Why You Should Build A Mechanical Keyboard in 2020

With so many resources available and so much free time, it’s a great way to start a new hobby.

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Unless you have been living under a rock the past 20 years (or just have a weird phobia of tech), your work and life has probably shifted to a more digital space. This is especially true in the midst of our global pandemic, where many companies and workers are adopting work from home strategies.

As our lives become more digital, we develop a deeper connection to the tech that facilitates it. Do you panic when you can’t find your phone? Do you but custom skins or cases for your laptop to give it personality? We do these things because the tech we use has meaning to us.

Despite all the emphasis on our smartphones and other devices, people often neglect their keyboards. Sure, gamers often splurge on mechanical keyboards, but the average user usually just sticks with whatever their computer came with.

However, there is a growing community of people who are building their own keyboards. It isn’t a cost-effective solution either. In fact, building your own keyboard is usually significantly more expensive than buying one. Yet, these keyboards are incredibly personal, and it is a way to make your workflow feel more like your own.

If you are new to DIY projects like this, have no fear. There are TONS of guides and walkthrough videos to show you step by step how to build your own keyboard. If you’re still on the fence about building your own, here are three good reasons why you should build one in 2020.

#1 The Customization Is Unreal

Of any tech product you can build, keyboard are among the most customizable. In many ways, they are on par with the level of customization you get from building your own computer. That’s because you decide every single component that goes into the keyboard build. You decide the frame, the switches, the keycaps, everything.

Choosing you switches is great for mechanical keyboard fans. I won’t get into technical details about switches here, you can read all about that here. But being able to determine everything about your keyboard, down to the actual typing experience and sound, is pretty awesome.

For frames, the options are also nearly limitless. You can get plenty of inexpensive frames from sites like AliExpress, or you can 3D print a frame. If you want to be extra, you can even have your frame cut from wood. That’ll cost you a pretty penny, but it is definitely something that none of your friends will have.

There are also tons of companies that create custom keycaps, so you can give your keyboard a retro look a la Commodore64, or you can give it a sleek cyberpunk feel with lots of neon. The choices are basically endless. If you’re an artsy person yourself, you can even make your own keycaps.

#2 Your Workflow Will Be More Personal

This was touched on briefly above, but making a work experience your own is not only motivating, but it is also good for your health. You didn’t bring your work home just to feel like your back in a cubicle. Your desk should have personal memorabilia like family photos or Funko Pops, and even something like a customized keyboard makes it feel more at home.

This can be beneficial even when you return to the office. Take your keyboard with you, and instantly your once dreary workspace feels like home again. It may seem like a little thing, but it is surprisingly effective for long-term productivity.

#3 DIY Projects Are Just Good For You In General

Many of us are stuck at home now, and the pandemic is making it hard for us to connect with others in a meaningful way. That’s leading to a lot of depression and anxiety, especially in young people.

A good way to keep your mental health in check is by doing something, anything really. Instead of binging another season of something on Netflix, try making something (like your own keyboard). You’ll find the act of taking on little projects will do wonders for your mentality. But, hey, don’t take it from some internet rando, take it from real psychologists.

Now is the perfect time to build your own keyboard. With so many resources available and so much free time, it’s a great way to start a new hobby and engage with a new and lively community.

Link Source : https://www.thegamer.com/mechanical-keyboard-building-how-to-feature/