How much faster does a mechanical keyboard make you?

[Author_Riceball]

I’ve always written on a pillow with a computer on top of that. Never had a desk or mechanical keyboard but I ordered one but it’s going to take a while to arrive.

Just so I know what to expect when it comes to productivity, how have these changes affected your writing pace?

 

[Shiriru_B]

written? like on paper or type and also do you mean a laptop?

Edit: anyway if you mean you mainly use a laptop then keyboards will probably need some getting used to it'll probably make you use your fingers more so it's easier to get tired with all the pressing. While typing with the keyboard I can get to a comfortable 60-75 wpm although I think it's easier with a laptop.

Edit edit: just tested with a keyboard and now that I think about it doesn't impact typing performance much as I was scoring 70 on a laptop keyboard and a 60-65 on a normal keyboard although your wrist are going to hurt a bit for the normal keyboard.

 

[AmbreaTaddy]

I’ve always written on a pillow with a computer on top of that. Never had a desk or mechanical keyboard but I ordered one but it’s going to take a while to arrive.

Just so I know what to expect when it comes to productivity, how have these changes affected your writing pace?

From my experience :

With a laptop my writing speed is 550 words/15 minutes
With a computer keyboard it's 500 words/15 minutes

The difference is minimal, but I think it's because on a laptop the keys are more compact, more grouped, but on a mechanical keyboard there is more space so it takes slightly longer to go from one key to the next.

That's just considering speed, however when it comes to comfort a computer keyboard is better. You don't press unwanted keys and with more space, your shoulders aren't scrunched as much, so I have less tendinosis problems.

In both cases, you should write on a desk, not on a bed, and preferably have an ergonomic chair with a small pillow in your lower back, otherwise you might get a herniated disc if you write for a long time.

 

[Eldoria]

How fast do I type? It's pretty fast to type with my eyes closed if I'm just writing simple words.

But it's incredibly slow for writing fiction chapters (2 chapters per week with an average of 1.5k words per chapter). That's only 18 words (of fiction) per hour, or 432 words per day.

 

[pangmida]

I like the sound of my mechanical keyboard. EPOMAKER Galaxy70. Very creamy. Makes me want to type more. Therefore higher productivity. That's something, right?

 

[Corty]

It's not about the speed... It's about the CLICKITY CLICK.

 

[unlaumy]

It's not about the speed... It's about the CLICKITY CLICK.

vibe > efficiency

 

[Zagaroth]

For WPM, I have no idea.

But it's easier to spend more time typing with a comfortable keyboard with nice feedback. Thus, it will get me more words per day, which is a much more important metric.

 

[Shiriru_B]

Ah now that I remember, you definitely going to have to get used to the clicking sounds.

 

[Deleted member 167438]

Ah now that I remember, you definitely going to have to get used to the clicking sounds.

Get used to? That is the best part! Love me the clickity clackity.

 

[Xcalibur_Xc]

Depends. I used to use a membrane keyboard and used to have a fast typing speed. Then I switched to a TKL Mechanical keyboard, and it was a nightmare to type due to the small form factor. It took months to get into the groove and you do less typo mistakes on a mechanical keyboard. As for speed, I think the old membrane keyboard was still better for constant typing.

 

[Placeholder]

That's just a girth issue, not the key mechanism.

---

> wrists, backs

Best to go quickly to a real world physiotherapist when these things come up.

If you cannot, or will not:

Hand and Wrist Exercises

"Famous" Physical Therapists Bob Schrupp and Brad Heineck present their playlist of videos on hand and wrist exercises.

youtube.com

https://www.bobandbrad.com/health-programs/back-pain-relief-program

Again, see a human physiotherapist. They can diagnose. Also, there's apparently stretches and exercises you shouldn't do.

 

[ArchlordZero]

Faster than I can finish inside your momma...

 

[Placeholder]

I think you are trying to maximize the wrong metric.

 

[Nhatduongg]

Writing? Nah not so much.

Gaming? The sheer difference in speed is insane. I can game so much faster with a mechanical keyboard.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

Until you get used to it, it will be a little slower, noticeably so. That should only last a week or two, and then you'll see a very, very slight improvement. Probably about what AmbreaTaddy suggested above.

 

[Gray_Mann]

I'm more accustomed to desktop keyboards, but I do use a laptop occasionally. I can get 84 words per minute on a desktop keyboard and 72 words on a laptop equivalent.

I also like the sound of keyboards. The clickety-clacking can be something akin to hypnotic if you detach and listen to yourself.

 

[Representing_Tromba]

It boosted my word count from 400 words and hour to 800 near instantly when I switched from phone to keyboard.

 

[Daitengu]

I prefer low profile keyboards. You can get em full sized like a mechanical keyboard, but being pads instead allows for a far shorter key press.

Making it the fastest for typing and gaming. At least that's what the nerds who did a comparison study showed.

 

[TASTYLEADPAINT]

A mechanical keyboard has slowed me down i feel.