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10 Mechanical Keyboard Tips For People That Type A Lot

A quality keyboard is essential for a person that types a lot. Here are ten mechanical keyboard tips to improve your typing experience.

1. You will need to get used to the switches. The three main switch types are linear, tactile and clicky switches. 2. Actuation force is the other important factor that determines how easy it is to press a switch. 3. If you want a compact keyboard, go with a TKL board. 4. Consider your workplace. If you work alone, a keyboard with clicky switches is a good option. 5. A good quality wrist rest will help improve your posture. 6. Thicker profile keycaps are a good option.

These 6 tips should help you on your mechanical keyboard journey.

7. Consider a split or ergonomic layout. Many people report that this layout style relieved stress in their shoulders and arms. It may take a couple weeks to fully adjust to this style.

8. Look for keyboards with hot-swappable sockets. These allow for easier switch replacement. If you buy a keyboard and the switches are not to your liking, you can simply change them.

9. Try to keep your keyboard free of debris. A buildup of dirt and crumbs can eventually impede the functionality of your keyboard.

10. Consider modifying your keyboard. Some mechanical keyboards allow you to change the functionality of keys to be more convenient for you.

Note that the advice in this document is mostly geared toward helping you find switches and boards that you may like. Once you've purchased a solid, mechanical keyboard, you can begin to modify to your heart's content and truly hone in on the layout and switches that you prefer!

10 Tips for Mechanical Keyboards for Typists

Focus on switches. This is the heart of the mechanical keyboard. Try out as many as you can. Reds are linear (no bump) and quiet. Browns are tactile (there’s a bump as they’re pressed) and Blues are clicky (they make a distinctive noise similar to a miniature typewriter). If you’re going to be typing all day, find out what feels best for you.

Consider the weight of the switches. If you’re finding yourself with tired fingers by the end of the day, look into switches with a lighter actuation force. On the flip side, if you’re finding yourself mistyping a lot, a heavier actuation force may be the answer.

Do you need a number pad? Full-size boards will have number pads, but you could save some desktop real estate with a TKL (tenkeyless) or a 75% board. Bringing your mouse closer to your body may help with your typing posture (assuming that you don’t deal with numbers much).

Try an ergonomic board. They’ll take a couple of weeks to get used to, but the split design lets your shoulders relax in a more natural position.

Get a wrist rest. Keeping the wrist in a more natural position will make a huge difference in comfortability when typing for long durations.

Don’t annoy your coworkers. If you’re in an office, clicky switches are likely going to rub some of them the wrong way. Consider quieter switches or mods like O-rings or foam.

Invest in PBT keycaps. ABS caps wear out much quicker than PBT, but PBT have a nice, textured feel to them and don’t get shiny. Low-profile caps may help with the transition if you’re coming from typing on a laptop.

Get a board with hot-swappable switches. This way, if you don’t like the switches, you can change them out without having to do any soldering.

Clean your keyboard. Pull the caps off every couple of months and get rid of all of that dust and food that has collected underneath.

Make the board yours. Learn how to reprogram the board to suit your needs. Make good use of any unused keys by remapping them to whatever is useful to you (copy and paste macros never disappoint).

Final Thoughts

Start with a good, inexpensive board and work from there. There’s lots of arguments on forums about what’s the best setup for typing, but in the end, the best mechanical keyboard for typing is going to be whatever works best for you.

If you spend hours and hours tapping away on a keyboard, it really does become your co-worker. Here are 10 tips to finding and getting the most out of your mechanical keyboard.

1. Know thy switches: Linear switches (Reds), Tactile switches (Browns) and Clicky (Blues). Practice makes perfect so don't be afraid to try out some different switches!

2. Actuation force: This refers to how much pressure needs to be applied to register a key press. The lower the weight or pressure needed, the less fatgued your fingers will be after 8 hour of working.

3. Choose your size wisely: If you have a full size board, you're using that number pad for a reason, right? Tenkeyless and 75% boards are perfect if you want to save your desk space. If you're not using your number keys much, you could be doing your back a favor as well by having a more compact keyboard.

4. Know your office environment: Clicky switches can be quite the annoyance depending on where you work. Unless you're in your own office with soundproof walls, consider buying a keyboard that doesn't require a lot of clacking around.

5. Wrist rests are your friends: Ergonomics has been proven to improve comfort and reduce muscular strain so keep that in mind when buying your keyboard.

6. The shape and materials of your keycaps matter too: PBT keycaps tend to feel nicer and are less likely to get shiny, while ABS keycaps are slippery and cheap feeling. Low profile keycaps are the new high profile keycaps. If you're used to a laptop, they might feel nicer. Just remember that profile changes what your fingers feel.

7. Get split: They're really not that weird. Split keyboards let your shoulders rest more comfortably. It might take a couple weeks to get used to, but your back will thank you.

8. Hot swap sockets: They're the future. With hot swap boards, you can simply remove switches to replace them, instead of needing to rework the whole board. This means you can have more fun with switches and not worry about spending hundreds of dollars on a board you only like for a few weeks.

9. Clean it regularly: crumbs, dust, mystery gunk. Whatever you call them, whatever you think they are, they get trapped in your keyboard. I personally take off my keycaps every few months and clean the inside of the keycaps and your PCB.

10. Customize Thy Layout: Program your most used keys. Make custom macros. Remap your win key. Whatever it is, don't be afraid to do it!

## Final Tips

Your ideal mechanical keyboard depends on how and for what you'll use it. It's easy to get sucked in by the online discourse about certain switches, brands, or PCBs, but it's best to just start with a budget-friendly 100% backlit keyboard, discover your preferences, and move from there. With a mechanical keyboard, you'll find more reasons to type than ever before!