Half Mechanical Keyboards! Are They Worth It?

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What is a half mechanical keyboard and how does it perform against traditional membrane and mechanical offerings?
Masione Half Mechanical Gaming Keyboard:
US: amzn.to/1WipGTR
UK: amzn.to/1PSobes
CREDITS:
Kevin Macleod - www.incompetech...
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Bitwit is a PC gaming and hardware-focused KZbin channel committed to making quality online tech videos for your infotainment! We are a nerdy married couple pumping out 3 to 4 videos a week delivering a mixed bag of content including product reviews, custom PC builds, vlogs, the occasional comedy sketch and more.
Half Mechanical Keyboards! Are They Worth It?
• Half Mechanical Keyboa...
Bitwit
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[@hj-mr5gg]

if this was razer it would cost the same as a mechanical one

[@filiboy5932]

No

[@Dankusez]

Yes. Look at razer Ornata, half-mechanical and its cost almost 100 dollars

[@themcx8312]

Filiboy :D Look at the razer ornata bro

[@hennatnav]

Filiboy you are no smart

[@Rex-golf_player810]

@@Dankusez which is funny because a fucking redragon k552 (a real mechanical keyboard) can range from around 30 to 50 bucks lol

[@matthewmuehleck8580]

Am I the only one who has never heard of half mechanical keyboards?

[@truegenicode]

+Matthew Muehleck First time hearing about it, wish I knew about it sooner. Seems like a decent gift idea for some one coming from console to pc.

[@KunaiKrazy]

Never heard of these, either

[@andreas_ak]

+Mike Bee TV I learned the meaning of 'half' from my brother. We had to share a cake. He cut it right in the middle, and then from those 2 pieces he cut each right in the middle again, and then gave me a piece out of those 4 pieces and he told mom that I had eaten half the cake.

[@ramrod126]

+Matthew Muehleck Nope, been building systems since 1998 and this is the first I have heard of them.

[@jonathan_sawers]

+Matthew Muehleck No

[@Markgangzta]

One thing that annoyed me when I first got into PC gaming was that the same people who tell you that PC gaming is actually cheap as chips and that you can easily build a gaming PC for around the same price as a console are the exact same people that sneer and look down on you for not spending $150-200 on a mouse and keyboard. IMO if you're on a budget just abuse the shit out of something like the CM Storm Devastator II or some Red Dragon crap for a few months and then save up for a good keyboard and mouse down the line.

[@maggiejordan2638]

That's exactly what I'm doing. Got my eye on a really nice genuine cherry keyboard with usb pass through and a mouse with twelve buttons and rgb but they're about $140 together so I'm using a ten dollar mouse and keyboard combo that I got open box from micro center lol.

[@maggiejordan2638]

That's exactly what I'm doing. Got my eye on a really nice genuine cherry keyboard with usb pass through and a mouse with twelve buttons and rgb but they're about $140 together so I'm using a ten dollar mouse and keyboard combo that I got open box from micro center lol.

[@marty644]

Walrusberg i say that and i have mouse for 15$ and keyboard for 30$..

[@SlyNinja0321]

Literally no one looks down on you for not having a $150 - $200 keyboard and mouse. Sorry, but I really don't know where you got that from. A lot of mech keyboards + mice don't cost that much anyways.

[@LovelyCenturibear]

Walrusberg Yeah. That mindset only started very recently. Because young trust funded bratty kids got into computing because of how much attention it was getting. The PC community prior 2010 was down to earth, level headed, critical thinking, genuinely salt of the earth sort of people. Most of us even had other skills such as woodworking, metalworking, botany etc. Think SJWs, minus the negatives.

[@ashishpatel350]

there's nothing like the real thing. a half mechanical keyboard is like fake breast.

[@christianbrown5594]

So a half mechanical keyboard is the Caitlyn Jenner of keyboards😂😭

[@TheOfficialCzex]

+SquidPlays Umm... Yeah. That's the same thing.

[@slurpy4876]

+SquidPlays you guys kill me

[@markneel3632]

+Cloud__XO Hmm, buy this half mechanical keyboard for $40, or buy the one I already bought for $50...... Granted that was during a black friday sale.

