Are membrane keyboards really that bad for gaming?

[Alastor's Alibi]

Ofc mechanical keyboards are better, but are membrane keyboards (the good ones ofc) absolute trash when it comes to gaming?

[TheBadHOI4Player]

I made the mistake of buying a membrane that mimics a mechanical
Don't do that and you'll be fine

[kyew]

Sir Dookface McFerretballs eredeti hozzászólása:

kyew eredeti hozzászólása:

lol Like I should feel the need to prove anything to someone who would name themselves Dookface McFerretballs and refuse to admit they were wrong when claiming someone else was wrong. If you're too lazy to look it up yourself, I'm not doing the work for you. And I'm not writing a thesis up for peer review. lmao (some people...)

Son, you need to get out more. The world doesn't revolve around you.

And I already told you, I don't argue with fools.

I did look for it, that's why I'm asking for your non-existent proof.

Everything I find is either personal opinion or an ad for said keyboards.

So I guess there have been no scientific studies and you have just been doubling down on your lies.

But you have provided me with entertainment, as I didn't know someone could put their foot that far into their own mouth.

What lies? Just because you made a minimal effort and failed to find something easily found doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

And where did I say I liked mechanical keyboards better?

You failed again.

Good show, and goodbye.

[Alliesaurus]

Not if you don't play competitive online games such as csgo, they are fine for everything else

[Sir Dookface McFerretballs]

kyew eredeti hozzászólása:

Sir Dookface McFerretballs eredeti hozzászólása:

I did look for it, that's why I'm asking for your non-existent proof.

Everything I find is either personal opinion or an ad for said keyboards.

So I guess there have been no scientific studies and you have just been doubling down on your lies.

But you have provided me with entertainment, as I didn't know someone could put their foot that far into their own mouth.

What lies? Just because you made a minimal effort and failed to find something easily found doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

And where did I say I liked mechanical keyboards better?

You failed again.

Good show, and goodbye.

And this is why people like you need to learn the difference between SUBJECTIVE and OBJECTIVE.

Cheers.

[kyew]

Sir Dookface McFerretballs eredeti hozzászólása:

JohnChronic eredeti hozzászólása:

Not even kind of close. Mechanical keyboards are objectively better - they provide more tactile feedback. You can really feel the switches actuating (and hear them). Membrane keyboards feel a lot more 'mushy' by comparison.

You need to learn the difference between Subjective and Objective.

Objective means something is basically scientifically or mathematically better than something else.

Subjective means something is better because YOU like it more, even if it is objectively worse or less popular.

Favorite keyboard type is "subjective" and different between different people.

And if you really want it broken down... Objectively... Membrane keyboards make up a bigger portion of market share than mechanical keyboards, mainly because most people don't want to spend over $50 on a keyboard.

That would technically make membrane keyboards "Objectively" more popular.

"Objectively... Membrane keyboards make up a bigger portion of market share than mechanical keyboards, mainly because most people don't want to spend over $50 on a keyboard."

This is not objective. This is personal preference of a majority of people. Still subjective.

Who needs to learn the difference again?

The lengths a fool will go to to make people think he's right...

[esturias]

kyew eredeti hozzászólása:

"Objectively... Membrane keyboards make up a bigger portion of market share than mechanical keyboards, mainly because most people don't want to spend over $50 on a keyboard."

This is not objective. This is personal preference of a majority of people. Still subjective.

If the part about the market is correct, that would be an objective statement. The stated reason behind that might be subjective, but if you'd do a bit of research, I'd expect the higher price to be one of the major reasons why people prefer the membrane ones.

Besides that, I'd also like to see those studies or even just product tests you mentioned.

[kyew]

esturias eredeti hozzászólása:

kyew eredeti hozzászólása:

"Objectively... Membrane keyboards make up a bigger portion of market share than mechanical keyboards, mainly because most people don't want to spend over $50 on a keyboard."

This is not objective. This is personal preference of a majority of people. Still subjective.

If the part about the market is correct, that would be an objective statement. The stated reason behind that might be subjective, but if you'd do a bit of research, I'd expect the higher price to be one of the major reasons why people prefer the membrane ones.

Besides that, I'd also like to see those studies or even just product tests you mentioned.

I found those a couple years ago when I was researching building my new system. Where I found them is unknown now and I don't relish the idea of looking for them again.

Just search gaming keyboards and the different kinds. You'll probably have to dive pretty deep but the info is there. A few other people in this very thread have the same knowledge by evidence of their posts. I'm not BSing anyone here.

