5 Reasons Why People Hate Mechanical Keyboard Enthusiasts

You may know by now that I love mechanical keyboards. From the typing feel and look to the level of customization, I've talked about everything that makes mechanical keyboards great. If you are a fellow enthusiast, you will completely agree with me. On the other hand, if you are a relatively rational person, you will probably feel upset or angry.

Those who aren't bitten by the mechanical keyboard bug apparently harbor a not-so-secret grudge against users like us. You see us praising mechanical keyboards in the hopes of turning as many newbies as possible into like-minded hobbyists and fanatics. Whether the hate is unwarranted or not, there are many reasons why mechanical keyboard lovers have angered everyone else, and I discuss them openly here.

5 You see us selling complicated and expensive keyboards

We do that, but not always

One of the biggest misconceptions people have about mechanical keyboards is that they are all overly complicated and cost an arm and a leg. That's not true, but often the noise surrounding expensive models is loudest, leading outsiders to think that's all. Experienced users may enjoy building their own mechanical keyboards and often want to show and share that love in annoying ways.

That doesn't mean a newbie has to go through the seemingly complicated rite of passage of building a custom keyboard. Pre-built keyboards are truly amazing these days and many of them cost as little as $70 to $80. Given the features of affordable mechanical keyboards, you may find it hard to justify spending more than $100 on your first mechanical keyboard.

They often use first-class materials, have high-quality workmanship and sound downright great out of the box. You don't do that have to “modify” your new keyboard to make it work well. So next time you see a keyboard nerd swearing by their custom-built keyboard, remember that your first mechanical keyboard can be a pre-built model. Once you've used several models, you'll know exactly which type you prefer, and you might even want to build your own one day.

4 Most people don't care about customizing their keyboard

A lot of conversations revolve around that

Well, it's true – even though many users are happy with their pre-built keyboards, customization is always on their mind. Whether it's swapping out the keycaps for a matcha green, pastel, or side-printed legend set, or installing other switches, many of us are keeping our online shopping carts and wish lists full. Some users go one step further and disassemble their keyboards to attach additional tape, foam, weights, or sand.

It's easy to see why this can overwhelm or even annoy newbies. If you're simply looking for a simple, easy-to-use mechanical keyboard that just works, you probably won't be looking for features like hot-swappable switches or adjustable actuation points. Lubricating switches and stabilizers to make them less “scratchy” would probably be the last thing on your mind.

However, remember (again) that many of these customization enthusiasts are probably deep into the hobby and are now exploring fun new ways to keep things fresh. As a first-time mechanical keyboard user, feel free to ignore the aspects of the hobby that you don't like and enjoy your new pre-built mechanical keyboard for as long as you like.

3 You can see that we pay more for less keyboard

Seeing half of the keyboard missing can be a horrifying sight

I can understand this objection more than the other objections. After all, I had never used mechanical keyboards before I bought my first one about three years ago. I had a full-size membrane keyboard and never thought, “It would be great if 30% of my keys were lost.” From the outside looking in, it feels like mechanical keyboard lovers are advocating more for what is essentially a stripped down one to pay for the keyboard – and that confuses them.

As a newbie, it can be difficult to be okay with fewer keys, forced keyboard shortcuts for simple tasks, unnecessary software to remap keys, and in the worst case, multiple “layers” in the name of productivity. It can feel like you're willingly taking away functionality AND paying more for the privilege. Personally, I'm somewhere in the middle and believe the 65 percent layout is the limit for a compact yet functional keyboard.

Of course, others would disagree and argue that a 40% or 100% keyboard (depending on your preference) is the only way to go. That's the thing with mechanical keyboards, though. There is something for everyone, and if you don't like the idea of ​​compact keyboards, you can always go for full-sized or even mechanical TKL keyboards.

2 They think that all mechanical devices are damn loud

It couldn't be further from the truth

Yes, mechanical keyboards still have a reputation for being annoyingly loud. While many models are actually quite loud – many users prefer them that way – this is not a fundamental characteristic of a mechanical keyboard. The sound of a keyboard depends on various factors such as: B. the switch type, the housing material, the mounting type, the inner foam, the key travel and more.

If you hate loud keyboards and want something you can use next to your colleagues without drawing too much attention, you just need to buy the right keyboard. Avoid clicky switches, cheap plastic keyboards, and models without pre-installed foam. For the quietest experience possible, you can even opt for a Hall effect keyboard, which has magnetic rather than mechanical switches and is typically quieter than most mechanical keyboards.

You can even choose a flat keyboard for a quiet yet comfortable typing experience. Many low-profile models come with quiet switches and sound-dampening foam to eliminate most typing noise.

1 They blame us for the lack of full-size keyboards

This is a divisive issue. Many believe that mechanical keyboard enthusiasts have driven full-size keyboards out of the market by popularizing compact form factors. There is some truth to this as there are not many full-fledged mechanical keyboards on the market and most companies focus heavily on TKL, 75% and 65% layouts.

In fact, the industry often targets the enthusiast community and is producing more and more compact models instead of full-size models. Those who love their number pads can't imagine using anything other than a full-size keyboard or 98% at most. There are some good mechanical keyboards that retain the numeric keypad, but their numbers are dwarfed by the rest of the market.

The real issue here is the complaint that mechanical keyboard enthusiasts have prioritized form over function, thereby hurting the industry. I don't think a full-size keyboard is necessary for optimal functionality (I like TKLs, 75% and 65% keyboards), but I can see the other side's point of view. It remains to be seen whether manufacturers will show more love to full-size mechanical keyboards, but in the meantime, you can always opt for an office keyboard if nothing else appeals to you.

Mechanical keyboard lovers need to relax (maybe)

I consider myself a mechanical keyboard nerd now, but maybe we need to take it a step further and not be too elitist about this hobby. Ultimately, a keyboard must serve a few important purposes: provide a satisfying typing experience, remain functional according to the user's needs, and look good while doing so. According to enthusiasts, mechanical keyboards may have perfected all three areas, but not everyone is committed to thinking that way.

The reasons why mechanical keyboard lovers upset others may not all be sound, but some of them are rooted in a grain of truth. It's good for everyone when the community is more open to newcomers and doesn't instinctively jump at every single objection.