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
Both are programmed with the same layout, so the small differences in how both are labelled don't really matter. Up until last week, I was using one as my daily driver on my Windows box - the other is still connected to my Mac mini, which I use daily but not as my primary computer. I have started using an ErgoDox as my daily driver.
Personally, I love the columnular layout of the TECK. I find I am significantly more accurate at touchtyping than on a staggered keyboard, including the number row. I love the compact size, but it has a decent heft due to the steel plate in it. I've used it regularly, both on a desk and on my lap, and both positions work really well for me. I do wish there was some tenting, so I wouldn't need to rotate my wrists to be completely horizontal, but for the most part, it's a minor gripe compared to rest of the benefits.
Note, this was not my first ergonomic keyboard, so I was already used to the angled layout, and was used to hitting backspace with my left thumb, and hitting enter with my right thumb.
Here's my current custom layout (Dvorak on the main, and Qwerty on the alt): https://www.trulyergonomic.com/store/layout-designer--configurator--reprogrammable--truly-ergonomic-mechanical-keyboard/#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