So, I decided to give these “ws silent linear” switches a try. I’d heard some good things about them being super quiet, and since I share an office space, I figured it was worth a shot.
First, I ordered a set online. There are not so many choices so I got them easily. I think that was the easiest part of this whole thing, it arrived pretty quick.
Then came the fun part – installing them. I already had a hot-swappable keyboard, so I didn’t need to mess with soldering, thank goodness. But even with a hot-swap board, getting those old switches out can be a bit of a pain. I used a switch puller, but some of them were really stuck in there. I definitely recommend taking your time with this part, I bent a couple of pins on my old switches by being too impatient.
The Process
- Popped the old keycaps off using a keycap puller. Pretty straightforward.
- Wrestled with the old switches using the switch puller. Some came out easy, others…not so much.
- Lined up the new “ws silent linear” switches, making sure the pins were straight.
- Pushed them gently into the sockets on the keyboard. You should feel a satisfying little “click” when they’re in place.
- Put the keycaps back on.
Once they were all in, I plugged in the keyboard and gave it a test run. And… wow. Seriously, these things are QUIET. Like, really quiet. I was used to the “thock” of my old linears, but these are almost silent. It’s a weird sensation at first, almost like you’re typing on air.
The feel is also different. They’re still linear, so there’s no tactile bump, but they feel… smoother, somehow. Less scratchy than my old ones. It’s hard to describe, but it’s definitely a pleasant typing experience.
The biggest win, though? My officemate hasn’t complained once since I installed these. Before, I’d always be self-conscious about how loud I was typing, especially during calls. Now, I can type away without worrying about disturbing anyone.
Overall, I’m super happy with these “ws silent linear” switches. They’re a bit of an investment, but if you’re looking for a quieter keyboard, or just want a smoother linear feel, they’re definitely worth considering. Just be patient with the installation, and you’ll be golden!