"I am writing, I'm not typing." This was a profound distinction and my decision maker. Sometimes the mechanical sound and touch of the keys is distracting or enriches the writing experience and that takes me out of my thoughts and to my fingers. If writing on chiclet is more comfortable and less distracting, I'm ultimately going to pick that.
Do take a look at some of the other comments on the video: there are mechanicals that aren't as loud, apparently. Though to me, the loudness is the appeal - or it is when I am in a certain mood. For get-on-with-it writing, I'm with you on chiclets.
Best video on keyboards - by a mile. I remember back in the 80s and 90s - in East London - I use to bump into characters, like you William, more often. Especially at the cafe or the news agents, would always leave with a smile, after conversing with them. Take care William!!!
Thank you. Though I wish to note that I am far, far and three times far too young to have been in East London in the 80s and 90s myself. I also note that you'll never check, so.
This was a great review. 12:00 was a deciding factor. I'm probably going ahead with a chiclet "scissor" keyboard. Also, have you ever considered doing stand-up William? You're hilarious, lol!
Very nice review, Mr Gallagher. As a mechanical keyboard zealot, translator and fellow writer (basically someone that spends all his time on a keyboard), this was very insightful. Also loved the stories and humour. Please keep 'em coming.
Thanks for the rundown of the Cherry types. I have not kept up. Currently - as in this very second - I type on the extended Mac Magic keyboard on my iMac. When my first one developed a bad key from unfortunate incidents with crumbs, I bought another one just like it. It's not among the mechanical keyboards of my youth, but as a practical funnel to drain a story into a word processor, the Magic keyboard works pretty well. Always a delight to see your presentations.
Thanks. And I am at this moment -- but very specifically just this moment -- writing back from my extended Apple Magic Keyboard which I bought when the last one wore out. In a minute, I'm switching to a new mechanical that I'm reviewing, but I am finding that this Apple one is my default. Except the mechanicals are so much fun.
@@WilliamGallagher Agreed on the fun factor! Quick off-topic note. I see Affinity is ending their half-price program at the end of the month. Which means Affinity's value will no longer be like sharks with frickin' plaid lasers on their heads. Affinity's bargain will only be like sharks with frickin' ludicrous lasers on their heads. Or so it seems to me. I got my most recent job based, in part, on the loveliness (and clarity) of documents in PDF. Desktop publishing is one of my secret weapons. Please don't tell my coworkers.
Great perspective, thank you for your work! My favorite keyboard has to be my old IBM Model M with buckle springs. Not exactly coffee shop friendly, but what a amazing typing experience!
Thanks for this! Looking to get a wireless keyboard myself but I wanted something a little less clunky as I get quite a lot of pain in my fingers... your video was perfectly concise and helped me navigate the world of keyboards! Who knew there could be so may varieties?
I stumbled into this video, and had to laugh when you realised how much you've spent on keyboards. I don't know what I've spent in the last 11 months, but I'm finally able to type again, not as fast, and no longer touch typing. There are still more typos than I used to make, but I've made peace with that annoyance because getting angry about it just robbed me of energy I could easily spend just writing. I think so much better when I'm typing compared to dictating. I've also learned to lift my left hand so it's not near the keys unless it's required for letters on that side. It helps tremendously with reducing the number of typos. During my trials and tribulations, I bought a mechanical keyboard and I do love how it sounds. It's a Keychron full sized one, with brown switches. And then I geeked out and challenged myself to change the keys. I found a lovely set based on Schrödinger's Cat thought experiment. It's delightful! Changing keycaps when your fingers function differently and have either no feeling or odd sensations was definitely hard, but I did it, and it's now my keyboard that reminds me I can still be creative and try new things. However the keyboard I've landed on that is working out the best for me is a black chiclet type that's very low, and the keys make enough sound for me to know when I've hit the spacebar. The brand is Arteck - I found it on Amazon. The only issue I have with it is the Win key is the CMD key and it's not next to the spacebar. But I'm typing well, so I'm sticking with it for now! Imagine my surprise after watching this video, to see that there are at least two more videos covering keyboards that you've made over the years. It's nice to know I'm in good company!
I am considering mounting a pile of old keyboards on my wall. I do not know why. I'm sorry you've been through all this but I'm very glad you're typing: intellectually I know we can dictate and do it well now, but I am the same, I need the keys under me to think.
I have an apple extended keyboard II 1989 model, it has mechanical switches with a rubber dampener at the top and bottom. I really like it because it feels and sounds great but it is quiet enough to use in an office and they are still quite cheap online because they made loads of them.
I think I used that keyboard on a Mac SE/30 at some point in the very early 1990s. If it's the one I'm thinking of, I adored the feel of it. I had no idea they were still around. Thanks.
Thank you so much for this video, I found your opinions very relatable and your descriptions of the differences very helpful for my continued research! 🎉
Thank you for the great video! I recently thought about removing mechanical keyboard and switching to all chiclets and wondered why I even thought that, and I think this video answers. If it’s not too much to share, I also use Apple’s Magic Keyboard when I’m home and actually writing, but using mechanical keyboard at day job causes I get it cheap. And I might change that after watching this video. Again, thanks! Also, please understand if my English writing seems weird. I’m South Korean and it never been my native language. Teased by it online too much already 😅
'Marriage is an exchange of keyboards' (not quite the mechanics I had in mind) It's worth listening to this gent, he knows what he's talking about, not arrogant.
Cherry definitely make "silent" switches. I use them and they're quite comfortable. I also have a reproduction of an old IBM Model F keyboard like the ones that came with the original IBM PC. The model F is fun, but it too loud for work, and just a bit slower than the one with silent cherry switches.
@@WilliamGallagher You can get newly minted Model F and even beamspring keyboards from a gentleman who seems quite passionate about reproducing these classics. He remade the old capacitive buckling sping mechanism, the 10lb zinc case, and even the old solenoid action if you want that. All for the low-low price of 400 USD plus shipping and extras. And I'm definitely slower on it compared to my Keychron Q5 Pro with Cherry MX2A silent reds. Still worth it.
I have a vintage and extremely sought after blue alps keyboard, and even though the feel and sound are amazing, I can't stand the long key travel, which slows my typing down considerably. It feels so clunky. That's why my apple magic keyboard is still my daily driver. Besides, on my thick wooden desk, the magic keyboard has a very nice metallic click that I really enjoy.
My absolute favorite chiclet keyboards are the old battery powered magic keyboards and older Thinkpad keyboards. Both are really tactile and have decent key travel. Other than that, I have built myself a mechanical keyboard for the office which contains silent tactile switches (Gazzew Boba U4), which are even quieter than my Magic Keyboard. For some people that like the feeling of mechanical keyboards but not the sound, this might be a great option.
That's clever, I wouldn't have thought of that. Mind you, even as I do tend to use my Magic Keyboards for everything, it's the sound of the mechanicals that I miss.
I am smiling... I told you I have an eleven year old MacBook Pro Laptop... Well... I also (still) have a very old tiny PC with the OLD Keyboard, and I like you, love the sound and feel of typing on that keyboard... I wore out 2 of them, litterely wore the letters clean off the keys... I think the worn off key fonts were "e".. "d" .. "t"... "h" (you get the drift... I would love to use the old keyboard... (Smile) Good old days... Yes, I still have the 20 year old laptop, tiny little thing... and the old keyboard... I need to get into the 21 Century.
