If you are like most people, you have a laptop with a keyboard. The keyboard that comes with your laptop is usually fine for most things, but if you want to improve your productivity, you may need to consider buying an external mechanical keyboard.
The travel distance on a laptop key is very short, ranging from 1mm to 2mm. This makes it difficult for some people to press down all the way.
Comfort
Comfort is a word that is commonly used to describe things that are nice and comfortable. It can be anything from food that is delicious or a place that makes you feel at home, to something that you wear that is comfortable and relaxing.
If you want to make your laptop as comfortable as possible, a mechanical keyboard may be the way to go. These keyboards offer a unique sound, as well as tactile and audible feedback that can help you type faster and more accurately.
A mechanical keyboard is made up of a keycap that sits on a switch, which is an automatic device with a spring and metal electrical connectors. When you press down on the keycap, the switch actuates or tells your computer that a circuit has been completed.
There are many different types of switches. There are linear switches, which require less energy to operate, and there are tactile switches, which provide more feedback when a key is pressed down.
If you’re a writer, a laptop with a mechanical keyboard may be the perfect choice for you. These keyboards are great for typing because they give you more precision and a comfortable typing experience, and they’re also easier to clean than a membrane keyboard.
However, while mechanical keyboards are great for writers, they can also be quite heavy. If you’re looking for a laptop that’s lighter, you might prefer to look for one without a mechanical keyboard. This can be especially true if you’re looking for a laptop that you can take with you on the go as a digital nomad.
Ergonomics
If you’re looking for an ergonomic keyboard to support your hands while typing on a laptop, then you should consider getting one that uses mechanical switches. These switch types are designed to be responsive and accurate, which gives you a more satisfying typing experience than membrane keys.
A mechanical keyboard has an ergonomic design that supports your wrists, and it can help alleviate the pain you experience from conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome. It also helps improve your overall productivity and prevents you from experiencing repetitive strain injuries that can cause hand-related issues later on in life.
Some mechanical keyboards are able to be tented (raised in the middle), which can help reduce forearm pronation and wrist stress. These features can be found on a variety of models, and are recommended for long-term comfort.
If you suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome, you should consider a low-profile keyboard that is shorter than a standard keyboard and has retractable “feet” on the bottom to angle the keyboard towards you. The lower profile of the keyboard can also minimize the amount of pressure that your fingers and wrists are under while you type, which can make a significant difference in the severity of carpal tunnel symptoms.
Keyboard layout
If you’re looking for a keyboard that feels more like an old-school typewriter, you might want to check out a mechanical keyboard. They have physical switches beneath each key, which are rated for 50 million key presses. These keys have a tactile feel and clickity-clack sound that many people find nostalgic or comforting.
Another great option is the Matias BMKEY, which looks like it’s straight out of the original Apple Extended Keyboard. It has a transparent wraparound casing, clean lines, and squared-off corners.
Noise
Mechanical keyboards can make a lot of noise, which can be annoying if you’re used to typing on a quiet laptop or desktop. But there are plenty of options out there for cutting down the sound. Some manufacturers use a ‘shallow gasket’ design to seal a 2mm silicone pad between the metal plate and the PCB, which reduces noise significantly. Others use sound-absorbing foam to cut down on vibrations.
The switches themselves can also make noise, especially if you’re not using the keyboard well or for long periods of time. Some switches, such as Cherry MX Blues and clones of them, produce a signature ‘clicky’ sound that’s similar to typewriters or teletype machines.
Other switches are much less noisy, but can still make a noticeable difference to the overall experience of typing on a keyboard. Optical switches, for example, use an infrared sensor to detect the position of a key and actuate the switch at a pre-programmed point, which can make them more durable and quieter than mechanical switches.
There are many different types of switches, but the two most common are mechanical and optical. While both have their fans, there are a few key differences between the two:
For starters, mechanical switches can be programmable and can be ‘hot-swappable’, meaning you can change them without having to remove or install any software. This makes them a lot easier to work with if you want to switch switches regularly, or if you’re planning to upgrade your switch for a new model of keyboard.
While mechanical switches are a bit more expensive than membrane ones, they’re also usually more durable and rated for a higher number of key presses. For this reason, they’re a good option for users who’d rather spend a little more on a keyboard than save money with a cheaper one.
Cost
If you’re thinking of getting a mechanical keyboard, you’ll need to decide how much you’re willing to spend. You can get a low-budget keyboard for as little as $60, or you can spend up to $200 on a fully custom mechanical gaming keyboard with all the bells and whistles you could want.
The cost of a mechanical keyboard isn’t just the switches; it also includes the price of keycaps, which you can replace or customize with your own designs, colors, names, or logos. You can even go with backlit keycaps that glow in a different color to indicate which key you’ve pressed.
You can also buy keycaps that are made from certain materials, such as durable plastics or molded sculpting to prevent them from wearing down over time. Lastly, you can purchase switches that are more resistant to wear and tear.
Most mechanical keyboards use Cherry MX-style switches, which are a type of non-contact switch that actuates through a spring. They are compatible with keycaps that have the same pin configuration and can be soldered in or plugged into a keyboard’s circuit board (known as a “hot-swappable” design).
Another type of switch is called a Hall Effect switch; this is similar to an optical switch, but instead of the stem bringing physical contacts together, an infrared sensor on the keyboard’s circuit board records the position of a small magnet mounted at the end of the stem. A computer registers this as a keystroke, and can then activate the switch accordingly.
Conclusion
Mon price’s latest entry into the mechanical keyboard market, the Collider, is a budget-friendly option that comes with both 100% and TKL layouts, as well as a nice selection of accessories. It also sports a sturdy steel switch plate that gives it some heft. If you’re looking for a cheap, high-quality mechanical keyboard for your laptop, this is the best budget model we’ve tested.