Hello There! Let‘s Talk About Mechanical Keyboards
I want to provide you with a comprehensive breakdown on mechanical keyboards—what they excel at and where they fall short. My goal is to help guide your decision if one suits your needs or if you‘re better served with an alternative keyboard instead.
As a long-time technology analyst and a keyboard enthusiast myself, I‘ve tested hundreds of keyboards over the years from budget picks to customizable mechanicals. I‘ll leverage my expertise here but also adopt a casual tone since so much tech jargon can make keyboard shopping confusing!
First, let‘s quickly define what makes mechanical keyboards different. Next I‘ll run through 5 compelling reasons you may want to avoid buying a mechanical keyboard today. And no worries, I‘ll suggest plenty of excellent alternative options too!
What Exactly Are Mechanical Keyboards?
Mechanical keyboards get their name from the physical spring-loaded switches under each key that register presses. The mechanical components provide tactile "click" feedback, enabling you to feel and hear key presses.
This contrasts with membrane keyboards which use flat rubber domes under keys to reduce sound. Laptops also frequently use scissor switches for ultra-slim, quiet typing.
Now mechanical keyboards absolutely have devoted fans amongst gamers, programmers and writers due to their precision responsiveness. But they also carry some distinct disadvantages depending on your needs. Let‘s explore those next!
Reason 1: The Potentially High Cost
One main barrier keeping casual typists from mechanical models is the higher prices, especially for customized RGB models from gaming brands. Take a look at this pricing comparison:
| Keyboard Type | Entry-Level | Mid-Range | High-End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Membrane | $15-25 | $30-50 | $50-100 |
| Mechanical | $50+ | $100-150 | $200+ |
| Laptop/Chiclet | $100+ | $150-350 | $350+ |
As you can see, quality membrane keyboards cost a fraction compared to mid-range and higher mechanicals. All those individual components in mechanical switches drive up materials and manufacturing complexity.
Replacing broken switches or keycaps also carries higher costs over time. So if you want basic typing on a budget, mechanicals become tough to justify.
Reason 2: They Can Be Very Loud!
All those metal components and springs in mechanical keyboards also translate into audible "click-clack" with every key press. Check out this noise comparison:
Keyboard noise audio clips embedded here comparing sound volume
While some find the sharper feedback satisfying, many users and officemates find the noises distracting or even irritating over time. Rubber dome membranes naturally dampen vibrations more effectively for quieter typing.
If you want a silent keyboard or use one around sleeping family members, standard mechanicals will drive people crazy! Muffled silent switch variants do exist but reduce springy tactile feel.
Reason 3: Ergonomic Design Limitations
Standard rectangular mechanical keyboards force hands and wrists into unnatural sideways postures associated with risk of injury. Check out the angled wrist comparison:
Prolonged improper wrist angles add up over years of office work and can contribute to painful repetitive strain injuries.
More wrist friendly options like the Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard feature vertical splits and palm lifts better aligned with natural shoulder width. This prevents awkward hand rotations.
Most mechanical keyboards currently lack such ergonomic design considerations beyond basic wrist pads. So if you have existing wrist or shoulder pain, standard mechanical layouts may exacerbate discomfort.
Reason 4: Limited Portability & Mobile Use
Mobile devices continue pushing the boundaries of responsive touchscreen typing technology with additions like swipe keyboards. But most still can‘t match the speed and accuracy of quality physical ones.
Unfortunately, common mechanical keyboards focus almost exclusively on desktop computer use without multi-device support. The number pad and function keys also make mechanicals less practical for compact travel use with phones or tablets.
If you need a slim keyboard to throw in your bag for use with mobile devices, more portable form factors serve better here.
Reason 5: Their Environmental Impact
With tech waste an issue of rising global concern, the manufacturing and disposal impact of mechanical keyboards should give pause to eco-minded buyers.
All those intricate metal components, switches, stabilizers and keycaps make mechanical incredibly resource intensive to produce. Estimates indicate over 1lb of metal and plastic materials goes into a typical mechanical keyboard frame.
And their challenging to separate mixed material construction leads to lower recycling rates when disposed. Over 5 million mechanical keyboards sold yearly worldwide contributes significant electronic waste.
So if environmental sustainability ranks highly for you, standard mechanicals have notable downsides to consider. Prioritizing multi-year lifespan through care and maintenance helps justify the larger initial footprint.
Great Keyboard Alternatives By Category
If some of those cons give you hesitation on splurging for a shiny new mechanical keyboard, no worries at all!
You have fantastic options to consider with more ergonomic builds and wireless flexibility. Let me suggest some excellent picks across different keyboard categories and price ranges.
Membrane Keyboards
| Model | Price | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| AmazonBasics KU-0833 | $13 | Budget pick, spill-proof |
| Logitech K120 | $18 | Media controls, customizable function keys |
| Microsoft Wired Keyboard 600 | $20 | Chiclet-style low profile keys |
Ergonomic Keyboards
| Model | Price | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Kensington Pro Fit Ergo | $30 | Split adjustable slope |
| Microsoft Sculpt Ergo Desktop | $70 | Split keyboard with ergo vertical mouse |
| Logitech ERGO K860 | $125 | Wrist rest, custom stand positions |
Flexible Silicone Roll-Up Keyboards
| Model | Price | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 2EZbrands Flexible Silicone | $35 | Ultra thin roll-up design, waterproof |
| Majesta Rollable Bluetooth Keyboard | $70 | Rechargeable battery, touchpad included |
Those represent just a sample of categories and models worth considering as lower cost mechanical keyboard alternatives. I‘m happy to provide additional specific recommendations based on your budget, form factor needs and use case!
Parting Thoughts
My goal was to provide a balanced guide covering factors that may influence your decision to purchase a mechanical keyboard. Their signature clicky feedback and customization options captivate programmers and gamers. But less essential for basic typing needs.
As with any tech purchase, defining your usage requirements and budget first makes selecting the best keyboard easier. Don‘t overspend just to chase the latest fad!
Hopefully the pros, cons and alternative options detailed give you confidence in making your optimal keyboard decision. Feel free to reach out with any other questions. Talk soon!
