Tips on first Mechanical Keyboard

[Pitusky]

Hello, I am new at Deskthority and I am having some trouble deciding which keyboard to buy since it will be my first mechanical keyboard.I like the click-clack feeling of the keys and the nostalgia of having that type of mechanical keyboard, I will mostly use it for day to day browsing and for gaming (Minecraft, Elder Scrolls Online, Simcity, and WoW)

The keyboards I am trying to decide between are:

- Matias Tactile Pro 4 (White Alps Mechanical Switch $149.95 with shipping )
- Das Keyboard 4 (Cherry MX Blue/Brown Mechanical Switch $169.00 with shipping)

I have some questions about both keyboards:

-Which one is better for what I will be doing?
-Which one has a louder click-clack noise and nostalgic feeling?
-Which one is better overall?
-Can you customize each key function on DasKeyboard and Matias Tactile Pro?
What is the difference between the white Alps and Cherry MX Blue?
Which one should I buy?

Thank you very much and please reply

[Daniel Beardsmore]

Is my nostalgia the same as yours?

My first computer had an AWC-made keyboard with Futaba simplified linear switches. Those switches have a bizarre property where bottoming out is virtually silent, but the switch makes a loud sound on return. The end result is that the keyboard sounds "lagged" — you hear a noise a fraction of a second after every keystroke.

I have no idea what I made of that back in the early 90s, but now it's plain annoying (I still have the same type of computer).

If this is your first mechanical keyboard, what are you seeking to be nostalgic over?

As to your other questions — neither of those keyboards is programmable. The Matias Tactile Pro 4 should sound a lot louder, and the click sound should be a lot more satisfying, but I've yet to use Matias click switches in person. Honestly, I'm tending to think that non-click Alps switches sound better, something like this:

Alps switches have a deeper sound than Cherry switches, and since Matias don't sell a comparable switch (undamped linear or tactile) you won't get that sound from anything on the market that I know of. (Not even a linear Alps clone Ducky, as those got discontinued.)

I got used to the sound of Cherry MX Blue in the end, but nothing beats non-click Alps for that nice deep sound.

[wiki]Alps SKCL/SKCM series[/wiki], [wiki]Alps SKBL/SKBM series[/wiki] and most [wiki]Alps clone[/wiki] switches differ from [wiki]Cherry MX[/wiki] switches in many ways. One being that Alps switches went for "positive pressure": the contacts are forced together under pressure; [wiki]Omron B3G-S series[/wiki] and most clones are built the same way. Most other metal contact switch designs allow the contacts to close under their own power, which may provide for longer switch lifetime. The internals of Alps SKBL/SKBM and the [wiki]Matias switch[/wiki] series (which are very similar) and Cherry MX switches are very different inside and they also feel very different.

[Pitusky]

Is my nostalgia the same as yours?

My first computer had an AWC-made keyboard with Futaba simplified linear switches. Those switches have a bizarre property where bottoming out is virtually silent, but the switch makes a loud sound on return. The end result is that the keyboard sounds "lagged" — you hear a noise a fraction of a second after every keystroke.

I have no idea what I made of that back in the early 90s, but now it's plain annoying (I still have the same type of computer).

If this is your first mechanical keyboard, what are you seeking to be nostalgic over?

As to your other questions — neither of those keyboards is programmable. The Matias Tactile Pro 4 should sound a lot louder, and the click sound should be a lot more satisfying, but I've yet to use Matias click switches in person. Honestly, I'm tending to think that non-click Alps switches sound better, something like this:

Alps switches have a deeper sound than Cherry switches, and since Matias don't sell a comparable switch (undamped linear or tactile) you won't get that sound from anything on the market that I know of. (Not even a linear Alps clone Ducky, as those got discontinued.)

I got used to the sound of Cherry MX Blue in the end, but nothing beats non-click Alps for that nice deep sound.

[wiki]Alps SKCL/SKCM series[/wiki], [wiki]Alps SKBL/SKBM series[/wiki] and most [wiki]Alps clone[/wiki] switches differ from [wiki]Cherry MX[/wiki] switches in many ways. One being that Alps switches went for "positive pressure": the contacts are forced together under pressure; [wiki]Omron B3G-S series[/wiki] and most clones are built the same way. Most other metal contact switch designs allow the contacts to close under their own power, which may provide for longer switch lifetime. The internals of Alps SKBL/SKBM and the [wiki]Matias switch[/wiki] series (which are very similar) and Cherry MX switches are very different inside and they also feel very different.

Thanks for answering I have some other questions about the keyboard sounds and the white alps in the Matias Tactile Pro 4: What is the difference between the original Apple Keyboard sounds and the Matias Tactile Pro 4? What do you mean with non-click Alps? Do you mean the ones used in the Matias Tactile Pro 4? How long does the Matias Tactile Pro 4 last compared to the original old Apple keyboard and is it comparable to the white alps in terms of build quality? If so,how?

Thanks

[Daniel Beardsmore]

How long will a Tactile Pro 4 last? I will need a crystal ball for that one. I've yet to hear of any breaking though — they seem to be solid and reliable, and I don't hear build quality complaints about Das either. Das used to use laser infill legends (carve a hole with laser and stuff white spooge in) and that would crack up and drop out the key. Matias use plastic discolouration: the laser turns the keycap surface white, which will stain with use. The advantage of Das is that you can buy replacement keycaps (i.e. double-shot moulded), including some fantastic deals from Tai-Hao if you catch one of the group buys; replacement Alps keycaps are scarce, so you'll have a lot more trouble replacing them, especially as Matias use a non-standard layout. You can't even get a set of blank keycaps for a Matias, as blanks are a cheap alternative to permanent legends: blank keys don't have legends to wear off!

A clicky switch is one that makes a sound at or approximately at the point where the keystroke registers. Typically this is when you've pressed it half-way down. You will hear two sounds when striking a key: a click, when the key registers, and then a clack when the slider hits the bottom (and then a third, quieter clack when you let go of the key). With Alps and Alps clone switches, this works very well, but Cherry MX blue has a very plasticky, rattly click that gives the switch a rather odd sound. I've got used to it, but it's not an elegant sound. If you want a proper sound, then I'm afraid it's going to be IBM Model M for you, either an original if you don't mind the twang, or a Unicomp if you prefer its clean, dry sound. IBM keyboards are the ultimate in clicky, followed by blue Alps.

I'm concerned that the Tactile Pro 4 still has the rattle and ping of the Tactile Pro 3 — recordings of them are too similar to me, and the Tactile Pro 3 was a bit raucous and cheap and plasticky sounding. I use PCs, so I'm still waiting for the Tactile Pro 4 for PC to be released in Europe, and then I'll finally buy one and give it a whirl — I only have the Quiet Pro at the moment, and you don't want that one as it is, well, very quiet.

Non-click switches (e.g. Cherry MX Brown) don't click, so you only hear the sound when the switch comes to a stop (in both directions: when pressed and when released). A good non-click switch (e.g. Alps) is just as loud as a clicky Cherry switch and sounds better.

[Dubsgalore]

I just want to say I started out on a DAS (3 I think) with MX browns about over a year ago now. It was a really nice board for me in the beginning and I think the 4 would serve you well. I haven't tried the Matias board but I can say that DAS definitely pumps out a really nice board. I'm happy I chose DAS as well because the keycaps I ordered were blanks. That means I painfully learned how to touch type and I'm so grateful for it.

I think either will be fine for what you want to do with the keyboard. If you miss the 'old' click and clack of older boards, then possibly blues would be a good choice for you..I chose browns and I'm happy that I did even thought right now I currently dislike modern browns.

let me know what you decide on picking!