People buying membrane because they're cheaper... that's subjective unless you're arguing that cheaper = better. And really "better" is subjective if qualifiers are left open. In the case of mechanical vs. membrane, I assumed from context that "better" meant better for gaming - reflex, accuracy, etc. and mechanical is better for that. But only by milliseconds which doesn't really affect the average gamer.

Funny thing is... that thing arguing with me through this whole thread seems to think I'm trying to sell mechanical keyboards or something. I don't even own one. I have no preference other than raised keys so I don't have to look to find my hand position.

[Squingus]

Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon eredeti hozzászólása:

mynameisjeff1337 eredeti hozzászólása:

membrane: stealth, lighter
mechanical: water resistant, more sturdy, more durable, better response time and more keys can be pressed at once for a game

um I'll disagree. I dont think many mechanical keyboards are actually "Water resistant" Spill resistant yes but not water proof or smth. Also, some membrane keyboards come with spill resistance too. Im pretty sure there are a few membrane keyboards that supports anti ghosting

water resistant is the same as spill resistant

[kyew]

To answer the original post, use whatever you like. It's a lot like guns and learning to shoot. Use what's comfortable to you. If it's uncomfortable, you're not going to like it and your learning curve will increase. Myself, the only preference I have is raised keys so I don't have to look to see where to put my fingers.

[Nomad]

I've never heard of mechanical keyboards being spill resistant. Mine is out of action for 3 days if I spill any water on it. I never had that problem with a rubber dome kb.

[Autumn_]

TRASH eredeti hozzászólása:

Not really, but some are better than others. The Corsair rubber dome keyboards are pretty nice and emulate a mechanical feel. Mechanical keyboards are kinda gimmicky, expensive and can't handle any spillages. They are just nice cause of clicky clacky.

Membrane keyboards feel nothing like mechanicals.

Mechanical keyboards can be had for the same price as a membrane one, or less (depending on feature set.)

They can handle things being spilled on them.

They are not gimmicky.

Sir Dookface McFerretballs eredeti hozzászólása:

JohnChronic eredeti hozzászólása:

Not even kind of close. Mechanical keyboards are objectively better - they provide more tactile feedback. You can really feel the switches actuating (and hear them). Membrane keyboards feel a lot more 'mushy' by comparison.

You need to learn the difference between Subjective and Objective.

Objective means something is basically scientifically or mathematically better than something else.

Subjective means something is better because YOU like it more, even if it is objectively worse or less popular.

Favorite keyboard type is "subjective" and different between different people.

And if you really want it broken down... Objectively... Membrane keyboards make up a bigger portion of market share than mechanical keyboards, mainly because most people don't want to spend over $50 on a keyboard.

That would technically make membrane keyboards "Objectively" more popular.

Subjectively, feeling wise when actuating keys, sure you have a point. Price wise you have some point, but you can get a mech keyboard for 25 quid, not expensive at all.

Mechanical is better in every other regard.

TRASH eredeti hozzászólása:

kyew eredeti hozzászólása:

snip

Well they have a faster response time because of analogue vs digital iirc but I think it is just a few milliseconds, I don't think it makes much difference. In online games, your network latency is probably gonna override any advantage a mechanical keyboard might give you. That's just my personal opinion though.

Both membrane and mechanical switches are digital.
Membrane keyboards are usually paired with ♥♥♥♥♥♥ controllers that process inputs slowly, and have a low polling rate. This leads to slower inputs.

Latency doesn't overwrite, it stacks.
Improving latency of one thing brings overall latency down.
Though a keyboard is a marginal improvement.

AustrAlien2010 eredeti hozzászólása:

I don't see why that would be the case. Maybe you saw some advertisement? For some people, it's not easy to see the difference between what is an advertisement and what is not.
I've got a 12,- dollar keyboard, which works just fine for most games. I suppose having a mechanical would be "better", but also larger and less practical.

You can get mechs which are tiny.
Low profile switches exist, small form factor keyboards exist.

Your keyboard works, that's enough, but there are better choices.

Fostin4 eredeti hozzászólása:

The cost is not really worth it for mechanical keyboards IMO. Membrane keys get the job done, they never fail even after heavy use of 10-15 years.

You can get mechs for 25 quid.
And a good mech will last you half your life, and most keyboards these days are releasing with hotswapable switches, meaning for ~50p you can buy a new switch and replace the broken one (in the rare event it breaks.)

TRASH eredeti hozzászólása:

I don't know about any studies but analogue keyboards do have lower latency in response times compared to digital. Actually though, I'm not sure all mechanical keyboards are analogue tho... I think only the Cherry keyboards are analogue while other mechanical keyboards are still digital.

