Gateron Ink Yellow vs. Gateron Mountain Top
An in-depth look at the Gateron Ink Yellow and the Gateron Mountain Top switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Gateron Ink Yellow and Gateron Mountain Top both offer unique qualities to cater to different preferences. The Ink Yellow is a linear switch known for its shorter travel distance, providing a typing experience that falls between that of a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard. With a smooth and clacky feel, this switch is perfect for those who prefer a polished and mild typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top is Gateron's latest offering designed specifically for office environments. These linear switches are engineered to provide a quiet, discreet typing experience ideal for professional settings. With a bouncy and easy-to-press feel, this switch balances a subdued sound signature with a comfortably light actuation. Both switches have their own strengths and appeal to different needs, 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
40g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Ink Yellow and Gateron Mountain Top switches both have unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The Ink Yellow's proprietary INK blend top housing is known for its high-pitched and clacky sound, while the Mountain Top's nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller sound. This contrast in sound profiles can make a difference in typing experience, with the Ink Yellow providing a more sharp and pointed sound compared to the Mountain Top's softer and rounder sound.
Similarly, the bottom housing materials of the Ink Yellow and Mountain Top switches also play a role in their overall sound profile. The INK blend bottom housing of the Ink Yellow contributes to its thin and higher-pitched sound, while the nylon bottom housing of the Mountain Top absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound. This difference in bottom housing materials can affect the overall feel and sound of the switch when pressed down, with the Ink Yellow offering a more impactful bottom-out sound compared to the Mountain Top.
Ultimately, the choice between the Gateron Ink Yellow and Gateron Mountain Top switches will depend on individual preferences for sound and feel while typing. Both switches offer distinct qualities based on their housing materials, with the Ink Yellow providing a sharper and clacky sound profile, and the Mountain Top offering a deeper and fuller sound. Whether one prefers a more high-pitched and pointed sound or a softer and rounder sound, both switches are sure to provide a satisfying typing experience based on their unique housing materials.
Weight
In comparing the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, it is evident that the Mountain Top switch is lighter in terms of actuation and bottom out force. The Ink Yellow switch has a higher actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, making it a medium-heavy option. On the other hand, the Mountain Top switch boasts a lighter actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, providing a more effortless typing experience. Those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions may lean towards the Mountain Top switch, while those who enjoy a more substantial typing feel may opt for the Ink Yellow switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style, with the lighter force of the Mountain Top switch providing a smoother typing experience in comparison to the heavier Ink Yellow switch.
Travel distance
The Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. This makes the Ink Yellow slightly longer in travel distance compared to the Mountain Top. In terms of usage, the Ink Yellow might provide a slightly more pronounced feel when pressing down on keys compared to the Mountain Top. However, both switches fall within a similar range of travel distance, so users can expect relatively similar results in terms of key feel and responsiveness. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of travel distance and overall typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Ink Yellow has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ink Yellow for $7.35.
The Gateron Mountain Top comes in at $6.00 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, both the Gateron Ink Yellow and Mountain Top switches are classified as neutral, offering a moderate actuation force requirement and sound profile suitable for various settings. The Ink Yellow switch is noted for its clacky nature, providing a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, ideal for those who appreciate a crisp and percussive typing experience. Meanwhile, the Mountain Top switch focuses on discretion, delivering a quiet yet not entirely silent typing sound to maintain a professional and unobtrusive environment. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference and the overall setup of your keyboard.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Ink Yellow switch offers a mild and polished typing experience, showcasing a gentle and refined finish that enhances key travel and reduces friction. This switch falls within a safe middle-ground zone, providing approachable sound and feel for most users. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top switch is described as bouncy and easy-to-press, offering a lively and responsive typing feel with minimal force required for activation. Additionally, the Mountain Top switch's subtle resistance and low impact make it suitable for shared spaces where a quiet and comfortable typing experience is necessary. Depending on whether you prefer a smooth and polished feel or a bouncy and responsive feedback, both switches cater to different typing preferences.
In conclusion, both the Gateron Ink Yellow and Mountain Top switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Ink Yellow switch provides a clacky and polished typing experience, the Mountain Top switch focuses on subtlety and bounce for a comfortable and professional typing environment. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, either switch can provide a satisfying typing experience. Ultimately, it is recommended to try both switches to determine which aligns best with your typing style and preferences.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, consider the following guidelines. If you are looking for a typing experience that falls between that of a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard, with a pleasant smoothness and clackiness, the Ink Yellow would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you work in a professional environment where quiet yet not entirely silent typing is preferred, the Mountain Top switch, engineered for discretion, would be more suitable. Ultimately, your preference should be based on factors such as actuation force, sound profile, and typing feel to ensure that you select the switch that best meets your specific needs and requirements.
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