Keygeek Keylin vs. Outemu Purple
An in-depth look at the Keygeek Keylin and the Outemu Purple switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, choosing the right one can significantly impact your typing experience. The Keygeek Keylin, a linear switch, is celebrated for its premium typing experience, featuring rich acoustics and exceptional smoothness due to its innovative new molds. This makes it an excellent choice for typists and gamers alike, who prefer a seamless, uninterrupted keystroke without tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Outemu Purple, a tactile switch, offers a distinctive bump that provides users with satisfying tactile feedback—a feature many find enhances their typing accuracy and overall enjoyment. While the Keylin emphasizes smoothness and quiet operation, the Purple is favored for its tactile sensation, making it ideal for those who appreciate a more responsive typing feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that's right for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
38g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
48g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
UPE
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
21mm single-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Keygeek Keylin and the Outemu Purple mechanical switches, significant differences emerge, particularly in their top housings. The Keylin's top housing is made from nylon, a classic switch material renowned for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. This softer plastic absorbs sound more effectively than harder materials, resulting in a duller and rounder auditory experience. In contrast, the Outemu Purple features a polycarbonate top housing, known for contributing a sharper and crisper sound profile. The rigidity of polycarbonate enhances the clarity and resonance during keypresses, giving it a higher-pitched sound. Aesthetically, the polycarbonate top is often clear, which allows for better visual effects when RGB lighting is incorporated, making it particularly appealing for users who prioritize illumination.
On the other hand, both the Keygeek Keylin and the Outemu Purple share a similarity in their bottom housing material, which is nylon. This consistency leads to a shared characteristic of producing a fuller sound profile with such bottoms. The nylon bottom housing contributes to a deeper auditory experience and impacts the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is fully pressed down. As nylon is a softer plastic, it absorbs sound and creates a rounder tone in this aspect of switch performance; therefore, both switches will elicit a similar tactile experience in their bottom-out sounds despite their differing top constructions.
It is essential to consider how these distinct housing materials interplay to create unique typing experiences. The Keylin’s nylon top and bottom housing work in unison to produce a deep, cohesive sound profile, while the Outemu Purple's polycarbonate top housing combines with its nylon bottom to deliver a blend of pronounced, crisp sound upon release, yet a deep resonance when bottoming out. This contrast underscores how the composition of switch materials affects not only sound but also the overall typing feel. Each design offers its nuances: whereas the Keylin might appeal more to those seeking a muted but rich typing experience, the Outemu Purple presents itself as an option for users who prefer clarity and a vibrant auditory feedback. Thus, while the switches differ in their upper housing materials, the similar bottom housing helps unify some aspects of their performance.
Weight
The Keygeek Keylin linear switch and the Outemu Purple tactile switch exhibit distinct characteristics in terms of actuation and bottom-out forces, impacting their usability for different preferences. The Keylin switch features an actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom-out force of 48 grams, categorizing it as a lighter option that may be more comfortable for prolonged typing sessions, making it ideal for users who prioritize ease and comfort. In contrast, the Outemu Purple switch has a higher actuation force of 50 grams, suggesting a heavier feel that may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. However, the bottom-out force for the Outemu Purple switch remains undisclosed, leaving an essential aspect of its performance unclear. Overall, the Keylin switch is the lighter choice, promoting extended use without fatigue, while the Outemu Purple offers a firmer resistance suitable for users who enjoy a stronger tactile feedback.
Travel distance
The Keygeek Keylin linear switch features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Outemu Purple tactile switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key, the Keylin requires a shorter distance to actuate compared to the Purple. For gamers seeking quicker response times, the Keylin may be the preferable choice due to its shorter travel distance, allowing for more rapid key presses. However, those who enjoy a more substantial tactile feedback and depth in their keystrokes might favor the Outemu Purple, which offers a deeper feel with its longer 4 mm travel distance. As a result, the Keylin provides a more responsive experience, while the Purple delivers a more pronounced actuation sensation.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Keygeek Keylin has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Keylin for $3.29.
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 Keygeek Keylin linear switch stands out for its rich acoustics, which contribute to a more satisfying auditory experience while typing. This quality is enhanced by the premium nature of its design and the new molds utilized by Keygeek. In contrast, the Outemu Purple tactile switch does not have a specific sound profile described, which suggests it might not focus as heavily on this aspect or may vary depending on other factors like the specific keyboard it’s paired with and the keycaps used. Overall, the Keylin is likely to provide a more refined and pleasant sound experience.
In terms of feel, the Keylin linear switch offers exceptional smoothness, making for a fluid typing experience that many users appreciate, especially for long typing sessions. Its linear nature allows for an uninterrupted keystroke without any tactile bump, promoting a consistent downstroke and upstroke. On the other hand, the Outemu Purple tactile switch lacks a detailed description of its feel, but being a tactile switch means it should provide a noticeable bump at the actuation point. This bump can enhance the typing experience for those who prefer feedback in their keystrokes, although the specifics of its smoothness compared to the Keylin remain unclear.
In conclusion, while the Keygeek Keylin linear switch offers a premium typing experience marked by rich sound and exceptional smoothness, the Outemu Purple tactile switch appears to be less defined in both sound and feel. If a user prioritizes auditory enjoyment and smoothness, the Keylin is likely the better choice. However, if tactile feedback is desired, the Purple may still offer a satisfactory experience, albeit without the strong emphasis on sound and smoothness found in the Keylin. Ultimately, selecting between these switches will depend on personal preferences regarding sound and tactile feedback characteristics.
Conclusion
To sum up, choosing between the Keygeek Keylin linear switch and the Outemu Purple tactile switch ultimately comes down to your personal preferences in typing experience. If you appreciate a light touch with smooth keystrokes and a solid acoustic character, the Keylin linear switch would likely be your best bet, especially if you engage in a lot of typing or gaming that benefits from rapid and understated feedback. On the other hand, if you enjoy a tactile bump to signal when a key has registered, enhancing your typing accuracy and feel, the Outemu Purple switch might be more suitable for your needs. Your choice will also depend on the environment in which you're typing—if silence is paramount, the smoothness of the Keylin could be advantageous, while the sound profile and tactile feedback of the Purple may be preferred in bustling environments, where the audible click can be a satisfying benefit. Ultimately, both switches have their unique strengths, so consider how each feature aligns with your typing style and overall preferences as you make your decision.
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