Durability
This is where membrane keyboards
really fall down. Where a mechanical
or optical key will, in most cases,
retain the same pressing sensation for
its lifespan, the squishy layer beneath
the keys of a membrane model wears
away, changing the feel of the keys.
Mechanical keys last longer and
the switches are also relatively
straightforward to replace. Membrane
keyboards are significantly harder to
repair should a key fail, but will likely
need replacing long before that point,
due to the membrane wearing thin.
In terms of day-to-day use, optical
keyboards have the longest lifespan.
The key switches last longer than
mechanical keys, due to the lack
of delicate electrical contacts, and
the key switches are usually simple
to replace. So, why do mechanical
keyboards win? While mechanical key
switches might wear out a bit faster
than optical ones, mechanical
keyboards are more robust on the
whole. Tiny light sensors and emitters
mean that optical keyboards are
more susceptible to damage, dust,
and electrical failure. Mechanical
keyboards last for ages, and if you
drop one, the most you’ll likely have to
do is pop a few keycaps back on.Winner: MechanicalEase of Use
Membrane keyboards are quiet.
Without a physical switch beneath the
key, much of the noise produced by
the keyboard is reduced or absorbed
by the membrane underneath the
keycap. Mechanical and optical models
can be clattering monstrosities
under the fingers of a fast typer. A
physical switch produces more noise,
and while optical keyboards can be
slightly quieter than their mechanical
brethren, both are beaten in the sound
stakes by the mighty membrane.
Membrane keyboards tend also to
be lighter and smaller than the others;
their composition uses fewer metal
components, and membrane keys can
sit flush with the rest of the board due
to their reduced travel. Only a select
few could bear using a mechanical
keyboard on their lap, while membrane
ones can be incredibly light and thin.
Mechanical keyboards (and most
optical ones) are easier to clean, as
each key can be removed without the
need for any tools. Blast compressed
air into the space below and boom,
clean keyboard. The keycaps can
usually be washed separately, too.
Membrane keyboard users don’t enjoy
this luxury, but they’re still easier and
quieter to use, so they win this round.Winner: MembraneIt’s a tie! Well, a tie between mechanical
and membrane keyboards. The fact
is that optical keyboards are a lot
more niche, pricier, and don’t really
perform noticeably better than their
high-end mechanical counterparts.
Both mechanical and membrane
keyboards have their advantages and
disadvantages; you must consider the
purpose you need a keyboard for.
If you’re working in a crowded
office, a noisy mechanical keyboard is
a great way to annoy coworkers, but
its improved precision makes it ideal
for gaming at home. It’s hard to say
which type of keyboard is objectively
better, because they both have their
shortcomings. Some people prefer
squidgy membrane keys, and some
like the firm, responsive click of a
mechanical switch.
We’d give the edge here to
mechanical keyboards, but that does
come down to personal preference.
The significantly better lifespan of
mechanical and optical keyboards
makes them, at least in our eyes,
worth the higher asking price.
Ultimately, though, the best type of
keyboard is the one you like using.And the
Winner Is...
ROUND 4 ROUND 5
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From lef t to right: Many mechanical s witches have colored stems to indicate their resistance and sensitivit y. Optical s witches work by
interrupting the path of a light beam to a sensor. Membrane keyboards can be thinner and lighter due to the reduced travel of the keys.maximumpc.com MAY 2020 MAXIMUM PC 19