Outemu Purple vs. Outemu Silent White
An in-depth look at the Outemu Purple and the Outemu Silent White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the Outemu Purple and Outemu Silent White offer two distinct options to consider. The Outemu Purple switch is a tactile switch, providing users with a noticeable bump and audible click for tactile feedback with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent White switch is a linear switch, offering a smooth keystroke with no tactile bump or audible click. The Purple switch is ideal for those who enjoy the tactile feel and audible feedback while typing, whereas the Silent White switch is perfect for those who prefer a quieter and smoother typing experience. 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
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Both the Outemu Purple and Outemu Silent White switches utilize polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the material's stiffness. The translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it an ideal choice for switches intended to be used with RGB lighting. However, while the top housing material is the same for both switches, they differ in their bottom housing material. The Purple features a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Silent White also utilizes a nylon bottom housing for a similar effect.
The nylon bottom housing in both the Outemu Purple and Outemu Silent White switches contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This material choice impacts the typing experience on both switches, providing a satisfying sound for users to enjoy. Despite this similarity in the bottom housing material, the differences between the switches lie in their top housings. The polycarbonate top housing in both switches creates a distinct sound profile that is sharper and crisper, particularly when letting go of a key.
In considering the overall typing experience of the Outemu Purple and Outemu Silent White switches, it is evident that the combination of polycarbonate and nylon housing materials delivers a unique sound profile for each switch. While the top housing's polycarbonate material adds a sharp and clear sound, the nylon bottom housing brings depth and fullness to the typing experience. These differences showcase how the choice of housing materials can influence the overall sound and feel of a mechanical keyboard switch, providing users with options to cater to their preferences in typing sound and sensation.
Weight
Comparing the Outemu Purple tactile switch and the Outemu Silent White linear switch, the actuation force of the Purple is slightly heavier at 50 grams compared to the 45 grams of the Silent White. This means that a slightly stronger push is needed to trigger a keystroke on the Purple switch. However, the bottom out force of the Silent White is higher at 60 grams compared to the unknown bottom out force of the Purple. This indicates that the Silent White requires more force to fully press the key down compared to the Purple. In terms of weight, the Silent White is overall the heavier switch due to its higher bottom out force. Depending on personal preference, users may choose the lighter Purple switch for longer typing sessions or the heavier Silent White switch for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the actuation and bottom out forces of the two switches provide different typing sensations, catering to a variety of user preferences.
Travel distance
The Outemu Purple tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Outemu Silent White linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. In this case, the Silent White switch has the shorter travel distance, making it ideal for those looking for a quicker response time, such as gamers. On the other hand, the Purple switch offers a longer travel distance, providing a more substantial keypress feel for those who prefer a deeper actuation. Both switches offer unique advantages depending on individual preferences, with the Purple switch offering a more traditional feel and the Silent White switch catering to those who prioritize speed and responsiveness. Ultimately, choosing between the two will depend on whether you prefer a shorter or longer travel distance in a mechanical keyboard switch.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
In this case, both switches are $3.10. As such, price can't serve as a tiebreaker when choosing between the Purple and Silent White.
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
The Outemu Purple tactile switch is known for providing a satisfying bump and tactile feedback when typing, while the Outemu Silent White linear switch is known for a smooth and quiet typing experience. The Purple switch produces a moderate noise level with a noticeable tactile bump, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy a more pronounced feedback while typing. On the other hand, the Silent White switch offers a silent typing experience with a linear feel, perfect for those who prefer a quieter keyboard without sacrificing the smoothness of keystrokes.
When it comes to sound, the Outemu Purple tactile switch produces a tactile bump noise, which can be heard when typing. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent White linear switch is designed to be quiet, minimizing the noise level while typing. The sound produced by the switches can also be affected by factors such as the material of the keyboard case and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Outemu Purple tactile switch offers a tactile bump and feedback sensation when typing, giving users a sense of key actuation. The Outemu Silent White linear switch, on the other hand, provides a smooth and consistent keystroke without any tactile bump, making it ideal for users who prefer a more linear feel. Both switches are durable and responsive, providing a reliable typing experience.
Overall, the Outemu Purple tactile switch and the Outemu Silent White linear switch offer different typing experiences to cater to different preferences. If you prefer a tactile typing experience with an audible bump, the Purple switch would be the better choice. Alternatively, if you prefer a quiet and smooth typing feel without any tactile feedback, the Silent White switch would be more suitable for you. Regardless of your choice, both switches are reliable and offer high performance for your typing needs.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Outemu Purple tactile switch or the Outemu Silent White linear switch, you should consider your preferences for typing experience. If you enjoy a light touch and do not mind some noise while typing, the Outemu Purple switch with its None bottom out force and tactile feedback may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium bottom out force and a quieter typing experience, the Outemu Silent White switch with its 60 grams bottom out force and linear feel may be more suited to your needs. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on your personal typing preferences and whether you prioritize tactile feedback or a quieter typing experience.
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