Although the community has become more hospitable to a growing audience, it is not easy to find basic information about entertainment. This is especially true if you didn't think too much about your keyboard at first, or if you thought the thin and unresponsive MacBook Air keyboard wasn't that bad.

So before you fall into a rabbit hole on the Internet and try to figure out what the colors of the switches mean, let's talk about exactly what you need to know about getting or making your own mechanical keyboard. You can probably figure out why people spend hundreds of dollars on them - and you even decide it's worth it.

Why do people buy mechanical keyboards?

The gaming community has relied on mechanical keyboards for some time, as they can provide faster response and an overall better gaming experience. But if you're just playing on a console or just using a computer to work, you're probably not thinking about why people spend behind the keyboard.

Keyboards aren't considered something to invest in yet but with the help of everyone who stays at home, people are beginning to realize that the keyboard can be made a great tool that can be used instead of something. 

The main difference between the mechanical keyboard itself and the basic devices is that it can be customized. But it's not just about moving your keys - the outer part of the keys that you actually press your fingers - for something more colorful and comfortable. You can customize how your keyboard sounds, how hard it is to press each key to activate it, how much the key "fights" with each press, how many keys you want to get and more.

You can even remap the entire keyboard by deleting the default functions of each key and specifying a different task. What's more, you can record layer by layer macros and key combinations that are specific to you and your needs. You will need an open source program called Via to remap and create macros. This free and easy-to-use software gives you access to the keyboard as well as information about everything that is done using each button. Keep in mind that you can't use VIA without your own keyboard, so make sure you're compatible.

Mechanical keyboard anatomy

Because the customization options are so great, it can be easy to be amazed at the number and variety of mechanical keyboard features you can find online. But if you look at the bigger picture, the anatomy of the keyboard is not really complicated. litigation

The first is the case, which is the real body of the keyboard and can be made of various materials, including wood. When building your own mechanical keyboard, the case is always the first thing you buy, because size determines the number and layout of the keys (shape). For example, a full-size keyboard, known as "100 percent", would remove the number of function keys (Fn) at the top, the numeric keypad on the right, and so on. more useful buttons like "bottom", "" home, "and" delete. 75 percent is what you'll find on most home notebook models, including the MacBook family, and even 55 percent, which actually only includes letters and other basic keys like 'back' and 'control.'

PCB and board

There are two parts inside the housing: the printed circuit board (PCB) and the circuit board. The first is the brain of your keyboard, connecting to a computer and holding the switches (we'll get to that soon). On the other hand, the board sits on top of the printed circuit board and protects it from the elements - you get the look between the key covers. But because the drive is in direct contact with the keys, it also provides the wonderful sound that we all want and love on a mechanical keyboard. The boards come in a variety of materials, such as brass, aluminum, or carbon fiber, and each material will sound different when you touch other keys.

Switches

Switches can be the most difficult part of the keyboard, and this is the most confusing for beginners. Generally speaking, switches are buttons below the keys. They connect to the printed circuit board using two or three copper connectors and are usually responsible for giving the keyboard a specific feel and sound. In general, you will find three main categories: linear, touch and clickable. The first does not give feedback when it is activated or when the key is actually registered on your computer, while the second provides tactile feedback (a small bump) and the third makes another click.

Keyboard

Finally, there are the keys - the most visible part of your keyboard case and definitely the part where you have the most fun. There are many types of key covers and the sky is the limit when it comes to design - you can see them in color palettes and even shape them as a cat's paw pad.

Replacing the key covers will be the easiest adjustment you can make using the keyboard. They change the way they look, provide a new touch experience, and different profiles can change the way you type. To replace the key caps, you need a tool called a cap puller. And don't forget to take a picture of the original layout of your keyboard before you start separating it - it will help you a lot when you put the board back.

Pay attention to suitability

Unfortunately, there are not many manufacturing standards when it comes to keyboard components. Every time you buy a new board, set of switches or key covers, you need to do a survey to make sure that the item you want is compatible with the settings you have at home. It all starts with the type of keyboard you are dealing with. There are two options: hot-swap and soldered. The first allows you to easily switch switches using the trigger, while the second requires a soldering iron and some advanced skills so that you can make any major adjustments to how your keyboard works and sounds. .

Also, not all keys fit your switches and not all switches fit your PCB. Different color schemes also mean different things depending on the brand, so we can't stress enough that it's important to do your homework before you buy. Failure to do so is likely to result in wasted money and multiple failures. While many online brands like Amazon have a lot of things you need to build a keyboard, you have to go deep if you want something more unique or better. And because entertainment is mostly run by small and local producers, most of them fund their Kickstarter operations and wait months or even a year for features to appear rarely.

It's okay to start small

When you are afraid, you are not alone. There is a lot of information and it is easy to confuse. Also, mechanical keyboards made to order and their features are not exactly cheap, so it's not a fun type to buy materials and figurines.