Gateron Aliaz vs. Outemu Purple
An in-depth look at the Gateron Aliaz and the Outemu Purple switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Gateron Aliaz and the Outemu Purple mechanical keyboard switches, both switches fall under the tactile category, providing users with a satisfying typing experience. The Aliaz switch is renowned for its quiet operation, making it ideal for office environments where noise levels need to be kept to a minimum. Its medium-heavy weight gives each keystroke a substantial feel, perfect for those who appreciate a more pronounced typing feedback. On the other hand, the Outemu Purple switch offers a tactile feedback without any specific standout feature. While both switches offer tactile feedback, the Aliaz provides a quieter typing experience while the Purple switch may offer a different tactile feel. 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
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Gateron Aliaz and Outemu Purple switches both feature a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the stiffness of the material. This results in a more clear and resonant sound when typing on these switches. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing also makes them ideal for switches that plan to incorporate RGB lighting, as the translucency of polycarbonate allows the lighting to shine through easily. However, the Aliaz's polycarbonate bottom housing provides a similar sound profile to the top housing, maintaining that sharp and clear sound when typing, while the Purple's nylon bottom housing gives off a deeper and fuller sound due to the softer nature of nylon absorbing more sound.
While both the Gateron Aliaz and Outemu Purple switches have different bottom housing materials, they both affect the overall sound profile of the switch. The nylon bottom housing of the Purple switch provides a duller and rounder sound, creating a deeper and fuller typing experience. On the other hand, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Aliaz switch maintains that sharp and clear sound, contributing to a consistent sound profile throughout the typing experience. This difference in bottom housing materials allows for a variation in sound and feel when pressing down on the switches.
Overall, the housing materials of the Gateron Aliaz and Outemu Purple switches play a significant role in the sound and feel of typing on these switches. Both switches make use of polycarbonate for the top housing, resulting in a sharper and crisper sound profile, while the difference in materials for the bottom housing affects the overall sound experience. Whether you prefer a more resonant sound profile with the Aliaz switch or a deeper and fuller sound with the Purple switch, the choice of housing materials can greatly impact the overall typing experience. Regardless, both switches offer similar benefits in terms of utilizing polycarbonate for the top housing, making them ideal for switches that wish to incorporate RGB lighting.
Weight
The Gateron Aliaz tactile switch has a heavier actuation force of 60 grams compared to the Outemu Purple tactile switch, which has a lighter actuation force of 50 grams, making the Purple switch easier to trigger a keystroke. In terms of bottom out force, the Aliaz requires 75 grams to fully press down while the Purple switch's bottom out force is unknown. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Outemu Purple switch for extended typing sessions, while those who prefer a more substantial feel when typing may opt for the Gateron Aliaz switch. Both switches offer different experiences based on their actuation and bottom out forces, so it ultimately depends on personal preference for weight when choosing between the two options.
Travel distance
The travel distance of both the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the Outemu Purple tactile switch is 4mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either switch, you will experience the same distance traveled from the top to the bottom. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, both switches offer a similar typing experience. It is worth noting that the tactile feel and overall typing experience may differ between the two switches despite their equal travel distance.
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 Outemu Purple comes in at $3.10 per 10 switches.
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 Gateron Aliaz tactile switch is known for its muted sound, making it a great choice for quiet environments like offices. The switch provides a medium-heavy weight, giving each keystroke a substantial feel and offering a more pronounced typing feedback without the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. On the other hand, the Outemu Purple tactile switch's sound is unknown.
When it comes to feel, the Aliaz switch is described as silky and polished, providing an exceptionally smooth typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. This contributes to a sleek typing feel that enhances the overall typing comfort. The feel of the Outemu Purple switch is unknown at this time.
Overall, if you are looking for a quiet switch with a substantial feel and smooth typing experience, the Gateron Aliaz switch would be a great option. However, if you prefer a switch with a different sound profile or feel, the Outemu Purple switch may also be worth considering. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on your personal preferences and typing habits.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch or the Outemu Purple tactile switch, it is important to take into account your preferences and needs. If you value a quiet typing experience and enjoy a medium-heavy keystroke feel, the Aliaz switches would be a great fit for you, especially in environments like the office where noise may be a concern. On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch with an undefined bottom out force and other unique characteristics, the Purple switches may be worth considering. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will come down to your personal typing style and the specific requirements of your typing environment.
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