Gateron Ink Box Black vs. Durock Medium Tactile

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Gateron Ink Box Black, a linear switch, and the Durock Medium Tactile, a tactile switch. The Ink Box Black is widely praised for its incredibly smooth and creamy feel, making typing a delightful experience. The switch's sound signature is often compared to the shaking of a spray paint can, giving it a unique clacky and high-pitched tone. On the other hand, the Durock Medium Tactile offers a different kind of satisfaction with its pronounced yet balanced tactility. This switch has a jelly-like sound signature that adds a touch of whimsy to your keystrokes. Both switches are categorized as polished, ensuring a refined and well-crafted typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your needs.

By the numbers

Gateron Ink Box Black Linear

Durock Medium Tactile Tactile

$8.50

$7.65 per 10

$5.50

$4.25 per 10

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Housing materials

The housing materials used in the Gateron Ink Box Black and the Durock Medium Tactile switches offer distinct characteristics that contribute to the overall typing experience. The Ink Box Black's proprietary INK blend top housing provides a satisfying thin and higher-pitched sound, often described as clacky. On the other hand, the Medium Tactile's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Both materials offer a similar higher-pitched sound, but the Ink Box Black's blend is characterized as less sharp compared to the Medium Tactile's polycarbonate.

Moving on to the bottom housings, both switches employ different materials that influence the bottom-out sound and feel. The Ink Box Black's proprietary INK blend bottom housing shares similar characteristics to its top housing, providing a satisfying thin and higher-pitched sound when pressed down. Conversely, the Medium Tactile's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is due to nylon being a relatively softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound.

In terms of overall impact, the bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing a key, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key. The Ink Box Black's top and bottom housing materials deliver a consistent pointed and high-pitched sound profile throughout both pressing and releasing actions. Comparatively, the Durock Medium Tactile splits the housing materials between the top and bottom, emphasizing a sharper and crisper sound when releasing a key, while providing a deeper and fuller sound when pressing down.

Therefore, while both switches offer a higher-pitched sound, the Gateron Ink Box Black provides a well-balanced clacky sound profile throughout, courtesy of its proprietary INK blend top and bottom housings. Meanwhile, the Durock Medium Tactile offers a more contrasting sound experience, with a crisp sound when releasing a key due to its polycarbonate top housing, and a deeper sound when pressing a key due to its nylon bottom housing.

Weight

When comparing the Gateron Ink Box Black linear switch to the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch, one can observe similarities and differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The actuation force of the Ink Box Black is 60 grams, whereas the Medium Tactile's actuation force is unfortunately unknown. However, both switches have a similar bottom out force, with the Ink Box Black at 70 grams and the Medium Tactile at 65 grams. In terms of weight, the Ink Box Black is slightly heavier than the Medium Tactile.

Considering the weight of the switches, individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience may opt for the Ink Box Black, as it allows for longer typing periods without causing fatigue. This makes it particularly suitable for individuals who extensively use their keyboards at work or during extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel may lean towards the Medium Tactile, which has a slightly heavier force required for bottoming out.

In summary, both the Gateron Ink Box Black linear switch and the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch offer a medium-heavy typing experience with similar bottom out forces. While the actuation force for the Medium Tactile remains unknown, individuals seeking a lighter switch may prefer the Ink Box Black, while those desiring a heavier switch may find the Medium Tactile to be a suitable option.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the Gateron Ink Box Black linear switch and the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch, it is clear that they have different distances. The Ink Box Black has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Medium Tactile has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Medium Tactile has the longer travel distance.

For those who prefer a traditional travel distance, the Medium Tactile would be the better option as it falls within the 4.0mm range. However, it is important to note that shorter travel distances are becoming more popular, especially among gamers who seek faster response times. In this scenario, the Ink Box Black with its shorter travel distance would be the preferred choice.

It ultimately comes down to personal preference and what feels more comfortable to the individual. Some may find the shorter travel distance too abrupt, while others may appreciate the responsiveness it offers. On the other hand, those who prefer a deeper and more substantial key press may opt for the switch with the longer travel distance. Ultimately, both switches provide different experiences, and it is important to consider one's own preferences when making a decision.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Gateron Ink Box Black is best known for its incredibly smooth and creamy feel, providing an exceptionally smooth typing experience. This can be attributed to its silky and polished characteristics, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Durock Medium Tactile is described as an accented, stepped, and mild tactile switch. It offers a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle, giving users a comfortable typing experience. Both switches are described as polished, meaning they have a smooth and refined finish. This contributes to a sleek typing experience with minimized resistance when pressing and releasing keys.

In terms of sound, the Gateron Ink Box Black produces a clacky and high-pitched sound when pressed. It has a sharp and snappy sound profile that can be described as crisp, bright, and percussive. In contrast, the sound profile of the Durock Medium Tactile is described as jelly-like. However, specific descriptors for its sound are not provided, so it is uncertain how it differs from the Ink Box Black.

Based on the available information, the Ink Box Black and the Medium Tactile offer distinct subjective qualities in both sound and feel. The Ink Box Black provides a clacky and high-pitched sound with a silky and polished feel, while the Medium Tactile offers a jelly-like sound with an accented, stepped, and mild tactile feel. These switches provide different typing experiences catered to individual preferences. However, it is important to note that the sound and feel of any switch can also be influenced by factors such as the choice of keyboard and keycaps.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are looking for a linear switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force, smooth typing experience, and clacky and high-pitched sound, then the Gateron Ink Box Black would be a great choice for you. These switches are known for being incredibly smooth and creamy, and the sound signature is reminiscent of a spray paint can being shaken.

On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile switch with a slightly lower bottom out force, pronounced yet balanced tactility, and a jelly-like sound, then the Durock Medium Tactile switch might be the better option for you. This switch is described as accented, providing a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or scratchy. It also features a stepped feel, with a mild typing experience that is approachable to most.

Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences for sound and feel. If you prioritize a smooth linear switch with a clacky sound, go for the Gateron Ink Box Black. If you prefer a tactile switch with a pronounced yet balanced tactility, opt for the Durock Medium Tactile. Both switches offer unique characteristics that can enhance your typing experience.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Ink Box Black Linear

$8.50

$7.65 per 10

Learn more

Durock Medium Tactile Tactile

$5.50

$4.25 per 10

Learn more