I like the tactical feel of a mechanical keyboard, did I press the key twice of thrice? With a chicklet? Who knows... I dunno. I have to check the screen. With a mechanical I FEEL when I press a key. So two or three? I will KNOW it! And luckily yes there are also more silent versions of these keyboards/switches.
What, Wrigley's replaced chiclets in India? I liked Wrigley's... I've gone off them now. Though, just because you've popped this back into my head, I was researching a book some time ago and it involved opening letters from the late 1970s. One of them contained a stick of Wrigley's chewing gum, sent as a present to the recipient. It was weird to see it looks the same, also a bit ewwww to think that it was in that envelope for over 40 years. I put it back.
Awww your wife is so precious... to buy you a keyboard... I'm going to tell my husband and maybe he'll buy me on too. We are lucky to have great spouses.
Man, I was so hoping you were going to say, back when I was a young man in the newsroom with my white collared shirt, black necktie and fedora. That would have been a great image. :) Discussing favorite styles of keyboards is like comparing chocolate chip cookie or meat loaf recipes. It's a slippery slope! You can get into the 60% keyboards, the shape of the keys itself, and ortholinear. It's a strange world. Let's not forget that using RGB makes you 10% faster and more accurate with your typing. Adding RGB lighting makes you 10% faster regardless of the task. A good keyboard does make all the difference. Since I'm smitten with the Logitech K800, which is sort of a Scissor/Chicklet keyboard with some of the mechanical keyboard sound, I've bought spares for when they get discontinued.
Excuuuuuuuuse me: I am still a young man. Sheesh! Odd thing: I'm not a fan of the K800, it feels large and plastiky to me, but I feel as strongly as you do about their K810. To the extent that I bought a couple off eBay at ludicrous prices.
I learned to type on an apple IIc that had a great mechanical keyboard. Its probably just familiarity bias, but that is the best keyboard I've used. it's a shame Apple stopped making mechanical keyboards
Anything not being Apple butterfly switch is good. Mechanical keyboard is responsive but even older laptops with deeper travel is more comfortable, like a fst laptop. IBM Model M is still legendary.
I feel like the nice middle ground for mechanical feel and portability would be low profile mechs. I believe there are ones that come in standard layouts and sixty keys would be ideal for form and function. I am presently trying an ergo columnar mech with just over thirty keys. I wouldn't recommend it for most because of the time it takes to get used to, that with perhaps learning a new keymap, just isn't viable for most people's schedules.
@@WilliamGallagher I believe it is. It's much easier on the wrists and arms. And with it's small form factor makes it ultra portable. If you want to test it yourself, it's called the Ferris Sweep.
lots of people love the Logitech G915 with the low profile keys, but I prefer the feel of PBT keycaps, so I stick to full size because it's hard to get keycaps for the low profile boards. Actually I'm typing this on a Logitech keyboard!
I will be honest with you I gave a hardly used new mechanical keyboard away to a teenager who is over the moon with it. I think I had missed the boat with adapting to it and have settled for the "chicklet" types for ease of use and laziness perhaps. Enjoyed the video though, well done. How about a video on scriptwriting in scrivener?
I am working on exactly that about Scrivener. And I should say that while I love mechanical keyboards, I think I mostly like them for the nostalgia. I'm writing to you now on an Apple Magic Keyboard and it's my main one.
@@WilliamGallagher The reason I don't use Scrivener for writing the script is I have found it to be buggy but I was never sure if I was causing the problems myself. Look forward to reading your opinion, as I would dearly love to be able to stay within the safe confines of Scrivener and write the script as well.
@@joecrieda7555 I don't think it's you, although I've not had any problems. I interviewed the developer of Scrivener once and I remember him saying that the idea was you could do a first draft script in his app, but then you'd be best moving to something else, something more powerful. I haven't found that, though: I did find that I wouldn't stop to make a new section for every scene, so Scrivener's ability to show you different sections was wasted, but I had no bugs.
@@WilliamGallagher Main gripes I had with Scrivener was in the dark world of consolidating then exporting into Final Draft. Admittedly this was a couple of years ago now and might have been solved but it was enough for me to have to find a way around formatting problems etc. I eventually ended up saving in Fountain and exporting into Final Draft. Not ideal but it removed a lot of problems. Hopefully all this winging is in the past and this no longer happens. Here's hoping.
Yeah. I've got mechanicals with cherry, love them but want something lower. Have a microsoft sculpt but find the keys to be way too heavy. Probably the apple one is the right answer.
I haven’t tried the Microsoft one. One of the downsides of everything being online is that there are so fewer places you can go to actually try something out before you buy.
@@WilliamGallagher Right?! They know "us" and our willingness to buy things we (might) like, so they opt for that sort of model. You might not always buy, but it will happen.
logitech G915 is the one you might like. Not cherry switches, but their own manufacture. I think you can get all three types. I'd recommend the browns, which are tactile, but not as loud as the blues. If you need silents, they do a version of reds.
Mechanical keyboards don't have to be thicker than a chicket keyboard. cherry has a key switch that is called "ULP" which is basically a fully mechanical laptop-style switch. some gaming laptops have it, and you can buy keyboards with the switches. they are much more expensive than either of the two boards but it's probably the best solution for someone who wants the best of both.
Me personally I have many chicklet and mechanical boards of varying sizes and feels, but I settled with a $30 logi k380 for my desktop which is basically the apple magic keyboard if it looked cooler. I use a keypad for gaming though, for space saving reasons, but I much prefer the typing feel of chicklets, and someday I will buy a keyboard with the Cherry ULP. also fun fact, cherry doesn't just make the switches, they also make entire keyboards, including ones that they've been selling for over 40 years, still updating them for modern computers.
although soon I will purchace the Logi MX keys mini because I hear that's one of the best windows chicklets with fancy features like automatic backlight and hand presence detection. also mac compatible. might be better than the one apple makes even.
I've been trying out the full-size Logi MX keyboard and I like it very much. I miss the Touch ID button that you get on Apple's Magic Keyboard, though.
I love chiclet keyboards. I love the flat surface, with almost no space between the keys, the low profile, allowing you just hover over the keyboard at a high speed. But finding one, with a Nordic layout and that isn't just wireless and with a numpad has proven to be impossible for me now. The best I had found, which still wasn't perfect, broke and I was not able to find what I wanted.
have u tried MX Keys by Logitec? they're the most similar to an apple keyboard, come in different sizes, are bluetooth and also have a backlight and in come in lots of languages
@@unfinishedlist1194 Yeah I have looked at Logitech's, but no layout is what I want (at least what I could find as new) and I do not want bluetooth if it's the only option. Thanks though.
@@unfinishedlist1194 It doesn't exist right now but maybe in the future. Keychron has something near perfect but it's super expensive. But I'll probably get that in a few years.
I really want a wood case (muted sound for happy co-worker) with tactile switch and mt3 (sure type-y and high)heavier spring with low/"seldom" bottoming out While writing it should sound like water flowing in a small brook. This is my goal Quest. Whatever.
