Is a mechanical keyboards essential for gaming, even though they’re popular?
Although mechanical keyboards are highly recommended for gaming PC setups due to their benefits, they may not be as essential to your gaming experience as you might think.
Since we’re discussing gaming, our primary focus will be on mechanical keyboards designed specifically for gaming because they provide numerous features that standard mechanical keyboards lack. Naturally, we will also highlight the advantages of using any mechanical keyboard for gaming purposes.
Decreased effort required for activation
Is a Mechanical Keyboard Essential for Gaming? Most mechanical keyboard switches are designed with a relatively low actuation force compared to standard rubber dome keyboards, unless you specifically design your mechanical keyboard for high-pressure needs.
To register a click on rubber dome keyboards, you need to press the key all the way down. Their soft texture often encourages users to apply extra pressure for tactile feedback.
On the other hand, mechanical keyboards feature actuation points located mid-way, which leads to less bottoming out.
Mechanical keyboards provide superior tactile feedback
As mentioned earlier, non-mechanical keyboards usually require you to press the keys fully to register a keystroke and often do not provide satisfactory tactile feedback.
Mechanical keyboards provide outstanding tactile feedback, even if their switches aren’t specifically engineered for it.
Currently, I’m typing on my mechanical keyboard with linear switches that are ideal for both gaming and work. Although there’s no tactile bump at the actuation point, it offers enough bottom-out feedback to let me know when I don’t need to press any harder.
When you’re fully immersed in gaming, the feeling of tactile feedback is incredibly valuable. It assures you that you’ve completed an action with absolute certainty.
Not having to constantly check if your keyboard keys are functioning properly allows you to focus more on strategizing and deciding the necessary actions within the game.
Gaming mechanical keyboards come with a wide range of functions and features
Since gaining popularity in the early 2010s, mechanical gaming keyboards have undergone significant evolution. Gaming brands have introduced numerous innovative features that have elevated the immersive gameplay experience to a new level.
Standard features include N-key rollover for simultaneous key pressing, customizable macro keys, low-latency wireless connectivity, and dynamic lighting functions.
Keyboards such as the Wooting HE feature unique Hall-effect sensors that offer analog input, in contrast to the conventional on-off switches familiar to most users.
Is a Mechanical Keyboard Essential for Gaming, If you prefer not to use the analog mode, users have the option to adjust the actuation distance according to their needs. This allows for immediate key responses in situations requiring millisecond precision.
Mechanical gaming keyboards frequently feature specialized macro buttons, strategically positioned for users to assign various actions easily.
In games like Arma that require numerous keybinds, players often find themselves frequently moving their hands around the keyboard or alternating between mouse and keyboard actions.
By utilizing macros and layers, you can minimize this time-consuming activity by consolidating keys and functions onto one side of the keyboard.
Mechanical keyboards offer a wide range of customization options
One of the most popular features of traditional mechanical keyboards is their customizability.
You can either buy a preassembled keyboard that’s ready to use right away or choose separate components tailored to your preferences.
Customizable equipment is crucial for gamers, given that gaming resembles a sport in many ways. For customization specifically designed to meet gaming requirements, features like rubberized or textured keys assist players in remembering the locations of specific buttons on their keyboards.
When choosing mechanical keyboards, you have a variety of options including clicky, tactile, or linear switches with different actuation points. With so many variants available, we recommend consulting our ultimate beginner’s guide on mechanical keyboards before making your decision.
The Drawbacks of Using Mechanical Keyboards for Gaming
Although mechanical keyboards provide better performance than standard ones, they do come with some downsides. If you are currently using a non-mechanical keyboard, it’s important to consider these aspects before deciding to switch.
Mechanical keyboards are heavier
Mechanical keyboards tend to be heavier, which can appeal to enthusiasts but may be a drawback for others. Constantly moving your keyboard during gaming sessions can become tiring and reduce its portability.
When comparing non-mechanical keyboards to mechanical ones, the latter are generally heavier because of their construction.
In contrast to a rubber lattice covering a PCB, mechanical keyboards feature individual switches composed of multiple components, contributing to the overall weight difference.
If you’re looking for a lightweight and highly portable keyboard, you can achieve this with the customizable features of mechanical keyboards that enable self-construction.
Purchasing mechanical keyboards requires a larger financial investment
The inclusion of components such as switches, keycaps, PCBs, cases, and backplates in mechanical keyboards raises their cost when assembled into a fully functional device.
Non-mechanical keyboards usually have a straightforward design, incorporating a printed circuit board that operates without the need for switches. They also include robust rubber membranes and standard plastic casings and keycaps. These features contribute to non-mechanical keyboards being more cost-effective and lighter than mechanical ones.
Mechanical keyboards are louder
Perspectives vary on the sound of a mechanical keyboard; some people love it, while just as many appear to dislike it.
There are different types of switches that offer various sound profiles, but most tend to be louder than non-mechanical keyboards.
While O-rings can be used to reduce noise when bottoming out, they usually diminish tactile feedback and do not address the sounds from key recovery after releasing a switch.
Creating a relatively quiet mechanical keyboard can require substantial effort, possibly making it an unappealing endeavor.
Is a Mechanical Keyboard Necessary for the Best Gaming Experience?
Is a Mechanical Keyboard Essential for Gaming? Gaming can be enjoyed without using a mechanical keyboard, unlike the mouse which demands precise translation of hand movements. Essentially, keyboards are just platforms consisting of on-off switches.
Even with their use of standard, budget-friendly non-mechanical keyboards, professional gamers have reached remarkable levels of performance.
Even though I switched to a mechanical keyboard, the boost in performance wasn’t substantial; nevertheless, it offered an enjoyable experience.
