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How to Make A Keyboard Enthusiast?
Hello! I saw this keyboard in the morning email today (https://drop.com/buy/nym-84-aluminum-mechanical-keyboard?utm_source=linkshare&referer=Z2JXCA) and I am aware of the three Drop branded keyboards, and I just have to ask: What makes these special?
As someone who only uses Apple-bundled keyboards, a $10 Rosewill keyboard, and touchscreen keyboards, what experience do enthusiast grade keyboards offer over “merely functional” keyboards?
I imagine there’s some value to it. I’m aware of the popular Cherry MX switches (Brown are quieter, Blue are louder... and Red are also louder? Clear are good for LEDs I guess?) and that there’s many other companies (OUTEMU?) and in-house designs (like Razer) making different mechanical switches, and that they offer a more crisp “click” at the tip of your finger than the plastic bubble of a membrane keyboard. EDIT: apparently, with some or most mechanical switches, the keystroke is registered as an input before the key goes all the way down to the baseplate. I also get that something colorful, whether by LED or colored keycaps, can bring aesthetic enjoyment and make the desktop have a certain “mood.”
I’ve always liked how quiet a membrane keyboard would be, and disliked when I hear DAKITA DAKITA DAKAKAKAKAITA! while gaming at about the same volume as monsters and talking teammates. Given that, and my preference to get my art in other ways, I’m having a hard time justifying $100 or more for a keyboard, but I’m suspecting that “I just don’t get it” yet. I’m certainly not attacking anyone else’s enjoyment! Just trying to understand your passion 🙂
(Edited)
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SpencerL
2946
keeb weeb
Dec 14, 2019
You pretty much nailed a lot of things for someone who claims to be a beginner!
Everyone sees the value of a mechanical keyboard differently - for me personally, I spiraled down into the hobby about a year and a half ago because I despised the membrane Dell keyboard at my last job. I passed time by browsing the /r/mk subreddit (hah during work hours mind you), and learned about the various types of materials, switches, customizability, programmability that can really personalize your board.
To me, it's a mix between aesthetics and functionality. A keyboard is a tool for most people, and something that you use for hours on hours in a day. Why not have control or the "best" suited one for you? After months of trying different products and brands, I've pretty much limited keycap preferences to colors I find myself liking more, or layouts that I aesthetically find pleasing. I realized a number and function row are unnecessary to me and as a result, it "shrinks" my keyboard down and I have more desk space.
There's value behind custom keyboards because you are able to decide what you want to go EXACTLY into your tool. It's similar to building a PC or modifying a car. There are 100+ switches, easily, in the market today and these far surpass the household name ones such as Cherry Brown, Red, Blue and Green. Some of these more exotic or boutique switches offer more crisp and tactile bumps, smoother presses, or loud click bars. You can take these even further by even modifying the switches, such as spring swapping to your desired weight, lubricating the stem, or swapping out the housing that results in a higher or deeper pitched sound.
It doesn't surprise me anymore that most people who are new to the scene automatically associate "mechanical" with loud, or clicky switches. Ironically, some of my boards are quieter than membrane boards because of how the switches are tuned. There are also topre boards, which is a medium between membrane and mechanical with a satisfying thock.
The whole enjoyment out of this hobby is the excitement that comes with planning and associating pieces together to make a tool that is gratifying to use. There's so many different vendors, artisans, keycaps, switches, cases, plates, cables, wrist rests, etc that this passion can feel very overwhelming (and expensive!) for the most part. But everyone starts somewhere and I'm glad your interest is peaking. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to tag or ask me.
Evshrug
3772
Community
Dec 14, 2019
SpencerLThanks for all your work in your reply, and the compliment at the beginning! I wanted to be clear that I wasn't bashing on enthusiasts, so I did some due diligence in research.
I hope I didn't make anyone wince when I included mention of typing on touchscreens... I have to admit I use my iPad more than my desktop. But we've all got our own quirks, right? I actually have massive mental road blocks when it comes to writing on a computer screen or normal sized pad of paper. To give you an idea of how bad, I totally bombed the (then optional) writing portion of the SAT II's, only managing to get out two sentences in the allotted time! I do like to express myself though, and there's something less expectant and intimidating about writing on a smaller screen... so I get my best writing flow on a smartphone! 😬 At least, to get started. With that said, I can totally understand personal preference about tactile feel, soothing/exciting/inspiring keyboard aesthetics, and maybe even a small amount of ASMR from clicky keys (I am an audiophile, after all!).
Speaking of audiophiles and the gratification of a tailored, custom work space, I am reminded of Sennheiser's HD 800 S assembly. While individual parts are machined, the drivers are matched and the headphone is assembled by hand, in a German factory. It's more efficient not to use an assembly line at that point, so entire workstations are custom built for the employees (usually women, they just pass the fine motor control requirements more easily) so that each part is within easy reach of their arm lengths, there is a tailored amount of elbow room, and I believe there are extra "helping hands" to hold the major pieces in place as the parts are added. I love stories like that.
Given my predilection for mobile writing (and taking my time), I can't promise I'll continue to dive into the new hobby... I still have my other hobbies to master first, and they can take a lifetime! But, I do like nice stuff, I don't like cramps, and I hear keyboards are a pretty common input for video games 😅
erickong
7412
Mech Keys Moderator
Dec 13, 2019
https://drop.com/talk/2784/mechanical-keyboards-101-an-introduction-to-the-hobby
https://drop.com/talk/8455/mechanical-keyboard-switches-101-mx-style-switches These posts by LSB are really good. I guess headphones are a little different than keyboards. People buy headphones based on sound only IMO. Keyboards are purchased based on look, sound, feel. I guess one of the big reasons for a different keyboard is space and ergonomics. Smaller boards take up less desk space, that leaves room for more mousepad area when gaming. Split keyboards are more ergonomic and comfortable if you can deal with the layout. High-end boards have QMK, so you can program keys to meet your needs. I want a multimedia keys. I want a layer just for my photo editing, video production, or coding. Check out the mechanical keyboard subreddit. Lots of cool builds there.
https://drop.com/talk/8455/mechanical-keyboard-switches-101-mx-style-switches These posts by LSB are really good. I guess headphones are a little different than keyboards. People buy headphones based on sound only IMO. Keyboards are purchased based on look, sound, feel. I guess one of the big reasons for a different keyboard is space and ergonomics. Smaller boards take up less desk space, that leaves room for more mousepad area when gaming. Split keyboards are more ergonomic and comfortable if you can deal with the layout. High-end boards have QMK, so you can program keys to meet your needs. I want a multimedia keys. I want a layer just for my photo editing, video production, or coding. Check out the mechanical keyboard subreddit. Lots of cool builds there.
erickong
7412
Mech Keys Moderator
Dec 14, 2019
I was given the power of global moderator. I have power in every community. Crazy right?
Evshrug
3772
Community
Dec 14, 2019
erickongAll the things?
NO MAN SHOULD HAVE THAT POWER!!
Also, the GIF was worth the work, even though I had to switch to my computer, reboot, and open another browser tab to get it XD
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