Upgrade Your Workspace Aesthetics: How a Mechanical Keyboard Can Enhance Your Desk Setup
By Marc Jones, Retail Category Manager, Dell Technologies ANZ

Is your desk looking a little dull? Always thought, “there’s just missing something” but don’t know what? Perhaps not even just on your desk, but something missing in your life? The answer to your question may just be a mechanical keyboard.

You are probably rubbing your head right now and questioning what you have just read, but yes, the thing that you tap your fingers on the daily can spruce up even the most average looking desk setup (and with it, even the most average life).

For those of you who have not been graced by the YouTube algorithm gods and haven’t come across a mechanical keyboard ASMR video, you might be wondering how a mechanical keyboard is different from any other keyboard out there. Well, we’re here to explain what a mechanical keyboard is and how it can be a life enhancing purchase.

Mechanical vs Membrane

There are two main types of keyboards you have probably heard mention of before (or not if you aren’t a keyboard enthusiast, you’re the weird one not me): membrane and mechanical.
A membrane keyboard is most likely what you are currently using. Underneath the keycaps sits a rubber domed membrane, something like what you find people covering their laptop’s keyboard with to protect it. The domed shape, as well as some internal mechanisms, raise the keys waiting for your fingers to tap them. These keyboards come as they are and there is little to no customisation possible with them.

Then there is the mechanical keyboard. What differentiates the mechanical keyboard from the membrane keyboard is (you got it!) its mechanical switches. There are many moving parts to a switch, but to put it simple a mechanical switch uses a stem and spring mechanism to allow key presses to be registered. Just like your complex boba order, you can pretty much customise every facet of the keyboard. From the colour to the exact tone of how each key press sounds.

Just like how a simple garnish can elevate the look of any dish, the smallest of changes to your mechanical keyboard can make your setup standout. So, let’s get into the nitty gritty of how a mechanical keyboard can spice up your desk setup. So, what can you change on a mechanical keyboard?

Keycaps

If you had a quick search for keyboards on Google the generic black base and keycaps will most likely show up. The odd white colourway may also appear but why settle for mediocrity. The beauty of mechanical keyboards are its various customisability options, the most obvious of which being the keycaps.

The keycap market has expanded rapidly in recent years due to the rise in demand. Lucky for you, that means if there’s an aesthetic you have in mind, it’s most likely already available for purchase. Matcha themed keyboard, you’ve got it. A Tron lover? there’s keycaps for you too.

It doesn’t stop there, if you’re looking for something truly unique, you may want to consider artisan keycaps. These are beautifully intricate designs crafted by hand.
We’ve seen landscapes taken straight out of an anime and be encased in a keycap with resin. The possibilities are endless when it comes to keycaps.

Chassis

Now that you got the keycaps of your dreams (which yes, is something I actually dream about), it’s time to frame them with a keyboard chassis.

Keyboard chassis comes in a variety of colours that stretch the full colour spectrum. A variety of materials and finishes are also available to tend to your every visual and tactile need. Want a more luxurious feeling keyboard? Why not opt for an aluminium or wooden base. Are you a fiend for retro gaming, there are semi-transparent cases intended to help you showcase the inner workings of your keyboard like an old school Nintendo Gameboy.

RGB Lighting

RGB lighting gained immense popularity at the beginning of the TikTok craze, where you saw colourful flashing lights behind every dancing video. Since, RGB lighting has become standard in most mechanical keyboard. It’s a cheap fix to elevate any setup. Of course, you can change the colours to match your aesthetic, but why not take it up a notch with lighting effects. My favourite is the ripple effect where the light changes as you press a key like the ripples of water.

Many brands offer a centralised system that lets you configure the lighting to your heart’s content, the Alienware Command Centre for instance. Feeling the heat from your opponents? Red could be the right colour to express your inner rage. Maybe you haven’t touched grass in a while? Green could be convincing enough for you not to head outside. A tool such as Alienware Command Centre can even go as far as to have all your different Alienware products beam its own colours. Go wild!

Cords

You’re now all set with the keyboard of your dream, but how are you going to connect it? Yes, you could stick to the standard cord that comes in the box, but you’ve come so far now, why settle for less. The cord is undoubtedly the most overlooked aspect of the keyboard. Let’s give it the appreciation it deserves by upgrading it with a coiled cord. They come in every colour imaginable, you can match it to your uniquely designed keyboard or go crazy with a complimentary colour. Not only are they beautiful, but coiled cables are also practical. It’s looped design ensures tangled messes are a thing of the past, and with its tough exterior, these cables are meant to be beat around.

Conclusion:

We spend a significant portion of our day typing, whether it be in the office or while gaming. Why not make the experience an enjoyable one. If your anything like me, you will flood your search history with speed typing websites just to have an excuse to appreciate the hard work you’ve put in to curating YOUR keyboard.