A beginner’s comprehensive guide to mechanical keyboards

There’s a growing interest for mechanical keyboards (MKB) that goes beyond PC enthusiasts during this pandemic season. I know, because I’m a member of a few FB groups and our members increased, together with the number of ‘beginner posts’ asking what’s recommended for a newbie. They admit that they have no idea why MKBs are better but want to buy an entry-level option to find out for themselves. Before you buy one though, it’s best to understand why mechanical keyboards made a comeback.

The primary advantage is the typing satisfaction you’d get from an MKB. As laptop makers chased thinness as the primary factor for their products, they had to make their keyboards travel less and less. Travel is the space from a key’s idle up to the lowest point. With the minimal travel of laptop keyboards, long typing sessions on them would feel like you’re typing against a solid material. Normal ‘membrane’ keyboards for desktops are a bit better, but they just don’t feel as good to type on as MKBs. 

MKBs have enough travel and actuation weight to absorb the force from your fingers. They also have a ‘crispy’ nature, compared to the mushy characteristic of normal desktop keyboards. The only disadvantage they have is the keys can be a bit louder, although higher end switches have already addressed this concern in an expensive manner. 

Second advantage is personalization. With a lot of MKBs available in the market, you can find one that suits your needs and do not have to resort to this long, full keyboard layout you can buy off the shelves or the cramped one in your laptop. You can also customize certain parts to your liking so that it shows off you and your quirks, or go with the theme of your setup. 

Be warned though that the rabbit hole for this hobby goes deep, and can get very expensive. The key, pardon the pun, is being content with what you have or what your budget allows you. Besides, if you’re coming from a normal keyboard, any decent mechanical keyboard is already a big upgrade. 

SIZES/LAYOUT

1. Full size – this is the usual desktop keyboard. Qwerty keys, function keys on top, arrows, page controls, and a numpad on the right side. 

2. Tenkeyless (TKL) – as the name says, this is ten keys less because it gets rid of the numpad while retaining everything else, even the gap above the arrow keys.

3. Compact – this is a more compressed size that gets rid of the Function keys above, and moves the arrow and page keys elsewhere. It’s further sub-categorized into two which are: 65% which means they still cramped the arrow and page controls on the right side, just in a different layout; or 60% which removes the arrow and page control keys but you can access them via Fn key. 

For people who work with numbers a lot, the full-size is ideal. Gamers tend to go for TKL because of the space between the main keys and the arrow keys, avoiding wrong key presses during tense moments. The lack of the numpad also allows them to have more room for mouse movement. Typists and creatives tend to go for the compact sizes because of the space it saves on the desk without compromising on their workflow. 

There are many more sub-sizes like 96% (full size without the gaps at the center), 75% (TKL but with the page controls and arrow keys compressed to the right side), and even 40% where there is no number row above the letters. For beginners though, you just have to be aware of them and don’t dive in them yet. 

SWITCHES

MKBs have three main switches that differ in key areas – feel, sound, and actuation force which is the amount of force needed for your press to be recognized by the keyboard and be sent to the computer. It’s the actuation force that counters the weight of your fingers, avoiding the feeling of typing on a solid material during long hours of use.

1. Blue – the loudest of the bunch, Blue switches have a very clicky feel with an actuation force of around 50-60g. Most gamers prefer this because of the sound and feel, which helps heighten the mood in game.

2. Brown – these are not as loud as Blue switches and the feel is a less pronounced bump compared to the Blue’s definite click. It’s similar to the feel of typing on a normal desktop keyboard. Actuation force is around 55g.

3. Red – defined as Linear, Red switches don’t have a click or bump. They just move straight down which leads to a smoother and faster typing experience. With an actuation force of only 45g on average, this can also be quiet if you don’t press on them too hard.

In looking for an MKB, you’ll come across three main brands of switches that manufacturers use. Cherry is the original brand that popularized mechanical switches back in the late 90s and until the mid-2010s. It’s this long dominance that they’re the ones who set the standard of Blue, Brown, and Red for switches.

Gateron is the next best thing. They started out as Cherry clones but have since evolved to make their own types of switches for the enthusiast crowd. Some even say that their standard line has surpassed Cherry in terms of quality despite being more affordable. 

Outemu is what you’ll see when looking at more affordable mechanical keyboards from China. They’re still conform to the main three switch types, though they are more mushy than Gaterons and Cherries despite having the same characteristics. 

Kailh is another China-based switch brand but unlike Outemu, they are clones of Cherry switches. It means if you buy a hotswap keyboard with Kailh switches, you can easily fit Cherry and Gateron switches in them too. 

HOTSWAP

A term you’ll encounter in looking for a mechanical keyboard is ‘hotswap’. This means you can exchange switches easily, without removing the whole assembly and desoldering the switches individually. However, take note that if your keyboard is hotswappable but has Outemu switches, that means you can only use other Outemu switches. Keyboards with Cherry and Gateron switches are interchangeable though, but cannot accommodate Outemu switches.

Another advantage for hotswap keyboards is you can mix and match different switches on one unit. Some people like their letters with Reds, then their function keys with Blues, and so on. The possibilities are limitless. 

KEYCAPS

If you’re particular on how your keyboard will look after a few months of use, you should be particular about the type of keycap your keyboard will have. Changing keycaps to something that resonates with you, or goes with your setup’s theme is also the easiest mod you can do to your keyboard. However, this should not be considered if you’re still looking for your first MKB. Good keycaps can be really expensive, as much as a new MKB.

