So what's the diff between mechanical and non, keyboards?

So, to me, a keyboard is usually just a keyboard. But lately I've been hearing a lot of people talking about mechanical and non-mechanical keyboards.

I don't really know what the difference is, could someone please explain it to me?

 

Mechanical keyboards use mechanical switches under every key. Each switch contains a moving part that travels downward, makes contact to actuate the key, and then returns to neutral position. Membrane keyboards, which are the most common type of keyboard, contain a membrane (hence the name) that is pressed by the key to make contact with an electrical switch matrix to actuate the key. Many people prefer the action and feedback from a mechanical keyboard.

 

This guide is an excellent read on mechanical keyboards, from the basics to the more nitty-gritty details.

 

Rubber-dome keyboards (the "regular" keyboards you see) have one huge rubber membrane with sensors (really, they're areas that, when a key is pressed, produces a burst of electricity, indicating that that key is pressed) which are cheap to produce, cheap to sell, and last reasonably well (roughly 1 million keystrokes or so). You have to bottom out the keys every time you want one to register (ie, hit the backplate when you're typing). Mechanical, on the other hand, is made so that you don't have to do this (can help your fingers if you experience pain when typing), have individual mechanisms for every key (so if one or two keys go bad, you only need to replace those keys, not the entire keyboard), and will last much longer than rubber-dome keyboard (about 50 million + keystrokes). They also come with different switches (MX Cherry Red, Blue, Brown, Black, to name a few) that each have their unique characteristics (Black requires higher-than-normal force to register a key, good for gaming; Brown/Blue require less-than normal force, good for typing), whereas rubber-dome keyboards all feel the same and respond the same.

Whichever ones you like will be very subjective; I suggest you try out a few mechanical keyboards to see what you like (if at all). Personally, all of my keyboards are rubber-dome types and work well enough for me, and while I liked a friend's Brown-type keyboard, I'm not prepared to spend that kind of money on one (Rosewill typically has sales on their mechanical keyboards for $80-ish).

 

I wouldn't read anything into the 'lasts longer' from a practical aspect, particularly given the cost of replacement keysets for keyboards like Filco's (i.e. you could buy *many* good membranes for the combined cost - Not to mention the fact that I don't seem to even be able to buy replacement keysets for e.g. the Cosair K90 that I'm typing on now).

 

Really awesome guide.

 

There is a reason why there is a fairly large market for second-hand mechanical keyboards. A well-used 20-year old mech keyboard can feel like new if properly cleaned.
The corsair is an exception because it still uses membrane keys for some keys. Any other mech keyboard can get a new Keyset for 30-40 dollars.

 

No, the reason there's a market is because they're fairly expensive to start with so there is a resale cost. Few are going to bother reselling a $20 membrane.