How much does changing the switch axis on a mechanical keyboard change the feel of the keyboard?
The interesting thing about mechanical keyboards is that if the axis is changed, the sound and clicking feel will also change. In this issue, we have summarized how much the feel of the keyboard changes when the switch axis is changed.
Modified at: 2024.10.4Posted at: 2022.6.29
Where it changes when the switch axis is changed.
Specifications also vary considerably from axis to axis.
In the case of mechanical switch keyboards, the pressing load when pressing a key differs considerably depending on the axis type.
In the case of Cherry MX standard, the pressing load is as follows.
axis type | key press load | stroke | key sound |
---|---|---|---|
Red axis | 45g | 4.0mm | silent |
Blue axis | 50g | 4.0mm | clackety-clack |
brown tip | 55g | 4.0mm | click |
black barrel | 60g | 4.0mm | gummy |
The lightest red barrel and the heaviest black barrel differ in weight by 15g. 15g is about the margin of error in terms of weight, but it is quite a difference when you consider that you press it only with your fingertip.
The difference in "clicking sound" is also surprisingly large
As you will see when you actually use a mechanical keyboard with different axes, the sound of the keys also has a surprisingly large impact on the comfort of typing.
For example, if you switch from a noisy blue-axis keyboard to a quiet red-axis keyboard, you may feel the "lightness" of the click sound, and you may feel that the key press load is reduced by only about 5g.
Fitting and unfitting is a work and individual difference.
The fit and unfit of a keyboard is also an area where there are surprisingly large individual differences.
For example, few people have exactly the same finger length or grip strength. For some people, the middle keys may be as heavy as the brown keys, but the end keys, which are mainly used by the little finger, may be lighter than the red keys.
Similarly, the keys used for different tasks will vary depending on the task, so the choice of axis will also vary.
For those who use keys all over the place, it is important to have a sense of balance and comfort in all keys. In particular, for people like writers and programmers, who touch keys 10,000 times every day, simply changing the axis will drastically change the fatigue of their fingers and arms. For such a job, it is better to choose an axis that is lightweight to reduce fatigue.
On the other hand, for applications where the keys used mainly are limited, such as games, there is no problem in choosing the pressing load that is right for your fingers at the donposition.
Factors other than keys are also significant.
On the other hand, when a keyboard is replaced, the keyboard design will most likely change as well.
A change in keyboard design can be attributed to
- the material of the keys
- the slope of the keyboard itself
- the height of the keyboard
- the height of the keyboard itself. Even if the keyboard feels the same, it often feels surprisingly difficult to type, or "I don't like the sound, but it feels easy to type".
Since mechanical keyboards are easy to replace keys, it is also possible to customize only the keys.
You can use it for different purposes.
A mechanical keyboard is an expensive item for a keyboard, so you want to choose carefully and take a shot at a good one, but the reality is that you have to actually use it, as it is a world of mismatches.
Also, it should not be overlooked that different applications require different usability.
For example, if you use it for games where you often hit a given key repeatedly, the click feeling and weight may be more important than the sound. On the other hand, if you are typing a lot of letters at work, lightness and less fatigue are more important than the clicking sound.
In this sense, rather than forcing yourself to use a single keyboard, it may be better to have separate keyboards for gaming and for work, so that you can be more satisfied with the key touch.
Mechanical keyboards are available in a wide variety.
There is a wide variety of mechanical keyboards, and many new products are released every year, so it is important to find the keyboard that "fits perfectly! If you come across a keyboard that you like, you should buy two or three for spare parts before they are sold out.
Keyboards are PC accessories with such a large number of "encounters".