The choice between a mechanical and a membrane keyboard is very simple for many. After all, the mechanical keyboard is so comfortable to type on and it is very durable. So almost everyone who can afford it and doesn't mind its weight chooses it.
This will interest you Five intriguing devices and technologies that I'm looking forward to the most in 2018OLED not for everyone, and certainly not for PC
However, over the years of using laptops, many people liked the operating characteristics of low-profile keyboards with a scissor mechanism installed in them. Kailh noticed this and developed mechanical switches. Equipped with them, laptop keyboards look like ordinary scissor buttons, but offer the advantages of a mechanical keyboard.
Of course, there were more reasons for introducing non-profile mechanical keyboards. The growing market of gaming laptops has led to an attempt to install mechanical keyboards on flagship models with Cherry MX switches known from standalone keyboards. The problem, however, is that this solution is heavy, and the high-profile keys take up a lot of space. So it's not surprising to compare the appearance of the MSI GT80, the first notebook of its kind, to a typewriter. Anyway, the Acer Predator 21 X looks similar.
Cherry is chasing Kailh
Kailh (or similar) low-profile laptop switches are used in the highest models of Lenovo Legion, Asus ROG, MSI GT75 and Acer Triton gaming laptops. Cherry noticed that some players transfer their feelings to the competition. And that's where the MX Low Profile RGB switches come in. The low profile means less than 12 mm in height, which is 1/3 less than in the MX standard. The key travel is 3.2 mm and activation occurs at a depth of 1.2 mm. The keys are to hold the high Cherry standard and withstand up to 50 million clicks. The semi-transparent housing of the switch allows you to install RGB backlight and partially protects it from moisture and dust. According to the IP40 standard. According to Cherry representatives, watertightness would require the use of a gasket, which would affect the feel when using the keyboard.
Read on below
Although Cherry MX Low Profile RGB switches are still in prototype stage, keyboards with them have appeared in Las Vegas. Those who have used them have been impressed that they feel almost as pleasant to type as a standard keyboard with Cherry MX switches. Although the new switches are expected to be used primarily in new models of slim gaming laptops, the first products equipped with them are independent keyboards. The Ducky company is already tempting with a new model called Blade Air with a thickness of only 22 mm.
I admit that I would gladly equip myself with a laptop with a mechanical keyboard. However, for yet another reason. The scissor mechanisms made of plastic are quite delicate and if one of the keys in the laptop is damaged, it usually ends up with the replacement of the entire keyboard. I believe that the Cherry MX Low Profile RGB keyboard is not only durable, but also, if necessary, replacing a single tile in it should be much easier. It remains to be patient and see if this solution will only be used in gaming laptops.
Source: tomshardware, techpowerup