For me, the best keyboards are those on the OLD Thinkpads, before they became chiclet. I have a couple of old Lenovo Thinkpads, both have beautiful keyboards - less travel and noise than a mechanical keyboard, but lots of bounce. While I do have a mechanical keyboard (Cherry Browns) I hate it. I've never been able to adjust to the depth of travel, even after reducing this by putting a couple of bands around the base of the key. I'll probably give it to a friend. I also have a couple of rubber dome keyboards. These are nice to use, have a clanky sound and are speedy to type with, unlike mechanical keys which slow down my typing. Not a big fan of mechanical keys. I'll leave them to gamers and stick to old Thinkpads for writing.
ThinkPads were famous for their keyboards, weren’t they? And I thought the ones with their Butterfly mechanism, where opening the lid of the laptop made the keyboard expand out to full size, was gorgeous. I just find Windows so irritating that I couldn’t stick with ThinkPads.
@@WilliamGallagher That's a shame, but I understand what you mean. I dislike the way Windows keeps bringing out new versions. At the moment, I refuse to update from Windows 7.
Funny: I realise only when you say this that I like noisy work environments, but there are fewer and fewer of them. I used to work a lot in BBC newsrooms and they were fantastic for the energy and the loudness, all those people, all those phones ringing. But then the last time I went to visit someone in one, the newsroom was deathly quiet. Everybody emailing instead of phoning. And seemingly all on quiet keyboards.Didn't seem right, somehow.
First I want to say I'm a massive keyboard enthusiast. I the biggest advantage of mechanical keyboards is customization. You can customize them, make the quieter than anything, or you can make the give you a typing experience. It's also the biggest downside. To get the feel I want I have spent quite a lot. Like a lot a lot. I'm a programmer; not a writer. The biggest thing where we agree is: how we interface with computers is much more important than the computer we are interfacing with. Do what you enjoy doing.
This is the thing for me, the amount of customisation. I will always think if I just twiddle this one thing a bit more, it will be better. At some point my interest just switches off and I want to get on with my writing. And then at some point I start wondering again...
@@WilliamGallagher I meant to say, and am sorry I forgot. I really enjoyed your insight on keyboards. I think the most damning thing that can be said for mechanical keyboards is I am going to be building a new one soon. It is a massive kit where I'm going to solder everything. Just to ensure it has a few features I really want.
@@IamusTheFox Are you certain you're not a writer? You sound like you can put work off just like we do. Please let me know how you get on: I mean it when I say I wouldn't know where to stop, which means I rend not to even start.
Not to nitpick, but there are a number of mechanical switch manufacturers. Cherry is just one amongst them. Torpre switches, for example, are far superior to Cherry, and are the go-to for many typists and keyboard enthusiasts.
I knew there were non-Cherries, so to speak, but I didn't know of Torpre or even that alternatives were any good. Thanks: I should've known and said this.
@@WilliamGallagher @William Gallagher it is Topre (not Torpe). It designates both this type of electrostatic based switches and a Japan brand making keyboards with such switches. I own one of their model and it feels very good, but probably even better for touch typists (which I'm not). These are expensive but timeless keyboards
@@WilliamGallagher I understand what you mean! I love my Thinkpad keyboard and the Thinkpad compact usb keyboard, both scissor switches. There's something to these type of keyboards that makes typing less tiring
Since Cherry's patent ran out, there are a ton of manufacturers who make switches these days. Gateron, Kailh, Outemu, TTC, tons of them. I like Gateron and Cherry browns, but the newish Opto-Mechanical switches that Razer makes are my favourites.
Chiclets are not necessarily scissor-switch. Most chiclets tend to be membrane. Sometimes they are scissor. Scissor keyboards can be hard to find. Laptop keyboards are scissor, so if you like typing on laptops (or switch between a laptop & Mac/PC), they are a good choice. Sometimes you can find scissor keyboards pretty cheap. Mine is just AU$30 from a local store chain for a full size model, with great Mac-like design vibes.
I think you might be mixing up your terms a bit. I think you mean to say not all membranes are chiclets. Or scissor switch. But I believe chiclet and scissor switch are just different words for the same thing.
@BookClubDisaster Scissor switch is the scissor type mechanism underneath the switch. Chiclet is the form factor of the keyboard and keys. You can have chiclet keyboards that are just membrane, but no scissor mechanism. Although scissor switches have a membrane underneath normally.
@@wolfblaide I think in actual practice almost every chiclet uses scissor switches. Both are membrane and use a rubber dome. I've sometimes heard of people referring to scissor switch and rubber dome as mutually exclusive as scissor swiches use rubber domes too.
@@BookClubDisaster As best I understand, this is wrong. Rubber dome membrane is not the same as scissor. While a scissor switch can have a similar membrane underneath, there are a large number of chiclet (and otherwise) keyboards that are just rubber dome without the scissor mechanism. Usually they have a larger key travel distance than scissor switches. Chiclet scissor is considered better to type on than rubber dome-only type keyboards -- they have a better feel, don't require you to press as deep, and are usually more accurate. Also, to make it even more confusing, there are scissor switch keyboards that are not chiclet, BTW. Akko MonsGeek sells one I believe. Generally it's keyboards that advertise themselves as scissor switch that are actual scissor style keyboards.
mechanical keyboards aren't always loud. Get a linear board like the Razer Huntsman Elite with red opto-mechanical keys, which has the foam mod already installed, and you're away. Quiet as you like. Look at "thocky" boards. For your health, mechanical keyboards are better, because you don't hit the key right down to the bottom. It's far better not to jar your finger joints every time you hit a key. If you have arthritis, look at mechanicals. They're not called Cherry keys any more. There are Gaterons, Kailhs, Outemu, Glorious, Pandas and many other brands. Black switches are rare these days, the three main types are clicky, tactile and linear. Gamers prefer mechanical keyboards because they're reliable, fast and robust. And the backlighting really helps those of us who write at night, or have poor eyesight. And it's pretty.
That's a good point about backlighting. Well, I mean two points: the prettiness is undeniable, I have spent a ridiculous amount of time just looking at it. But the poor eyesight issue, I hadn't thought of that. To me though, the real benefit of a mechanical keyboard is the noise. I love that sound, even if right now I'm back on a chiclet keyboard and don't have it.
So, I've been watching this channel for the last couple days and my conclusion is; it's like talking to your granddad who is almost as deranged as you are. Genuinely appreciate the advice about the keyboards though, I've been thinking about converting to a mechanical keyboard for a while now. Also, the bit where you go "oh you're a writer, you'll understand" at 14:16 Yes sir, not only is that completely understandable, the proposition that someone wouldn't do that is preposterous.
@@WilliamGallagher best thing to do is to visit Currys, they have plenty of Chicklet keyboards with good travel distances unlike macbooks, connected to all in PC, or many laptops, do a typing test like typing test.com just get the feeling of the keyboard and compare it to the mechanical keyboards at their gaming section. Unfortunately their mechanical keyboards are not connected to a pc but try to feel the keys and difference between Linear, tactile and clicky keys. After all they all do the job and it's a matter of personal preferences. Better test it the store before spending your money.
@@samothman7867 I like this a lot. Except I am now going to cover my eyes at the mere mention of keyboards -- because I've just bought the most expensive one I ever have. I've got Apple's Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro, which is costly enough, but I also got an iPad Pro. I did get to try the keyboard first though, and you're right. It is that trying it out that sold me.
