I
f the reports are to be
believed, there has been
something of a downturn in
the mechanical keyboard
market. With every man and
his dog having already bought into the
revolution, it seems that the
scene has already reached its
saturation point.
However, that doesn’t mean there
isn’t still plenty of choice out there if
you want to upgrade or join in
fashionably late. So, we’ve grabbed
seven of the top keyboards you can
currently buy, all of which feature
mechanical keyswitches and RGB
backlighting, and, in some cases,
several more features, too.Q&A
Why mechanical
keyswitches?
Some users still aren’t
convinced by mechanical
keyswitches, however the
benefits are clear. They last
longer than membrane-type
keys, and they feel
responsive throughout their
life. They also have a far
more consistent resistance,
making for a more
even-feeling typing
experience.Blue/Brown/Red?
The leading mechanical
keyswitch brand, Cherry MX,
has three main keyswitch
types. Tactile (Blue and
Brown) have a slight bump
as you press the key, giving
you physical feedback
when the button has been
pressed – Blue adds an
audible click to this.
Meanwhile Red provides a
linear motion with no
physical feedback of when
the switch has been
activated – you just see the
results on your screen.Which switch is best for
playing games?
Blue and Brown switches are
preferred by typists due to
the feedback they provide,
making it easier to touch
type. However, for gaming,
many prefer the linear type
switches as they allow for
rapid key presses.Dictionary
Mechanical keyswitch -
This is any form of properly
engineered individual switch
used to register a keypress.
Older incarnations include
the buckling spring switch of
old IBM keyboards, while the
modern explosion of
mechanical keyboards has
been driven by the switches
made by Cherry MX.Keycap - The thing you
actually press. You can
easily replace the keycaps- there are hundreds of
colours and fonts you can
use, making it possible to
customise your keyboard.
KEYBOARDS
The best mechanical setups out there
Group test
KEYBOARDS