are generally more expensive that more expensive that rubber dome keyboardsrubber dome keyboards

Noise – some mechanical Noise – some mechanical switches are louder than switches are louder than rubber domes.rubber domes.

So, what would you rather type on?So, what would you rather type on?A nice mechanical keyboard:A nice mechanical keyboard:

So, what would you rather type on?So, what would you rather type on?or an awful rubber dome keyboard:or an awful rubber dome keyboard:

CreditsCredits

Images from Images from http://geekhack.orghttp://geekhack.org, , http://overclock.nethttp://overclock.net and and http://deskauthority.nethttp://deskauthority.net..

Special thanks to Special thanks to http://reddit.com/r/mechanicalkeyboardshttp://reddit.com/r/mechanicalkeyboards for the for the images and information about mechanical images and information about mechanical keyboards.keyboards.