The Mechanical Keyboard Phenomenon
Typing shouldn’t hurt. It should feel good. And it should be fun. That’s what I realized back in 2016 when I started questioning the standard-issue Apple keyboard I was using with my MacBook Pro at work and the cheap Microsoft keyboard hooked up to my PC at home. I began paying closer attention to the keyboards I saw around me, and that’s when I fell into the wonderful world of mechanical keyboards.
These keyboards are quite different from the common rubber-dome models often found in laptops. Under each keycap of a mechanical keyboard lies a physical switch that goes up and down, rather than the squishy membrane found in regular keyboards. This allows for faster and more comfortable typing, as the keys can be triggered even before being pushed all the way down. It didn’t take long for me to become obsessed.
I started following discussions about keyboards on Reddit, learning about various models and individual components on specialized websites like Deskthority and Geekhack, and watching reviews on YouTube. [1] I kept an eye out for new releases on Drop, a commerce site with a dedicated keyboards section. After months of research, I wound up buying keyboards from various brands, but none of them quite felt right. So I decided to take the next logical step and assemble my own custom keyboard.
Crafting the Perfect Keyboard
I knew I wanted a wood case and the types of switches I preferred – clones of tactile Alps switches that emit a delightful clop-clip sound, just like the ones on Apple’s high-quality keyboards from the ’80s and ’90s. [2] From there, I was able to find compatible keycaps, a printed circuit board, and a plate to sit below the switches. I also picked up a custom USB cable, some lube to make the switches move more smoothly, and a soldering iron to put it all together.
In total, I’ve spent over $750 on the parts and equipment for my homemade keyboard. And I’m still not done – I’m eagerly awaiting the arrival of the custom wooden case in the mail. Meanwhile, I’ve started accumulating parts for a new Windows keyboard as well. The soldering iron has come in handy too, like when the A key on my main work keyboard stopped working. I was able to replace the switch myself after some practice on an old alarm clock.
The freedom to easily customize every aspect of my keyboard is what really drew me in. And I’m not alone in this obsession. The mechanical keyboard community is thriving, with enthusiasts like myself spending countless hours and dollars to create the perfect typing experience. [3]
A Keyboard Collector’s Haven
Take Marcin Wichary, a designer at Figma, for example. He got curious about keyboards in 2014 after seeing the typewriters around Medium’s headquarters, and now has a collection of over 30 keyboards and four typewriters. But it’s not because he wants to type on them – he still uses standard-issue Apple keyboards. Rather, Wichary finds keyboards to be an intellectual and emotional pursuit, with each one having an interesting story behind it. [4]
Cal Henderson, the co-founder and CTO of Slack, is more concerned with sound and feel. He’s amassed 30 to 40 keyboards, which he keeps in a cupboard in his home office. Henderson prefers keyboards with clicky, tactile keys that require more force to press down. “I buy high-quality keyboards so they can stand up to that kind of punishment,” he says. [5]
Even Microsoft’s CTO, Kevin Scott, has a thing for keyboards. When he was a PhD student, he started having wrist problems from all the programming and writing he was doing, and his advisor suggested he try a Kinesis Advantage keyboard. Scott has sworn by the Kinesis for over two decades, and even has a stockpile of backups in case the company goes out of business. [6]
The Rise of Custom Keyboards
The mechanical keyboard craze has also given rise to a growing number of entrepreneurs and startups trying to disrupt the industry. One such company is Keyboardio, founded by former Microsoft program manager Jesse Vincent and his wife Kaia Dekker. In 2012, Vincent set out to create a more approachable ergonomic keyboard after he couldn’t get used to the bowls on the Kinesis Advantage.
Vincent and Dekker’s Keyboardio Model 01 keyboard, which raised over $650,000 on Kickstarter in 2015, is flatter and more portable than the Kinesis, with a symmetrical wood-clad design that can be separated for more comfortable use. [7] They now have more than 50 keyboards between them, blurring the line between business and personal passion.
Another company making waves in the mechanical keyboard world is Input Club, co-founded by Jacob Alexander. Alexander is known in the community as “Haata”, a legend both online and offline. Input Club’s keyboards, like the K-Type, feature custom switches, open-source firmware, and a host of other enthusiast-friendly features that set them apart from mass-market offerings. [8]
The Future of Typing
The mechanical keyboard community’s passion for innovation and customization shows no signs of slowing down. As more people discover the joys of a satisfying typing experience, the market is expected to grow to over $1.3 billion by 2023. [9] While it may never reach the mainstream appeal of regular keyboards, the niche but dedicated following ensures that mechanical keyboards will continue to evolve and push the boundaries of what’s possible.
For me, it’s not just about the hardware – it’s about the thrill of the hunt, the satisfaction of building something myself, and the joy of finding the perfect typing experience. Every click and clack is a little triumph, a testament to the power of pursuing your passions, no matter how niche they may seem. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll open my own keyboard store and share the mechanical keyboard love with the world.
References:
[1] Gizmodo. (2017). Key Crazy: Inside the Wonderful World of Keyboard Fanaticism. https://gizmodo.com/key-crazy-inside-the-wonderful-world-of-keyboard-fanat-1794380835
[2] Reddit. (2017). r/MechanicalKeyboards – Decided to join in on the craze, my first. https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/779ta1/decided_to_join_in_on_the_craze_my_first/
[3] Reddit. (2018). r/misophonia – The Mechanical Keyboard Craze. https://www.reddit.com/r/misophonia/comments/10biver/the_mechanical_keyboard_craze/
[4] CNBC. (2020). Why mechanical keyboards are becoming more popular among techies. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/12/why-mechanical-keyboards-are-becoming-more-popular-among-techies.html
[5] Microsoft Answers. (2016). My keyboard goes crazy for some reason. https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/my-keyboard-goes-crazy-for-some-reason/b71de560-e794-4ecf-830a-af75ef574426
[6] Mercury News. (2024). Click-clack craze: San Jose’s mechanical keyboard shop will have you throwing out your bland computer parts. https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/02/02/click-clack-craze-san-joses-mechanical-keyboard-shop-will-have-you-throwing-out-your-bland-computer-parts/
[7] Linus Tech Tips. (2018). What stabilizers do I need for a 60% keyboard? https://linustechtips.com/topic/748649-what-stabilizers-do-i-need-for-a-60-keyboard/
[8] Market Research Future. (2019). Mechanical Keyboard Market Research Report – Forecast to 2023. https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/mechanical-keyboard-market-6531
[9] Infinikey. (2020). The Mechanical Keyboard Craze Explained. https://infinikey.xyz/blog/the-mechancial-keyboard-craze-explained