If we're all going back to mechanical keyboards, should we go back to 768p monitors too? But yes maybe it's because I'm new to mechanical keyboards (bought the Logitech MX Keys mechanical brown switch) but when I'm using one I'm thinking about typing instead of thinking about what I'm writing.
Goodness, that takes me back. There's a site called 512pixels which is named after the fact that the monitors on the original Mac were just 512 pixels across. Hang on, let me check: I'm using a MacBook Pro whose screen is 3,024 pixels across. That's nearly six times more - though, that's funny, when you break it down and learn it's six times greater, that doesn't seem as much as you expect somehow.
You can also get mechanical keyboards with ALPS keys - like the original Apple Mac Extended Keyboards with the locking CAPS lock key(which can get a USB adapter for - should you want to use them); I think there's keyboard out there that was made by Kensington that is available in USB form. There's also mechanical keyboards with the buckling spring mechanism, like the old IBM Model M and before that - the Model F. The old IBM Model M is now made by Unicomp.
Goodness: I had forgotten those original Apple Extended Keyboard. I loved those so much. I'm half delighted at your putting them back in my mind and half wincing at the thought I may very soon be buying yet more keyboards.
Forget "Cherry" style mechanical keyboards. Unicomp and Buckling Springs all the way. Nothing else feels like a typewriter - and isn't that what writers want? ua-cam.com/video/D7wmMZmMinM/v-deo.html
I would agree with you and I do miss typewriters - or at least the sound - but I’m writing this on an iPad’s Magic Keyboard and am loving the feel of it.
I really, really love my Alphasmart keyboard (it's a membrane one but the keys are nice and chunky) but I recently acquired a Dell Chromebook which solves so many problems for me, so Alphie can finally retire to the bottom of my bookshelf. And, contrary to your report, my Chromebook has *backlit keys! *Only in white though, not the spectacular keyboard disco that you featured.
You got me thinking. When it's ourselves making that mechanical keyboard racket, it seems practically musical. When it's someone else and you're trying to concentrate through the noise, it's not. Hmm.
@@WilliamGallagher It's not the worst sound. Most people are conditioned with keyboard sounds to the point where it's just background noise. Mechanical keyboards in particular are popular with ASMR channels, too. For me, it's whatever "disappears" in my hands while typing. Familiarity. I don't want to consciously register my keyboard, and for that it's the bog-standard budget range from Amazon 👍
@@WilliamGallagher As someone who is on their second Topre switch keyboard (HHKB Pro 2), they are an absolute gem to own and type/write on. I would have to answer yes to that question, I would have the say it's a tactile mushy feeling with a medium weight (the weight depends on the age of the dome, older domes can feel smoother/heavier with a more refined tactile bump) Basically a refined/better membrane feel with an interesting mechanism to it
Hi William. You stated in a recent video that you read news from the UK and USA for cultural breadth of view. I would suggest that this is not broad enough. I wrote you the following to illustrate my point. …..I don’t know if you are really interested in, or even know about the recent so-called summit between Biden and Putin. Certainly, there is no reason to have any real interest in it, except that the actions around this event only highlight the fact that many human actions, including the way we communicate, are (to those who can see) confessions of something in the unconscious mind. What was partly interesting but not news, for example, was how, after the meeting, some members of the corporate media (the mediocrosphere) were posturing their questions to Putin with an air of moral superiority. Goodness me! Russia, China, Europe… they all are playing by the same playbook! It’s the same game. Well, if you are reading this and you got this far, I doubt that you buy it all either, but the succession of cliches during Biden’s speech after the meeting, illustrates not only that he was making almost no serious comments on the actual event, but reciting a play and a script of that which fits like a jigsaw to the subconsciously internalized, fairly narrow set of assumptions which constitutes the mind of those people who have only ever had access to one culture, and/or those who have set their minds on a certain fixed set of beliefs (and assumptions) (mainstream ideologies) - in this sense Biden was talking to his ‘home audience’ - people from the United States and the West more broadly. Of course, the same process repeats itself in Russia, in other countries, and within sub-cultures inside countries. As for Biden, his job is to play a script to the provincial mind on the one hand but also to the urban-left-middle class, on the other, who tend to have a egocentrically compartmentalised view of the world; often understood through the mediocrosphere as identity politics……By the way, great videos, thanks - very useful and interesting.
Thanks. I think you've just described all political speeches, but then one reason I read outside the UK is to get my head out of the UK political scene for a minute's relief.
Thank you. Well, mostly thank you: I am now oddly drawn to trying one out and I'm in the UK, they're unknown here. Next time I'm in the States, I will hunt some down.
"I am writing, I'm not typing." This was a profound distinction and my decision maker. Sometimes the mechanical sound and touch of the keys is distracting or enriches the writing experience and that takes me out of my thoughts and to my fingers. If writing on chiclet is more comfortable and less distracting, I'm ultimately going to pick that.
Do take a look at some of the other comments on the video: there are mechanicals that aren't as loud, apparently. Though to me, the loudness is the appeal - or it is when I am in a certain mood. For get-on-with-it writing, I'm with you on chiclets.
Best video on keyboards - by a mile. I remember back in the 80s and 90s - in East London - I use to bump into characters, like you William, more often.
Especially at the cafe or the news agents, would always leave with a smile, after conversing with them.
Take care William!!!
Thank you. Though I wish to note that I am far, far and three times far too young to have been in East London in the 80s and 90s myself. I also note that you'll never check, so.
This was a great review. 12:00 was a deciding factor. I'm probably going ahead with a chiclet "scissor" keyboard.
Also, have you ever considered doing stand-up William? You're hilarious, lol!
Now that's made my day, thank you.
Very nice review, Mr Gallagher. As a mechanical keyboard zealot, translator and fellow writer (basically someone that spends all his time on a keyboard), this was very insightful. Also loved the stories and humour. Please keep 'em coming.
Thank you, that’s very good of you to say. Frankly, I don’t know why everyone isn’t like us about keyboards. They’re missing out.
@@WilliamGallagher Agreed!
The industry standard will have to pry my mechanical keyboard from my cold dead hands. I wish I could find one I can pair with my iPad.
Thanks for the rundown of the Cherry types. I have not kept up. Currently - as in this very second - I type on the extended Mac Magic keyboard on my iMac. When my first one developed a bad key from unfortunate incidents with crumbs, I bought another one just like it.
It's not among the mechanical keyboards of my youth, but as a practical funnel to drain a story into a word processor, the Magic keyboard works pretty well.
Always a delight to see your presentations.
Thanks. And I am at this moment -- but very specifically just this moment -- writing back from my extended Apple Magic Keyboard which I bought when the last one wore out. In a minute, I'm switching to a new mechanical that I'm reviewing, but I am finding that this Apple one is my default. Except the mechanicals are so much fun.
@@WilliamGallagher Agreed on the fun factor!
Quick off-topic note. I see Affinity is ending their half-price program at the end of the month.
Which means Affinity's value will no longer be like sharks with frickin' plaid lasers on their heads. Affinity's bargain will only be like sharks with frickin' ludicrous lasers on their heads.
