Last updated on 16 ril 2021 by Nirav Patel
At the beginning of 2021 things will come full circle: Mechanical keyboards are as popular as they were before. In view of the constant new switch innovations, it is advisable to investigate the differences between mechanical and membrane keyboards and to investigate whether foils still have redeeming properties.
A keyboard is similar to a typewriter, albeit with more modern layouts. It is an input system that receives letters or characters from the user, processes them and displays the results on the screen. It has a lot of push buttons that we know as buttons.
Originally, keyboards were only used for typing, but today they are used by gamers, editors, and professionals for a variety of tasks. Most of us are confused about whether to buy a membrane keyboard or a mechanical keyboard.
When looking for a keyboard, you will easily come across a discussion of mechanical vs. membrane keyboards. Every keyboard has advantages and disadvantages that are influenced by factors such as your lifestyle, budget, and the intended use for this often overlooked but important peripheral. Read on to learn about different keyboards and find out which one is right for you.
Main differences between the membrane keyboard and the mechanical keyboard
Mechanical keyboard
Membrane keyboard
The main differences between the membrane keyboard and the mechanical keyboard.
- The membrane keyboard is the most popular. In the case of a membrane keyboard, a thin membrane presses on a circuit layer that registers the pressed key. They are more compact, cheaper and quieter than their mechanical counterparts.
- Membrane keyboards have a number of disadvantages, including a „rubbery” key sound, a shorter lifespan and more complicated cleaning. Finally, “major rollover” is not an option. With a membrane keyboard, you can only record one keystroke at a time. As a result, there may be cases where the key you pressed is not registered. It doesn’t matter whether you are playing a game or not.
- The keys on a mechanical keyboard have a distinct feel. Mechanical keyboards allow much more precise user input. A mechanical keyboard uses spring-loaded switches instead of membrane keys that press on a thin membrane layer on an underlying circuit of conductors. These record the key pressed – often with a clear click that can only be heard on mechanical keyboards.
- Two lesser known types of switches are the fast switch and the quiet switch. The Speedy switch operates the button as quickly as possible, and the Silent switch ensures minimal acoustic inputs. Low profile switches are also available. Linear switches have a soft keystroke, tactile switches have a feedback bump in the middle of movement, and click switches have clear audible feedback.
- There have been many advances in major technology recently. Razer has developed optical switches with incredibly fast actuation times by using a beam of light under the switch shaft. Steelseries’ almighty turnaround is the company’s answer and can be programmed to trigger in various places.
- There are a few keyboard shortcuts online that you can use to customize your keyboard exactly the way you want. Check out the pictures from our Mechanical Keyboard Mini meeting in our showroom if you are interested in custom keys. Customization is another important difference between mechanical and membrane keyboards. Mechanical keyboards allow you to type in a number of different ways.
Types of switches
Linear switches, tactile switches, and click switches are the three types of switches available.
Once you’ve decided on a mechanical keyboard, the next step is to decide what type of switch you want.
1. Linear switches
Linear switches give the user the same feeling from the moment the button is pressed until it stops. When you press the buttons, there is no noise or vibration with linear switches. In terms of user experience, it means that every time you press a button, you are still getting to the bottom of it.
2. Tactile switches –
Touch (or tactile) gives you feedback when you press the actuation point of a tactile switch. When you click a button with a tactile switch, you get a slight bump that indicates that the button was pressed successfully.
3. Clicky switch
When the button touches the actuation point of a click switch, you will hear a satisfactory click. The biggest advantage of click and push button switches is that you don’t have to press the button all the way down to the floor. After your key press has been registered, you can move on to your next process.
Benefits of using a mechanical keyboard
A mechanical keyboard is usually a more durable option that can last for years, even with frequent use. It’s all a matter of personal preference, but if the features below interest you, it could be the perfect addition to your gaming setup or home office.
Long life expectancy
Mechanical keyboards last longer than other types of keyboards, which is one of their main advantages. These keyboards can withstand between 30 and 70 million keystrokes. On the other hand, membrane keyboards would reach the end of their useful life after around 5 million clicks.
Excellent reviews
Due to the tactile feedback, a mechanical switch offers a more pleasant typing experience. Because you can modify these keyboards more than membrane keyboards, you can build a more customizable typing experience.
Robust
Another great advantage of mechanical keyboards is that they last much longer than membrane keyboards and therefore don’t wear out as quickly. Even if your mechanical keyboard has seen better days, keys are unlikely to rattle or get stuck.
It is also a good idea to think about the keyboard size you will need. A full-sized keyboard with a tens numpad on the right is best if you use your PC for both gaming and data entry. However, if you only use your keyboard for gaming, a TKL (tenkeyless) interface may be more appropriate. When you’re tight on space, opt for a smaller, more portable keyboard. Large format membrane keyboards are popular.
Top recommendation: mechanical keyboard
Top recommendation: membrane keyboard
So we’ve seen the difference between a membrane keyboard and a mechanical keyboard.
These are some of the important things to keep in mind about membrane and mechanical keyboards.
