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Mechanical Keyboards 101
Know the Difference
The search for your favorite mechanical switch starts with understanding the 3 basic types.
1
Clicky
Clicky switches provide the most tactility and make an audible 'click' when typing. Clicky switches are typically preferred by typists, but are noticeably louder than other mechanical switches. Use with caution near noise sensitive co-workers
or spouses :)
2
Linear
Popular with gamers and quiet typists, linear switches have no bump before bottoming out. They travel smoothly and increase in resistance as you reach the end of the key press. Because they have no bump, these are often some of the quietest switches.
3
Tactile
About halfway between linear and clicky switches, tactile switches have a (sometimes subtle) bump you can feel in the key press before bottoming out. While this bump traditionally represented the actuation point, recent switches have actuation points and tactile bumps all along the travel distance.
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