Dareu Dream vs. Outemu Purple
An in-depth look at the Dareu Dream and the Outemu Purple switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Dareu Dream and Outemu Purple offer distinct experiences to users. The Dareu Dream stands out as a linear switch, known for its light actuation and clacky feel, making it a popular choice among enthusiasts who value both quality and affordability. On the other hand, the Outemu Purple is a tactile switch, offering a unique typing experience without any specific standout features. While the Dareu Dream may appeal to those looking for an easy-to-press and mild switch, the Outemu Purple caters to those who prefer a tactile typing feedback. 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
40g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
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
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Dareu Dream and the Outemu Purple both feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a stiff plastic that leads to a clear and resonant sound. Aesthetically, the translucency of polycarbonate is ideal for switches with RGB lighting. However, the Dream and the Purple differ in their bottom housings, with the Dream using nylon and the Purple using polycarbonate. Nylon in the Dream's bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature, absorbing more sound compared to harder plastics. On the other hand, the Purple's polycarbonate bottom housing may produce a clearer and sharper sound.
While both the Dareu Dream and the Outemu Purple share polycarbonate top housings, their nylon and polycarbonate bottom housings result in different sound profiles. The Dream's nylon bottom housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound, whereas the Purple's polycarbonate bottom housing may create a clearer and sharper sound. The split in qualities between the top and bottom housings of a switch means that the bottom housing will have a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressed, while the top housing will influence the sound when a key is released. This distinction showcases how the choice of housing material can influence the overall typing experience and sound of a switch.
Overall, the use of polycarbonate in the top housing of both the Dareu Dream and the Outemu Purple ensures a sharper and crisper sound profile. However, the difference in bottom housing materials results in varying sound characteristics. The Dream's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound, while the Purple's polycarbonate bottom housing may produce a clearer and sharper sound. Despite these differences, both switches showcase the importance of housing materials in creating distinct sound profiles and typing experiences. Choosing between these switches would ultimately come down to personal preference in sound and feel.
Weight
The Dareu Dream linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams compared to the Outemu Purple tactile switch, which requires 50 grams to actuate. Both switches have an unknown bottom out force, but based on the actuation force alone, we can infer that the Dream would provide a lighter typing experience while the Purple would offer a slightly more resistant feel. Those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Dream for extended typing or gaming sessions, while users who enjoy a more substantial typing experience may prefer the Purple switch for its slightly heavier actuation force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
Both the Dareu Dream linear switch and the Outemu Purple tactile switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either switch, you will experience a consistent distance traveled from the top to the bottom. This similarity in travel distance ensures that users will get similar results in terms of key feel and feedback when using either switch. Whether typing on a keyboard with the Dareu Dream linear switch or the Outemu Purple tactile switch, the travel distance will be identical, providing a consistent typing experience across both switches.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Dream has an MSRP of $6.59 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Dream for $3.76.
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
When it comes to sound, the Dareu Dream linear switch is known for its clacky nature, producing a sharp and snappy sound when pressed. This can create a crisp, bright, and percussive typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Purple tactile switch's sound profile is unknown. Depending on factors like keycaps and board choice, the sound of the switches can vary.
Moving on to feel, the Dareu Dream switch is favored for its easy-to-press nature, offering gentle resistance and requiring minimal force to activate. This results in an effortless and comfortable typing experience, reducing finger fatigue during long typing sessions. Additionally, the mild characteristics of the switch provide a middle-ground feel that is approachable to most users. As for the Outemu Purple switch, information on its feel is unavailable.
Taking all available information into consideration, the Dareu Dream linear switch stands out for its light and affordable linear option, making it a popular choice among enthusiasts seeking both quality and cost-effectiveness. With a clacky sound profile and easy-to-press nature, the switch offers a responsive and low-impact typing experience. On the other hand, details on the Outemu Purple tactile switch are limited, making it difficult to provide a direct comparison. In cases where subjective qualities are similar or unknown, users can expect to achieve similar results in terms of sound and feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing needs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the Dareu Dream linear switch and the Outemu Purple tactile switch, consider the following guidelines: opt for the Dream if you prioritize a light linear switch with a low bottom out force, affordable pricing, and a clacky sound profile. This switch is ideal for enthusiasts looking for a smooth typing experience with minimal resistance. On the other hand, choose the Purple switch if you prefer a tactile typing experience with a bottom out force that offers a bit more feedback. Although information about the Purple switch's sound and feel is not provided, tactile switches typically offer a tactile bump during key presses, enhancing the typing experience for those who prefer a bit more feedback. Ultimately, your preference between these two switches will depend on whether you prioritize a smooth linear typing experience or a more tactile one.
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