And I don't mean mechanical keyboards with Cherry switches, I mean keyboards actually made by Cherry, the same company that makes the switches. I'm not sure, I bought this keyboard like 5 years ago so I can't remember.

Cherry keyboards are digital, even the new Razer and Steelseries keyboards that have analog switches send digital signals.
The latency of the switch is basically non-existent.

TRASH eredeti hozzászólása:

AustrAlien2010 eredeti hozzászólása:

You should have a keyboard with a docking station for a smartphone or tabled, so you can render custom HUD information on it. Display a weapon selection on it, a minimap, anything really.

I was gonna buy one like that cause it had really good RGB, I think it was a logitech one but then when I read into it, it used in-house switches so I passed.

Logitech use Rommer-G switches that are made by Omron. One of the largest micro switch manufacturers.

AustrAlien2010 eredeti hozzászólása:

If you use a microphone, it's somewhat annoying to hear you during a game, when you use a mechanical keyboard. So, you may want to use a normal membrane for gaming, because a microphone often picks up the sound mechanical keyboards make.
But if you are happy with your mechanical keyboard, then you should just use it, I think. But I am not sure if the rest of the players will think it's okay, if you're continually making sounds.

Set your microphone up properly then.
Only thing my microphone picks up is my voice. And I often have a 3D printer running next to me, and I use a keyboard with Razer greens.
People can't hear it when I talk to them.

Plaid eredeti hozzászólása:

Not trash, no. Some are really cheap and get stuck, or only last a couple years before spazzing out. Mechanical just holds up better.
(I will assume Razer is the exception to that rule as usual, lol)

Just think of a nice mechanical board as splurging for that high end controller, or something.

Razer make great keyboards.
So far my BW Chroma V2 has lasted great, even after spilling things in it, dropping it, and a couple years of use.

TRASH eredeti hozzászólása:

I've never heard of mechanical keyboards being spill resistant. Mine is out of action for 3 days if I spill any water on it. I never had that problem with a rubber dome kb.

20 mins on my mechanical keyboards if I spill stuff on them.
But I do flip the keyboard instantly and dump Isopropyl into it. And dry it with a hair dryer or something.

My membrane keyboards would be ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ for a day or two, because I'm not sure if you can put ipa on the membrane layer.

[shoopy]

TRASH eredeti hozzászólása:

I've never heard of mechanical keyboards being spill resistant. Mine is out of action for 3 days if I spill any water on it. I never had that problem with a rubber dome kb.

Mine is. The switches sit inside raised boxes so that liquid can't get in until it's above a certain level. I could literally pour water into my keyboard and it would just drain out holes underneath.

[Nomad]

Autumn_ eredeti hozzászólása:

snip

I have a k50 which feels more like a mechanical than a membrane. And I find mechanicals gimmicky. Also cheap mechanicals are crappy and I wouldn't trust any switches that aren't cherry. Also I have a Cherry MX Board 6.0 which is an analogue board, not digital.

[Triple G]

TRASH eredeti hozzászólása:

I've never heard of mechanical keyboards being spill resistant. Mine is out of action for 3 days if I spill any water on it. I never had that problem with a rubber dome kb.

Because of the rubber dome - fluids can´t get through it and most of the time the connections inside the keyboard are safe. It´s like some mat which is beneath the keys. If You want to shorten the time out of action You could remove the keys and dry it with a hair dryer or something like that. Fluids and electricity usually won´t work together very well. Perhaps there are spill resistant mechanical keyboards - but then again spill resistant is a somehow vague expression, but if it works if some drop of water from a certain angle at a certain speed doesn´t harm the keyboard - You label it spill resistant. Better more selling arguments than less...

[Walach]

B-B-Boomer Gaming eredeti hozzászólása:

Because of the rubber dome - fluids can´t get through it and most of the time the connections inside the keyboard are safe. It´s like some mat which is beneath the keys. If You want to shorten the time out of action You could remove the keys and dry it with a hair dryer or something like that. Fluids and electricity usually won´t work together very well. Perhaps there are spill resistant mechanical keyboards - but then again spill resistant is a somehow vague expression, but if it works if some drop of water from a certain angle at a certain speed doesn´t harm the keyboard - You label it spill resistant. Better more selling arguments than less...

Only thing I have to say is that I have a friend that is an electrician and he said that you should never use "heat" to dry electronics. Can't remember why tho...

Plastic bag and uncooked rice is the best, by him, a electrician™. :P