[@StevanDj]

+Ashish Patel fake breasts aren't that bad lol not sure about those keyboards

[@gggamers4861]

7:20 Why you should always watch to the end.

[@danielr8474]

GG Gamers w

[@hodoronctronc521]

£16 for one of these on amazon in the UK, worth it here.

[@jacobwhittaker6241]

When I seen "half mechanical keyboard" I thought maybe something like my k60 where allot of the most important keys are mechanical and the rest are rubber dome.

[@artvandelayimports]

Same here

[@jacobsmithone]

+Jacob Whittaker I have a k30 rip

[@techflix6175]

+jacob smith lol

[@god2172]

Jokes on you, I took porn.tech

[@ElementalsMods]

+Rex Wheeler hm, not sure if i should check that out.

[@anthonyscales3716]

I was too late

[@Bob-np9no]

+Anthony scales lol

[@MK-tg1hx]

+Rex Wheeler Just checked doesn't exist.

[@flyinmonkeydud]

+Mason Kelly Just because there is no web site being hosted on that domain name does not mean that he doesn't own it. You can own a domain without ever doing anything with it.

[@O_Shag_Hennessy]

What happened to the 60fps video?

[@Bitwit]

+Storm Jones forgot to switch the cam. will be back on the next vid

[@O_Shag_Hennessy]

+Awesomesauce Network awesome! I revel in the smoothness.

[@MrPunkassfuck]

+Awesomesauce Network Awesome sauce in the pants network was filming WHAT!? with the other cam? Oh, the UPSET. YOU! Young Man! Where are your manners!? Legos are for kids! Stealing from your neighbors kid is NOT nice. But I would watch the video...hint hint :P

[@polpottopg]

There is no difference between 30 and 60 fps on KZbin you fuckign idiot

[@Stylux]

+she succ me ur actually stupid litteraly

[@whmlprod]

Keyboard is literally the same design as a 2008 OEM Dell keyboard, So much creativity.

[@hunterchao197]

If it last as long as them dell keyboards then i will order 100 of them. I have 3 of them dell keyboards and they all still work to this day. The rubber domes are all fine and none of the caps have faded. I use them from when i take my pc on the go and dont want to lug my razer blackwidow.

[@AnimeEnergy]

@@hunterchao197 I've been using the same keyboard featured in this video since 2016 and it works perfectly

[@Gasmask11000]

They should create a keyboard where the letter keys and main keys you use for gaming are mechanical, and the function, modifier, and num pad keys are membrane to cut costs on unnecessary keys.

[@BIOHAZARD_V2]

Imo, keyboards are either mechanical, or they aren't.

[@nortonfamily6711]

+John Doe what the hell would you classify a half-mechanical keyboard as then. I don't think you really thought through your comment.

[@BIOHAZARD_V2]

+Alexander Wloka it's not a mechanical keyboard. It's a fake one, so it doesn't count. It's just a good membrane keyboard

[@guccimanlips]

+John Doe why does it matter?

[@TheGamerGuy1981]

+John Doe By that definition one could really say the same thing about Topre than.

[@nortonfamily6711]

John Doe its a membrane keyboard using mechanics of a mechanical keyboard. Its a hybrid.

[@MGPROVO]

I've had the powercool version of this keyboard for some time now and still works as new. they really aren't that bad tbh

[@JonyIveDesignsThings]

this "half mechanical" keyboard looks like a dell rubber dome from the mid 2000s

[@flighted2513]

ikr dell's is better

[@PixTure]

Flighted I mean if it lasts as long as the old oem dell keyboard that would be nice

[@Hefficide]

I've got this exact Masione keyboard sitting on my desk right now. I picked it up a couple of months ago, at a discount, with the intention of using it for a few days, reviewing it and then slapping it on a shelf as a backup. It worked well enough that I decided to keep it as my primary. Given that I spend most of my day writing and then game to relax - I tend to be Hell on input devices. This one performs quite well, is comfortable to use, looks decent on my desk... But mostly it allows me to use it without feeling like I need to baby it to try and stretch out it's lifespan as I might with a substantially more expensive, fully mechanical device. I hammer away at this one without any worries at all. Oh, and to be clear... my discount for review obligation was fulfilled months ago. This is nothing but my honest thoughts. This particular keyboard has definitely been a strong value.

