Clicky vs. Tactile vs. Linear mechanical keyboard

Drez

I'm looking at a wireless TKL keyboard (the Logitech 915) but I'm not really sure whether I should go with the Tactile, Linear, or Clicky switch version.

My initial thought was Linear which seems to be the most silent and responsive and while I'm definitely a gamer, I'm not really interested in "pro gaming" as such and it seems that that is the primary use case for Linear. However, I probably type more than I game, and I'd like to cover the most use cases possible. I'd rather something more silent than Clicky - is Tactile good? Tactile also seems to be the most available version, too.

I am pretty sure my Orion Spark (my current full-sized wired keyboard) is Clicky? I'm trying to find out.

Any thoughts or suggestions? I thought about ordering that key tester thingy to see how they all feel but I don't know if I want to spend time doing that, frankly.

Eat it You Nasty Pig.

there's basically three things to decide when looking at switches: how hard you want to press to register a keystroke, and whether you want any tactile feedback or click sounds when the switch activates

it looks like the orion uses tactile switches; that's what logitech seem to advertise, anyway. If you slowly push one of your keys down you should feel a small 'bump' as the switch activates, which is what will be missing on a linear switch

Paladin

Drez wrote: »

I'm looking at a wireless TKL keyboard (the Logitech 915) but I'm not really sure whether I should go with the Tactile, Linear, or Clicky switch version.

My initial thought was Linear which seems to be the most silent and responsive and while I'm definitely a gamer, I'm not really interested in "pro gaming" as such and it seems that that is the primary use case for Linear. However, I probably type more than I game, and I'd like to cover the most use cases possible. I'd rather something more silent than Clicky - is Tactile good? Tactile also seems to be the most available version, too.

I am pretty sure my Orion Spark (my current full-sized wired keyboard) is Clicky? I'm trying to find out.

Any thoughts or suggestions? I thought about ordering that key tester thingy to see how they all feel but I don't know if I want to spend time doing that, frankly.

For reference,
Clicky = Cherry MX Blue
Tactile = Cherry MX Brown
Linear = Cherry MX Red
Logitech switches are actually not cherry switches, but this is the closest approximation.

Go to your local microcenter or wherever and try out the cherry keyboard if they have it.

Do you want feedback to know when a key is pressed? If so, choose clicky or tactile but not linear.
Do you need to press the same key multiple times in a row while gaming? If so, choose tactile or linear but not clicky. Clicky has hysteresis, which basically means that if you press too soon after your previous press, the key won't activate
Do you need a quiet keyboard? If so, choose none of them: a mechanical linear (cherry red) keyboard is as loud as a normal keyboard because the bottom of the key still hits the board from a distance. The linear keyboard is only quiet when you press the button real slowly

From quick browsing, Orion Spark is most similar to Cherry MX Brown, which is tactile. If there is a bit of feedback but not a loud click when you press a key all the way, that's tactile / cherry brown.

Drez

Eat it You Nasty Pig. wrote: »

there's basically three things to decide when looking at switches: how hard you want to press to register a keystroke, and whether you want any tactile feedback or click sounds when the switch activates

it looks like the orion uses tactile switches; that's what logitech seem to advertise, anyway. If you slowly push one of your keys down you should feel a small 'bump' as the switch activates, which is what will be missing on a linear switch

Thanks, I think I'm comfortable with the Orion Spark feel so tactile seems like a good way to go.

Paladin wrote: »

Drez wrote: »

I'm looking at a wireless TKL keyboard (the Logitech 915) but I'm not really sure whether I should go with the Tactile, Linear, or Clicky switch version.

My initial thought was Linear which seems to be the most silent and responsive and while I'm definitely a gamer, I'm not really interested in "pro gaming" as such and it seems that that is the primary use case for Linear. However, I probably type more than I game, and I'd like to cover the most use cases possible. I'd rather something more silent than Clicky - is Tactile good? Tactile also seems to be the most available version, too.

I am pretty sure my Orion Spark (my current full-sized wired keyboard) is Clicky? I'm trying to find out.

Any thoughts or suggestions? I thought about ordering that key tester thingy to see how they all feel but I don't know if I want to spend time doing that, frankly.

For reference,
Clicky = Cherry MX Blue
Tactile = Cherry MX Brown
Linear = Cherry MX Red
Logitech switches are actually not cherry switches, but this is the closest approximation.

Go to your local microcenter or wherever and try out the cherry keyboard if they have it.

Do you want feedback to know when a key is pressed? If so, choose clicky or tactile but not linear.
Do you need to press the same key multiple times in a row while gaming? If so, choose tactile or linear but not clicky. Clicky has hysteresis, which basically means that if you press too soon after your previous press, the key won't activate
Do you need a quiet keyboard? If so, choose none of them: a mechanical linear (cherry red) keyboard is as loud as a normal keyboard because the bottom of the key still hits the board from a distance. The linear keyboard is only quiet when you press the button real slowly

From quick browsing, Orion Spark is most similar to Cherry MX Brown, which is tactile. If there is a bit of feedback but not a loud click when you press a key all the way, that's tactile / cherry brown.

Thanks, I've been trying to avoid stores for the most part but since the local Best Buy does seem to have this in stock and is still open and I may pick it up there so maybe I'll try it out. That said, I think if the TKL tactile switch is similar to the Orion Spark, I'm fine with that.

Eat it You Nasty Pig.

Romer color code their switches similar to how Cherry does, so you can probably just pull a key off your current board and see what they are

a5ehren

Clicky is only acceptable if you work/live alone. Any other people in the vicinity will be driven mad by it.

Tactile vs linear is a matter of personal preference. I'm personally a gorilla key-slam typist so it isn't much different for me, but if you have a lighter touch you may notice the difference.

Drez

a5ehren wrote: »

Clicky is only acceptable if you work/live alone. Any other people in the vicinity will be driven mad by it.

Tactile vs linear is a matter of personal preference. I'm personally a gorilla key-slam typist so it isn't much different for me, but if you have a lighter touch you may notice the difference.

Right now, I am actually living and working alone and probably will be for awhile. I do sometimes stare into the mirror and try to drive the man inside insane but I'm not sure he can hear anyway since he never answers my damn questions.

Um.

Yeah.*

So anyway, I think my work laptop is linear and that's not bad but actually I think I like tactile and I do sometimes not press keys in all the way to type, I'm noticing, on my Orion Spark.

I'm not sure which I prefer but I think I'm going to go with the tactile one.

*Also that's all a joke I'm not insane please do not send EMTs to my home

Drez

Eat it You Nasty Pig. wrote: »

Romer color code their switches similar to how Cherry does, so you can probably just pull a key off your current board and see what they are

Thanks, good tip. Looks like it's tactile. My switches are white and boxy, like the one on the left here:

Drez

Alright, thanks for the advice folks. I went and ordered it. Did delivery instead of curbside pickup, should come Wednesday. This is better anyway as I'm waiting for a new writing desk to arrive, Thursday or Friday, and would rather set up all my new equipment as the same time.

Thanks again!

Mugsley

If you feel the urge for yet another click clack keyboard, we have a Mechanical Keyboards thread!

(Y'all the Tech Tavern has a lot of good gems if you go look)

Drez

Mugsley wrote: »

If you feel the urge for yet another click clack keyboard, we have a Mechanical Keyboards thread!

(Y'all the Tech Tavern has a lot of good gems if you go look)

Thanks, I honestly kinda forgot to check there.