Long gone are the days of “normal keyboards.” The latest tech trend among the digital-savvy generation is mechanical keyboards. Mechanical keyboards are not just a tool, but a whole sensory experience that combines touch, sound, and sight.
In this article, we will delve into what custom mechanical keyboards are, explore their benefits, and guide you through the exciting process of building your very own custom keyboard.
What is a mechanical keyboard?
Mechanical keyboards operate on individual mechanical switches for each key. A mechanical switch is a box-shaped mechanism that uses a spring and a contact blade to activate a key in a keyboard. In contrast, “membrane keyboards,” which are commonly found in laptops and traditional office keyboards, have rubber domes under each key. When pressed, they complete a circuit and send a signal to your computer. Because this is the inexpensive way to make a keyboard, membrane keyboards have a mushy and cheap feel when pressed.
On the other hand, mechanical keyboards have crisp tactility due to their switches, providing tangible feedback and affirming each of your presses. Moreover, they produce satisfying acoustics due to the springs in the switches– kind of like typing on a high-tech typewriter.
Plus, the majority of mechanical keyboards offer customizable RGB lighting, adding visual appeal to your desk. You can have the keys light up in your favorite color combinations, or switch them off if you prefer a subtler look. Let’s see your office keyboard do that. Didn’t think so.
Overall, mechanical keyboards are a treat for your senses.
What are the benefits of a custom mechanical keyboard?
Now that we’ve covered exactly what a mechanical keyboard is and how they work, let’s unravel all their benefits on a deeper level.
- They last longer, so it’s a better investment.
First and foremost, mechanical keyboards are built to last. With membrane keyboards, a faulty key often signifies the end of its life, requiring you to replace the entire keyboard. In contrast, with custom mechanical keyboards, all you need to do when a key fails is replace the faulty switch. This significantly extends their lifespan, making them a worthy investment.
- They take up much less space on your desk, and you can type faster.
Custom mechanical keyboards are typically much more compact than standard keyboards, since the keys are arranged closer together. This enables faster typing as your fingers need to travel less distance to reach different keys.
These compact keyboards are usually categorized by percentage, indicating their size relative to a full-size keyboard. So, a 65% keyboard is 35% more compact than a standard keyboard. The reduction in size is due to the numeric pad on the right being removed. Despite the removal of the side number pad, compact keyboards maintain all essential keys such as the top number row, arrow keys, etc.
Plus, the smaller keyboard frame gives your desk space a cleaner, more organized aesthetic. And more room for your mouse to roam.
- They are customizable, so you can make your own unique design.
This is probably the most exciting aspect of mechanical keyboards. Apart from the practical aspects of better investments and space-saving designs, they can be something that is uniquely yours. There are several ways to go about getting your first custom mechanical keyboard, and we will explore it in depth in the following section.
To buy Pre-built? Or get a DIY keyboard kit? That is the question.
While pre-built mechanical keyboards offer customization, getting a DIY keyboard kit takes it to a new level. You can choose your preferred mechanical switches (clicky, linear, or tactile) and swap them out as per your liking.
If you prefer to start with a pre-built mechanical keyboard ready to use out of the box, and opt to customize later, an excellent option is the GMMK 2. This second-generation board, the acronym standing for Glorious Modular Mechanical Keyboard (GMMK) 2, which offers a wide range of customization options at a great price.
The entire GMMK collection is composed of hot swapple keyboards. This means that apart from customizing the keycaps and the top frame, you can also swap out the mechanical switches with simple removal tools, which are included with the board.
To recap, there are three kinds of mechanical switches: clicky, linear, and tactile. Gamers tend to go for linear since they offer the quickest key activation; linear switches are usually silent or very quiet. Tactile and clicky switches usually come down to personal preference. If you want loud clicky presses, similar to old school typewriters, clicky switches are the way to go. Tactile switches are an in-between of linear and clicky. They are audible clicks, but not too loud, and they have satisfying tactility.
Drum roll, please. This is why keyboard kits are the way to go.
For those who want to get the full experience of the keyboard hobby, a keyboard kit is the way to go. You can choose every last detail of your keyboard: you can select the size, switches, keycaps, cable, top frame color. You can have it all your way.
We recommend starting with a GMMK board since this brand is a pioneer in the hobby. Glorious made the world’s first modular mechanical keyboard. They offer several options, but we recommend one of the following:
The entry-level, budget friendly option: the GMMK 2
As mentioned earlier, this is a great place to start. This is the second generation of the original GMMK, the world’s first modular mechanical keyboard, and it features acoustic and tactile enhancements from the first edition. It also now features an aluminum top frame, the original was made of plastic. The GMMK 2 comes in two sizes: the 96% layout or a 65% keyboard.
The premium-grade option with top-tier components: the GMMK PRO
The GMMK PRO is an award-winning keyboard, and an icon among the keyboard community. This option has infinite customization options. Not only can you customize keycaps, switches, cable, and top frame like the GMMK 2, but you can also customize the switch plate, the stabilizers, and the base to fine-tune your acoustics to a whole new level. It has a dual layer sound-dampening foam, harmonizes your board’s sound. The PRO also comes with an infinite-spin knob. The GMMK PRO is a 75% keyboard.
Keyboard Kits: The Bottom Line
Embracing the trend of mechanical keyboards is not only a step into a more personal and satisfying typing experience, but it’s also a smart investment. Whether you choose a pre-built option or opt for a keyboard kit, the world of custom mechanical keyboards opens up possibilities for a unique typing experience that’s tailored to you. So why not make the switch today and start your journey in the world of custom mechanical keyboards?