The Next Big Thing in Mechanical Keyboards: Magnetic Switches
As the world shifted to remote work and the need for home office upgrades increased, mechanical keyboards quickly skyrocketed from a niche product to mainstream status. Brands like Akko, Drop, Ducky, Epomaker, and Keychron became household names, offering a wide variety of layouts and customization options from various vendors.
However, as the market became oversaturated with similar features, things began to feel stagnant. RGB lighting, once considered a high-end feature, became standard, and the number of available switch types seemed endless. Linear, tactile, and clicky switches in various colors catered to gamers and typists alike. Gasket-mounted keyboards, once exclusive to high-end boards for a softer and bouncier typing experience, became commonplace.
While this increase in availability and quality is beneficial, it has also made the mechanical keyboard scene a bit dull. Enter magnetic switches, the next big thing in this market.
Unlike traditional mechanical switches, which rely on physically closing an electrical circuit to register a keystroke, magnetic switches use magnets and springs to sense changes in the magnetic field. Popularized by Dutch keyboard startup Wooting, these switches have been around since the 1960s but are now gaining traction in the mechanical keyboard community.
The most significant advantage of magnetic switches is their ability to adjust the actuation point, the point during a keypress when the switch registers the keystroke. This feature allows for a high degree of customization, with options to change the actuation point for gaming or typing, avoid errant keystrokes, and calibrate for temperature variations.
Magnetic switches also offer additional benefits, such as the ability to change where the keypress is released, allowing for quicker key spamming in gaming. Some manufacturers even offer the option to assign multiple actions to a single key, creating a customizable macro-like feature.
However, one drawback of magnetic switches is their lack of resistance adjustment. The spring inside the switch is still responsible for this feature.
Currently, there is no standard for magnetic switches, making compatibility with different keyboards a factor to consider. However, some manufacturers, like Akko, allow for the use of traditional mechanical switches on their keyboards, but without the customization capabilities of magnetic switches.
A Trip to Santorini: Akko’s MOD 007B PC
To test out magnetic switches, Akko sent me their MOD007B PC Santorini keyboard from their World Tour series. Priced at just under $150 (with a lower price available on Amazon), this gasket-mount keyboard comes pre-built with Kailh’s linear Sakura Pink magnetic switches and also accepts 3-pin mechanical switches.
Connectivity options include Bluetooth, USB-C, and a multi-host 2.4Ghz option with the included dongle. The board is powered by a 3600mAh battery for wireless use.
The 75-percent case may seem plain, but it offers the ability to adjust the typing angle, a feature not found on many high-end keyboards. The case’s interior is lined with foam to shape the sound, which may be too clacky for some but can be dampened with minor modifications.
The software designed specifically for this keyboard is easy to use and allows for customization. However, magnetic switch boards tend to rely on proprietary software rather than open-source options.
In conclusion, Akko’s MOD007B PC offers a taste of magnetic switches at an affordable price. While it may not be the most premium board on the market, it is a fun and customizable option for both gamers and typists. Whether you prefer linear switches or not, this board is worth considering for its flexibility and unique features.
