Gateron Ink Yellow vs. Gateron Magnetic Jade

Overview

When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, the Gateron Ink Yellow and the Gateron Magnetic Jade offer distinct advantages tailored to different preferences. The Ink Yellow, a linear switch, is celebrated for its shorter travel distance, making it an excellent choice for users who desire a typing experience that strikes a balance between a laptop's responsiveness and a traditional mechanical keyboard's tactile feedback. Its smoothness and mild clackiness add a touch of personality to each keystroke, catering to both casual typists and gamers alike. In contrast, the Gateron Magnetic Jade, known for its hall effect technology, delivers a bright and clacky sound that elevates the auditory experience of typing. This switch is ideal for enthusiasts seeking superior acoustics and a top-tier typing feel, especially when paired with a Wooting Hall Effect keyboard. While each switch caters to specific user needs, understanding their nuances is critical. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.

By the numbers

Gateron Ink Yellow Linear

Gateron Magnetic Jade Hall Effect

$7.50

$7.35 per 10

$8.00 per 10

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Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Ink Yellow and the Gateron Magnetic Jade, we immediately see notable differences in the composition of their top housings. The Ink Yellow uses a proprietary INK blend, which is characterized by producing a pointed, high-pitched sound profile that has a clacky feedback. This blend allows for an enjoyable auditory experience, while also ensuring that the sound produced during keystrokes retains a certain clarity without being overly sharp. In contrast, the Magnetic Jade features a polycarbonate top housing known for its stiffer properties, which contribute to a sharper and crisper sound profile. Thus, while both switches aim to deliver a higher-pitched sound, the methods by which they achieve this vary, with the Ink Yellow utilizing a proprietary material and the Magnetic Jade leveraging the natural qualities of polycarbonate.

The distinction continues with the bottom housings of these switches. The Ink Yellow utilizes the same proprietary INK blend as its top housing, ensuring uniformity in sound profile throughout the switch. This design choice results in a consistent pointy and high-pitched sound experience. However, the Magnetic Jade employs a nylon bottom housing, well-known for its ability to produce a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon’s softer properties allow it to absorb more sound, yielding a rounded auditory experience that contrasts with the more crisper characteristics of polycarbonate. The difference in materials between the bottom housings plays a significant role in how each switch feels and sounds when bottoming out and releasing, which highlights the effect of the bottom housing on key feel and sound.

Ultimately, both switches exhibit distinct auditory characteristics due to their differing materials for the top and bottom housings. In the case of the Ink Yellow, the synergy of its proprietary INK blend throughout both the top and bottom creates a cohesive sound that leans towards a high-pitched clarity. Meanwhile, the Magnetic Jade translates the harder, sharper sound profile from its polycarbonate top through to a richer, rounder sound via its nylon bottom, showcasing the effects of softer plastics. While the Ink Yellow may provide a more consistent sound throughout, the Magnetic Jade offers a broader sound experience due to its varied housing materials. Therefore, potential users can expect varied typing experiences in terms of sound and feel between these two switches, largely due to their different housing compositions.

Weight

When comparing the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch to the Gateron Magnetic Jade hall effect switch, there is a notable difference in both actuation force and bottom out force. The Ink Yellow switch has an actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy. In contrast, the Magnetic Jade switch presents a much lighter feel, with an actuation force of only 30 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, making it medium-light. This divergence illustrates that the Ink Yellow switch requires a significantly stronger push, appealing to those who prefer a more substantial typing experience, while the Magnetic Jade caters to users who appreciate a lighter touch, making it suitable for prolonged usage such as in work or gaming environments. Overall, the Magnetic Jade can be considered the lighter option, while the Ink Yellow is the heavier of the two, providing distinct tactile experiences based on user preference.

Travel distance

Both the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the Gateron Magnetic Jade hall effect switch have identical travel distances of 3.5 mm. This means that when pressing down on either switch, users can expect the same amount of key travel, resulting in a similar tactile feedback and overall typing experience. Since both switches offer the same travel distance, they will deliver comparable performance in terms of feel and responsiveness during use.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Gateron Ink Yellow switch offers a balanced auditory profile that can be categorized as neutral and clacky. This means that the Ink Yellow has a moderate volume that suits various environments, making it appropriate for users at home or in office settings. When pressed, it produces a sharp, crisp, and bright sound that's engaging but not overly loud, striking a satisfying balance for most typists. While specific sound descriptors for the Magnetic Jade switch are not provided, it is noted to have a bright and clacky character, suggesting that it may also provide an engaging auditory experience. Sound quality can vary significantly based on the choice of keyboard and keycaps, so users can achieve similar clacky results from both switches, but the exact nature of that sound may still differ.

When it comes to feel, the Ink Yellow switch is characterized by a mild and polished typing experience. This means it caters well to those who prefer a softer touch with a refined, smooth actuation, making it approachable for both beginners and seasoned users. The polished feel reduces friction, providing a sleek key travel sensation that enhances the overall typing experience. On the other hand, the specific feel characteristics of the Magnetic Jade switch are unknown, making it difficult to provide a direct comparison. However, the focused intent on providing a superior typing experience suggests that it may offer a distinct tactile feedback that could appeal to users looking for something different.

In conclusion, the Gateron Ink Yellow and Magnetic Jade switches provide unique auditory and tactile experiences suitable for varying typing preferences. The Ink Yellow stands out with its neutral yet clack sound profile and mild, polished feel, making it versatile for everyday use. While the Magnetic Jade is known for its bright and clacky sound, the specifics of its feel remain undefined. Ultimately, both switches promise engaging typing experiences, but your choice will depend on whether you prioritize a smooth touch or are curious about the potential of hall effect technology in the Magnetic Jade switch.

Conclusion

To sum up, choosing between the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the Gateron Magnetic Jade hall effect switch ultimately depends on your specific preferences and what you value in a typing experience. If you find yourself leaning towards a medium-heavy feel with a smooth yet somewhat clacky sound profile, the Ink Yellow is an excellent choice. Its shorter travel makes it appealing for those transitioning from laptop keyboards or looking for a comfortable typing experience across various environments, be it at home or work. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch with a dynamic, bright sound, the Magnetic Jade is the way to go. This switch is particularly suited for users who appreciate enhanced acoustic performance and are keen on an enriched typing experience, especially in keyboards designed for optimal audio feedback. Ultimately, both switches offer distinct characteristics; thus, your decision should align with your typing style and the auditory feedback you desire from your mechanical keyboard.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Ink Yellow Linear

$7.50

$7.35 per 10

Learn more

Gateron Magnetic Jade Hall Effect

$8.00 per 10

Learn more