{"id":1012672,"date":"2026-01-11T11:28:34","date_gmt":"2026-01-11T11:28:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ou56SojNPKxRtSXoi8mRRK"},"modified":"2026-01-11T11:28:34","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T11:28:34","slug":"this-new-keyboard-built-with-switches-also-used-in-atms-across-japan-has-led-me-down-a-rabbit-hole-of-typing-championships-where-contestants-compete-for-a-golden-keyboard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/this-new-keyboard-built-with-switches-also-used-in-atms-across-japan-has-led-me-down-a-rabbit-hole-of-typing-championships-where-contestants-compete-for-a-golden-keyboard\/","title":{"rendered":"This new keyboard built with switches also used in ATMs across Japan has led me down a rabbit hole of typing championships where contestants compete for a golden keyboard"},"content":{"rendered":"
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There’s a new Topre keyboard in town. That either makes you very excited or you have no idea what I’m talking about. Whichever camp you fall into, let me explain.<\/p>\n

This is the RC1 from Realforce<\/a>, as noted over at Gigazine<\/a>. It’s a compact, tenkeyless design with a two-tone grey finish across the keycaps. It’s what I’d call a very minor departure from the usually quite boring-looking Realforce boards we’re used to\u2014though only a little. It’s still a pretty plain-looking design compared to some mechanical keyboards these days.<\/p>\n

The two-tone grey keycap set and smaller frame might make this keyboard a little more attractive to your average PC gamer, anyways.<\/p>\n

If you’re wondering what the fuss is about, here’s the crux of it. This keyboard uses switches designed by the creator of the Realforce brand, Topre. The Topre Corporation, a Japanese company, specialises in air-conditioning equipment, pressed automobile parts, and, most importantly, fantastic non-capacitive keyboard switches.<\/p>\n

The same switch found in the RC1 is reportedly also used inside Japanese Seven Bank ATMs. I’m not sure if that’s useful information but I wanted to mention it anyway. The bank’s latest ATM buttons<\/a> do look a lot better than the metal ones we get here in the UK, at least.<\/p>\n

It’s tough to explain why a Topre switch is good in words. Trust me, I’ve tried many times to people that don’t really care.<\/p>\n

The issue is if you look at what a Topre switch most closely resembles\u2026 it’s a membrane switch. Though it’s not really that similar, just in the plunger and rubbery bit. But it’s much more than a squishy, flaccid membrane (sorry, membrane switch fans). A Topre is a quiet switch with a satisfying response\u2014that’s why I rated the Realforce R2 I have at home as the best mechanical keyboard if you want something quiet<\/a>. It can have an adjustable actuation too.<\/p>\n

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\"Realforce<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

The new Realforce RC1. <\/span>(Image credit: Realforce)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Altogether, Topre switches are well-suited for rapidly smashing out heaps of words in a short period. A real typist’s board.<\/p>\n

There’s no greater proof of that than the Realforce Typing Championship. I’ve embedded the video of the latest event below. It’s the company’s own event put on each year to find the best typist in Japan. This year’s has already taken place in Tokyo, and the winner was \u4e09\u5c71\u7f8a.<\/p>\n

Now, Google Translate suggests \u4e09\u5c71\u7f8a means ‘Three Goats’. Presumably a mistranslation or a phrase without a direct counterpart in English, there’s also the small chance it’s three actual goats wearing a trenchcoat. Regardless, they’re really good at typing extremely quickly.<\/p>\n

In the final battle between \u4e09\u5c71\u7f8a (Three Goats) and \u304f\u308f\u306a (Kwana), both sides are typing at over 800 kpm. That’s keystrokes per minute. They occasionally hit over 900 kpm. At one point, \u4e09\u5c71\u7f8a manages over 1000 kpm.<\/p>\n

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