Or so it seems to me. I got my most recent job based, in part, on the loveliness (and clarity) of documents in PDF. Desktop publishing is one of my secret weapons.
Please don't tell my coworkers.
Great perspective, thank you for your work! My favorite keyboard has to be my old IBM Model M with buckle springs. Not exactly coffee shop friendly, but what a amazing typing experience!
IBM made fantastic keyboards, didn't they? That PC AT layout set the standard for all extended keyboards too, I'm a fan.
great take to the issue, thank you so much!
Thank you: I'm delighted.
Thanks for this! Looking to get a wireless keyboard myself but I wanted something a little less clunky as I get quite a lot of pain in my fingers... your video was perfectly concise and helped me navigate the world of keyboards! Who knew there could be so may varieties?
That’s tremendous, thank you.
I stumbled into this video, and had to laugh when you realised how much you've spent on keyboards. I don't know what I've spent in the last 11 months, but I'm finally able to type again, not as fast, and no longer touch typing. There are still more typos than I used to make, but I've made peace with that annoyance because getting angry about it just robbed me of energy I could easily spend just writing. I think so much better when I'm typing compared to dictating.
I've also learned to lift my left hand so it's not near the keys unless it's required for letters on that side. It helps tremendously with reducing the number of typos.
During my trials and tribulations, I bought a mechanical keyboard and I do love how it sounds. It's a Keychron full sized one, with brown switches. And then I geeked out and challenged myself to change the keys. I found a lovely set based on Schrödinger's Cat thought experiment. It's delightful! Changing keycaps when your fingers function differently and have either no feeling or odd sensations was definitely hard, but I did it, and it's now my keyboard that reminds me I can still be creative and try new things.
However the keyboard I've landed on that is working out the best for me is a black chiclet type that's very low, and the keys make enough sound for me to know when I've hit the spacebar. The brand is Arteck - I found it on Amazon. The only issue I have with it is the Win key is the CMD key and it's not next to the spacebar. But I'm typing well, so I'm sticking with it for now!
Imagine my surprise after watching this video, to see that there are at least two more videos covering keyboards that you've made over the years. It's nice to know I'm in good company!
I am considering mounting a pile of old keyboards on my wall. I do not know why. I'm sorry you've been through all this but I'm very glad you're typing: intellectually I know we can dictate and do it well now, but I am the same, I need the keys under me to think.
I have an apple extended keyboard II 1989 model, it has mechanical switches with a rubber dampener at the top and bottom. I really like it because it feels and sounds great but it is quiet enough to use in an office and they are still quite cheap online because they made loads of them.
I think I used that keyboard on a Mac SE/30 at some point in the very early 1990s. If it's the one I'm thinking of, I adored the feel of it. I had no idea they were still around. Thanks.
Thank you so much for this video, I found your opinions very relatable and your descriptions of the differences very helpful for my continued research! 🎉
You’re welcome, thank you for saying that. And if you’re pressing on with research now, I’d love to hear what you settled on.
Thank you for the great video! I recently thought about removing mechanical keyboard and switching to all chiclets and wondered why I even thought that, and I think this video answers. If it’s not too much to share, I also use Apple’s Magic Keyboard when I’m home and actually writing, but using mechanical keyboard at day job causes I get it cheap. And I might change that after watching this video. Again, thanks!
Also, please understand if my English writing seems weird. I’m South Korean and it never been my native language. Teased by it online too much already 😅
Your English is superb: I admire people who can write in different languages, it is a huge skill and I wish I had it too. Thanks for commenting.
'Marriage is an exchange of keyboards' (not quite the mechanics I had in mind) It's worth listening to this gent, he knows what he's talking about, not arrogant.
Thank you, that's made my day.
Cherry definitely make "silent" switches. I use them and they're quite comfortable.
I also have a reproduction of an old IBM Model F keyboard like the ones that came with the original IBM PC.
The model F is fun, but it too loud for work, and just a bit slower than the one with silent cherry switches.
You say this and I can feel that IBM keyboard under my fingers. I wasn’t a fan of the PC, but I was of that keyboard.
@@WilliamGallagher You can get newly minted Model F and even beamspring keyboards from a gentleman who seems quite passionate about reproducing these classics. He remade the old capacitive buckling sping mechanism, the 10lb zinc case, and even the old solenoid action if you want that.
All for the low-low price of 400 USD plus shipping and extras.
And I'm definitely slower on it compared to my Keychron Q5 Pro with Cherry MX2A silent reds.
Still worth it.
The best review and understanding the differences and benefits of the world of keyboards - Thank you!!!!
Thank you, that's very good of you to say.
I love laptop keyboards with the chiclet keys. It never occured to me to use one with Windows.
There are so many more keyboards available for Windows, it's dizzying.
I have a vintage and extremely sought after blue alps keyboard, and even though the feel and sound are amazing, I can't stand the long key travel, which slows my typing down considerably. It feels so clunky. That's why my apple magic keyboard is still my daily driver. Besides, on my thick wooden desk, the magic keyboard has a very nice metallic click that I really enjoy.
Now I want a thick wooden desk.
That's one great review there
Thank you, that's very good of you to say.
"Chicket" is a gum... 1960 from Mexico to New York City...
haven't seen that since I was young.
So you last saw it about a week ago?
@@WilliamGallagher
HAHAHAHAHA... Right!!! Being 66 years old... I haven't seen Chicket gum for a long time... LOL.
My absolute favorite chiclet keyboards are the old battery powered magic keyboards and older Thinkpad keyboards. Both are really tactile and have decent key travel. Other than that, I have built myself a mechanical keyboard for the office which contains silent tactile switches (Gazzew Boba U4), which are even quieter than my Magic Keyboard. For some people that like the feeling of mechanical keyboards but not the sound, this might be a great option.
That's clever, I wouldn't have thought of that. Mind you, even as I do tend to use my Magic Keyboards for everything, it's the sound of the mechanicals that I miss.
I am smiling... I told you I have an eleven year old MacBook Pro Laptop...
Well... I also (still) have a very old tiny PC with the OLD Keyboard, and I like you, love the sound and feel of typing on that keyboard... I wore out 2 of them, litterely wore the letters clean off the keys... I think the worn off key fonts were "e".. "d" .. "t"... "h" (you get the drift... I would love to use the old keyboard... (Smile) Good old days...
Yes, I still have the 20 year old laptop, tiny little thing... and the old keyboard...
I need to get into the 21 Century.
It is always the S key with me. I imagine S for Save, but yep, just looked down, it's already on its way out.
I like the tactical feel of a mechanical keyboard, did I press the key twice of thrice? With a chicklet? Who knows... I dunno. I have to check the screen. With a mechanical I FEEL when I press a key. So two or three? I will KNOW it! And luckily yes there are also more silent versions of these keyboards/switches.
For me, it's the travel of the keys two
Chiclets gum was hugely popular in India until the 80s before Wrigley's took over...yes the keyboard does look like the gum...
What, Wrigley's replaced chiclets in India? I liked Wrigley's... I've gone off them now. Though, just because you've popped this back into my head, I was researching a book some time ago and it involved opening letters from the late 1970s. One of them contained a stick of Wrigley's chewing gum, sent as a present to the recipient. It was weird to see it looks the same, also a bit ewwww to think that it was in that envelope for over 40 years. I put it back.
