The Perfect Key Switch?
There’s nothing more magical than building the perfect board
ASKING SOMEONE about their favorite switch is akin to asking their age or weight. It’s personal and can cause arguments. I mean, there are people who like Cherry MX Speeds—yuck! Personal preference plays a major role in selecting the right keyboard switch and, as a reviewer, I have to put my own preferences aside and be objective. But now I’ve been let loose and I can tell you what switches I like and why.
Basically, if the switch is heavy and has some kind of feedback, I’m all for it. Cherry MX Greens? Sure. Kailh Box Navy Blue? Let’s go! Zelios 78cN? Yes please! My all-time favorites are modified NovelKeys Sherbets, mainly because they were white and orange, but also because I had 120cN springs in them. Typing on them was almost like using a typewriter. My hands, unlike the rest of me, were trim, defined, and full of muscle. Alas, I only bought a few to test and I haven’t been able to get them again, so I usually use one of the other switches mentioned. Combine heavy switches with my love of compact 65% keyboards and blank keycaps, and we have a winner. It often makes LAN events or folks using my PC in the office end up with a rage quit, a look of disgust, and the feeling that spending your wages on keyboards and switches isn’t for everyone. I realize that real switches aren’t to everyone’s taste, and occasionally build boards with lighter switches. I even go as light as an MX Red just to keep peeps happy.
It is all down to personal preference, though, and no matter what you’re
told in reviews about switches, if you like a particular switch, you use it. A mechanical keyboard that has the wrong switch for you is worse than using a membrane board. You do you. Except Cherry MX Speeds. You can leave them with the pumpkin spiced latte and poor excuse for a beard.