what is a mechanical switch?

First of all, what is a mechanical switch? Let's peruse the jargon. Non-mechanical keyboards rely on plastic membranes that generate circuits that feed into the PC via rubber switches under each key. They're cheap and relatively reliable, but don't give much feedback in terms of sound or touch. Oddly enough, keyboards that come with computers (desktops, especially laptops) are "thin film" keyboards, which you may not realize, but on which you type mushy peas.

Mechanical keyboard switches are different - here there is no plastic wrap to bend, instead you'll find mechanical springs and other physical components that provide physical and auditory feedback when you press a key. Click. Click. Click. After using the mechanical keyboard for a while and switching back to film, you can really tell the difference between the two.

Another advantage of mechanical switches is that each switch has its own separate entity, meaning you can press all the available keys, and the PC should be able to record each trip. For thin-film keyboards, they often limit their speed and accuracy in the name of cost savings (ever thought you could judge the accuracy of a keyboard?). So you can't say the same thing. This feature, called anti-ghosting, is especially useful in games where multiple keys are pressed in quick succession.

Keyboards with mechanical switches have more options. You will be able to find switch and keyboard combinations that suit your needs. Going one step further, you can even replace our worn-out keycaps or install custom keycaps, or start replacing new switches as needed.

Finally, mechanical keyboards and their expensive high-end switches last much longer than their thin-film counterparts. So while you might be a little scared to spend at least $50 on a new keyboard, it's worth noting that even the cheaper options can be tested anywhere with up to 50 million keys.