Great Informative video!
Thank you, that's very good of you to say.
Awww your wife is so precious... to buy you a keyboard... I'm going to tell my husband and maybe he'll buy me on too. We are lucky to have great spouses.
I've told her you said this. She's waving.
@@WilliamGallagher
YOU need to have her on your video some time... We would love to meet her!
Angela is right beside me and says to tell you that you’re very sweet.
@@WilliamGallagher
Awww Thank you both so much.
(I still want her to have a cameo some day.)
i use topre switches Sir... and I am a writer as well.
I take it you like them: do you have any recommendations?
@@WilliamGallagherget an happy hacking keyboard.
Man, I was so hoping you were going to say, back when I was a young man in the newsroom with my white collared shirt, black necktie and fedora. That would have been a great image. :)
Discussing favorite styles of keyboards is like comparing chocolate chip cookie or meat loaf recipes. It's a slippery slope! You can get into the 60% keyboards, the shape of the keys itself, and ortholinear. It's a strange world.
Let's not forget that using RGB makes you 10% faster and more accurate with your typing. Adding RGB lighting makes you 10% faster regardless of the task.
A good keyboard does make all the difference. Since I'm smitten with the Logitech K800, which is sort of a Scissor/Chicklet keyboard with some of the mechanical keyboard sound, I've bought spares for when they get discontinued.
Excuuuuuuuuse me: I am still a young man. Sheesh! Odd thing: I'm not a fan of the K800, it feels large and plastiky to me, but I feel as strongly as you do about their K810. To the extent that I bought a couple off eBay at ludicrous prices.
I learned to type on an apple IIc that had a great mechanical keyboard. Its probably just familiarity bias, but that is the best keyboard I've used. it's a shame Apple stopped making mechanical keyboards
Goodness, an Apple IIc. I learned on a Silver Reed manual typewriter. To this day my little pinkie can move girders.
KBDfans has a good few prebuilds, "possibilities" and peripherals.
I hadn’t even heard of KBDfans: thanks.
Anything not being Apple butterfly switch is good. Mechanical keyboard is responsive but even older laptops with deeper travel is more comfortable, like a fst laptop. IBM Model M is still legendary.
It is. I was just reading an article about that IBM keyboard. Set a standard.
I feel like the nice middle ground for mechanical feel and portability would be low profile mechs. I believe there are ones that come in standard layouts and sixty keys would be ideal for form and function. I am presently trying an ergo columnar mech with just over thirty keys. I wouldn't recommend it for most because of the time it takes to get used to, that with perhaps learning a new keymap, just isn't viable for most people's schedules.
I haven’t heard of that one. But you’ve put the time in and it’s been worth it for you?
@@WilliamGallagher I believe it is. It's much easier on the wrists and arms. And with it's small form factor makes it ultra portable. If you want to test it yourself, it's called the Ferris Sweep.
lots of people love the Logitech G915 with the low profile keys, but I prefer the feel of PBT keycaps, so I stick to full size because it's hard to get keycaps for the low profile boards. Actually I'm typing this on a Logitech keyboard!
I will be honest with you I gave a hardly used new mechanical keyboard away to a teenager who is over the moon with it. I think I had missed the boat with adapting to it and have settled for the "chicklet" types for ease of use and laziness perhaps. Enjoyed the video though, well done. How about a video on scriptwriting in scrivener?
I am working on exactly that about Scrivener. And I should say that while I love mechanical keyboards, I think I mostly like them for the nostalgia. I'm writing to you now on an Apple Magic Keyboard and it's my main one.
@@WilliamGallagher The reason I don't use Scrivener for writing the script is I have found it to be buggy but I was never sure if I was causing the problems myself. Look forward to reading your opinion, as I would dearly love to be able to stay within the safe confines of Scrivener and write the script as well.
@@joecrieda7555 I don't think it's you, although I've not had any problems. I interviewed the developer of Scrivener once and I remember him saying that the idea was you could do a first draft script in his app, but then you'd be best moving to something else, something more powerful. I haven't found that, though: I did find that I wouldn't stop to make a new section for every scene, so Scrivener's ability to show you different sections was wasted, but I had no bugs.
@@WilliamGallagher Main gripes I had with Scrivener was in the dark world of consolidating then exporting into Final Draft. Admittedly this was a couple of years ago now and might have been solved but it was enough for me to have to find a way around formatting problems etc. I eventually ended up saving in Fountain and exporting into Final Draft.
Not ideal but it removed a lot of problems. Hopefully all this winging is in the past and this no longer happens. Here's hoping.
Neither. 😛 An in-between "low profile" one like the Logitech G815.
Interesting: I like Logitech keyboards but I've always regarded them as chiclet or at least chiclet-lite. I haven't tried a low profile one.
Yeah. I've got mechanicals with cherry, love them but want something lower. Have a microsoft sculpt but find the keys to be way too heavy. Probably the apple one is the right answer.
I haven’t tried the Microsoft one. One of the downsides of everything being online is that there are so fewer places you can go to actually try something out before you buy.
@@WilliamGallagher Right?! They know "us" and our willingness to buy things we (might) like, so they opt for that sort of model. You might not always buy, but it will happen.
logitech G915 is the one you might like. Not cherry switches, but their own manufacture. I think you can get all three types. I'd recommend the browns, which are tactile, but not as loud as the blues. If you need silents, they do a version of reds.
Mechanical keyboards don't have to be thicker than a chicket keyboard. cherry has a key switch that is called "ULP" which is basically a fully mechanical laptop-style switch. some gaming laptops have it, and you can buy keyboards with the switches. they are much more expensive than either of the two boards but it's probably the best solution for someone who wants the best of both.
Me personally I have many chicklet and mechanical boards of varying sizes and feels, but I settled with a $30 logi k380 for my desktop which is basically the apple magic keyboard if it looked cooler. I use a keypad for gaming though, for space saving reasons, but I much prefer the typing feel of chicklets, and someday I will buy a keyboard with the Cherry ULP.
also fun fact, cherry doesn't just make the switches, they also make entire keyboards, including ones that they've been selling for over 40 years, still updating them for modern computers.
although soon I will purchace the Logi MX keys mini because I hear that's one of the best windows chicklets with fancy features like automatic backlight and hand presence detection. also mac compatible. might be better than the one apple makes even.
I've been trying out the full-size Logi MX keyboard and I like it very much. I miss the Touch ID button that you get on Apple's Magic Keyboard, though.
I love chiclet keyboards. I love the flat surface, with almost no space between the keys, the low profile, allowing you just hover over the keyboard at a high speed. But finding one, with a Nordic layout and that isn't just wireless and with a numpad has proven to be impossible for me now. The best I had found, which still wasn't perfect, broke and I was not able to find what I wanted.
I've spent too much money on eBay buying keyboards that turn out to be not quite what I wanted. Very frustrating.
have u tried MX Keys by Logitec? they're the most similar to an apple keyboard, come in different sizes, are bluetooth and also have a backlight and in come in lots of languages
@@unfinishedlist1194 Yeah I have looked at Logitech's, but no layout is what I want (at least what I could find as new) and I do not want bluetooth if it's the only option. Thanks though.
makes sense! I hope you find the perfect keyboard for you @@Nekotaku_TV
@@unfinishedlist1194 It doesn't exist right now but maybe in the future. Keychron has something near perfect but it's super expensive. But I'll probably get that in a few years.
