Keyboard

Introduction

One of the main forms of user interface. You probably used one just now to get here!

Keyboards are a staple of any build and are often considered as a secondary peripheral not worth the hard-earned cash. This is not so. Keyboards sit between you and your computer; like any normal member of this society, you spend a significant amount of time at your keyboard. It only makes sense to make sure that you are typing on the most efficient, comfortable, and durable piece of equipment you can get your hands on as it will likely outlast any single build you own.

Mechanical Keyboards

Form factor

Keyboards come in a variety of form factors, choose the one that's right for your needs.

Full-size

104 keys. Has everything on it but is often much too large for most people's personal uses.

TKL

87 keys. A more reasonable form factor that removes the number pad cluster on the right hand side.

60%

61 keys. Removes the function, arrow, and navigational key clusters. Most suitable for those looking for a more portable board without too many compromises.

40%

47/48 keys. Most of the boards you'll find here are community-made (although the Vortex Core is a notable exception).

Switches

Switches are the individual keys in a mechanical keyboard. They are individually packaged, making repairs straightforward if one stops working. All you need to swap switches out is a bit of soldering equipment (unless you have a hot-swappable pcb) and finesse. So who makes these switches?

Cherry

By far and away the most popular switch used by mechanical keyboard manufacturers, they are well known for their 50 million keystroke durability coming in a variety of flavours to suit most needs.

Resources

/r/mechanicalkeyboards, Geekhack, and Deskthority are all great places to get started on these mechanical beasts.

Other Keyboards

>rubre

>buckling springs

>hall effect