{"id":41972,"date":"2024-02-01T14:36:52","date_gmt":"2024-02-01T19:36:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mjtsai.com\/blog\/?p=41972"},"modified":"2024-02-02T08:16:36","modified_gmt":"2024-02-02T13:16:36","slug":"how-to-choose-and-customize-a-mechanical-keyboard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mjtsai.com\/blog\/2024\/02\/01\/how-to-choose-and-customize-a-mechanical-keyboard\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Choose and Customize a Mechanical Keyboard"},"content":{"rendered":"

Henri Robbins<\/a> (Hacker News<\/a>):<\/p>\n

Linear switches have straight “legs” on the sliders that allow for a smooth and consistent key press. Because of this, they have no bump and will be faster to type on, but they won’t have a physical indicator to tell you when the key has been pressed.<\/p>

Tactile switches have small bumps on their legs that create an increase in resistance right before the switch is actuated, resulting in a “tactile bump.” While this can make typing more precise, it also means your typing experience may be less smooth, and rapid inputs will have more delay between them, since you’ll have to completely remove your finger from the key.<\/p>

Clicky switches are not as common as linear or tactile switches. They use a multipiece mechanism to create tactility instead of a bump, such as a click jacket, click bar, or click leaf; these switches are characterized by a strong bump and a distinct “click” sound when typing. Functionally, clickies have the same benefits and downsides of a tactile switch, to a slightly stronger degree.<\/p>

MX-style switches, which have a cross-shaped stem and two metal pins on the bottom, were originally patented by Cherry, and the patent has since expired, leading to multiple different manufacturers making their variations of these switches.<\/p>

[…]<\/p>

Typically, wired keyboards will be compatible with both MacOS and Windows, and any programmable keyboards using QMK<\/a>, VIA<\/a>, or VIAL can<\/a> be reprogrammed to work with either operating system.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n

I recently tried the NuPhy Air75 V2<\/a> (Amazon<\/a>) with Gateron Cowberry switches. These are low-profile but still have a lot more travel, noise<\/a>, clickiness than Apple’s current keyboards. (I can no longer read the official description of them because it appears they’re no longer available.<\/strike> Link fixed.) Though I like the feel of the keyboard, I unfortunately cannot recommend it because of a variety of problems. The F# keys only work as media<\/a> keys<\/a>, no matter how you configure System Settings. NuPhy support confirmed that macOS cannot use them for custom keyboard shortcuts. The fn key doesn’t work for standalone taps (e.g. to enable dictation) or combined with another key (e.g. the built-in fn-E shortcut for opening the emoji picker). There is no firmware updater for Mac<\/a>. I also found that the keyboard made my Magic Mouse less smooth and sometimes disconnect from Bluetooth.<\/p>\n\n

Previously:<\/p>\n