Gateron New North Pole V2 vs. Akko Penguin

Overview

When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Gateron New North Pole V2 and the Akko Penguin. The New North Pole V2 is a linear switch that is known for its polished, creamy, and frictionless feel. It offers a crisp typing experience without a rubber dampener, maintaining a seamless glide and smoothness perfect for those who prefer a consistent keystroke. On the other hand, the Akko Penguin is a tactile switch that boasts a muted, mild, and subtle tactile bump, making it an ideal choice for office environments where noise reduction is crucial. With a balanced weight that provides responsiveness without causing fatigue, the Penguin is great for extended typing sessions. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Gateron New North Pole V2 Linear

Akko Penguin Tactile

$6.80

$5.70 per 10

$4.22

$3.10 per 10

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Housing materials

In comparing the housing materials of the Gateron New North Pole V2 and the Akko Penguin, one notable difference is in the material used for the top housing. The New North Pole V2 utilizes polycarbonate, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile due to its stiffness, making it ideal for RGB lighting. In contrast, the Penguin employs nylon for its top housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile as nylon is softer and absorbs more sound. This contrast in materials showcases how the choice of housing can significantly impact the sound and feel of a switch.

Moving on to the bottom housing, the New North Pole V2 once again uses polycarbonate, emphasizing its sharp and clear sound profile. Meanwhile, the Akko Penguin opts for a nylon bottom housing, contributing to a deeper and fuller sound due to the material's softer nature. This difference in materials highlights how the bottom housing can influence the overall sound and feel of a switch, with polycarbonate offering a more resonant sound and nylon providing a rounder and duller tone.

While the housing materials of the Gateron New North Pole V2 and Akko Penguin differ in terms of polycarbonate and nylon, respectively, the qualities each material brings to the switches ultimately affect the overall typing experience. The split between the top and bottom housing allows for a unique combination of sound profiles, with the bottom housing impacting the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound upon key release. Both switches showcase how the choice of housing material can significantly alter the sound and feel of a mechanical keyboard, offering users variety in their typing experience based on their preferences for sound and feedback.

Weight

The Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Akko Penguin tactile switch, which requires 43 grams to actuate. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the New North Pole V2 requires 62.5 grams, while the Penguin requires 60 grams, indicating that both switches have a similar bottom out force. The New North Pole V2 offers a more substantial typing experience with its higher actuation force, making it ideal for those who prefer a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the Akko Penguin's lighter actuation force may be more suitable for users who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference for typing feel and required force.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch and the Akko Penguin tactile switch, the Penguin tactile switch has a shorter travel distance of 3.3mm compared to the 4mm travel distance of the New North Pole V2 linear switch. For those who prefer a quicker response time and a shallower feel when typing or gaming, the Akko Penguin tactile switch would be the ideal choice with its shorter travel distance. On the other hand, the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch would be more suitable for individuals who prefer a deeper key press and a more traditional typing experience due to its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches depends on personal preference and the type of typing experience one is looking to achieve.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch is known for producing a crisper typing experience due to the removal of the rubber dampener, resulting in a sharper keystroke sound. On the other hand, the Akko Penguin tactile switch is characterized as muted, offering a softer and quieter typing sound ideal for office environments. While the New North Pole V2 provides a more distinct auditory feedback, the Penguin creates a more subtle and muted typing experience, catering to different preferences in noise levels.

When it comes to feel, both the Gateron New North Pole V2 and the Akko Penguin switches exhibit similar characteristics of being polished. This means that they both offer a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction, resulting in a sleek key travel. However, the New North Pole V2 is also described as creamy and frictionless, providing an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing feel. In contrast, the Penguin switch offers a feathery and subtle typing sensation, with a lighter actuation force that reduces finger fatigue during extended typing sessions.

In conclusion, the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch and the Akko Penguin tactile switch each offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in sound and feel. The New North Pole V2 excels in providing a crisper typing sound and a creamy, frictionless typing feel, while the Penguin switch focuses on producing a muted typing sound and a feathery, subtle typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches would depend on whether the user prioritizes a sharper typing sound and smoother key travel or a quieter typing experience with a lighter actuation force.

Conclusion

To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch or the Akko Penguin tactile switch, your decision should be based on your specific needs and preferences. If you prioritize a crisper typing experience with a frictionless glide and smoothness, the New North Pole V2 may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you value a quiet profile with a rounded tactile bump for satisfying feedback, especially in office environments where noise reduction is important, the Akko Penguin switch could be the more suitable choice. Additionally, consider the sound and feel characteristics of each switch when making your decision. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to your personal preferences and the specific use case for which you need the keyboard.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron New North Pole V2 Linear

$6.80

$5.70 per 10

Learn more

Akko Penguin Tactile

$4.22

$3.10 per 10

Learn more