[@No_Smoking]

because you chair spun, you are deserving of a thumbs up. well done sir, well, done.

[@wzards3529]

Unless you're on the most strict budget for a keyboard ever or don't really care about the typing experience, you're homestly better off spending like $5-$10 more for a mechanical keyboard that just uses knockoff cherry mx switches. Redragon has one on Amazon for around $40-$50 and the extra money really is worth it.

[@SiSoyLobito]

The problem is that there is a huge tendency about knockoff keyboards that are worth $40-$50 failing in a short span of time, we're talking less than a year, sometimes all the way down to 4-5 months. Some keys stop working, and their switches are not really hot swappable so you're fucked. I say this as an user of 3 different knockoff mechanical keyboards (OUTEMU & another one I don't remember), all of them losing keys in a timespan of around 8 months. It's really, really sad.

[@Mulderitssme]

For $23.99 you can't go wrong.

[@flighted2513]

its legit a dell oem keyboard from 2004

[@Ferrichrome]

"A wild advertisement appeared!" Well, at least you're honest about it

[@NitroNeoOriginal]

Get that right hand pinky finger on its home key! LOL, looks like your ready to take a sip from the little tea cup.

[@DerKrazyKrautGaming]

Why called it Half Mechanical then? Why not Pseudo-Mechanical

[@Brunnen_Gee]

+Der Krazy Kraut Because it has a mechanical keycap over a silicone dome.

[@WayStedYou]

+Der Krazy Kraut because pseudo makes it sound worse than half mechanical :p

[@gavindecruz4360]

I have one of these, and its not as bad as everyone is making it up to be. Its fantastic to type on ( I cannot switch back AT ALL to my membrane keyboard) + for the price, you'd be hardpressed to find anything else...the backlighting is great too. The build quality is impressive.

[@johnnyzero54]

These are great my wife wanted a mechanical keyboard after I took her to fry's electronics but had a heart attack win I told her that basic mechanical keyboard starts off at 60$. She doesn't game she just loved the tactile feel. She bought the first player 7 color led half mechanical keyboard or mechanical feeling keyboards, It costed 35$ and was easy plug and play with no messy software to change the led colors. She loves it because of the looks and feel and says it makes her feel powerful.

[@saptarshikundu5656]

excellent video! also most of the people probably won't think at first or realize how much effort was put into making this video! awesome Kyle. keep it up!

[@tanmayumtol3822]

The keyboard sound is weirdly satisfying!

[@Em0KhRiSxP]

Buying mechanical keyboards didn't cost me an arm and leg. You just have to shop smart and wait for discounts. I got a Logitech G710 cherry mx blue switches for $50 and a Tesoro Tizona RGB red Kaihl switches for $40. Be patient.

[@shmaehdawlfshmitler2970]

+2JZ KHRISS Amazing keyboard, the best non rgb keyboard in the market.

[@TheGamerGuy1981]

+Shmaehdawlf Shmitler meh...i think KUL or Leopold or FILCO or Ducky would like a word...Logitech boards aren't bad but they are hardly top tier. Top tier among bestbuy brands perhaps.

[@mattbmxer]

+Shmaehdawlf Shmitler what? Best non RGB? You realise the pretty lights don't mean anything at all dude?

[@shmaehdawlfshmitler2970]

***** Oh my... English is easily your second language. The only the possible non RGB keyboard that is better than the g710 is the k70.

[@shmaehdawlfshmitler2970]

***** k.

[@lp4600]

there's something so satisfying about listening to mechanical keyboards

[@computerassociates7686]

All of you guys talking about which one is better and I'm still using my IBM model M. Still clicky, every key stroke feels hard and gets me there everytime! The memories go way back.

[@Redhotsmasher]

Is this what those chinese clones on eBay claiming to have "mechanical handfeel" are?

[@Milliardo5]

Yes I would think so.

[@naveedamalik9885]

I bought a fully mechanical slightly used keyvoard for 16$

[@must4rd375]

what a deal lmao, I use a 60 dollar mech keyboard that probably performs the same.

