What are Mechanical Keyboards
Mechanical Keyboards (KB) are generallry the ancestors of the current rubber dome variants.
If you have used one of the pioneers of PCs (IBM and Apple) then most probably you have tried a mechanical KB.
So some of you may ask, why are we going back to the older technology.
That answer is simply, the older technology is BETTER! Yes it is better.
The rubber dome variant was adopted not because it is superior (performance wise)
But because it is cheaper! It was used to make PCs more affordable to the general market.
Mechanical vs Rubber Dome
Mech KBs uses a totally different mechanism than rubber dome KBs. In MEch KBs, each key has its own dedicated swtich. Likewise, each switch has its own dedicated diode! Yes a dedicated pair for each KEY!
What does this mean?
This simply makes the keyboard more reliable, responsive and result to a better typing experience.
As I have mentioned, the keys have their own switches. Currently there are several switch types that are available in the market that caters to different individuals.
The choice of switch types is mainly by personal preference.
Some switches were made to be actuated at a higher force load and vice versa.
Some were developed to provide tactile feedback to improve typing accuracy and speed.
There are also others that provide a clicky sound for those that requires an audible feedback.
As a result, a user may distinctly choose the best switch to maximize his/her typing experience.
Pics showing internal comparison of rubber vs Mech: Page 2 of thread
Why so expensive?
As I have mentioned, mech KBs uses dedicated pairs of switches and diodes. As a result, these keyboards requires a greater amount of components. And with an increase in components, it is expected to have an increase in the overall cost.
Aside from this, each KB also utilizes a dedicated metal back plate. These plates are used to improve stability and durability. As a result, mech KBs are also said to have been built to last for decades.
Just from personal experience, my uncle had an IBM M-model KB. And that KB only died 2 years ago =D
Available models in the market
Due to the great interest of most enthusiast, almost all major peripheral manufacturer has its own offer.
1. Filco
2. Ducky
3. DAS
4. Razer
5. Topre
6. Thermaltake
7. CoolerMaster
8. Corsair
9. Rosewill
10. Poker
11. SteelSeries
11. AND MANY MORE
For those that know a different brand, please do post it here and include pictures if possible
Let us make mechanical keyboards known to everyone. =D
If you want to know more about these keyboards, please do visit the sites below:
<click here for link>
<click here for link>
Lastly, for all those that asked me why to buy one:
My answer is simple, why buy a 20-30K procie and Mobo? Will you overclock it everyday or max out the processor with your daily usage? Will your PC usage be affected if you downgraded 1 or 2 notches?
Why not invest in something that you would actually utilizes everday? Something that would enhance your computing experience on a daily basis. At least you know that the money you spent would be put to good use.
For common issues regarding the KBs:
For the common issues:
1. Too much Solder - Causes DOA, sudden death of a switch or sometimes
a row of switches
- Can easily be detected during the first few days of usage.
2. Too few Solder - this is actually harder to detect since a smallest
electrical connection would hide this fault.
- Occurs mid life of the KB, causes sudden death of switch
(Just needs re-soldering, wag niyo itapon! hahah sayang!)
3. Keycaps gets stuck - This is more of a fabrication issue, sometime
the swtiches are soldered to close to each other that decreases the
clearance between keys. As a result, they get stuck from time to time.
Should be detected upon usage.
4. Most notorious, WET KB! (any liquid that gets into the KB)
- KB can be salvage by depressing the switch and letting the liquid dry
- But inevitable, the KB will slowly deteriorate due to the contaminants
between the electrical connections.
5. Undetected switches when depressed simultaneously
- Faulty control board - quite hard to detect since a sometime
this just involves a certain combination.
(Mostly related in the firmware) But this issue is rare.
As of now yan lang naiisip ko. heheh I will add pag meron pa
In case you need to replace a switch
They are widely available!
They can be easily bought from Ebay (assuming few pcs lang for repair)
But for more choices:
Please visit this site and go to the (Buying Section) =D
<click here for link>
To all
This is a very nice site to visit for Product Reviews of Lesser known Brands of Mech Keyboards,
They also offer internal & dissassembly pictures.
<click here for link>
<click here for link>
I hope this helps =D
-- edited by jsy982002 on Oct 16 2011, 02:22 PM
Forum Topic
Mechanical Keyboard Thread (Full list on page 246)
-
thanks for the info sir
magkano po ba pinakamurang mech keyboard na available asa pinas? -
@ed_alan
As I know sir meron dyan mga nasa 3-4K
ung Razer Blackwidow (Basic Model) nasa 3.5-4K
Ducky basic model nasa 3.5K din
As of now konti pa lang ang nasa pinas pero parating na rin ang CM quick fire at corsair
Ang nandito na alam ko:
1. Razer
2. Filco
3. Thermaltake
4. DAS
5. Ducky
-- edited by jsy982002 on Oct 10 2011, 11:31 PM -
kelan kaya magiging available yung corsair k60?
