Gateron Aliaz vs. Gateron Glory Yellow
An in-depth look at the Gateron Aliaz and the Gateron Glory Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the choice of switches can significantly impact your typing experience, and two popular options from Gateron highlight contrasting styles: the Gateron Aliaz and the Gateron Glory Yellow. The Gateron Aliaz, known for its tactile feedback and silent operation, is tailored for quiet environments like offices, offering a medium-heavy actuation that provides a substantial feel with each keystroke. This makes it an excellent choice for those who appreciate tactile precision blended with a muted sound profile, effectively minimizing distractions in communal workspaces. On the other hand, the Gateron Glory Yellow switches deliver a smooth and satisfying linear experience, known for their pleasing travel distance and satisfying keystrokes, making them ideal for gamers and typists who favor a smoother, uninterrupted keypress without tactile bumps. Both switches offer unique advantages, catering to different preferences: the Aliaz focusing on quietness and tactile precision, while the Glory Yellow emphasizes fluidity and speed. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
60g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
75g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
15mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Aliaz and Gateron Glory Yellow switches exhibit distinct differences in their housing materials, significantly impacting their acoustic profiles and typing experiences. The Aliaz switches feature a polycarbonate top and bottom housing, which is recognized for its stiffness and translucency. This characteristic promotes a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, making it ideal for those who prefer a more resonant and clear typing experience. In addition, the clear nature of polycarbonate enhances the visual appeal of RGB lighting, emphasizing vibrant color effects beneath the switch. In contrast, the Glory Yellow switches utilize nylon for both the top and bottom housings, offering a classic switch experience renowned for producing a deeper, fuller sound. The softer composition of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder acoustic signature that caters to users seeking a more muted sound profile.
While both switches employ different materials, the impact of these housings on the overall typing performance and sound profile is noteworthy. The Aliaz's dual polycarbonate construction means that both the top and bottom contribute to its sharp sound, creating a cohesive auditory experience that remains bright throughout the key press and release. On the other hand, the Glory Yellow's nylon housing introduces a divide in sound characteristics, with the bottom housing emphasizing a heavier thump during the actuation, while the top housing provides a rounded release sound. This differentiation illustrates how the materials in the switch work in tandem to create a specific auditory landscape, catering to distinct user preferences.
Ultimately, the nature of the housing materials in each switch influences the tactile response and sound signature experienced by users. For those who appreciate the clarity and resonance offered by polycarbonate, the Aliaz proves to be a superior option with a consistent sharpness in both the bottom-out and release phases. Conversely, users who prefer the absorbent, fuller tones of nylon can find their match in the Glory Yellow switches, which deliver a unique auditory sensation. While each switch results in different acoustic experiences, understanding the roles of the respective housing materials enables enthusiasts to select the perfect switch based on their personal typing preferences.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation forces. The Aliaz has a heavier actuation force of 60 grams, contributing to a more substantial typing experience, which many users might prefer for its tactile feedback. In contrast, the Glory Yellow features a lighter actuation force of only 50 grams, making it easier to type for longer durations, ideal for extended work or gaming sessions. However, the bottom out force for the Glory Yellow is not available, which leaves some ambiguity about how it feels when pressed all the way down. The Aliaz's bottom out force is 75 grams, indicating that it requires more force to bottom out compared to the Glory Yellow's lighter actuation force. Consequently, while the Aliaz may appeal to those who appreciate a firmer push, the Glory Yellow would be better suited for users looking for a lighter touch. Overall, if you prefer a heavier switch with a pronounced feedback, the Aliaz is the way to go, whereas the Glory Yellow offers a gentler typing experience.
Travel distance
Both the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressed, both switches travel the same distance from top to bottom, resulting in a consistent key feel between the two options. Because the travel distances are equal, users can expect similar performance in terms of the distance traveled when activating either switch, making them comparable in terms of tactile feedback and overall typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Aliaz has an MSRP of $8.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Aliaz for $5.50.
The Gateron Glory Yellow has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Glory Yellow for $4.19.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
The sound profile of the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch is characterized as muted, making it an ideal choice for quiet environments like offices where minimal noise is appreciated. The muted nature of the Aliaz reduces the clunky sounds typically associated with mechanical keyboards, allowing for a more serene typing experience. In contrast, there is no specific sound profile provided for the Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch; this means that its sound characteristics remain open to interpretation but can also be influenced by the choice of keyboard, keycaps, and other components.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron Aliaz switches offer a unique typing experience through their silky and polished characteristics. The silky quality means that keystrokes glide smoothly, providing a satisfying touch with reduced resistance during both pressing and releasing actions. The polished aspect further enhances this experience, ensuring a refined keystroke that feels smooth and sleek, likely due to high-quality materials or factory lubrication. Unfortunately, the feel of the Gateron Glory Yellow switches is not detailed, leaving a gap in understanding how they might compare to the tactile richness offered by the Aliaz.
In summary, the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch is particularly suited for those seeking a muted and smooth typing experience, especially in quieter settings, thanks to its refined feel and sound profile. Conversely, the Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch lacks specified sound and feel characteristics in the available information, making it difficult to draw direct comparisons. However, both switches can ultimately provide satisfying key interactions depending on the typing preferences of the user, with the Aliaz offering a distinct tactile advantage for those who prioritize sound and texture.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and usage scenarios. If you often find yourself in quiet environments, like an office setting, the Aliaz is an excellent option due to its muted sound profile and heavier bottom-out force of 75 grams, which offers a substantial feel and satisfying tactile feedback without the noise that can be disruptive to others. The silky and polished feel of the Aliaz further enhances your typing experience, making it a favorite for those who appreciate feedback in their keystrokes. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and fast typing experience, particularly for gaming or rapid typing tasks, the Gateron Glory Yellow switches are designed to deliver that effortless keystroke. While the specifics about their force aren’t available, their characteristics suggest they provide a seamless travel distance that many users find pleasurable. Ultimately, your choice should depend on whether you value tactile feedback and quiet operation or prioritize smoothness and speed in your keystrokes.
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