[@otavio30]

I have one and honestly i reccomend it, here in Brazil mechanical keyboards and good electronic stuff in general is very expensive, so it's very much worth it

[@JohnSTF72]

Keep the 'K' key pressed down on your keyboard while the video is playing... Now hear Kyle sound like he's a short-circuited robot :)

[@lordgasman9099]

Nothing touches a cherry mx blue/green. Gotta have a constant clack going.

[@DualReaver11]

U speak truth

[@tannercord]

how do you like your tyon? i was thinking about getting one.

[@Bitwit]

+Tanner Cordell it's great. precise and comfy. highly recommend.

[@ayushbishnoi8026]

+Tanner Cordell Theonly problem I find is the slow upload time to the mouse, it take s a while and patience to change color.

[@bailey2114]

Remember though, the sensor is quite bad.

[@lazarj]

+Awesomesauce Network What is the white keyboard at 2:17?

[@ayushbishnoi8026]

+Toady No it's not, the only problem is the dpi cannot be changed in increments smaller than 200 but ingame sensitivity fixes that, and there is no loss in tracking or acceleration.

[@Elwon20]

@3:57 That pinky.... typing like you're drinking a cup of tea.

[@Typhoon792]

So, this pretty much actually addresses all the things I DON'T like about mechanical Brown switches: less noisy, shorter travel distance, greater actuation force, and a bigger bump. That's perfect!

[@Kelberwitzi]

First world problems.

[@sumsardoto]

Mechanical keyboards are overrated.

[@Cyortonic]

So it everything else that's popular.

[@McSquiddington]

As a French Canadian, I'm amused by Kyle's pronounciation for "Masione" (the keyboard's brand). I'd pronounce it with an Italian lilt myself, going "MAH-SI-OH-NEH". "Maison" (or "house" in French) is something else entirely. XD

[@vincentjanse]

this seems like a amazing fathers day present.

[@Mrwaffleandmilk]

Am i the only one who doesn't prefer mechanical keyboards???

[@brysonshires9573]

+Mrwaffleandmilk nope

[@kuhenelan]

+Mrwaffleandmilk I love my Cherry MX Brown & Blue. Unfortunately this is not necessarily true for everyone. Mechanical keyboards are an acquired taste and not everyone willl enjoy them. It doesn't make either of our views wrong. Different people, different preferences.

[@Mrwaffleandmilk]

***** So true all my friends make fun of me because I prefer the G105 Keyboard over my older cherry red keyboard. Juts feels smoother to me.

[@shmaehdawlfshmitler2970]

+Mrwaffleandmilk God hates you.

[@Mrwaffleandmilk]

Shmaehdawlf Shmitler May the pc master gods forgive me!!

[@Haveuseensean]

No.

[@emibulls]

man, somebody must of founds a hidden bag of Halloween candy lol!

[@dotson100]

"I'm gonna spin in my chair every video. Fucking Sweet." - the reason I love your videos in my feed

[@kalef1234]

that actually looks like a really nice budget gaming keyboard for people not wanting to spend like $80+ on a keyboard

[@jagsrs28]

You should have Paul test it out and see what he thinks about it, and see if he questions it being a mechanical keyboard or not.

[@dhoffnun]

Good analogy about the TV... I've been wondering about these boards. Thanks for the information!

[@nickmudd]

On that outro I thought, "he must be drunk" right as he said "I'm not drunk" lololol

[@wobbled9819]

The correct term is 'Dome with slider' They usually feel very good.

[@seanmcmunn88]

I have been using the same membrane board for 15 years. With many many hours in FPS games and WoW it still feels and looks like new and I have little issues typing.

[@allenshao503]

hey, for all you watching now, just get a red dragon kumara k55 keyboard, they are basically chrry mx blue switches.

[@thecustomer2804]

I have never heard of Half Mechanical switches. If I didn't know any better, I would've thought of the Razer Ornata series.

