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This is closer to musician instrument preferences. The audio component of switch mechanics isn't as important to me as the tactile experience. Tiny changes in t

This is closer to musician instrument preferences. The audio component of switch mechanics isn't as important to me as the tactile experience. Tiny changes in the springs can be felt, your keys will feel too weak or stiff. The mechanics of the switch will feel broken, wobbly, or tight. Check out high end electric pianos at your local music shop, and compare to $100 Wal-Mart kid keyboards. The resistance and smoothness and feedback from the keys integrate with muscle memory better (and in the case of pianos, graduated activation helps determine the volume of a note and sustain.) I don't know if typing with good switches helps with rsi, but it certainly helps with comfort and satisfaction. A good clarinet or trumpet or saxophone will have similar features to the feel of different types of mechanical keyboard switches. Sure, you can play decent music on cheap mass produced elementary school instruments, but it's going to objectively feel better playing a high end bespoke instrument. No jarring or disruptive aspects in the motion to interfere with the process of putting characters on the screen.

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Johanx64 4y ago
I don't think the comparison to digital piano keyboards is apt. The velocity sensitivity on a digital piano is of utmost importance, being able to "enter the MIDI velocities" accurately and consistently, often at very high speeds and correct timing and tempo is of utmost importance. And with cheap digital pianos this is borderline impossible to do well. While a for a PC keyboard, a basic membrane keyboard will do the job outside of maybe some very niche highest levels of competitive esports Mech keyboards and obsession with them are purely a luxury, hobby thing
- arinlen 4y ago
  > Mech keyboards and obsession with them are purely a luxury, hobby thing I agree. The fact that your typical keycap set typically sells for more than some full blown keyboards is already a clear tell. However, I'd add that some properties of your typical mechanical keyboard are indeed very convenient. For instance, easily removable key caps and hotswappable switches do bring in the nice consequence of making keyboards easy to clean, maintain, and repair.
- rgoulter 4y ago
  > While a for a PC keyboard, a basic membrane keyboard will do the job outside of maybe some very niche highest levels of competitive esports > > Mech keyboards and obsession with them are purely a luxury, hobby thing Some mechanical keyboards offer a symmetrical layout, and allow the thumb to use more than one key switch. Those are significant advantages for a keyboard user. (Since these are niche keyboards, they incidentally happen to have mechanical switches). Though, I think most people interested in mechanical keyboards stick to a keyboard with the same layout as the basic membrane keyboard. (Each to their own, I guess).

deleted 4y ago

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Johanx64 4y ago

I don't think the comparison to digital piano keyboards is apt. The velocity sensitivity on a digital piano is of utmost importance, being able to "enter the MIDI velocities" accurately and consistently, often at very high speeds and correct timing and tempo is of utmost importance. And with cheap digital pianos this is borderline impossible to do well. While a for a PC keyboard, a basic membrane keyboard will do the job outside of maybe some very niche highest levels of competitive esports Mech keyboards and obsession with them are purely a luxury, hobby thing

arinlen 4y ago
> Mech keyboards and obsession with them are purely a luxury, hobby thing I agree. The fact that your typical keycap set typically sells for more than some full blown keyboards is already a clear tell. However, I'd add that some properties of your typical mechanical keyboard are indeed very convenient. For instance, easily removable key caps and hotswappable switches do bring in the nice consequence of making keyboards easy to clean, maintain, and repair.
rgoulter 4y ago
> While a for a PC keyboard, a basic membrane keyboard will do the job outside of maybe some very niche highest levels of competitive esports > > Mech keyboards and obsession with them are purely a luxury, hobby thing Some mechanical keyboards offer a symmetrical layout, and allow the thumb to use more than one key switch. Those are significant advantages for a keyboard user. (Since these are niche keyboards, they incidentally happen to have mechanical switches). Though, I think most people interested in mechanical keyboards stick to a keyboard with the same layout as the basic membrane keyboard. (Each to their own, I guess).