I really want a wood case (muted sound for happy co-worker) with tactile switch and mt3 (sure type-y and high)heavier spring with low/"seldom" bottoming out
While writing it should sound like water flowing in a small brook.
This is my goal Quest. Whatever.
I think I would love a wooden keyboard - but I’m less sure I’d like it as my only one. You make me want to try, though.
@@WilliamGallagher To be clear I wood not want wooden keys. Only a wood case.
@@wilhelmhedin8845 Oh, I see, sorry. I fixated on the feel of wood keys on my fingers. That still appeals.
@@WilliamGallagher the two I've heard of seemed really gimmicky-bad
both the $40 and the $120 looked and sounded awful..
For me, the best keyboards are those on the OLD Thinkpads, before they became chiclet. I have a couple of old Lenovo Thinkpads, both have beautiful keyboards - less travel and noise than a mechanical keyboard, but lots of bounce.
While I do have a mechanical keyboard (Cherry Browns) I hate it. I've never been able to adjust to the depth of travel, even after reducing this by putting a couple of bands around the base of the key. I'll probably give it to a friend.
I also have a couple of rubber dome keyboards. These are nice to use, have a clanky sound and are speedy to type with, unlike mechanical keys which slow down my typing.
Not a big fan of mechanical keys. I'll leave them to gamers and stick to old Thinkpads for writing.
ThinkPads were famous for their keyboards, weren’t they? And I thought the ones with their Butterfly mechanism, where opening the lid of the laptop made the keyboard expand out to full size, was gorgeous. I just find Windows so irritating that I couldn’t stick with ThinkPads.
@@WilliamGallagher That's a shame, but I understand what you mean. I dislike the way Windows keeps bringing out new versions. At the moment, I refuse to update from Windows 7.
Silent switch mechanical keyboard is another option, if we want to work in a quiet environment.
Funny: I realise only when you say this that I like noisy work environments, but there are fewer and fewer of them. I used to work a lot in BBC newsrooms and they were fantastic for the energy and the loudness, all those people, all those phones ringing. But then the last time I went to visit someone in one, the newsroom was deathly quiet. Everybody emailing instead of phoning. And seemingly all on quiet keyboards.Didn't seem right, somehow.
First I want to say I'm a massive keyboard enthusiast. I the biggest advantage of mechanical keyboards is customization. You can customize them, make the quieter than anything, or you can make the give you a typing experience.
It's also the biggest downside. To get the feel I want I have spent quite a lot. Like a lot a lot.
I'm a programmer; not a writer. The biggest thing where we agree is: how we interface with computers is much more important than the computer we are interfacing with. Do what you enjoy doing.
This is the thing for me, the amount of customisation. I will always think if I just twiddle this one thing a bit more, it will be better. At some point my interest just switches off and I want to get on with my writing. And then at some point I start wondering again...
@@WilliamGallagher I meant to say, and am sorry I forgot. I really enjoyed your insight on keyboards.
I think the most damning thing that can be said for mechanical keyboards is I am going to be building a new one soon. It is a massive kit where I'm going to solder everything. Just to ensure it has a few features I really want.
@@IamusTheFox Are you certain you're not a writer? You sound like you can put work off just like we do. Please let me know how you get on: I mean it when I say I wouldn't know where to stop, which means I rend not to even start.
Not to nitpick, but there are a number of mechanical switch manufacturers. Cherry is just one amongst them. Torpre switches, for example, are far superior to Cherry, and are the go-to for many typists and keyboard enthusiasts.
I knew there were non-Cherries, so to speak, but I didn't know of Torpre or even that alternatives were any good. Thanks: I should've known and said this.
@@WilliamGallagher @William Gallagher it is Topre (not Torpe). It designates both this type of electrostatic based switches and a Japan brand making keyboards with such switches. I own one of their model and it feels very good, but probably even better for touch typists (which I'm not). These are expensive but timeless keyboards
@@WilliamGallagher I understand what you mean! I love my Thinkpad keyboard and the Thinkpad compact usb keyboard, both scissor switches. There's something to these type of keyboards that makes typing less tiring
Since Cherry's patent ran out, there are a ton of manufacturers who make switches these days. Gateron, Kailh, Outemu, TTC, tons of them. I like Gateron and Cherry browns, but the newish Opto-Mechanical switches that Razer makes are my favourites.
Chiclets are not necessarily scissor-switch. Most chiclets tend to be membrane. Sometimes they are scissor.
Scissor keyboards can be hard to find. Laptop keyboards are scissor, so if you like typing on laptops (or switch between a laptop & Mac/PC), they are a good choice.
Sometimes you can find scissor keyboards pretty cheap. Mine is just AU$30 from a local store chain for a full size model, with great Mac-like design vibes.
Thanks.
I think you might be mixing up your terms a bit. I think you mean to say not all membranes are chiclets. Or scissor switch. But I believe chiclet and scissor switch are just different words for the same thing.
@BookClubDisaster Scissor switch is the scissor type mechanism underneath the switch. Chiclet is the form factor of the keyboard and keys. You can have chiclet keyboards that are just membrane, but no scissor mechanism. Although scissor switches have a membrane underneath normally.
@@wolfblaide I think in actual practice almost every chiclet uses scissor switches. Both are membrane and use a rubber dome. I've sometimes heard of people referring to scissor switch and rubber dome as mutually exclusive as scissor swiches use rubber domes too.
@@BookClubDisaster As best I understand, this is wrong. Rubber dome membrane is not the same as scissor. While a scissor switch can have a similar membrane underneath, there are a large number of chiclet (and otherwise) keyboards that are just rubber dome without the scissor mechanism. Usually they have a larger key travel distance than scissor switches.
Chiclet scissor is considered better to type on than rubber dome-only type keyboards -- they have a better feel, don't require you to press as deep, and are usually more accurate.
Also, to make it even more confusing, there are scissor switch keyboards that are not chiclet, BTW. Akko MonsGeek sells one I believe.
Generally it's keyboards that advertise themselves as scissor switch that are actual scissor style keyboards.
1:00 "we've got everything"
but only for apple stuff 0:40??
or non-apple too?
watching till the end, seems not
Not sure I follow you: this is for writers who use Apple gear.
@@WilliamGallagher yeah, got it.
just for clarification: i wanted to ask that is the scope limited to *only* those who use apple gear.
Yes. I don’t know enough about PCs or Windows or Linux to do anything else
@@WilliamGallagher thats sad, but ohkay. thanks for reply (:
mechanical keyboards aren't always loud. Get a linear board like the Razer Huntsman Elite with red opto-mechanical keys, which has the foam mod already installed, and you're away. Quiet as you like. Look at "thocky" boards. For your health, mechanical keyboards are better, because you don't hit the key right down to the bottom. It's far better not to jar your finger joints every time you hit a key. If you have arthritis, look at mechanicals. They're not called Cherry keys any more. There are Gaterons, Kailhs, Outemu, Glorious, Pandas and many other brands. Black switches are rare these days, the three main types are clicky, tactile and linear. Gamers prefer mechanical keyboards because they're reliable, fast and robust. And the backlighting really helps those of us who write at night, or have poor eyesight. And it's pretty.
