TL;DR
- Editing: light/quiet tactiles for precision and low fatigue.
- Coding: medium tactiles or quiet linears; prioritize ergonomics and remapping.
- Clutch plays: fast linears or Hall‑effect with rapid‑trigger and high polling.
Switches (feel, noise, speed)
- Editing (video/audio/design):
- Light tactiles: “Brown‑class,” Durock T1, Zealios V2 (62–67 g).
- Silent tactiles: Gazzew Boba U4, Durock Silent T1 for shared studios.
- Why: subtle bump aids accuracy; silence reduces mic bleed.
- Coding:
- Medium tactiles: Zealios V2, Boba U4T (if sound OK).
- Quiet linears: Gateron Silent Red/Black, Cherry MX Silent Red.
- Why: long sessions; stable bottom‑out, low finger strain.
- Gaming clutch:
- Fast linears: Gateron Oil King, Cherry MX Red/Silver, Kailh Speed Silver.
- Hall‑effect/optical: Wooting (Lekker), SteelSeries OmniPoint, Razer Analog with Rapid Trigger.
- Why: adjustable actuation, minimal latency, fast reset.
Tip: lube and film improve smoothness; silent versions cut noise. Avoid clickies in shared spaces.
Layouts (workflow vs. space)
- 75%: arrows + F‑row; best all‑round for creators.
- TKL (87%): full nav cluster for coding shortcuts; more mouse room than full‑size.
- 65%/60%: compact; rely on layers/macros; great for travel/esports.
- 96%/1800‑compact: numpad without the width—handy for spreadsheets.
- Full‑size: dedicated numpad; widest footprint.
- Ergonomics: split/Alice + tenting for wrist comfort; low‑profile for reduced extension.
Build & acoustics
- Hot‑swap sockets = easy switch swaps.
- Stabilizers: screw‑in, tuned; quiet spacebar matters for edits/calls.
- Mount: gasket/isolated for softer feel; tray/plate for firmer response.
- Keycaps: PBT (durable, matte) vs ABS (smooth, can shine). Cherry profile = safe typing angle. Shine‑through if you need legends in the dark.
- North vs south‑facing LEDs: south improves Cherry‑profile compatibility and sound.
Connectivity & latency
- Competitive: wired or 2.4 GHz with 1,000–8,000 Hz polling, NKRO.
- Desk comfort: tri‑mode (USB‑C, 2.4 G, BT). Bluetooth is convenience, not esports.
- Battery: 3,000 mAh+ for tri‑mode boards with RGB off.
Software & macros
- VIA/QMK/Vial: per‑key remaps, layers, tap‑dance.
- Creator presets: one‑key ripple delete, blade cut, playhead jump, macro layers per app.
- Cross‑OS: macOS/Windows toggle, dedicated Mac legends help.
Quick picks (2025)
- Budget all‑round: 75% hot‑swap + Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown/Red.
- Quiet office/cuts: TKL with Boba U4 or Gateron Silent Red, foam dampening.
- Pro gaming: Wooting 60HE/Two HE, SteelSeries Apex Pro, Razer Huntsman V3 Pro (rapid trigger).
- Low‑profile Mac: Keychron K/K Pro 75% or NuPhy Air; silent linears.
- Ergonomic: Alice/split gasket board with medium tactiles.
Setup tips
- Map layers per app, keep arrows/Home/End handy.
- Use palm rest, slight negative tilt for wrists.
- Record common edits (cut, ripple, export) as macros. 🎯
