Should I use a Mechanical Keyboard in Office?

If you are an office worker who spends long hours on the computer, switching to mechanical keyboards can be the upgrade you need the most. Generally, employees consider that such keyboards are only good for gaming. However, mechanical keyboards come with various specifications that make them ideal for an office environment. After all, who can say no to a tactile typing experience where you feel sharp and crisp keypads?

As an office worker, audible and tactile feedback makes typing enjoyable and satisfying. It leads to significantly boosting your productivity. However, alongside many advantages, mechanical keyboards have their downsides as well. Some cons may or may not matter to you. This article will help you explore the usefulness of mechanical keyboards in the office while highlighting their pros and cons.

1. Benefits of Using a Mechanical Keyboard in Office

Let’s dive into some of the significant benefits offered by mechanical keyboards when used for office work:

Increased Comfort

Most conventional keyboards are membrane-based and have rubber domes underneath each key. The problem is that these domes collapse with time, making typing less responsive. On the other side, mechanical keyboards have individual switches under every key, producing a distinct and crisp sound when pressed. Hence, the stroke feels purposeful, easy, and comfortable. Moreover, most mechanical keyboards offer ergonomic features, making typing easy and strain-free.

Some notable features are adjustable height, split designs, and comfortable wrist position. It is essential to consider if you have long typing sessions at the office. The capability of some keyboards, like MK007PRO, have replaceable mechanical switches. It can be silent, tactile, or clicky. Users can replace the actuating component with a lower actuation force, noise level, and height for comfort.

Easily Customizable

Most mechanical keyboards are more easily customizable than their membrane counterparts. Mechanical keyboards like MK007PRO offer replaceable shafts that can reduce the overall volume of the keyboard and hot-swappable switches. If you are wondering what the component is, let us talk about it.

It is a part of the switch which comes in contact with the keycap. It means that different kinds of shafts will produce various types of sound. If you want a quiet typing experience in your office, opt for a silent shaft made from sound-damping materials such as O-rings. In addition to sound, shafts can also reduce the overall volume of your keyboard. If you opt for thicker keys and a silent shaft, your volume will decrease, making these keyboards perfect for office use.

Improved Productivity

With a mechanical keyboard, you tend to type faster and more accurately. So there is a significant increase in productivity. If you love aesthetics, your go-to keyboards must be mechanical, as they usually come with RGB/LED lights and programmable keys. Sometimes, such factors can do wonders for your overall motivation and productivity if you love having a premium-looking aesthetic keyboard. Moreover, ergonomic features have been discussed above and proven to improve productivity.

Longer Durability

Designers make mechanical keyboards capable of withstanding wear and tear for longer than their membrane counterparts. A mechanical keyboard can last up to 70 million key presses, while a membrane one may only last 5 million. Hence, there will be negligible maintenance or replacement costs over time. A robust keyboard like MK600RD shows that the value for money offered by mechanical keyboards is far greater. Office environments may provide a heavy workload requiring a reliable and durable mechanical keyboard.

2. Drawbacks of Using a Mechanical Keyboard in Office

Like all things, mechanical keyboards have their own set of pros and cons. Let’s discuss some of their drawbacks below:

Loud Noise

If your office environment is quieter, a mechanical keyboard with loud noise will be the last thing to bring into your office workspace. It may annoy your co-workers who are sensitive to noise and disturb them greatly. Though mechanical keyboards are easily customizable, users can dampen the noise with silent shafts and linear switches. They will still be louder than a membrane keyboard. However, mechanical keyboards won't affect the noise level if you have a very active environment with great hustle and bustle.

Higher Price

Mechanical keyboards are comparatively more expensive than their membrane counterparts, while membrane keyboards are more budget-friendly. This is because mechanical keyboards comprise more components, higher quality for durability, and complex construction. They have distinct switches for every key, while membrane keyboards employ a single membrane, and keys act as pressure pads. Differences in components like these make membrane keyboards simpler and less costly. Therefore, if you are on a budget, there may be better options than mechanical keyboards.

Not Suitable for All Users

While mechanical keyboards are an excellent option for many, there may be better alternatives for some users. Mechanical keys require more force to press the keys than membrane ones. If you have arthritis or any form of hand injury, you may prefer a keyboard that requires lesser energy to push with, such as a membrane keyboard. Moreover, for starters, mechanical keyboards can be more challenging to type. It may be harder to adjust if you have no experience with mechanical switches. Similarly, if you work in a quiet environment where additional noise can be a nuisance, you may not opt for a mechanical keyboard.

3. Should I Use a Mechanical Keyboard in the Office?

Now it comes down to buying a mechanical keyboard for office use. There is no absolute choice with both positive and negative sides to using mechanical keyboards. The choice depends wholly on your preferences. If you want a long-lasting and durable keyboard with an enjoyable and responsive typing experience, can afford to pay a little high for your interest, and love customizable setups, mechanical keyboards are your go-to option.

However, if you are on a budget, can not compromise on any additional noise in your office environment, and find it hard to press mechanical keys, you may go for conventional-style membrane keyboards. MK007PRO and MK600RD are excellent picks for office use as they provide enough customization and long-term durability that most offices require. Check them out! You will be surprised.