That's a good point about backlighting. Well, I mean two points: the prettiness is undeniable, I have spent a ridiculous amount of time just looking at it. But the poor eyesight issue, I hadn't thought of that. To me though, the real benefit of a mechanical keyboard is the noise. I love that sound, even if right now I'm back on a chiclet keyboard and don't have it.
So, I've been watching this channel for the last couple days and my conclusion is; it's like talking to your granddad who is almost as deranged as you are.
Genuinely appreciate the advice about the keyboards though, I've been thinking about converting to a mechanical keyboard for a while now.
Also, the bit where you go "oh you're a writer, you'll understand" at 14:16
Yes sir, not only is that completely understandable, the proposition that someone wouldn't do that is preposterous.
Hmm. I choose to skip over the "granddad" bit, but relish the deranged part. I thank you.
Chicklet for quiet and faster typing. Mechanical tactile keyboard for more fun and accurate typing.
Despair: I need faster typing *and* more accuracy.
@@WilliamGallagher best thing to do is to visit Currys, they have plenty of Chicklet keyboards with good travel distances unlike macbooks, connected to all in PC, or many laptops, do a typing test like typing test.com just get the feeling of the keyboard and compare it to the mechanical keyboards at their gaming section. Unfortunately their mechanical keyboards are not connected to a pc but try to feel the keys and difference between Linear, tactile and clicky keys. After all they all do the job and it's a matter of personal preferences. Better test it the store before spending your money.
@@samothman7867 I like this a lot. Except I am now going to cover my eyes at the mere mention of keyboards -- because I've just bought the most expensive one I ever have. I've got Apple's Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro, which is costly enough, but I also got an iPad Pro. I did get to try the keyboard first though, and you're right. It is that trying it out that sold me.
If we're all going back to mechanical keyboards, should we go back to 768p monitors too?
But yes maybe it's because I'm new to mechanical keyboards (bought the Logitech MX Keys mechanical brown switch) but when I'm using one I'm thinking about typing instead of thinking about what I'm writing.
Goodness, that takes me back. There's a site called 512pixels which is named after the fact that the monitors on the original Mac were just 512 pixels across. Hang on, let me check: I'm using a MacBook Pro whose screen is 3,024 pixels across. That's nearly six times more - though, that's funny, when you break it down and learn it's six times greater, that doesn't seem as much as you expect somehow.
You can also get mechanical keyboards with ALPS keys - like the original Apple Mac Extended Keyboards with the locking CAPS lock key(which can get a USB adapter for - should you want to use them); I think there's keyboard out there that was made by Kensington that is available in USB form. There's also mechanical keyboards with the buckling spring mechanism, like the old IBM Model M and before that - the Model F. The old IBM Model M is now made by Unicomp.
Goodness: I had forgotten those original Apple Extended Keyboard. I loved those so much. I'm half delighted at your putting them back in my mind and half wincing at the thought I may very soon be buying yet more keyboards.
Forget "Cherry" style mechanical keyboards. Unicomp and Buckling Springs all the way. Nothing else feels like a typewriter - and isn't that what writers want?
ua-cam.com/video/D7wmMZmMinM/v-deo.html
I would agree with you and I do miss typewriters - or at least the sound - but I’m writing this on an iPad’s Magic Keyboard and am loving the feel of it.
Yes buckling springs and Topre are the best for writers. Cherry switches are really more for gamers I think.
I really, really love my Alphasmart keyboard (it's a membrane one but the keys are nice and chunky) but I recently acquired a Dell Chromebook which solves so many problems for me, so Alphie can finally retire to the bottom of my bookshelf.
And, contrary to your report, my Chromebook has *backlit keys!
*Only in white though, not the spectacular keyboard disco that you featured.
It is absurd how often I press the button to just make all those lights go whizzing around. I'm not proud.
A 5 mile radius 😂
You got me thinking. When it's ourselves making that mechanical keyboard racket, it seems practically musical. When it's someone else and you're trying to concentrate through the noise, it's not. Hmm.
@@WilliamGallagher It's not the worst sound. Most people are conditioned with keyboard sounds to the point where it's just background noise. Mechanical keyboards in particular are popular with ASMR channels, too. For me, it's whatever "disappears" in my hands while typing. Familiarity. I don't want to consciously register my keyboard, and for that it's the bog-standard budget range from Amazon 👍
topre for writing, all the way
I had never once heard of them before you said that: thanks. From what I’ve now read, they sound like an acquired taste: is that right?
@@WilliamGallagher As someone who is on their second Topre switch keyboard (HHKB Pro 2), they are an absolute gem to own and type/write on.
I would have to answer yes to that question, I would have the say it's a tactile mushy feeling with a medium weight (the weight depends on the age of the dome, older domes can feel smoother/heavier with a more refined tactile bump)
Basically a refined/better membrane feel with an interesting mechanism to it
Hi William. You stated in a recent video that you read news from the UK and USA for cultural breadth of view. I would suggest that this is not broad enough. I wrote you the following to illustrate my point. …..I don’t know if you are really interested in, or even know about the recent so-called summit between Biden and Putin. Certainly, there is no reason to have any real interest in it, except that the actions around this event only highlight the fact that many human actions, including the way we communicate, are (to those who can see) confessions of something in the unconscious mind. What was partly interesting but not news, for example, was how, after the meeting, some members of the corporate media (the mediocrosphere) were posturing their questions to Putin with an air of moral superiority. Goodness me! Russia, China, Europe… they all are playing by the same playbook! It’s the same game. Well, if you are reading this and you got this far, I doubt that you buy it all either, but the succession of cliches during Biden’s speech after the meeting, illustrates not only that he was making almost no serious comments on the actual event, but reciting a play and a script of that which fits like a jigsaw to the subconsciously internalized, fairly narrow set of assumptions which constitutes the mind of those people who have only ever had access to one culture, and/or those who have set their minds on a certain fixed set of beliefs (and assumptions) (mainstream ideologies) - in this sense Biden was talking to his ‘home audience’ - people from the United States and the West more broadly. Of course, the same process repeats itself in Russia, in other countries, and within sub-cultures inside countries. As for Biden, his job is to play a script to the provincial mind on the one hand but also to the urban-left-middle class, on the other, who tend to have a egocentrically compartmentalised view of the world; often understood through the mediocrosphere as identity politics……By the way, great videos, thanks - very useful and interesting.
Thanks. I think you've just described all political speeches, but then one reason I read outside the UK is to get my head out of the UK political scene for a minute's relief.
Chiclets are not confectionery they are chewing gum. They are shaped similarly to the keys of laptop keyboards.
This is very important: is there any chance that there are chocolate versions?
So you're a writer? How about (louder) not "more loud" :) ouch!
Have you tried a mechanical keyboard lately? The sheer volume of the sheer volume, it needs a bigger description.
Chicklets are a kind of chewing gum often dispensed for $.25 from a vending machine. :)
Thank you. Well, mostly thank you: I am now oddly drawn to trying one out and I'm in the UK, they're unknown here. Next time I'm in the States, I will hunt some down.