Mechanical Keyboard Sound Isn't That Simple
Figure 1: I couldn't think of a more literal way to represent this article if I tried... Looking back just a few years ago, there’s no doubt that the huge influx of people that joined the hobby at the peak of the COVID pandemic were drawn to keyboards by way of YouTube, TikTok, and other audio-visual content platforms. Even as the output from these content creators has waned in recent months, their collective impact and legacy on the keyboard hobby is rather firmly etched in the history books. As a result of all of their sound tests, build logs, and opinion videos, the message is clear to any new person joining the hobby: mechanical keyboards are all about the sound. Thock this, clack that. Whether it’s keyboards, keycaps, or even singular switches, seemingly everyone new to the hobby meticulously pores over each component of their keyboard not in an attempt to figure out how it will feel in hand, but how it will sound as they’re furiously grinding their way out from...
Mar 27, 2024
I may attempt to sell or return it. Not sure yet as I have not opened the box.
Good luck all.
Massdrop offers *terrible* customer service because they can. Where else are you going to buy a WhiteFox or any other MD exclusive? I strongly suspect they give optimistic fulfilment dates to lure in buyers. They also do slimy things like group buys for products, with several months wait, that are available immediately at other retailers at the same or even lower price (ex. Nixeus Moda V2 TKL Mechanical Keyboard, available on Amazon for same price).
Designers like Matt3o have no real alternative to Massdrop. Can you imagine trying to run a GB this big from your house? The reality is Massdrop has us by the short and curlies; things won't change because they have no incentive.
I'm sure Yanbo, Peter, and the rest are nice people. The deception and indifference are likely company policy.
Some good has come from this. It made me reflect, and realize that my keyboard hobby has degraded into rampant consumerism. I'm cutting way back on group buys, and from Massdrop entirely.
Meanwhile I'm enjoying my stopgap board so much, I'm just as likely to cancel @ this point.. I mean, All novelty is gone at this point.. Plus nothing but issues. I've not seen ONE board posted that has good looking keycaps.. Not a damn one.
They really should have done their PR in handling this disaster slightly better.
I'm excited about the keyboard itself, though!