-
Corsair as i know medyo matagal pa cguro.
Wala pa kasi kahit sa newegg ung item eh alam ko nauuna ung lumabas dun.
But if not then most probably next month andyan na yan =D -
Informative thread =)
-
tibay ng mechanical keyboard 2001 pa yun antec ko buhay pa hangan ngayun
-
very nice indeed makes me wanna get my moms keyboard back home...i think it is IBM keyboard :D with no windows button on it....
-
^ I think you are referring to the IBM Model M keyboard which is considered one of the best keyboards in the world.
-
^it is definitely the best there is.
Kelang walang kasing tindi rin ang ingay =)) -
Rosewill RK-9000 (BLUE)
Thermaltake Mecka[
-- edited by jsy982002 on Oct 11 2011, 10:28 AM -
are mechanical keyboards better for games like SC2? kasi kung oo papalitan ko agad lycosa ko....
-
@teraertz4
Sir I posted the info above just to help. Sana respeto naman.
And for your question, it is also posted above.
For the feeling, as I said, personal prefference, the best way to know is to try for yourself.
@ omgwtforz
If you would look at the specs- Yes definitelly better
But it still depends on you sir. Kung feeling niyo wala naman prob sa KB niyo then no need to change.
But for users who play hours and hours at nakaka ramdam ng hand strains, I suggest to try one. kasi un ung main purpose ng mga switches
-Less actuation force
- Less key travel
-Less key errors (tactile and audible feedback)
-eliminates double taps (so again less strain)
***Still depends on the user***
-- edited by jsy982002 on Oct 11 2011, 11:31 AM -
^it is definitely the best there is.
Kelang walang kasing tindi rin ang ingay =))
tik tik tik tik tik hehehe -
Steelseries
-
^wow never knew ganyan pala kalaki wristrest ng steelseries!
Uhmm if I may ask, plastic ba ung material ng wrist rest? or may padding? -
^iron/metal infused plastic according to steelseries..... plastic parin xD
-
hahahaha mukhang maganda lagyan ng foam.
-
i had like two of those model m\'s before. they were seriously clunky. lol. but then them keyboards lasted longer than any computer out there. i do miss the feel of a model m\'s keys.
-
nakabili ako dati sa Save on Surplus ng mga IBM mech keyboards dunno the model pero may windows key na yata yun, mabigat at steel plate ang ilalim, 3 years ko na ginamit sa computer shop ko during the days of counterstrike, 3 years ding walang palitan.
OT: Sa movie na Wanted, kung ang pinanghampas na keyboard ni Professor X dun sa isang scene ay mechanical keyboard, nde na makakatayo yung hinampas niya. :-)
-- edited by themobomaker on Oct 11 2011, 04:13 PM -
^hahaha un pa tlga ung example
Updated the info above, added information that a buyer should be aware when testing his/her unit -
up ko lang. :-)
-
Godfather keyboard!!! -
also using a model M, i actually have both PS/2 and AT cables
-
@wongkeegear
First gen pa ba yan sir? Wala pang window keys e. Surprised na meron pang in operation na ganyan sa pinas.
Marami akong nakitang model M pero revisions na at may windows key -
11-19-90 yung date ng nasa likod ng keyboard and made in the USA pa siya. About 21 years old na yung keyboard na to. I love the buckling key noise pero yung mga kasama ko sa online game naririnig \"Klak klak klak\". Kaya naghahanap ako ng alternate pag naglalaro. Kaya try ko yung filco.
-
^if 1990 then definitely 1st gen yan. 1989 kasi na release ang Model M based sa wiki.
-
First gen pa ba yan sir? Wala pang window keys e. Surprised na meron pang in operation na ganyan sa pinas.
Meron din walang windows key na rubber dome ang gamit. Eto, gamit ko ngayon, AT&T ang tatak. -
^ah as I know kasi sir hindi gumawa ng rubber dome ang IBM at that time.
Model M ung pinaka production KB nila.
May be first gen din po ng rubber dome ung inyo. naks dami pa palang
mga lolong KB ngyn.
Mag kano kaya auction niya :)) -
Well, everyone will be receiving their KBs tomorrow so I would assume that everyone will start posting their feedback [tactile =)]