There was a time when computer keyboards were all expensive, heavy, and well-built.

If you grew up with computers, chances are you took for granted the way each key felt heavy and had a satisfying “click” whenever you typed. That’s all you knew. There really wasn’t any cheaper (and
cheap feeling) alternative to those robust keyboards. They also seemed to last forever.

They were known as Mechanical Keyboards, containing many more parts than today’s average,
inexpensive keyboard. Each key had an individual spring, rather than having all the keys share the same circuit.

This led to greater speed and accuracy when typing, and had satisfying tactile feedback.

In the mid to late 90’s PC’s started to become more and more affordable. Mechanical Keyboards were omitted
to keep costs down, and were substituted with a cheaper and lighter type. Dome Switch Keyboards, your average
cheap type of keyboard used nowadays, helped bring down the cost of buying a computer in a bundle, with everything you needed in one or two boxes, also including a monitor. Costs had to be cut somewhere to make it more affordable for the consumer, so why not start with the keyboard? These Dome Switch Keyboards are certainly cheaper but they are completely different to industrial keyboards. But at least with industrial keyboards you know that they will last a very long time, if you still aren’t sure about these difference then you could check out somewhere like CKS Holdings industrial keyboard
to give you a better idea of how these two different types of keyboards can vary.

The only advantages I can think of with using one of these standard, cheaper keyboards is of course, the price, but they also tend to be more spill proof, as the keys all sit atop a one or two piece plastic membrane. If you love having a coffee or tea with you at all times when using the computer, and have had more than a few mishaps with a knocked over mug on or near your keyboard, stick with these easily replaceable, garden variety models. You won’t scream as loud when it stops working because you spilled something on your desk, and knowing Murphy’s Law, that liquid somehow ends up on either the mouse and/or keyboard, your lap, and probably even the carpet below you! It won’t hurt as much having to shell out twenty or thirty dollars to replace it. My friend does this by using his best ultrabook for gaming and attaches an external keyboard.

On the other hand, if you want to be able to type faster, have more accuracy, and experience tactile feedback with your fingertips, and are not accident prone, maybe have a strict rule with the kids about not eating or drinking, or even sneezing when using the computer. Therefore you’ll need to practice what you preach, so you forgo quenching your thirst and/or hunger while typing, surfing the Web, or gaming, in case the kids catch you doing what you specifically told them not to do. Because children do call people on things like that!

But what if you have money to burn, or like to live dangerously and will risk getting moisture on your expensive peripheral because your drink is important to you? You deserve to have really nice things. You know a cheap keyboard can do the same job almost as good as a high end one, but sometimes it feels good to splurge, especially if it is something you will use often, this is why many people buy one of the best gaming keyboards, even if they don’t intend to use it for gaming! A Chevy Impala can get you to the same places that a BMW M5 can,  but they’re just not made the same way. (No offense to any of our readers that drive Chevy Impalas. They’ve come a long way and are quite decent). Sorry for the car analogy. I’ve always wanted to do one. Maybe I’ll save it for my future car blog.

Gamers have been enjoying the return of high-end mechanical keyboards for years now, and have made them popular again. When milliseconds mean the difference between winning and losing, and being teased mercilessly, their faster-responding keys come in handy. When the look and feel of a heavy, colorful, metallic, and sometimes fully back-lit keyboard is needed to go with their custom made computer tower, they shell out the extra money without batting an eye. But why would you need a more costly mechanical keyboard if you are not a gamer? Please refer to my car analogy above, and also take note that they’re not as noisy while typing, last 5 times as long, and just feel better than your standard, basic model. Don’t worry about the $200 price of admission. There are plenty of models ranging anywhere from $65 up to $265. Here’s some examples
below:

Entry Level: 

Mechanical Keyboard – Lolita Spyder 87 [Kailh Brown Switch]“>The Noppoo Lolita Spyder 87 [Kailh Brown Switch]

 

Now is one I enjoyed trying out, it is faster than the entry level, but it’s still a bit slow especially if you are a gamer. Das Keyboard Model S Ultimate Clicky Mechanical Keyboard is a much better bet.

This high-end model works with both PC and Mac:

Kinesis KB600 Advantage2 USB Contoured Keyboard  is a nice value bundle and one which I do recommend for users, I bought this one- which is more than $200 but it comes with some extras the other two do not have.  The typing is much easier to use than the rest of them, and it is a faster model perfect for the gamers and the YouTubers where is time dependant.