deskthority

Kailh releases “X Switch” PG1425 to achieve new breakthrough on notebook mechanical key switches

Kaihua will release the newest notebook switch “X Switch” on Beijing time 12nd March, 2018. X Switch is the market’s thinnest notebook mechanical key switch for the moment

Traditional mechanical keyboard switch enters into rather strong competitive stage,so that the keyswitch manufacturer gradually transfer the core into notebook keyswitch; kailhua which always keeps innovating as the core competitive just released the X Switch.

The structure of X switch breaks the present traditional keyboard switch design style,which is more thin and better feel. The key switch technology is rather precise, you need to use the knife to open it so that see the final structure!Once you open it,you’ll be surprised at the tiny and complex design. We’ve counted that it has 13pcs parts at least,which differs from the traditional keyswitch. Clicky and tactile two type feels are available. The highlights of the switch structure

As the name implies,the “X ” is alike scissor X shape,the most highlight is actuation module made of the stem and balance stand, “X” shape balance stand makes the most of the space to assure the mechanical feel and enough short travel,wow.the X Switch the most important tip is the PG142501D03 also has the click bar structure inside ,total height only 6.5mm. X Switch Specification

Although X Switch has rather thin body but the total travel is 2.5mm,the actuation travel 1.2mm,more fast actuation and feeling.it means that the mechanical notebook no more big only choose Kailh X Switch,then you’ll experience the advantage of feeling and volume. 20M cycles lifespans and 50gf actuation force,Kaihua makes a revolutionary transformation for the structure and volume. With the Kailh BOX Switch appearing,Kaihua can challenge the Cherry’s market position,and Choc switch PG1350 also impels and steadies the leader position, what’s more,kaihua promotes the domestic keyboard switch innovation with the X Switch bringing out and influences the international market keyboard switch promotion.

It’s reported that Kaihua will display the X Switch at the Hongkong Global Resource Exhibition on 11st April,2018,the booth # 9G20,just head for experiencing ,welcome!

That, was not expecting.

The really hard part will be convincing mainstream brands to sell laptops that are thicker, heavier and noisier! (Eyeball and ruler test of a Sunrex laptop keyboard gives me a thickness of around 4 mm without keycaps, versus 6.5 for X-Switch.)

I've felt for a while now that, seeing how small the parts are inside Apple laptops (tiny motherboard, thin batteries), we could return to thicker laptops and use the extra space inside for a better keyboard. X Switch would certainly work towards that compromise.

Great idea to use the horizontal space. So, do you have any of these for us to test?

These certainly look interesting, but will the tactile switches actually feel any different to a standard scissor switch? I've never owned a laptop long enough to wear out the keyboard so I wouldn't see the necessity in terms of longevity.

The tactile switch looks very much like it has the force curve of a rubber dome switch. How does the Kailh X tactile switch compare to a standard chiclet switch?

Get ALL the big Laptop guys in on this and end crappy laptop keyboards once and for all!

Lets make laptops great again!

I see no reason why something like the lenovo t series cannot have this, loads of space in that bad boy. And then we can put things like HDMI and Ethernet and RS232 and SD card readers etc on the laptop and put a bigger battery in, you know like things that real people use to do real work as apposed to the soy latte crowd that 99% of laptops are aimed at nowadays.

I didn't get time to comment on this earlier. Let's take this photo again:



Look at the keycaps for C and V: the bottom of each keycap is level with the top surface of the keyboard.

Now look at the expose switches, and where the scissor arms are when the key is released.

Keys C and V (and all the others) are being shown in their pressed state. In reality, each keycap would sit higher up with a gap under it like on a traditional (non-island) keyboard. To get that flush look, you would have to put that surface panel higher up.

I wonder if the exposed switches are higher than they would be with the cap snapped in place.

webwit wrote: ↑Great idea to use the horizontal space. So, do you have any of these for us to test?

samples?

Kurplop wrote: ↑I wonder if the exposed switches are higher than they would be with the cap snapped in place.

NO

kailh wrote: ↑

webwit wrote: ↑Great idea to use the horizontal space. So, do you have any of these for us to test? :mrgreen:

samples?

This is one switch type where samples would be worthless to me, as I could never do them justice with my photography!

I just got samples in of these. They feel pretty great.