[@jamesdequina2215]

Hey there fellas. Just bought this sweet-ass memchanical keyboard and wanted to share it with you all. -James

[@raidendt]

lifespan? my acer 8511-t has been in service for 20 years. its half mechanical and still work pretty well.. it has survived dust, rain, long term storage, devil may cry 3. I'm pretty sure this thing is immortal

[@placeholder5982]

I couldn't find what switches my Circle Battle Pro uses. Finally found! Though that's not truly mechanical I'm enjoying typing this comment. 🙂

[@BtotheDon12]

I think I don't wanna fork out the money for a mechanical keyboard and this might be my next keyboard.

[@Danny93ii]

half mechanical keyboards do the job . when i was a youth i had 1 just like the one you have in a ajazz make . love the keyboard . just made me want a mechanical board even more ybh

[@xyexz]

@2:19 you mention rubber losing it's elasticity over time, springs will lose their tension over time as well so I'm not sure which is worse?

[@hw.lds08]

Springs will last a lot longer than rubberm my membrane keyboard lasted 2 years but people have had keyboards with springs (as far as the buckling spring) for over 20 years and with good care they can last longer

[@Brunnen_Gee]

I picked up this same keyboard a couple months ago and have been nothing but impressed with it. I was one of those who wanted a mechanical, but just couldn't justify the cost of one, so when I came across this I had to give it a shot. I have zero complaints.

[@23feba]

I dont like very many videos, especially they told me to. But this one I did, because no one could beat that outro

[@TerribleGamesTV2]

you can visually see where that heavy bump is on the half-mech compared to the real mech, damn.

[@KeiAngelus]

The thing is, the Logitech G710 series was $50 last Black Friday... You can get legitimate mechanical keyboards on the cheap if you look carefully for sales.

[@damonmay7752]

so you bought 2 half mechanical keyboards and got that man i would not call that mechanical

[@wobbled9819]

Also 'novatouch switches' aren't a thing. They are called Topre. And Topre's use essentially the same key switch type (Dome with slider) however the underlying circuit is on a PCB, not a membrane sheet and the topres are capacitive. These dome with sliders are usually smoother and arguably better than cherry mx boards.

[@directAction3389]

I wish I was so weird I looked like I was drunk all the time.

[@gianandrei5513]

This is pretty similar to Ttesports Commander gaming combo keyboard. and i believe that switch is called Plunger Switches.

[@SvenOkonomi]

Membrane master race~! I'll never switch to those obnoxiously loud tapdance boards.

[@myfunrandomvids]

I'd have thought a half mechanical keyboard would used mechanical switches on the main keys and the number keys use dome contacts

[@SicSemperBeats]

Hey that doesn't seems so bad, the mx stem interchangeability is great, $40 is really affordable

[@darcmass3290]

I do have one of these, I keep the led's red to match my mouse. Although the keyboard is cheap, it doesn't feel that way. It has some weight to it, and has a rubber grip so it doesn't move about. I bought it because I wanted to try a mechanical keyboard but I didn't have $80 to spend on one. Typing on it feels much better than the traditional membrane keyboard to me. The keys doesn't wobble around like the membrane k/b I had and also has more travel when pressing. Also cleaning this keyboard is a breeze. I would recommend it to anyone.

[@LevsYT]

I thought they were mechanical keyboards cut in half. I was dead wrong

[@angel.7915]

the ending is why this is my favorite channel

[@alancrome3684]

Nothing beats a mechanical keyboard. After awhile you will never want to go back and any other keyboard gets fatiguing. Since I am still in school I have to deal with cheap membrane keyboard everyday and I can tell a difference. Even at first with a mechanical keyboard I didn't notice it being godly but wait and you'll notice.

[@ravencarlotinonas736]

3:06 when you repeat it over and over it sounds like jizz

[@maqqro6360]

The Half Mechanical Keyboard Sounds Like Lego Bricks Building..

[@notjux]

This is really weird. I came across a very similar keyboard that had been stashed away in a closet for 20 years just yesterday and it had very similar switches. At first I was convinced by the feel that it was a mechanical keyboard, but then I pulled some keys off and realized that they were some weird rubber dome switches with Cherry MX compatible stems. I posted it to /r/mechanicalkeyboards because I had no idea what it was or that they even existed, and now I'm seeing a review of one only hours later. Not only have they been around for at least 20 years, but they're still making them today and clearly everyone is as surprised as I am.

