Until recently, I’d always relied on an Apple Magic Keyboard or my MacBook’s built-in keyboard. Apple’s keyboards have always been solid, comfortable, and reliable, so I never felt the need to replace them. They’ve done everything I needed right out of the box.

But as I’ve been diving deeper into coding, I started wondering if a mechanical keyboard could improve my typing experience. Mechanical keyboards, from the outside, always seemed a bit overwhelming to me. There are different styles of keycaps, like Cherry and XDA; a vast array of switches with varied pressure levels and noise profiles; and a whole suite of customization options, like RGB backlighting (which I love), Bluetooth or wired connectivity, and even customization mods. People talk about everything from taping and foam mods to reduce sound to applying lube to the mechanisms to enhance feel and acoustics.

These were things I’d never had to consider, given that my trusty Apple keyboards came ready to go. But my curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to dip my toes into this unfamiliar yet intriguing world of mechanical keyboards.

After some research, I decided to keep things simple and go for a low-profile mechanical keyboard called the Air75 V2 in 'ionic white,' made by NuPhy. Its minimalist, modern design immediately drew me in, and it’s only slightly larger than my Magic Keyboard—a huge plus for me. NuPhy’s polished marketing also played a big role in my decision; they made the Air75 look as sleek as it sounds.

For the switches, I went with the stock brown switches. After a little digging, I found out that brown switches are a popular middle-ground option: not too soft, not too firm, and with a pleasant, moderate sound level. Sound wasn’t a huge concern since I work remotely, but I do tend to work late at night, and my office is right next to my children’s room, so I wanted something that wouldn’t disturb them.

Now, after just a couple of weeks with the Air75, I’m happy to report that my “switch” (pun intended) to the world of mechanical keyboards has been overwhelmingly positive. The responsiveness, the tactile feedback, and even the satisfying sound make typing genuinely enjoyable compared to a standard keyboard. While there’s a slight adjustment period, I’m already noticing a difference in comfort and typing speed.

For anyone who’s been on the fence about mechanical keyboards or hasn’t considered them at all, I can wholeheartedly recommend trying one—especially if you spend a lot of time typing. You don’t have to get swept up in all the technical details to enjoy the benefits. For me, this board has proved that the experience doesn’t need to be complicated to be worthwhile.