Should you buy a mechanical keyboard? | Mark Ellis Reviews

Are you considering trying out a mechanical keyboard? I've been using them since the start of 2021, and they've transformed the way I type and get things done. So, this is the definitive answer to the question "are mechanical keyboards worth it?"... answered by a long-term Apple keyboard user.

CHAPTERS
00:00 - Intro
00:51 - What is a mechanical keyboard?
03:00 - Initial experience
03:49 - Do they improve typing?
04:47 - The sound
05:48 - Reliability
07:15 - Downsides
08:42 - RGB lights
09:36 - Keyboard recommendations
12:55 - Conclusion

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WHAT IS THIS CHANNEL ALL ABOUT?
I have zero interest in deep spec dives or long-winded comparisons. I review laptops, smartphones, tablets, headphones and the latest tech based on real experience. I'll tell you how it'll make you feel, whether or not it's worth your time (and money) and help you find the tech you need to get stuff done.

WHO AM I?
I'm a UK-based freelance marketer and broke free of a regular job many years ago. Watch my videos to find the tech you need, without the jargon.

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Oh, and some of the links in this description are affiliate links from which I earn a small commission!

[MarkEllisReviews]

I've fallen in love with mechanical keyboards. Have you?

[guitart]

When I type on a mechanical keyboard i feel like a hacker penetrating into the NASA mainframe, even if I'm writing my shopping list.

[jimallen]

It is a deep rabbit hole to go down for sure. I started with the Keychron K2, I now have 2 Keychron K1's, and 2 Azio Retro Classics as well. Love them all👍

[melprophet]

Really good video as always. I'm happy to see the renewed interest in mechanical keyboards because in the old 386/486 days of PC's they were very common if not even standard. I always enjoyed using them.

[mrc]

Das Keyboard mechanical on my Mac. Drives my colleagues nuts on Webex (clack) (clack) but it’s lovely. It’s full width, too, and reassuringly heavy - come the apocalypse it’ll double as a club.

[MrDos]

Just bought a keychron K4 with blue switches. Great build and will hopefully make my typing better! Great vid

[jedlomax]

I have bought a Keychron K4 partly based on your recommendations. After 10 years of an iMac KB it has taken a week to get used to but now I really like it. And it has a light show..so...yes.

[pauljakeman]

Really awesome and to the point video buddy. Deffo want a mechanical keyboard now!

[pjsixhundred]

I always use a mechanical keyboard and have done for decades. Better feel, higher accuracy. It's a no brainer. I've tried the Apple type keyboard and it just isn't the same. People should try a mechanical one for sure.
Your point about noise on a Zoom call is interesting however I just go on Mute.

[NoBSBeardReviews]

You’ve got me intrigued! Just recently picked up the Apple Magic keyboard and it’s okay. I think we’re about the same age so I’m guessing I’ll like a mechanical keyboard.

[Hektormydog]

Like you mention, watching one of your videos and saw the F96 on the desk. I just got an F97 IQUNIX the other day. Although I’m new to this whole mechanical keyboard idea I decided, why go the upgrade route?, and just got ‘the best’ at the beginning. Also, like you say, one of the ideas with this is to improve my typing skill and maybe put a bit more enjoyment in the process. Besides the keyboard itself something you don’t really hit on are the switches used. With no experience but hearing a lot about this, I finally choose the TTC ACE in my F97, smooth with some travel, and gold plated for maybe a bit more durability. One other thing you touch on is the RGB lighting. I got the RGB option, but I’m not into ‘the flash, ’ just use the lights to help a bit in low room light mostly, but the IQUNIX doesn’t illuminate through the top of the key caps. So far, it has been great. Thanks for your practical thoughts and reviews, they help.

[deanmeixner]

Great review Mark. I've been eyeing off a K2 for quite a while, I think it will make a nice addition to my new Mac mini.

[CNile-sexw]

I have the Keychron K3 low profile keyboard, but I swapped out the optical switches that came with it (too squishy) for optical browns which have a nice feel to them & are quiet.
The beauty of the optical switches is that they're reasonably priced, but more importantly, they don't have delicate pins that are prone to damage if not precisely lined up, you simply push them in like Lego. 
I have the backlight set to static white & connect via USB-C, as when used wirelessly, the backlight is too dim.
If I have to crunch a lot of numbers, I pull out my Satechi ST-XLABK wireless numeric keypad, which adds F13, F14, & F15 function keys, scroll arrows, page keys & print screen.
The whole setup fits my needs perfectly, didn't cost the earth, is Mac compatible & is very discrete.

[rorywalters]

I actually like one thing of the butterfly keyboard: the bigger key surfaces. I’m a slow typer, the bigger surfaces did make me type faster. It haven’t run into reliability issues since 2016, so far it’s okay. I previously used several ThinkPads, key surfaces were a bit small, and all of them had 1~3 keys fallen off, and I couldn’t put some of them back because the switches were also broken😫.

[awvandijke]

Hi Mark, totally agree with you, I am “ a heavy typer” coming from the Commodore 64. So thats as far as my age goes, and I hate the butterfly keyboard of my 13” MacBook Pro. I connected the Mac to a 27” 4K Philips and use a Logitech mouse and keyboard. Although mechanical It is not as nice as the old keyboards. And so have been looking at your set up for the last few clips, and when buying my new Mac Mini anytime soon, I think I will go with the K3 including the RGB lights. My grand children will love it

[Keziapurrs]

I just recently got the Keychron K2 with brown switches and absolutely love it!!! I was using the Tapatek mech keyboard for a couple of years and a few of the keys got wonky so I bought the K2. It’s been a dream. It’s a great typing experience and I love that it has dedicated Mac keys on the function keys. I got the brown switches and they’re the perfect blend of smooth and clicky.

[FridaWestling]

I could listen to your voice all day! You should make audiobooks!

[JimKanaris]

Hey Mark! Thanks for this non-technical overview of the mechanical keyboard. You convinced me to pick one up. I settled on the Keychron K2. Hope it complements my 16" M1 Pro, which sits on a stand, making the typing experience a little awkward. We shall see!

[JoeTourist]

After seeing Marques Brownlee using the Keychron K2 on his Macs, I bought one and haven't looked back. My Apple Magic keyboard sits collecting dust...no comparison. Since I'm older than you, I was there when IBM came out with their original (and costly) mechanical keyboard for the IBM-PC - the gold standard!

[elik]

"This video is totally free of detailed comparisons between switches and stuff."

THIS is why I love this chanel! So practical and down to earth. None of the tech snobbery that normal guys like me are lost in. Speaking of keyboards, I've been using the Logitec MX Keys for several months now, and have written my last few novels on it. Love the keyboard, and it's definitely an upgrade over the stock keyboard on my 2017 Macbook Air. But I'm definitely considering a mechanical keyboard to pair with my new Mac Mini M1. Have you checked out the Querkywriter? It's a bit of an odd keyboard, but stylistically it's loaded with nostalgia and I hear that it's very well made.