[@nathanhu9148]

Ah there is nothing like watching a guy wearing a Paul's Hardware shirt

[@joewell6435]

My cousin gave me his old razer blackwidow ultimate for free so I didn't have to fork out my life saving :). I just had to solder a wire that came off and put the keycaps back on (which were taken off and put through the dishwasher).

[@kvnsky]

I just gotta say I love your Hotline Miami wallpaper

[@mancalledhero]

There is a mechanical keyboard on sale from Cougar on Newegg as of this post for $50

[@alankarlo1]

LESS TACTILE THAN MUSHED POTATOES LMAOOO

[@NLSNMedia]

Just purchased a domain for my game! $45 off?! Great deal! Thanks AwesomeSauce

[@pizzakitty69]

i hope this becomes more popular, im tired of spending over $100 for a feel of a keyboard

[@Mrjoshlukee]

AHHHHHHHHH!!!!! SO THATS HOW THEY MAKE THE LEGO BUILDING SOUND IN LEGO GAMES!!!!!!!

[@-dangour5167]

the msi vigor gk40 is the best example of best semi mechanical keyboards

[@soff5761]

I have that exact keyboard. The paint wore off on the keys pretty fast.

[@lukebogartmix]

Aula Demon King with Cherry Blue clones for $30 works like a charm and feels great.

[@FlunkTVGaming]

I've used pretty much all kinds of keyboards; The terrible mac keyboards, low profile laptop keyboards, touch keyboards (like the surface keyboard), low and high end membrane keyboards, squishy rubber keyboards, and mechanical keyboards. Every single keyboard I've have ever used is totally fine with me..... except mechanical ones (and mac ones). I hate the loud noise it makes and I hate that I have to press down on the key about an inch more than what I am used to (which is the current keyboard I am typing on). The best keyboard I think I have ever used is (don't judge me harshly for this) the logitech k120. Because of its smooth design, the keys are clicky and big, but not too big that I half to push them 3 inches for them to work, and they don't sound like I am stepping on a new born's hand every time I press a key. Plus it is like $9 on amazon.

[@Bryan-th6rc]

I didn't even watch the video. I listened to it while starting at my blackwidow.

[@hanabi8972]

1/2 Dimitri + 1/2 Keys = This guy

[@lohphat]

If your hand and fingers are curled back and your KB is tilted back, you're asking for an RSI problem. Mechanical typists and pianists don't get RSI because they have a flat wrist and their fingers hang below their palm. Don't tilt a KB towards you, keep it neutral or tilt is AWAY from you. Use a wrist pad if you need to.

[@MyurrDurr]

I love your commentary style!

[@MarcelRobitaille]

"I'm not drunk, I'm just weird." -Kyle SauceNetwork, 2016

[@skylarjensen3249]

I use a Dell RT7D50 membrane keyboard that is over ten years old, and its still cranking out roleplays and papers like the rugged beast it is. I feel that, even if I had money for even a cheap full mech keyboard, I just can't bring myself to retire a sturdy yet reliable keyboard that has been functioning for a decade.

[@skylarjensen3249]

While I would love to buy a mechanical keyboard, I currently refuse to shell out more than $200 for a keyboard.

[@skylarjensen3249]

Not the really nice ones. Then again, I did buy a CM Storm Devastator combo. It might be a membrane board, but its a nice stepping stone to getting to a mechanical keyboard.

[@skylarjensen3249]

I would get one, but I'm a poor college kid.

[@nunyabiznez4408]

I have this masione keyboard and it rocks!! the gaming mouse too, it also rocks!! save bucks + quality build + great performance!!

[@toontownlegomaster]

The masione looks like something from early 2000's

[@lukan9293]

im still over here with an old dell keyboard.

[@WeirdofMouth]

Yeah, that's how old Packard Bell keyboards worked.

[@Windiguana]

Let me preface this by saying that for the amount of KZbin I watch I rarely comment on videos. That being said I've had a shit last couple of weeks and this had me laughing voraciously. Also you made it informative as usual without really mixing the craziness and professionalism in a bad way. If that makes any sense. Anyways thanks.

[@TheodoreHarrisYoutuber]

This is basically the exact same design as the Dell Keyboards from the mid 2000s lol.