Can a semi-mechanical keyboard be turned into full mechanical?

Milliardo · 22 Jun 2016, 17:47

Well, I am new here on the forum. I am wondering: can a semi-mechanical keyboard be turned into a full mechanical keyboard? I am not certain what exactly a semi-mechanical keyboard has inside but from what I understand they do have switches in them but then the circuit board used is sort of like a rubber or some other material, or there might be rubber domes beneath each switch. So anyway, has anyone ever attempted to convert one to be a full mechanical keyboard? Sorry if this has been asked before, since I didn't even bother to search for a topic like this.

HuBandiT · 22 Jun 2016, 17:50

Can you clarify what kind of a keyboard you are referring to? Brand? Model number? Photo(s)?

Chyros · 22 Jun 2016, 17:52

It really depends on the type of switch, but I really wouldn't put so much importance on the term "mechanical". There isn't even a definition of "mechanical" anyway

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seebart · 22 Jun 2016, 18:08

Chyros wrote: There isn't even a definition of "mechanical" anyway .

That's a really good point, whereas something like this is actually (more) mechanical:

: ENidIBMselectricOriginalModelsmall.jpg (247.73 KiB) Viewed 3580 times

fohat · 22 Jun 2016, 18:32

And. of course, it can be argued that IBM M/Fs are *not* mechanical anyway!

However, keyboard modification is a "labor of love" and if your time has any value above minimum wage, you would be well advised to simply buy the sort of keyboard that you want. Great vintage keyboards can be found on the cheap (the harder you look, the cheaper they can be), and there are brand new keyboards for <$100.

Milliardo · 22 Jun 2016, 18:34

HuBandiT wrote: Can you clarify what kind of a keyboard you are referring to? Brand? Model number? Photo(s)?

Well, here is a sample of one: http://www.dragonwar.jp/product-detail.php?id=31 I don't know if it's quite clear, but as can be seen on the keyboard description and the box that it is "semi-mechanical." The box even illustrates the switch, which seems to look like some sort of Cherry MX knock off (can't tell much from the pic though).

Chyros · 22 Jun 2016, 18:38

The first picture has what looks like a Kaihua switch in it, which is mechanical by pretty much anyone's definition. Don't know what's so "semi" about them Oo .

Milliardo · 22 Jun 2016, 18:39

Chyros wrote: The first picture has what looks like a Kaihua switch in it, which is mechanical by pretty much anyone's definition. Don't know what's so "semi" about them Oo .

To be honest I don't exactly know either, but i think that as far as I know there are also rubber domes beneath the switches, so in that sense they're like a hybrid keyboard.

beltet · 22 Jun 2016, 23:38

Milliardo wrote:
Chyros wrote: The first picture has what looks like a Kaihua switch in it, which is mechanical by pretty much anyone's definition. Don't know what's so "semi" about them Oo .
To be honest I don't exactly know either, but i think that as far as I know there are also rubber domes beneath the switches, so in that sense they're like a hybrid keyboard.

I think they mean that not all keys use that kaihua switch. Just like corsair(not 100% sure it was corsair) did with a few keyboards few years ago.

Findecanor · 23 Jun 2016, 20:10

"Semi-mechanical" when used as a marketing term is usually what we would otherwise call "rubber dome with slider".
The usage has popped up quite recently for gaming keyboards as a reaction to the resurgence of mechanical keyboards. I would guess that that is what it means in this case, but I can't be sure unless someone takes it apart and looks.

I felt the need to add "Semi-mechanical keyboard" to the Wiki to make it easier for confused consumers.