Switch: Gateron Yellow

I was probably the most excited to try these out. 1STPLAYER wanted to send me the LANG MK8 keyboard with Gateron Yellow switches, but that combination was a hot commodity, and stable availability for that particular SKU was at least a month out at the time. There is now a Gateron Yellow optical switch as well, a hybrid of the previous two linear switches we just saw, in having a shorter travel and a 35 gf rated actuation force, which I am pretty sure I will absolutely hate, so I am glad the newer Gateron Yellow mechanical switch is also more common and on its way to becoming one of the most popular Gateron switches.


We see that this is a relatively new switch because the Gateron logo is the right-way up in most keyboard applications, where the LED is underneath the top of the switch for backlighting of central top-placed legends. We also have a bright yellow stem here, and the bottom half of the switch might as well be the same as before.


Indeed, taking the switch apart again suggests that the only real changes functionally are the stem and the spring. But I do know that Gateron has made improvements to the switch mold here, to where they claim a higher rated lifetime and smoother travel for this linear switch. It's hard to tell from even this macro photo, and it would really take an optical microscope to discern any physical changes, but expect nothing other than a smoother contact surface where applicable for stem travel on the housing. The metal leaf contact seems to be the same.


Installation and removal of the Gateron Yellow mechanical switch follows the same steps as before. As for keycaps, I went back to the default purple and blue keycaps for all but another vanity Esc keycap with a flower on top.


The Gateron Yellow is a linear switch rated to be slightly heavier than the Cherry MX Red, but with the same actuation and total travel distances of 2.0/4.0 mm respectively. Actuation force is thus expected to be near the rated 50 gf with a bottoming-out force of ~60 gf. I don't know how I managed to save the best for last, but these were among the most consistent switches and closer to the rated numbers than any others tested here. Even using the switches was a pleasure because of the smoother travel, and this is coming from a guy who prefers tactile switches. The spring is near-perfect in appealing to all Cherry MX Red gamers without feeling too different, while having enough resistance to keep the general typists happy as well. Keeping to 2.0/4.0 mm travel is also good overall, so while this is not going to be a fast gaming switch, it will be a very good general switch, and these switches are selling well too.


Here is what this specific combination sounds like, and my apologies for the weird recording artifact in the beginning, as I do not recall anything of the sort in person. I am very happy with this sound profile even though having bottomed out. For context, you can find sound clips from other keyboards here, including those with linear switches.