3 Reasons Why You Need a Mechanical Keyboard

If you work a desk job, spend a lot of time typing, or just want a better typing experience than the mushiness of laptop keys, a mechanical keyboard is a solid investment. Mechanical keyboards offer a range of benefits over traditional membrane keyboards, including tactile feedback, durability, and customization.

1. Mechanical keyboards feel better to type on compared to traditional keyboards

Mechanical switches come in a variety of types, thanks to differences in materials, shapes, and sizes. This creates a near-infinite range of unique typing experiences and feel. The three main types of mechanical keyboard switches are:

Linear: smooth and bump-free. This is a great choice for gamers, as the lack of bump could save milliseconds in response time. More importantly, they're pretty noiseless, making them a great option for office workers.
Tactile: bumpy, but quiet. A bump is like a speed bump, but pleasant and even satisfying. Tactile switches are a good in between linear and clicky switches. Because they offer instant, tangible feedback in a tactile way, these switches are the best for all-purpose use.
Clicky: bumpy, but loud. Typewriters walked so clicky switches could run. Clicky switches offer both tactile and audible feedback. They're pretty loud, so it's not recommended for office use, unless you perhaps dislike your coworkers.

2. Mechanical keyboards last longer than membrane boards.

The durability of mechanical keyboards is another significant advantage over membrane keyboards. While membrane keyboards have a lifespan of around 5 million keystrokes, mechanical switches can endure between 30 to 100 million keystrokes, depending on the switch type. This longevity is due to the robust construction of mechanical switches, which feature individual components for each key. In contrast, membrane keyboards rely on a single, flexible membrane that can wear out more quickly with repeated use.

In the event something in your mechanical keyboard breaks, it's easy to replace, unlike the membrane keyboard. If you want to fix a broken key in your membrane keyboard, you typically have to take it in and get the entire keyboard fixed, if not the whole laptop.

Some higher end mechanical keyboards are made from long-lasting materials, like metal casing. It's even possible to buy a titanium keyboard (though it'll cost you $4,000).

3. Mechanical keyboards are more customizable than membrane boards.

Mechanical keyboards offer a wide range of customization options that allow users to personalize their typing experience:

USB wires (how the board connects to your computer, or go wireless!)
Keycaps (the appearance of the letters, numbers, and words on your keyboard)
Keyboard size (how many keys are included in your board; some folks only want letters, and others need the number pad)
Switch types (how it feels to type)
Modifications (such as lubing your switches, adding silencers like foam or rings, etc)
Macros (programmable keyboard shortcuts - not all keyboards have this)
Lighting (keyboards often come with RGB lighting, and sometimes it's even programmable)

This level of flexibility is simply not possible with membrane keyboards. The customizability of mechanical keyboards not only enhances their functionality but also allows for a unique and personalized aesthetic that reflects the user's individual style.

Don't like something? Swap it out!

TL;DR: What a great pair of shoes does for everyday walking, a mechanical keyboard can do for everyday typing.

Investing in a mechanical keyboard can greatly enhance your typing experience, increase productivity, and provide unmatched customization. With superior tactile feedback, impressive durability, and extensive customization options, mechanical keyboards offer compelling value for anyone who types a lot. Whether you're a professional writer, gamer, or simply appreciate high-quality typing, a mechanical keyboard is an investment that will pay off for years. So, if you're ready to elevate your typing, consider switching to a mechanical keyboard today.

Why you should write a listicle

Listicles, or articles presented in a list format, have become increasingly popular in recent years - and for good reason. These easy-to-digest, scannable pieces of content offer numerous benefits for both readers and content creators alike.

