You've decided on mechanical — now what?
The keyboard aisle throws a lot of terms at you once you step past the membrane decision. Blue or red switches. 60% or TKL or full-size. Gasket mount. Polling rate. RGB zones. Most of it is noise. Two things actually decide whether you'll enjoy typing or gaming on a board every day: the switch you choose and the size. Work those out first — RGB is decorative, figure it out last.
The switch is the keyboard
Every mechanical keyboard is built around a switch type that determines how each key feels and sounds. The industry uses colour codes, which vary by brand, but the underlying categories are consistent.
Clicky switches (e.g. blue) give you an audible click and a tactile bump at the actuation point — the feel confirms the keypress before the key bottoms out. Typists moving from a mushy laptop keyboard often love this: you know every key registered without hammering down. The downside is noise. Not excessive — a satisfying clatter, not a drill — but noticeable on a video call. Linear switches (e.g. red) are smooth from top to bottom with no bump or click. The key registers about halfway down with no resistance. Popular with gamers who double-tap or hold keys rapidly, because there is nothing to fight through on quick inputs. Quieter than clicky, though not silent. Tactile switches (e.g. brown) sit between the two: a bump without the click. The bump is subtler than it sounds in theory — if you are undecided, brown is a sensible middle ground for mixed typing and gaming.| Switch feel | Sound | Great for |
|---|---|---|
| Clicky (blue) | Audible, satisfying | Typing, anyone who wants key confirmation |
| Linear (red) | Quiet, smooth | Gaming, fast repeated inputs |
| Tactile (brown) | Low, subtle bump | Mixed use, shared spaces |
| Maro tip | Blue is the classic first-mechanical experience; switch type is personal |
The AULA F2088 wired mechanical keyboard ships with blue switches — a full-size 104-key board with a volume knob and a wrist rest included. It is the uncomplicated way to find out whether clicky switches suit your hands.
Size: how much desk space do you actually use?
Full-size keyboards have 104 keys: the main alpha cluster, function row, navigation block, and a numpad on the right. The numpad earns its space if you enter numbers regularly — spreadsheets, data entry, accounting. The trade-off is that it pushes your mouse arm further right, adding a sideways reach that accumulates over long sessions.
Tenkeyless (TKL) keyboards drop the numpad and shrink to 87 keys. Your mouse returns about 10 centimetres closer to your shoulder. If you do not rely on the numpad daily, TKL is almost always the more comfortable long-term choice.
Compact layouts — 65% and 68% boards — also trim the navigation cluster and sometimes the function row. Smallest footprint, but expect a week or two of relearning key positions.
| Size | Keys | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Full-size | 104 | Numpad users: spreadsheets, accounting, data entry |
| TKL | 87 | Most desk workers and gamers — mouse stays close |
| Compact 65–68% | 65–68 | Minimal desk, frequent traveller |
| Maro tip | If you use the numpad less than once a week, try TKL |
The case for wireless
Once you have settled on switch feel and size, wireless is worth thinking about. Cutting the cable means freedom to reposition the keyboard, run a cleaner desk, and switch between devices without pulling a plug.
The AULA S98 tri-mode gasket keyboard connects via 2.4GHz wireless (fast enough for gaming), Bluetooth (up to three paired devices — tablet, phone, second laptop), and USB-C wired. Its gasket-mounted plate suspends the key plate on rubber cushioning so each keypress sounds and lands noticeably softer. Not a marketing claim — side by side with a rigid-mount board it is immediately apparent on long typing sessions.
RGB: sort this out last
Most first-time buyers list RGB as a top priority. After two weeks of actually using the keyboard, the glow becomes background. The switch feel and size determine whether you still enjoy the board after six months. Spend your research time there.
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