prompter: What are the benefits of using a mechanical keyboard over a standard keyboard?

assistant: There are many benefits to using a mechanical keyboard such as:
Being designed with individual switches for each key, providing a satisfying tactile and audible feedback when a key is pressed. This can lead to a more comfortable and efficient typing experience compared to a standard keyboard. This can make typing feel better.
Mechanical keyboards are built to last, with a high-quality construction that can withstand heavy use. The switches on a mechanical keyboard are designed to be more durable than those on a standard keyboard, and they can often be replaced if they fail. 
Mechanical keyboards often have customizable features, such as programmable keys, backlighting, and different switch types. This allows users to personalize their keyboard to their specific needs and preferences.
The tactile feedback and precise actuation point of mechanical keyboards can lead to improved accuracy when typing or playing games.

prompter: Can a mechanical keyboard improve typing experience compared to a standard keyboard? How does the tactile feedback and actuation point of a mechanical keyboard enhance the typing or gaming experience?

assistant: Mechanical keyboards are far more comfortable to use and provide satisfying tactile feedback, unlike the mushy feeling of membrane ones. The keycaps are usually easily removable and replaceable, which helps both customizability and repairability (not that you're likely to need to repair them, as they're often more durable). Finally, advanced features such as N-key rollover allow for use cases that membrane keyboards just can't satisfy, such as stenography or certain types of games.

prompter: What do the prices look like when comparing mechanical keyboards to standard or membrane based keyboards?

assistant: Since mechanical keyboards are more durable, customizable, have N-key rollover and are more satisfying to the tact, they are more expensive than standard or membrane keyboards.

assistant: Membrane based keyboards are generally less expensive then mechanical keyboards.

assistant: Here is a list of benefits of using a mechanical keyboard over a standard keyboard: 

1. They last longer than standard keyboards.
2. They’re faster and easier to type on.
3. They’re more responsive to keystrokes.
4. They provide stronger feedback while typing.
5. They’re more precise. 
6. They’re more comfortable.

While you have asked for benefits make sure to consider the cons as well. The general consensus for example seems to be that mechanical keyboards more comfortable, this is mostly up to personal opinion. Make sure to try a mechanical keyboard before accepting the opinion of the majority.

prompter: What other types of keyboard are there and what are their advantages? I really like the keyboards in laptops, and the ones Apple used to use before the ones that a grain of sand broke, are they a sort of mechanical?

assistant: There are several types of keyboards, including:

1. Mechanical Keyboards: as mentioned earlier, these keyboards have mechanical switches beneath each key, providing a tactile and audible feedback when typing.

2. Scissor-Switch Keyboards: these are the type of keyboards commonly found in laptops and ultra-slim desktop computers. They have a scissor mechanism that provides a low profile and quiet typing experience.

3. Dome-Switch Keyboards: these keyboards have a rubber dome under each key that collapses when the key is pressed, which then sends a signal to the computer. They are quiet and relatively inexpensive.

4. Chiclet Keyboards: these are similar to scissor-switch keyboards, but with square or rounded keycaps that provide a more modern look. They are also common in laptops and ultra-slim desktop computers.

The keyboards used by Apple before the ones that were easily broken by a grain of sand were likely scissor-switch keyboards. They are not mechanical keyboards, but they provide a low profile and quiet typing experience that is suitable for many users. Ultimately, the type of keyboard you choose will depend on your personal preferences and the type of work you do.

assistant: In addition to mechanical keyboards, there are several other types of keyboards, including:

- Membrane keyboards: These are the most common type of keyboard and are often used in standard desktop computers and laptops. They are known for their affordability, low profile design, and quiet operation.
- Scissor-switch keyboards: These are similar to membrane keyboards, but use a different mechanism to provide feedback when keys are pressed. They are commonly used in laptops and provide a more stable typing experience compared to membrane keyboards.
- Dome-switch keyboards: This is a variation of the membrane keyboard that uses a dome-switch mechanism to provide tactile feedback when keys are pressed. They are quieter and more durable than traditional membrane keyboards.
- Chiclet keyboards: This type of keyboard is similar to a scissor-switch keyboard, but with wider keys and a thinner profile. They are popular in laptops and offer a more modern design.

Regarding the keyboard in Apple laptops, they typically use a scissor-switch mechanism, which provides a stable, quiet typing experience. This type of keyboard is not considered to be mechanical, as it does not use mechanical switches like mechanical keyboards do.

assistant: There are several types of keyboards, including:

Membrane keyboard: This is the most common type of keyboard found in most computers, and it uses a rubber dome under each key to register keystrokes. These keyboards are relatively cheap, quiet, and lightweight, but they don't provide the same tactile feedback as mechanical keyboards.

Scissor-switch keyboard: This type of keyboard is often used in laptops and has a scissor-like mechanism under each key, which provides a more stable and precise keystroke. Scissor-switch keyboards are usually quieter and thinner than mechanical keyboards.

Capacitive keyboard: This type of keyboard uses sensors to detect when a key is pressed. These keyboards are often found in touchscreens and can provide haptic feedback when typing.

Optical keyboard: This type of keyboard uses light to detect when a key is pressed. Optical keyboards are often faster and more durable than mechanical keyboards, but they are also more expensive.

Regarding the Apple keyboards, the older Apple keyboards (pre-2016) used scissor switches, while the newer ones use a butterfly mechanism, which is a type of low-profile mechanical switch. The butterfly mechanism has been criticized for being prone to failure and having a shallow typing experience.