Want To Level Up Your Desk? Get A Mechanical Keyboard!

It seems like now, more than ever, people are looking into ways to make transformations at their game station setups and their home office spaces. Whether it’s upgrading their mouse into a gaming mouse, getting larger screens, or even a fully aesthetic ergonomic chair, it seems like there’s this max explosion. One thing that shouldn’t be forgotten is the keyboard itself. 

With so many shapes and sizes and more manufacturers from all over the world coming up with their own keyboards, it’s easy to see why there is almost this cult-like following, especially when it comes to mechanical keyboards. So, if you want to truly level up your desk and your day-to-day tasks, then where is what you need to know about mechanical keyboards!

What is a Mechanical Keyboard?

When most people think of a mechanical keyboard, they imagine a device with a blue or black finish, clicky switches, and loud noises. This is a fair depiction of what these keyboards can do, but they are not the only options out there. Nowadays, with a large number of manufacturers out there, you can find a plethora of options and variety. A mechanical keyboard has a unique feel that is not the same as the low-cost membrane keyboard that comes with most computers. 

This difference is due to the switches that are under each key. These switches are spring-activated, and when you press a key, the stem on the key goes down, and two metal contacts touch to register a keystroke to your computer. The key switch style you choose will also have a profound impact on the sound your keys make when they are pressed and, in turn, how typing on the keyboard feels. Even within the realm of the most common type of key switch, there are vast amounts of variations in other factors, such as the material used for the case, switch profiles, and legend marking method. The options are almost endless for the enthusiast who wants to design or build their own mechanical keyboard.

Reasons Why You Should Get a Mechanical Keyboard

Nowadays, it seems like a lot of tech fads come and go, whether it’s those bright neon-colored lights that you’ll find on computers, rounded shapes, or that “futuristic” look that more tech has to go on. But in the end, one thing that has been proven to not be a fad at all would be the mechanical keyboard. For the last few years, there’s been a lot of hype surrounding it. You’ll find YouTubers, influencers, and bloggers talking about why they choose a mechanical keyboard, and this belief has still been sticking around, with more and more people swapping out their old keyboards for one. So, here are some solid reasons why you may want to invest in one. 

They’re More Ergonomic Than Traditional Keyboards

Many people spend eight hours or more a day typing on a keyboard, and it’s not uncommon to develop swollen tendons, arthritis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Thankfully, mechanical keyboards can help alleviate these problems. Whether you’re working or playing video games, the ease of a mechanical keyboard will help reduce the chance of getting finger, hand, and wrist issues. 

Can Handle Heavy Use

Most mechanical keyboards are rated for 30 to 70 million key presses, which is a lot more than the 5 to 10 million that common membrane keyboards can offer. Moreover, they hardly wear out or experience any issues after several years of heavy use. This makes them a better choice than the average rubber dome or scissor-switch keyboard. In addition, they are modular, allowing you to replace a single key or switch with ease.

Better Durability

Piggybacking off of heavy use, you’re going to find that these are quite durable too. If you have a job that’s typing intensive such as programming, data entry, or nearly any other profession, you’re probably typing away for hours upon hours on end daily. Mechanical keyboards are designed with ergonomics in mind and use superior-quality components that can withstand this kind of intense use. There’s resistance in these keyboards, which is meant to eliminate lag and allows you to type faster. But it’s not only about typing faster but ensuring that the keys or the mechanics, in general, don’t mess up like they tend to do with traditional keyboards. 

Pretty Affordable and High Quality

Technically, mechanical keyboards are more expensive than their traditional counterparts like membrane keyboards. However, they are higher quality and last longer, so in that sense, it does make them an affordable investment. A good mechanical keyboard is built from quality parts that can last a long time. Their durable materials and mechanisms make them more expensive than membrane keyboards. However, they can last longer and have a higher resale value. They also offer hot-swap switches, making it easy to replace the ones that wear out.

You Can Customize Them How You Want

One of the biggest reasons why people are head over heels in love with the mechanical keyboard would be for the fact that you can essentially customize it however you’d like. You’ll also find a wider range of layouts, including ergonomic designs that help prevent wrist strain. For example, some keyboards can be “tented” or otherwise angled to prevent your fingers from stretching unnaturally as you type.

There are all sorts of options for customization, from backlighting that helps you read your keys in low light to programmable keystrokes that can perform complex tasks with one press. Some even offer per-key RGB effects! Some of these, like the gaming mechanical keyboards, can have the option for neon lights, changing out the caps for something more aesthetic (almost like sticker keycaps), but even the colors can be changed. Generally speaking, it’s whatever you want. 

Able to Withstand Accidents

Nowadays, a lot of people eat and drink around their computer desks; it’s totally normal. However, accidents do happen. One of the biggest accidents is spillage on the keyboard, such as a liquid getting on it. As you know, with most traditional keyboards, you can start counting the days before the keyboard stops functioning altogether. But generally speaking, it’s not the same with mechanical keyboards; they’re able to handle accidents far better, and you can easily take everything apart to clean up too. 

Fairly Quiet

Some people hate that clicking sound that keyboards have, and it’s understandable. It’s not exactly the most pleasant sound around. This is especially apparent when having to be in an open workspace. There are usually more options for silencing mechanical keyboards, and there are some out there that entirely focus on being quiet too. Plus, there are plenty of options, such as the Krytox 105 Oil, which helps the springs, which indirectly helps with the noise of the keyboard itself. 

How to Take Care of a Mechanical Keyboard

One of the best parts about owning one of these would be the fact that it’s fairly easy to take care of. They’re fairly resilient to accidents, and they can have the potential to last years upon years on end as long as maintenance is good. Plus, when it comes to general maintenance, it’s not expensive or time-consuming either, and many actually find the maintenance process to be fairly relaxing too. So, here’s how you can expect to take care of a mechanical keyboard if you choose to get one.

Focus on the Keycaps and Switches

No matter what type of keyboard you own, you can feel confident knowing that gunk is going to get under the keys. It can be crumbs, dust, hair, or other debris, and it’s going to find its way into those nooks and crannies. Even with mechanical keyboards, if they’re not cleaned, it’s going to slow down the response time when clicking on a key. If your keys are looking a little grimy, first unplug the keyboard and use a can of compressed air to blow away any loose particles. 

You can also use a damp cloth or lens wipes for deeper cleaning. Avoid using harsh chemicals, however, as they can ruin the aesthetics of your keyboard and could damage its internal components. If you want to go a step further, remove the keycaps and place them in a bowl of warm water. Add a couple of denture tablets to help remove any oils. Just be sure to take a picture of what your keyboard looked like prior to removing the keys. 

Avoid Harsh Chemicals

While your keyboard is going to get dirty, you’re going to want to avoid cleaning chemicals like bleach on your keys. It’s going to have the potential to damage your keys and even the lettering on it. Typically mild soap is enough to clean keys if you’re putting them in a bowl of water. 

Have a Consistent Cleaning Routine

In general, you should just try to keep some sort of cleaning routine for your keyboard if you’re going to opt for a mechanical keyboard. These are an investment that can last for years on end, and having a monthly cleaning schedule will help ensure that it lasts a while.