Are Mechanical Keyboards a must?

[mclaren85]

While there are tons of different types of keyboards available in the market, the debate for which keyboard is the best still continues.
It is a known fact, that mechanicals are much more robust and have an outstanding lifespan compared to membrane ones, I haven't seen any dead membrane keyboard so far because of it's long usage time but only accidentally spilling water etc. Also I have never seen mechanical keyboard be using at highly critical server rooms, or banking systems.

So if you are going to buy a high-end system which one do you prefer? Or Which one "should we" prefer?

 

[milewski1015]

Both membrane and mechanical keyboards have pros and cons, it’s up to the user and their preferences to determine what they want. Maybe the user wants a keyboard that’s very quiet and decides to opt for a membrane keyboard instead even though it it might not last as long. There isn’t really a “right” answer here. I think the examples you mentioned (server room, banking, etc) probably have cost in the forefront of their mind and membrane keyboards as generally cheaper.

 

[Deleted member 202104]

Also I have never seen mechanical keyboard be using at highly critical server rooms, or banking systems.

You must not be that old to not remember this:

 

[8BitZ80]

There's nothing that says you need a mechanical keyboard but there is a lot of hype for them. Too much hype, even. In my opinion they're just different to membrane keyboards, not better. You can get a great membrane keyboard, a terrible mechanical keyboard and vice versa.

Membrane keyboards get a bad rap because most membrane keyboards are cheap, bog-standard units that cost $20. But then, you can easily find mechanical keyboards that cost $200. There's no such thing as a membrane keyboard that costs that much. I think the most expensive membrane is less than $100?

You actually have to like the fundamental characteristics (especially the loud clicks) of mechanical keyboards in order to enjoy owning one. Not everyone does. I find that the Cherry MX Browns on my G710+ are tolerable, but any louder and I would start to dislike it. I've tried a Ducky Shine 3 with Cherry MX Blues and it was by far the most intrusive and nasty keyboard I've ever owned. It's still in pristine condition in my storage because I refuse to use it even on a testbench.

Mechanical, membrane, they're apples and oranges. Try before you buy to make sure you ACTUALLY like it first.

 

[TheUn4seen]

Please stop with the "which one we should prefer" blanket statement nonsense. This is exactly what fuels all the elitist douchebags. I, for one, happen to have two favorite keyboards, one of them mechanical - an old Logitech G710+ based on CherryMX brown and Logitech G19 which is a membrane keyboard. I use them interchangeably every day, and the fact they are both from Logitech only comes from the fact that a local shop has some kind of a deal with Logitech reseller and has very good promotions on their products. Next one in line would probably be the keyboard in my Thinkpad X250 which I'm using right now. This is purely a personal preference choice - I always disliked the tactile and loud IBM type M keyboards many people seem to think are the duck's guts.

Nowadays it's all marketing bullshit and fanboy hype. Find a keyboard you like and use it, don't jerk off to it, FFS.

 

[Mac2580]

For me personally mechanical keyboards are useful for serious/competitive gaming. Mainly due to the added features which could be available on membrane keyboards. Win Key lock/Lighting/Macros come to mind. Mine is a relatively cheap low end mechanical keyboard (G413) and I have 0 complaints.

 

[R-T-B]

You must not be that old to not remember this:

View attachment 196188

Technically the Model M's aren't true mechanicals. Yes, they feel mechanical, but the buckling spring mechanism is what does that. They are still pushing on a membrane at the end of the day instead of a switch mounted on a PCB like a "true" mechanical (there is no hard-switch or board/PCB in a model M, just a spring mechanism and a typical rubber dome membrane sheet it triggers). They are a sort of hybrid design.

That being said, I do know Ambulances often use keyboards for data entry with cherry-based keyswitches, which are true mechanicals.

 

[GerKNG]

rubber dome vs. mechanical is like 60Hz vs 144Hz.

Once a decent cherry red silent or whatever you may like and rubberdome is like going back to 60Hz.

 

[Jetster]

There is so much hype on Mechanical keyboards that 60% of the ones made are crap. I've even seen one called a Mem-chanical that Cooler Master makes.

 

[Caring1]

While there are tons of different types of keyboards available in the market, the debate for which keyboard is the best still continues.
It is a known fact, that mechanicals are much more robust and have an outstanding lifespan compared to membrane ones, I haven't seen any dead membrane keyboard so far because of it's long usage time but only accidentally spilling water etc. Also I have never seen mechanical keyboard be using at highly critical server rooms, or banking systems.

Here's one of the original wireless mechanical keyboards commonly used in institutions of the past.
If you Google you can see there was even a USB version made.

 

[R-T-B]

I've even seen one called a Mem-chanical that Cooler Master makes

Mem-chanical can actually be a thing. As mentioned, Model M was basically "Mem-chanical"

Here's one of the original wireless mechanical keyboards commonly used in institutions of the past.
If you Google you can see there was even a USB version made.
View attachment 196194

Yeah dude we know what a typewriter is.

Ironically, not all typewriters were truly mechanical... lol. Some actually used a membrane electric switch system. I know because I had a cheapass one that did. The hammers were easy to get stuck on it too (part of the reason QWERTY exists). Fun times.

