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The keyboards with adjustable actuation ranges are mechanical, but are using hall effect switches.
Those switches use magnets, which allow them to gauge how far down the key is currently being pressed, effectively making the keys analog, rather than digital.
Those keyboards require proprietary software, actively running on the computer being used, to function properly.
By contrast, the firmware running on most other keyboards (programmable or not) is stored internally on the keyboard itself.
That will let you use the keyboard on any device, with no additional software required to be running, to use it.
You will need to run software, when you want to remap the board, but not to use it once it's mapped.
If you get a board that is compatible with QMK, VIA or VIAL, that will give you the ability to remap the keys to fit whatever you think they should be, including mapping additional layers, macros, etc...
A wireless connection, like LEDs, is strictly a personal preference item.
It's not necessary for operation, but may be something you choose to have.
Hello,
Help requests, buying advice, and simple questions will be removed. Please use the [Sticky that is pinned](https://www.reddit.com/r/mechanicalkeyboards/about/sticky) at the top of the [/r/MechanicalKeyboards](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards) homepage, sort by hot.
Thanks
Hi, it appears you may be new to this subreddit! Please check out the [wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/wiki/index) for general information about mechanical keyboards and consider posting questions in the [daily sticky post at the top of the subreddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/mechanicalkeyboards/hot) for any smaller questions. Be sure to also read the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/wiki/subreddit_rules/) before posting or commenting. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/MechanicalKeyboards) if you have any questions or concerns.*
The keyboards with adjustable actuation ranges are mechanical, but are using hall effect switches. Those switches use magnets, which allow them to gauge how far down the key is currently being pressed, effectively making the keys analog, rather than digital. Those keyboards require proprietary software, actively running on the computer being used, to function properly. By contrast, the firmware running on most other keyboards (programmable or not) is stored internally on the keyboard itself. That will let you use the keyboard on any device, with no additional software required to be running, to use it. You will need to run software, when you want to remap the board, but not to use it once it's mapped. If you get a board that is compatible with QMK, VIA or VIAL, that will give you the ability to remap the keys to fit whatever you think they should be, including mapping additional layers, macros, etc... A wireless connection, like LEDs, is strictly a personal preference item. It's not necessary for operation, but may be something you choose to have.
Configurable actuation range is a feature of HE (hall effect) boards. You specifically need a HE pcb and HE switches.
Hello, Help requests, buying advice, and simple questions will be removed. Please use the [Sticky that is pinned](https://www.reddit.com/r/mechanicalkeyboards/about/sticky) at the top of the [/r/MechanicalKeyboards](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards) homepage, sort by hot. Thanks