Hot swap is a term that has been around for a long time, but is not yet popular and only mechanical keyboard players know about it. So what is Hot swap, is this feature necessary and how to use Hot swap properly? Let's find out the details in this article.
What is hot swap?
Hot swap is a feature that allows you to easily replace switches on a mechanical keyboard without having to solder the PCB. Hot swap was introduced by Kono Store and Input Club, however, the current leader in the Hot swap switch market is Kaihua (a manufacturer of Kailh switches from China). In addition to the name Hot swap, this switch replacement feature is also known as swappable, hot-swappable, swap.
What's so good about hot swap?
Hot swapping gives mechanical keyboard players a wide range of switch options, instead of just using red, blue, or brown switches on a keyboard. By being able to swap out switches, you can play half red, half blue, or any other style you want. You can even mix Cherry MX and Gateron switches on your keyboard if you like.
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Another good thing about Hot swap is that if you break a switch, it is extremely easy to fix. I know many of you who type blue switches after a while, some keys will no longer "click" like they did at first, with Hot swap you can replace them so your keyboard is always like new. From there, you can use a Hot swap mechanical keyboard longer.
It can be understood that Hot swap will help you replace switches on mechanical keyboards as easily as replacing keycaps, so repairing, replacing, and customizing the keyboard to your liking will be much easier.
How to play Hot swap properly?
Hot swap can be considered a hobby for those who want to customize their mechanical keyboard to their liking. However, the downside of Hot swap is that the price for mechanical keyboards with this feature is often higher than the average. The designs of Hot swap keyboards are also not as diverse as regular mechanical keyboards.
Another thing to note is that separate switches for Hot swapping will also be part of the cost that needs to be prepared. You also need to equip yourself with a little knowledge and experience to be able to customize the right switches according to your needs.
Currently, Kono store, the company that introduced this Hot swap feature, still sells mechanical keyboards that support users to change switches. But Kono store's segment positioning is high-end, for example, the Kira Mechanical keyboard with Hot swap costs up to 259 USD, quite expensive for those who can play. The good news is that in Vietnam, there are also bluetooth mechanical keyboard products that support Hot swap at a soft price, just under 2 million VND. Most notably are the Keychron K2, K4, K6 and K8 product lines. I think the Keychron K series keyboard will be a more reasonable solution for those who like to play Hot swap because it balances the cost factor, especially when you have to spend more money to buy switches.
So, Hot swap is a great keyboard hobby, helping users customize switches to their liking. If you have used many types of switches and want a mechanical keyboard that suits your preferences, Hot switch will be a very worthwhile experience. This will be a worthy upgrade for a mechanical keyboard and the next level for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
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