Here are some key reasons why you should consider writing listicles:

They're easy to read. In today's fast-paced digital world, people often don't have the time or attention span to read long-form articles. Listicles break information down into bite-sized, numbered chunks that are quick and easy to consume.
They're shareable. Because of their scannable nature, listicles tend to perform well on social media. People are more likely to share a "Top 10" list than a dense, text-heavy article. This can help increase your reach and drive more traffic to your site.
They're engaging. Listicles often incorporate eye-catching visuals, attention-grabbing headlines, and interactive elements like quizzes or polls. This makes them more engaging and memorable than traditional articles.
They're versatile. Listicles can cover a wide range of topics, from serious news stories to lighthearted pop culture roundups. No matter what industry you're in, there's likely a way to incorporate lists into your content strategy.
They're great for SEO. Search engines love listicles because they're typically focused on a specific keyword or topic. By optimizing your listicle for relevant keywords, you can improve your search rankings and drive more organic traffic to your site.

Writing a listicle is a smart way to create content that's both user-friendly and effective at driving results for your business.

And creating listicles is easy with Type, the AI-powered writing assistant that helps you write faster and smarter.

How to write a listicle

To write an effective listicle, start by choosing a topic that lends itself well to a list format. This could be anything from "10 Ways to Boost Your Productivity" to "The 5 Best Restaurants in New York City."

Next, come up with a catchy, click-worthy headline that clearly communicates what your list is about. Use numbers, strong adjectives, and power words to make your headline stand out.

When writing your list items, keep them concise and to-the-point. Use short paragraphs or bullet points to make your content easy to scan. Incorporate relevant images, GIFs, or videos to break up the text and add visual interest.

Finally, wrap up your listicle with a brief conclusion that summarizes the key takeaways and includes a call-to-action. This could be an invitation to share the article, leave a comment, or check out a related resource.

You can also use Type and our template library filled with expert-designed templates to create listicles quickly and easily.

How to use this template

Here's how to go from our general template to a polished listicle in just a few simple steps:

Open up Type, click "New Document," and select the "Listicle" template from the gallery.
Under "knowledge sources," you can include links to any research, data, or resources you want to reference in your listicle. This will give the writing AI more context to work with.
Hit "Generate," and watch as Type's AI creates a custom listicle for you in seconds, complete with suggested headlines and list items.
Refine the listicle with our Rewrite brushes. You can adjust the tone, make the text more concise, improve readability, and more.
Add your own personal touches and concrete examples to make the listicle uniquely yours. If you need some inspiration, brainstorm ideas with Type Chat, the chatbot that lives right in your document.
When you're done, ask Type to review your listicle for any grammar, spelling, or formatting issues. A polished, error-free article will help establish your credibility and authority.
Export your completed listicle from Type as a web-ready HTML file. It's all set to publish on your blog or website!

Best practices and tips for success

Before you start writing your listicle, do some research to see what's already been covered on your topic. Look for unique angles or new information you can add to the conversation.

Some other tips to keep in mind:

Choose an odd number of items. Listicles with odd numbers in the headline (like 7 or 9) tend to perform better than those with even numbers.
Use parallel structure. Keep your list items grammatically and stylistically consistent. Start each one with the same part of speech or verb tense.
Prioritize your list items. Put the most important or interesting items at the beginning and end of your list. Readers are most likely to remember those.
Optimize for featured snippets. Use clear, concise headlines and formatting to increase your chances of showing up in Google's featured snippets for list-based queries.
Encourage engagement. Ask readers to share their own tips in the comments or on social media. This boosts engagement and can give you ideas for future content.

How to access this template

Getting started with this listicle template is easy. Just log into your Type account and open a new document.

Once you're in the document editor, select the "Generate" button to open the "Generate Draft" menu. Tap "Use template →" to open the template menu, where you can choose "Listicle" from the options.

Your turn

Listicles are a powerful way to create engaging, shareable content that drives results for your business. Let Type and our battle-tested template help you write attention-grabbing listicles in a snap.

Try Type out and see how easy it is to create listicles that inform, entertain, and convert.

Listicle template

3 Reasons Why You Need a Mechanical Keyboard

2. Mechanical keyboards last longer than membrane boards.

3. Mechanical keyboards are more customizable than membrane boards.

TL;DR: What a great pair of shoes does for everyday walking, a mechanical keyboard can do for everyday typing.

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