Top 3 things to know before playing keycap
For gamers, the keycap is one of the most used and customized devices by gamers. However, for those who are new to these components, keycap must be a rather strange word. Let’s… explain everything about keycaps!
- What is Keycap?
A keycap is a small piece of plastic, metal, or other material that is placed on the key switch of a computer keyboard. Keycaps represent the function of the key or the corresponding alphanumeric character.
Popular color keycaps: black, white,…
2. Types of keycaps?
2.1. OEM
OEM stands for Original Equipped Manufacturer, which is the profile form from the factory. These OEM Profile Keycaps are among the most popular and widely used keycaps.
OEM keycaps are commonly found on pre-built mechanical keyboards from well-known manufacturers like Logitech, Razer, and Corsair. Keycaps OEM identification characteristics are:
- Moderate key height.
- The keycap surface has a moderate curvature that feels comfortable for the finger.
- The flat surface curvature is flat horizontally and straight so that the force is evenly distributed to the fingertips, for fast and accurate typing.
2.2. Cherry Keycaps
Cherry Keycaps have a flat surface, the key inclination is quite large in the last rows. The general characteristics of Cherry keycap are:
- Low elevation with even flat top.
- The gradual inclination towards the end reduces the feeling of hand fatigue when typing for a long time.
- In terms of texture, the Cherry profile is similar to the OEM, but the lower keys and shallower slope create a softer and smoother typing feeling than the OEM, and the sound is clear and sharp.
2.3. SA Profile
SA stands for Spherical All, all film surfaces are spherical, The most important feature of the SA keycap is:
- The height is higher than other profiles, made of high-quality plastic material that is anti-corrosion and resistant to heat.
- The keys have different inclinations and indentations. Keys placed side by side look at the curve, harmoniously, and beautifully.
- The concavity on the face of the SA keycap helps fingers stay firmly on the keyboard even when typing quickly, feeling solid and hugging.
- SA keycap sets are often more expensive than keycaps of other profiles. Due to the need for more plastic materials, the production quantity in a batch is usually small and the technology for printing characters is advanced.
The famous SA profile keycap manufacturers on the market today are Signature Plastics (Original), Mackey, and ONECAP.
2.4. DSA Profile
Unlike SA Profile, DSA keycaps have the following characteristics:
- The keycap is low and the surface has a very slight indentation, enough to hug the fingers when typing.
- The keycap surface is wide to the horizontal, giving a comfortable feeling without being constrained to use.
- The characters on the DSA keycap are usually centered to accommodate the slight mid-concave of the key surface.
- DSA profile design helps users reduce hand fatigue, fingers fit on the keys.
Usually comes with a variety of switches, and the case is not too big. Fits a streamlined, lightweight, and elegant mechanical keyboard.
3. How to use a keycap?
The keycap is very diverse in price – design – material. Therefore, proper use and preservation are of great interest to many people.
First, check the compatibility and layout between the keycap and the mechanical keyboard.
To remove the old keycap, you must use a small tool called the Key Puller that usually comes in the keyboard box. Then put the Key Puller into the keycap and then gently hook it up to take the keycap out.
If you already have a new keycap, install the keycap in the old position. Note that please install it in the correct position so as not to mistake the function of the key.
4. Conclusion
Hopefully, through this article, you have had the basic concepts of keycaps as well as choose the most suitable keycap types for yourself.
You can refer to some keycap samples of Break Wooden.
