What is a Mechanical Keyboard and What is the Difference in the Membrane?

Do you know the difference between a mechanical keyboard and a membrane keyboard? The former are becoming increasingly popular even among non-computer gamers due to some advantages over traditional games. However, the best membrane quality can still meet certain user profiles.

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In this comparison, you will learn the differences between a mechanical keyboard and a membrane keyboard, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each.

The Membrane Keyboard

Membrane keyboards are the most common. The pressure of the keys is done through a three-layer membrane, made of silicone and rubber, which is between the printed circuit board and the keys, responsible for sending the commands of the user.

By pressing a button, the layers are pressed, which touch each other and close the circuit sending the command to the board, and this to the computer.

The advantage of the membrane keyboard format is obviously the price: a good, reasonably well-built membrane keyboard can cost less than €200, not including the basics for ordinary users; These accessories meet the needs of most consumers, and other less demanding profiles.

On the other hand, the silicone mat is responsible for the so-called ghosting effect, which is why those who play PC games shy away from it. Keyboards: Since a single membrane is responsible for conducting all the keys, these keyboard peripherals do not recognize many commands in a short time, much like the default procedure in strategy games or furniture. So he wrote that even in cases where the user does not play the game, he is very error-prone.

What is a Mechanical Keyboard

Mechanical keyboards are preferred by the PC Gamer community, and are also highly sought after by other user profiles, such as writers. They are more durable and much less prone to errors, thanks to the individual activation of each of the keys.

This happens because each key has a switch, a mechanism that controls touch and contact with the circuit board through a spring. There is more than one type of switch, spring resistance to click varies: some are softer, while others are harder. There are also silent switches, while others make noise when clicked.

There are a number of switch manufacturers, among which the German Cherry has become a benchmark in the category: the Cherry MX line has various models, separated by colors, separated by colors. Between becoming more resistant, silent or noisy.

Cherry switches

Benefits include faster response to commands, higher tactile response, depending on the switch pattern, immunity to ghosting, since each unit is controlled by an independent switch and contact, and high durability, since the switches can be purchased and replaced by the user in most cases. Some manufacturers, like Razer, use proprietary switches.

Among the disadvantages are the difficulty of choosing which type of switch is the most suitable and the price: a high-end mechanical keyboard can cost more than r. $1,000.

Which is Better: Mechanical or Membrane Keyboard?

it depends on the use case. For an ordinary user, who doesn’t type or game much on the PC, a mechanical keyboard can be a waste of money, and even the simplest membrane models can meet their basic needs.

For a gamer, OR someone who produces content for the Internet, who does a lot of typing, a mechanical keyboard may be a better option, both for command response speed and for minimizing errors. Ultimately, it is up to the user to decide on any keyboard and how much they are willing to pay for it.