[csdvrx]

> I wonder if anyone has studied the effects of different weights of switches. Personally I've always liked the lighter ones. The heavier ones felt uncomfortable and tiring. But I see people in the mechanical keyboard community praise the heavier switches, so I've always assumed that my hands are just weak

I don't know about studies, but I prefer membrane keyboards for this reason: far less strength is required.

[Symbiote]

Since changing to a mechanical keyboard, I've realized the opposite. A traditional membrane keyboard seems like much more effort. (I measured it at some point, by balancing coins on a key until the key activated, but I don't have enough coins to hand to repeat this.)

Laptop-style keys can be lighter -- I think too light -- but there are mechanical keys with similar weighting.

Next time you're in an electronics shop, see if there's a mechanical gaming keyboard on display with "Red" switches. (Note you probably don't need to press the key all they way to the bottom to activate it.) Switches lighter than this are available, but probably wouldn't be on display on a keyboard in a normal shop.

[ziml77]

I love my mechanical keyboards, but membrane boards might still feel better to some even if they do require more force than some mechanical switch options. One specific benefit I can think of is that membrane boards naturally cushion your bottoming out and don't feel as mushy as O-rings or silenced switches can be.