Ask HN: Mechanical Keyboards – are they worth it?

3 points by stephenpassero 3 years ago | 7 comments

I'm on a Mac, and currently just use the built in keyboard (scissor switch, not butterfly). I've been thinking about getting a mechanical keyboard (I really like Varmilo so far), but wanted to get your experiences.

On top of that, if there's a mechanical keyboard that you've really liked, feel free to shout it out.

Thanks!

michaelsalim 3 years ago |

I love the feeling of typing on one. But there are so many different types that you can choose from. I like the clicky type. Others like linear switches.

Personally, the main reason I use a mechanical keyboard isn't the switches. It just opens up so many options to choose from. I use the Moonlander [0]. It's an ortholinear split keyboard.

Split keyboard makes my posture so much better. It also makes using my mouse that much more convenient due to the travel distance. Meanwhile ortholinear layout makes it easy to learn touch typing.

These days I don't feel productive if I'm using any other keyboard.

[0] https://www.zsa.io/moonlander/

legrande 3 years ago |

I never use my laptop's built-in keyboard. I've probably never even pressed certain keys on it once. I do this to preserve the keyboard's lifetime, since I do a lot of typing, and I don't want to get it repaired a year later. I get a new keyboard once a year, typically mechanical, although I sometimes enjoy 'low profile' or thin keyboards if I'm going to typing a lot and don't want as much clickety-clack / noise.

steve90 3 years ago |

If you do a lot of typing they are definitely worth it. I have bought two with quite clicky blue switches and I love them. They are quite noisy but I don't share an office so it doesn't really matter. One is Cherry brand but I can't remember the other one. They are both Windows layouts but I believe that at least one company is now doing Mac layouts.

lemper 3 years ago |

the main selling point of mechanical keyboards for me is the diy (and programmability) aspect of it. currently i am typing this reply on custom made (design it by myself) programmable split 3x5+3 mechanical keyboard. that means, i can type quite lazily (read: put both sides on top of my base thighs) on a wooden chair at the makeshift floor of my office.

yuppie_scum 3 years ago |

I have one with cherry browns I think. Can’t beat it.

samketchup 3 years ago |

imo they're much less resilient to spills than cheap membrane keyboards and they're very annoying

jjgreen 3 years ago |

IBM model M