Difference with a HYBRID MECHANICAL keyboard.

shak100a · 26 Oct 2018, 09:53

Hi

Does anybody know what is the difference between a hybrid mechanical keyboard and full blown mechanical keyboard.

The prices seem very high on mechanical keyboards but can get the 1stplayer hybrid keyboard for around £20

https://www.novatech.co.uk/products/1st ... n=products

https://madoffers.co.uk/products/fire-d ... k-7-colour

stratokaster · 26 Oct 2018, 10:37

The description mentions that only WASD and arrow keys have swappable keycaps. I suspect only those keys are mechanical on this keyboard, the rest are probably rubber domes.

kbdfr · 26 Oct 2018, 10:43

Another keyboard crossed our desk […] but this time, things are a bit different inside. Where the […] were all mechanical switch-based products, and the […] was based on rubber dome switches, as we look at this latest keyboard, we find that this time around they are offering a keyboard that is opting to use hybrid mechanical switches. This means that […] has moved to something along the lines of the […] hybrid switches […]

Those who aren't familiar with […] what constitutes a hybrid switch on any level, let us try to get you up to speed here. Essentially the internals of these keyboards is based on rubber dome switches and a plastic contact pad that registers each keystroke. What makes these switches hybrid is the fact that above the rubber dome, there is a plunger between the keycap and the rubber dome switch. This type of switch tends to offer a mechanical switch feel, but without the click and clack associated with most of them. At the same time, hybrid switches have a feel all of their own, unlike any mechanical switch we have been able to test so far. […]

https://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/7548/ ... index.html

stratokaster · 26 Oct 2018, 10:50

Ah, so those are simply domes with sliders.

shak100a · 26 Oct 2018, 11:28

thank you for the information also were the old dell keyboards mechanical because they were really heavy and had the feel to them.

Thanks

stratokaster · 26 Oct 2018, 11:34

shak100a wrote: thank you for the information also were the old dell keyboards mechanical because they were really heavy and had the feel to them.

Yes, some of them were mechanical: wiki/Dell_AT101

This was my first mechanical keyboard, and while its later versions (with Alps SKCM Black switches) are not very highly regarded, they're still a lot better than anything with Cherry MX Brown inside

Muirium · 26 Oct 2018, 14:23

HYBRID MECHANICAL is as mechanical as the DDR was democratic! Gotta love a bit of brazen branding.

Darkshado · 28 Oct 2018, 04:36

LTT has a video about one of those "mem-chanical" boards... the review is not good:

Elrick · 28 Oct 2018, 05:52

stratokaster wrote: Ah, so those are simply domes with sliders.

SOME people actually love domes with sliders (certain models)

.

abrahamstechnology · 29 Oct 2018, 11:17

The Model M is technically a "hybrid mechanical"

Findecanor · 29 Oct 2018, 13:43

I would personally not call buckling-spring-on-membrane a "hybrid". "Semi-mechanical" maybe.
The bottom of the mechanism flips the foot which presses downwards. The membrane is just the press sensor.
A "hybrid" is a combination of two things that are not considered to belong together, not just a combination of two parts.

If the Model M had used the flippers of the Model F, perhaps with a nub of some kind as adapter, then it would have been a hybrid. But the Model M's feet were specifically designed to press down a membrane. Hence, not a hybrid.

abrahamstechnology · 29 Oct 2018, 13:47

Findecanor wrote: I would personally not call buckling-spring-on-membrane a "hybrid". "Semi-mechanical" maybe.
The bottom of the mechanism flips the foot which presses downwards. The membrane is just the press sensor.
A "hybrid" is a combination of two things that are not considered to belong together, not just a combination of two parts.

If the Model M had used the flippers of the Model F, perhaps with a nub of some kind as adapter, then it would have been a hybrid. But the Model M's feet were specifically designed to press down a membrane. Hence, not a hybrid.

But the aforementioned Cooler Master board is a spring-over-membrane with a Space Invaders-like clicker.

Findecanor · 29 Oct 2018, 13:51

abrahamstechnology wrote: But the aforementioned Cooler Master board is a spring-over-membrane with a Space Invaders-like clicker.

Yes, but that's them doing it.

abrahamstechnology · 29 Oct 2018, 13:54

Findecanor wrote:
abrahamstechnology wrote: But the aforementioned Cooler Master board is a spring-over-membrane with a Space Invaders-like clicker.
Yes, but that's them doing it.

I guess they should just stick to CPU coolers and fans then, lol.

vometia · 30 Oct 2018, 04:29

shak100a wrote: thank you for the information also were the old dell keyboards mechanical because they were really heavy and had the feel to them.

The first Model M keyboard I used (and first keyboard I really liked) had a Dell badge on it. I guess it was probably actually manufactured by Lexmark, though not entirely sure: this would've been '97-ish.