i would suggest reading a few "topre vs cherry" articles and forum posts for some idea.
2 examples of what i'm talking about:
http://deskthority.net/keyboards-f2/do-cherry-brown-mx-have-similar-tactile-as-topres-t4063.html
http://www.overclock.net/t/1018218/are-topre-keyboards-still-the-best/10
you might also want to consult the guide if you havent already:
http://www.overclock.net/t/491752/mechanical-keyboard-guide
also of note... the guide lists places which sell some switch testing devices. basically small samples of different switch types you can use to figure out what you like in case you have no stores nearby to go to.
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while i do not have any direct experience with topre, with a bit of reading a few things can be determined:
-cherry mx based keyboards tend to be cheaper than topre (some topre are $250 for a plain keyboard thats only abs plastic!)
-topre is not as common so has fewer models available.
-topre keyboards tend to be rather plain without many options like backlighting or macros
in terms of function, topre are a hybrid switch between a rubber dome and a mechanical. a few things can then be said:
-likely a lower lifespan than cherry switches
-only about half the mechanical feel. some say they are too close to rubber dome keyboards.
-they have a tactile bump however have no audible clicking.
-you do not need to bottom out keys like cherry mx to activate them
-there is less "chattering" with topre keyboards (however i've owned a wasd cherry mx blue and i never had chatter)
-topres are said to be smooth feeling (i suppose its preference if you prefer this or bottoming out)
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knowing this i would say that topre switches might be better for people who like the feel of rubber dome switches but want just a bit more and who dont care for other mechanical keyswitches. since its a hybrid switch it fits in about halfway between the two.
i'd like to add a note about the smoothness of the topre compared with the different actions of the cherry. there is a definite reason the cherry switches are designed in the way they are. since the cherry blue has all the features i'll list them:
-audible click upon activation. once you use a mechanical for awhile with a click your brain starts to associate it with your typing so you know you dont have to continue to push down on the key. it can make you type faster however it is also a little loud which some people may not like.
-tactile bump upon activation. this is also important for typing accuracy and speed. it serves as the same reminder however in tactile not audible form as the above.
-key letoff. activation force builds to a certain level (the point of key activation) and at this point force goes way down (close to zero) and the key bottoms out on the board. for people who like bottoming out keyswitches is is a good thing however its also possible to use the switch without bottoming out completely at all since key activation while below the letoff point is not quite at the bottoming out point..
how does this compare with other cherries?
-browns lack the audible feedback (they are quieter) however are similar.
-blacks, clears and reds lack any tactile or audible feedback at all and have no letoff. basically they are keys sitting on springs. while this may be preferred for gaming they are not much good for typing.
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a final note:
if you really are unsure about what to buy and have a spare $10 or so to throw around perhaps you should get one of the cherry mx sampler packs which come with all of the keyswitches for you to play with. sorry i'm not aware of one with topres although there was a massive cherry+topre+alps set being offered on another forum for a short time.
what sort of price did you want to pay? unless you were thinking expensive $200+ you might want to reconsider topre.
what sort of features did you want? if you need backlighting or macro keys you can find them on some cherry boards. not sure if topre has any like that.
what would i suggest? if you type alot...mx blues or browns. if you do not type at all then blacks, clears or reds. although if you want one switch for everything i would say browns or blues since you CAN game on them. perhaps they arent as smooth as the others but the typing experience is better. your call how important typing is to you.
maxkeyboard, wasd, ducky, deck, corsair and a few other brands are all good however...
-many brands use abs plastic (which really feels cheap even if you spent $150 on a keyboard) so i'd suggest one that uses PBT or better (such as deck)
-all cherry switches are mounted directly to the pcb. if you spill something on these keyboard they are likely trash. they dont have spill protection on most of them.
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now.. what do i personally prefer? neither.
my vote goes to the first mechanical switch design: the ibm buckling spring.
honestly there is no current generation switch which is:
-has the same feel
-has tactile feedback, audible feedback and activation at the same exact point
-is on a keyboard that has a full spill tray and which can be easily dissassembled for cleaning
-is on a keyboard which can be used as a weapon and then used to type with afterwards (built like tanks... although the deck keyboards immitate this design)
they are high resistance, noisy, large keyboards and i love them for it.
if i had to pick a new type of switch? blues or browns arent bad. i've owned a cherry mx blue however it got destroyed from a spill
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of course we all have our own opinions and honestly only your personal opinion matters since it will be you using the switches (hence why i suggested a sampler pack)
hopefully you have enough information to help you search for what might fit you best.
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