As many of you know, Xah Lee is a keyboard aficionado who spends a lot of time researching and trying different keyboards. There are, it seems to me, three aspects to keyboards
- Ergonomics
- Layout
- key switches
All three aspects are important and users feel very strongly about them. Lee has addressed all of those aspects but a recent post talks about the least obvious one: key switches. Many folks don’t think about them at all or, even if they do, consider them the least important aspect.
I disagree. The switches control what your typing feels like. If you have cheap rubber dome switches it feels like you’re typing on marshmallows. A good mechanical switch, on the other hand, gives excellent tactile feedback and makes typing a pleasure.
My favorite keyboard, by far, is the Unicomp Keyboard, a clone of the original IBM Model M keyboard. I’ve used both and love them. On my iMac, I use the Apple wireless keyboard, which is OK, but not a great as the Unicomp and Model M. I have several of the Unicomps and use them on all my non-apple computers. These keyboards use the buckling spring key switches and produce what I think is the best typing experience.
That’s where Lee’s post comes in handy. It discusses the various switches and let’s you know what to look for when purchasing a keyboard. For example, some people find the Unicomp buckling spring switches too noisy and want a key switch that is quieter but has a similar typing feel. Lee’s post is a good resource to find the type of key switches that meet your preferred typing style.