Mechanical Keyboard Sound Isn't That Simple
Figure 1: I couldn't think of a more literal way to represent this article if I tried... Looking back just a few years ago, there’s no doubt that the huge influx of people that joined the hobby at the peak of the COVID pandemic were drawn to keyboards by way of YouTube, TikTok, and other audio-visual content platforms. Even as the output from these content creators has waned in recent months, their collective impact and legacy on the keyboard hobby is rather firmly etched in the history books. As a result of all of their sound tests, build logs, and opinion videos, the message is clear to any new person joining the hobby: mechanical keyboards are all about the sound. Thock this, clack that. Whether it’s keyboards, keycaps, or even singular switches, seemingly everyone new to the hobby meticulously pores over each component of their keyboard not in an attempt to figure out how it will feel in hand, but how it will sound as they’re furiously grinding their way out from...
Mar 27, 2024
- Cherry MX Red switches (or similar?)
- Standard layout (104 keys) (not opposed to ergonomic)
- Sturdy base (prefer black or a dark color)
- Detachable USB cable
- Media controls with a roller/scroll wheel
- Per key RGB lighting
- Shine through keycaps (I want PBT, I think?) (mostly black or dark to start with, I can buy more keys later, right?)
- I'd like to keep this under $150, but I'm willing to spend a bit more if it will get me everything and is significantly better.
I'm looking at a Corsair Strafe that has all of this except the detachable USB cable and is only around a hundred bucks. Are there better options for me? I'd really like it if my first purchase checked all of these boxes and got me hooked.