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Best keyboard switch 2015

Posted: 14 Dec 2015, 21:35
by The Keyboard Oracle
The nominees in the category Best keyboard switch 2015 are:

Alps SKCL/SKCM switches • Introduced in the early 1980s, Alps SKCL/SKCM series switches, aka complicated Alps, are a design classic with a range from delicate, damped tactiles to succulent clicks; and an impenetrable vortex of no return for wiki writers the world over.

Gateron switchesGateron keyswitches are clones of Cherry MX keyswitches, and have a lot of buzz this year as the first worthy rival to the true Cherry. They have gained great popularity because of an innovation called "availability", that Cherry has struggled with, as well as a smoothness modern MX lacks.

IBM buckling springs • The famous, legendary, and downright notoriously loud IBM buckling spring is a mainstay of the mechanical keyboard realm. IBM made the king of click with an unusual design of switch where the spring buckles outwards instead of compressing. Buckling spring is at the heart of IBM's highly prized Model F and Model M families of keyboards.

Project Zealio switches • "Project Zealio" switches are a custom switch project by Zeal PC together with Gateron. The springs are gold-plate, the housings are fully transparent (not translucent), and you don't have to be <INSERT EXCLUSIVE CONTRACT COMPANY NAME HERE> to get them!

Topre switches • Love/hate: take your choice. There's no ignoring Topre. Topre switches power the "Only one Made in Japan electrostatic capacitive non-contact type keyboard in the world". They're either the most overpriced domes on Earth, or magic inside the greatest keyboards in the world today.

And the Wingnut for Best keyboard switch 2015, as voted for by the members of deskthority, goes to...
Spoiler:
Image

The famous, legendary, and downright notoriously loud IBM buckling spring is a mainstay of the mechanical keyboard realm. IBM made the king of click with an unusual design of switch where the spring buckles outwards instead of compressing. Buckling spring is at the heart of IBM's highly prized Model F and Model M families of keyboards.

Image
Buckling springs from a 1996 Greenock blue label IBM Model M, made in Scotland, from girders.

Posted: 14 Dec 2015, 21:35
by 7bit
YES!!!
:ugeek:

Posted: 14 Dec 2015, 21:36
by scottc
Of course. The eternal champ!

Posted: 14 Dec 2015, 21:36
by HzFaq
I really should try it one day :D.

Posted: 14 Dec 2015, 21:37
by DanielT
Buuuuuuu! It's boring ! Buuuuuuu!

Posted: 14 Dec 2015, 21:38
by ettasian
I expected no less. :)

Posted: 14 Dec 2015, 21:42
by webwit
It means the new switch maker kids on the block should try harder!

Posted: 14 Dec 2015, 21:46
by hypkx
webwit wrote: It means the new switch maker kids on the block should try harder!
Gateron-buckling spring, much smoother than everything you ever feeled :)

Posted: 14 Dec 2015, 21:46
by DanielT
webwit wrote: It means the new switch maker kids on the block should try harder!
That is true :lol: I was hoping for some Alps love this year :(

Posted: 14 Dec 2015, 21:51
by E3E
It's hard to beat IBM over here. There's so much love for IBMs. Really, it's pretty universally admired on every forum and facet of our community, but the love is concentrated over here on Deskthority.

Gah, okay... Maybe I'll pick up a Model M.

Better yet, an F... Oh but the ping! Ew. :(
DanielT wrote:
webwit wrote: It means the new switch maker kids on the block should try harder!
That is true :lol: I was hoping for some Alps love this year :(
Maybe we'll have a chance next year! We need some love for this charming Japanese switch. How dapper~

Posted: 15 Dec 2015, 01:30
by Chyros
Heheheh, it's funny. It goes to show just how good these are that such an old design with so little versatility can still win an award like this. A deserved win!

Posted: 15 Dec 2015, 10:43
by vsev
Loved linear NMB is back on his box by reading this ..