Here’s how I see things. I’d like your thoughts:

If those butterfly keys from the 2015 macbooks had been more reliable and more sturdy, they’d be the best keys ever made for typing.

Mouse buttons are the apex of ergonomics, speed, ease of use, comfort, and efficiency. No one has ever put cherry MX brown mechanical keyboard switches on a mouse, and for good reason. Apple’s butterfly keyboard is basically a bunch of little mouse buttons, and they allow for a very ergonomic and efficient typing experience.

The only reason to use keys with 4mm travel is if you have too much muscle memory with old-fashioned keyboards (and to be clear, there’s nothing wrong with that. Do what works for you, whether that’s using scissor switches or using your grandpa’s rusty typewriter). But aside from personal habits, the most objectively ergonomic option (and for most new users, the most pleasant option) seems like it should be a key that balances the most tactile feedback possible, with as little excess pressure and travel as possible, in the most sturdy package possible.

So I don’t get why no keyboard makers seem to be striving for this goal?

Again, that’s just how I’m seeing it. Any constructive points about this are welcome. Peace!

  • MetaWhirledPeas@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    11 months ago

    The hate this is getting is a bit unnecessary. I don’t think there’s anything inherently wrong with using mouse switches, and someone should try it (with full size keycaps) for fun if nothing else!

    But something to consider is that the mouse switch is only part of the equation here. Mouse buttons rely on a sneaky compliant mechanism (bendy plastic) in conjunction with the switch. Notice how the part you press with your finger is not directly over the switch itself; it’s a centimeter or two offset, usually. This adds travel distance to the click and leverage to the part pressing the switch, and the bendy plastic creates a cushion effect.

    So to do this properly you’ll need some bendy plastic sitting between the mouse switch and the keycap, which will require some 3D printed parts, probably. And some leverage will be required, so the switch might be offset or configured indirectly somehow.

    Done properly I don’t see why this couldn’t be a viable choice, and there would be many different ways to adjust the feel of the keys. Then the question would be about limitations and cost.