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Mechanical Keyboard Guide

Are you sitting there typing on your computer wondering what makes Das Keyboards such high

quality keyboards? Maybe you think mechanical keyboards are only 80’s IBM keyboards. Either

way, a little education into the differences in keyboards will explain why so many people are

making the move to mechanical keyboards. In order to fully understand the more technical

differences between keyboards, you need to understand some of the terminology first. Read on to

learn about the differences. At the end of the first section is a helpful glossary of common

keyboard terms in case you are unfamiliar with any keyboard terms and definitions.

Keyboard Terminology

Common Keyboard Terms:

Actuation Point is the point at which the contact mechanism registers a key press. Key

Blocking is when multiple keys are depressed simultaneously, your keyboard will not recognize

future keystrokes until the original keys are lifted. Keyboards have a maximum number of keys it

can register at one time and if you depress more than its limit, it won’t register the other key

presses. Key Ghosting can occur when three keys are pressed at once and a fourth keystroke you

did not press is registered by your computer. Key Rollover is the number of keys that can be

pressed in succession without having to lift a finger from any of the previous keys. Keyboards

use the term KRO to represent the maximum number of keys you can press without

experiencing any key blocking. So a 3KRO keyboard is a keyboard that can register 3 keys being

pressed at once without experiencing key blocking. NKRO refers to N-Key Rollover, the

ultimate in keyboards. A keyboard with N-Key Rollover can register as many keys as you can

press at once without any key blocking issues. Currently, this feature is only available in

keyboards with PS/2 connectors. PS/2 is a 6-pin Mini-DIN connector used for connecting some

keyboards and mice to a PC compatible computer system. While most modern connectors are

USB, PS/2 has the benefit of full N-Key Rollover. Reset Point is the point when the mechanism

ceases to register the key press. Tactile Point is the point during the keypress at which the bump

occurs to indicate to your finger that the key has been actuated. USB, or Universal Serial Bus, is

the current industry standard for the connection of computer peripherals to personal computers.

Summary of content (13 pages)

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Mechanical Keyboard Guide Are you sitting there typing on your computer wondering what makes Das Keyboards such high quality keyboards? Maybe you think mechanical keyboards are only 80’s IBM keyboards. Either way, a little education into the differences in keyboards will explain why so many people are making the move to mechanical keyboards. In order to fully understand the more technical differences between keyboards, you need to understand some of the terminology first.
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Key Shapes Keys have come a long way from the flat disks on vintage typewriters. The shape of the keys and the feel under your fingertips have been taken more seriously over the years by keyboard manufacturers, although, choosing from the different types is purely based on personal preference. Cylindrical keys The type of key on a Das Keyboard, and what you typically find on most keyboards. These keys curve up on the left and right edges in order to cradle your fingertips.
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Keys that are curved on all four edges (see from the photo to the left). A spherical well is in the center of each key. These keys are typically found on old model typewriters like the IBM Selectric and some vintage keyboards. Key Printing There are a variety of printing types from pad printing to dye sublimation printing.
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Laser Etching A laser is used to burn the required character into the keycap, physically marking it, therefore impossible to wear off. This works best on light colored keys as it results in an image with a black burned color, but it works for black keys as well. Many manufacturers, Das Keyboard included, fill the engraved area with colored filler in order to laser etch on a black plastic background and have the character standout.
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Double Shot Injection Molding Instead of printing characters onto plastic, double shot injection molding molds the character and underside of the keycap into one piece of plastic with the top part of the keycap molded onto another piece. They are fused together to form a dual layer keycap with a very high contrast graphic. This is the most expensive, highest quality type of printing possible and results in a key that cannot be worn off as it is part of the keycap.
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apart a board and sometimes even the switches, risking the destruction of the keyboard or the switches. Switches differ in how they close the circuit, signaling a key depression, the amount of tactile bump felt and the loudness of the click when the key is depressed. Cherry MX Switches Cherry MX are mechanical switches that consist of a spring and two metal contacts.
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Actuation Force: 55cN The Brown switches are about halfway between a typing and a gaming switch. Unlike the black switches, the browns have a soft, tactile bump about halfway through the key press. Some people prefer them for gaming since it enables you to double tap faster and typists like them because they still have a good tactile feedback, but the audio feedback isn’t quite as noticeable as Blue switch. The Brown switches have a softer click when depressed and require less force to actuate.
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Actuation Force: 60cN The Blue switches are popular within the typing community because of the “clicky” tactile bump when the activation point is hit. The overall experience of Blue switches is very similar to typewriters, however, those around you might not be as big of a fan due to the audio feedback. The standard “clicky” versions of Das Keyboards utilize Blue switches.
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Actuation Force: 45cN Cherry MX Red switches are similar to the Cherry MX Blacks in that they are both categorized as linear, non-tactile. This means that their feel remains constant through each up-down key stroke. Where they differ from the Black switches is in their resistance; Red switches require less force to actuate. The result is a feel that most perceive as “smoother” and “faster,” making them especially popular among gaming enthusiasts.
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Topre switches are a newer development that are almost a hybrid between a mechanical switch keyboard and a rubber dome keyboard. Topre switches are capacitive switches that use a spring underneath a rubber dome. When you depress a key, it depresses the spring, causing a capacitive circuit underneath to sense that the key has been depressed. Alps Switches There are a few commonly available types of ALPS switches.
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real ALPS, requires opening the switch, a difficult task that takes a gentle hand as just removing them could potentially damage the switches. Mechanical Keyboard Maintenance and Cleaning Whether it’s from sweaty hands typing, or crumbs falling while eating lunch at the computer, keyboards get dirty. After spending time researching mechanical keyboards and then purchasing one for its superior performance and longevity, it’s now time to consider cleaning and maintaining it.
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them back on a mechanical keyboard. Use a key puller to help pull off the key caps. Remember that the keys have different shapes based upon placement in the keyboard and, in the case of the Das Keyboard Ultimate, it can be very hard to differentiate the keys. We recommend organizing the key caps as they are removed to help easily put them back after cleaning the keyboard. We strongly discourage anyone from attempting to remove the space bar, return key, and other large-sized keys.
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to the point that the inscriptions look faded, use a tiny amount of isopropyl alcohol or diluted liquid soap as described in step 3.  5) Turn the keyboard upside-down and let it dry overnight. This can take even longer, depending on the climate and room temperature. No matter what, make certain the keyboard is completely dry before plugging it in and using it.