 

[R-T-B]

Basically a membrane with a click built in, but more marketing than useful

It's good for some types. They can provide a quiter sound than most mechanicals while still giving a tactile response. But they can never provide n-key rollover or anything like that.

So basically, yeah. Marketing. Except the Model M of course, because it basically invented the modern keyboard layout. I'll give it an "innovation" pass.

 

[Mac2580]

rubber dome vs. mechanical is like 60Hz vs 144Hz.

Once a decent cherry red silent or whatever you may like and rubberdome is like going back to 60Hz.

I have to say i really dont mind using a membrane keyboard for typing or browsing. I generally use a work issue Dell Quietkey on the couch. Personal Opinion - Mechanical feels better - If you own a Porsche you dont mind driving your Toyota to work every day.

 

[Jetster]

For typing I like the membrane, for gaming I like mechanical

 

[Nuckles56]

I've used membrane keyboards up until last year and is my current mechanical nicer, sure, but is it that much nicer for the money spent on it vs the membrane keyboards before it? Absolutely not, so just get a keyboard that you're happy with and stick with that and not worry so much on what kind of switches it has in it.

 

[R-T-B]

I've used membrane keyboards up until last year and is my current mechanical nicer, sure, but is it that much nicer for the money spent on it vs the membrane keyboards before it? Absolutely not, so just get a keyboard that you're happy with and stick with that and not worry so much on what kind of switches it has in it.

I'm do a lot of typing (once a journalist, now a code monkey / command line user for an IT security company), so that may be true for most people, but I'd like to point out I absolutely obsess about my keyboard way more than most people, and it's probably justified. A rare case though.

 

[Nuckles56]

I'm do a lot of typing (once a journalist, now a code monkey / command line user for an IT security company), so that may be true for most people, but I'd like to point out I absolutely obsess about my keyboard way more than most people, and it's probably justified. A rare case though.

I typed up my 300 page thesis on a membrane keyboard, so I've spent way too much time using a keyboard too. But there's always edge cases like you pointed out, I was definitely just using it as a general thing rather then a catch all for everyone.

 

[R-T-B]

I typed up my 300 page thesis on a membrane keyboard, so I've spent way too much time using a keyboard too. But there's always edge cases like you pointed out, I was definitely just using it as a general thing rather then a catch all for everyone.

It's also how OCD you are to be honest... lol. I notice little things/issues way more than most people. Like how laptop touchpads have tap to click. I turn that off immediately and it renders the computer confusing for anyone after me, but if I leave it on I just can't use it.

 

[Sybaris_Caesar]

It's preference. It's like metal drinking glass vs glass drinking glass. Some people like me prefer glass ones but can be perfectly content with stainless steel or polished aluminium ones. Just like I prefer mechanical boards but can be perfectly content with membrane boards. But yes its current popularity is mostly hype imo. They're not drastically better like say the difference between office mice vs gaming mice.

 

[Chomiq]

There's plenty of options - each one is valid depending on use case. Some would say that optical switch is better than regular mechanical because it offers the best linear response. Others buy TOPRE boards for $200+ (membrane with springs) because they love the feel and something, something. Someone else will tell you that cherry is the best, while another person will tell you that cherry switches are garbage (I mean, you only have to hear the MX Blues clacking away to know that something's wrong with that switch).

On a daily basis I use Kailh Box Whites which are clicky tactile switches. However I do not really like them for playing games because activation requires a bit more effort. This means that I'd probably have to find something in between or use two different boards for typing and gaming.

So no, there's no gold standard. It's 100% matter of personal preference.

 

[Vendor]

You must not be that old to not remember this:

View attachment 196188

my mech keyboard (made by an indian company) was inspired by this ibm model m

 

[dirtyferret]

the debate for which keyboard is the best still continues.

there is no debate, the best keyboard is the one that fits your needs the best. It would be like debating your favorite sport, religion, TV show, book, etc., It's all qualitative to each individual no matter how much people want to make it quantitative (see below).

rubber dome vs. mechanical is like 60Hz vs 144Hz.

Once a decent cherry red silent or whatever you may like and rubberdome is like going back to 60Hz.

no clue how this analogy works; I'm personally a hard typist so my fingers hurt if I need to type out email after email during the day on a mechanical keyboard...plus I find my typing to me more accurate So to me, membrane keys are like a soft bed pillow compared to mechanical keys that feel like the hard cushion pillows of a sofa (but some people may like that which is fine).

 

[TheLostSwede]

I have an optical keyboard, which seems to be the "latest" tech for keyboard switches. Quite happy with it overall.

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[Keullo-e]

Personally I prefer mechanicals, but a good membrane keyboard can also be very usable. I've just haven't bought a new mechanical as there's problems with my Logitech G410, so I've been using a Dell keyboard with pretty flat keys, typing and gaming is fine with this.

I guess I'll get a keyboard with blue switches later, as I personally love the sound and feel of those.

 

[dirtyferret]

Here's one of the original wireless mechanical keyboards commonly used in institutions of the past.
If you Google you can see there was even a USB version made.
View attachment 196194

worst part was delete key came via snail DLC