1. ABS – this refers to the plastic used on the keycaps of most keyboards. Some have painted on icons that fades over time, while some are laser-engraved to avoid that. What cannot be avoided though is the shine it will have once it gets older. It will be apparent in your most used keys, first of which is the letters A, U, I, O, and the spacebar. 

2. PBT – is another kind of plastic but is more resistant to shining over time. They also have a different texture that most people like, and are a bit heavier than ABS, resulting in a thicker sound when typing. The lighting of the keyboard won’t go through them though as the icons are still painted on. 

3. Double-shot PBT – a more expensive plastic keycap with two layers of plastic connected. The outer shell is still resistant to shining. The inner layer is where the molded icons come from, so that light can shine through them. For those with lit or RGB keyboards, they typically go for this kind of keycap.

4. Aura Keycaps – these are usually a sub-category of Double-shot with the sides translucent too. This allows more light to be spread around your keyboard, which makes RGB effects more prominent.

Apart from these, there are also keycap profiles but for the most part you’ll only need OEM profiles since that’s what most MKB brands use, at least for the attainable ones. There are also artisan keycaps that cost a lot per key. 

MY RECOMMENDATIONS

Now that you know the basics, you’ll ask me what’s the best keyboard for you? The most important factor in determining your MKB, at least for me, is the switch. Layouts can be chosen easily but the switches are something that should be tested so you don’t regret your purchase. 

In Lazada and Shopee, you can search for either a Cherry or Gateron Switch Tester. This contains their basic Blue, Red, and Brown switches, although there are others that have more switches from their respective lineups. In the picture below, the small one is my Gateron Tester with Black, Blue, Red, and Brown switches that cost me around 200 pesos while the bigger one is my Cherry tester containing 12 different variations of their keys that I bought for almost 500 pesos.

This will help you determine what’s best for you in terms of feel and how loud they are, especially for the Blue switches. This is crucial especially if you’re not going for hotswap capable keyboards since they’re more expensive. But even if it’s hotswappable, it’s a hassle to buy another set of switches immediately upon purchasing a new MKB.

If you already know the switch and the right layout for you, it’s time to look into some of the most well-known keyboards you can buy here in the Philippines. 

1. Royal Kludge

RK is one of the most popular budget MKBs because of its price range, lineup, and wireless capability. Their names typically denote the number of keys they have (RK61, RK71, RK-G87, etc) and they come in white or black, with white, blue, or RGB lighting. They’re also the most affordable MKB that supports MacOS shortcut keys on the top row. RKs start at around P2,500 in Lazada and Shopee.

2. Anne Pro 2

If you’re decided that a compact 60% is all you need, the Anne Pro 2 is a good place to start. It’s available in white and black and gives you a choice between Cherry, Gateron, or Kailh switches. It’s also wireless capable so your setup can still be clean. They typically start at around P3,500 in Lazada and Shopee.

3. Tecware Phantom/Phantom Elite

Tecware offers a budget hotswap option for enthusiasts at the expense of wireless capability. They’re available in full and TKL sizes with the Phantom using Outemu switches, while the Phantom Elite uses Gaterons. The best thing about them though is their software that allows you to use a different color per key compared to others that only have a preset lighting movement. They start at around P2,500 in Lazada and Shopee.

4. GMMK Keyboards

Glorious Gaming was the first to offer the ‘hotswap’ method with their GMMK. It comes with either Cherry or Gateron switches, available in full, TKL, or compact sizes and offers great build quality for the price. They start at around P3,600 in Lazada courtesy of Rotobox Philippines, their official distributor in the country.

5. Keychron

If you’re looking for a wireless MKB for your Mac, look no further than Keychrons. They will work with Windows, Android, macOS, and iOS, wireless capable, and has a big battery that leads to more wireless use. They’re available in a variety of sizes with Gateron switches exclusively, hotswap models are available, a choice between white lighting only or RGB, and available in plastic chassis with aluminum sides for added robustness. They start typically around P4,500 in Henyo Shop in FB or the official Keychron Store in Lazada. 

Keep in mind though that your first mechanical keyboard will certainly be replaced, that’s an undeniable fact. For instance, when I got my first MKB which is a Keychron K2 with Brown switch, I really loved it because it has the same tiny bump like my Logitech standard keyboard. As I used it more everyday, I realized that I don’t really dig this small bump when I’m typing for long hours. This could’ve been avoided if I bought a switch tester beforehand. 

Others found out they need a different layout, which happened to me too. I realized I was working with a lot of numbers and reaching for them on top of the letters can be daunting because of the horizontal arrangement. This is why I bought my full-size Tecware Phantom. But, once I left that job, I wasn’t really working with numbers anymore and the right side only eats up space I could use for the mouse, and so I set it aside and got my current Keychron K6. 

This is why for your first keyboard, it’s recommended to stick with the basics – layout and switch. As you use it, you’ll figure out the nuances yourself and will make you realize just what you really want based on your typing experience. Don’t get sucked into vanity features like wireless, RGB, hotswap, keycaps, etc. Consider them if you’re moving on to your second MKB but for the first, it’s better to have one that will just let you enjoy rage typing either on Messenger or Facebook’s comment section.