Where Are The Tactiles? Gateron Mini I and Gateron Green Apple

Overview

With linear mechanical switches dominating the current market of mechanical keyboard switches, Gateron has responded with a variety of switches, including the Gateron Mini I and the Gateron Green Apple that will be featured in this article. 

Will these tactile mechanical switches be able to stand out in the sea of linear mechanical switches? 

Gateron Mini I

Product Details

Name	Gateron Mini I
Type	Tactile
Top Housing Material	Nylon
Bottom Housing Material	Nylon
Stem Material	POM
Spring	Stainless Steel
Operating Force	50±10g
Pre Travel	2.0±0.5mm
Total Travel	3.4mm
Mount	5 pin
Factory Lube	Light factory lube

Switch Feel

The Gateron Mini I would be categorized as a light tactile switch with an actuation force of 50g. It has a comfortable typing experience with a crisp keystroke from its tactility and responsiveness from its 22mm spring length. The Gateron Mini I also has a short travel distance of 3.4mm which creates a more sudden bottom out post-actuation.   

The Gateron Mini I is comparable to the WS Light Tactile in terms of feel. They are both light tactile switches however the Gateron Mini I feels slightly more responsive due to its longer double-staged spring, while the WS Light Tactile has a slightly more pronounced tactile feedback due to its sharper tacitle bump. They both achieve a similar tactile feel through different designs.

The Gateron Mini I would be a great choice for those looking for a light tactile switch that still has a characteristic tactile bump and feels incredibly responsive due to a short travel distance and a snappy return.

Switch Sound

The Gateron Mini I has a soft and poppy sounding bottom out and top out. The pitch of its overall sound signature leans towards the mid to lower ranges possibly due to its softer nylon housing, however the top out tends to be slightly higher pitched than the bottom out. The Gateron Mini I produces a distinct sound from its tactile bump. It would be a great choice for users who prefer an obviously audible tactile typing sound.

Here is a sound test of the Gateron Mini I:

Gateron Green Apple

Product Details

Name	Gateron Green Apple
Type	Tactile
Top Housing Material	POM
Bottom Housing Material	POM
Stem Material	POM
Spring	22mm double-staged spring
Operating Force	63±15g
Pre Travel	2.0±0.6mm
Total Travel	3.4mm
Mount	5 pin
Factory Lube	Light factory lube

Switch Feel

The Gateron Green Apple is composed entirely of POM and its combination creates a creamy sounding switch. It has a solid bottom out sound that lies within the mid tones but sounds sharp due to its short travel distance and therefore harsher bottom out. The Gateron Green Apple would be a great choice for users who prefer a heavier tactile switch than the Gateron Mini I and enjoy a crisp and responsive tactility. 

The Gateron Green Apple feels like an upgraded Gateron Baby Kangaroo. Both the Gateron Green Apple and the Gateron Baby Kangaroo have a crisp feeling tactility. However, the Gateron Green Apple stands out because it feels more controlled with little to no spring ping and leaf rattle.The Gateron Green Apple is ready to use right out of the box with its consistent factory lube. 

Switch Sound

The Gateron Green Apple has an overall creamy sound profile in the mid to high tones. It has a solid bottom out sound that lies within the mid tones but sounds sharp due to its short travel distance and therefore harsher bottom out. It has a poppy and hard sounding top out with the help a long responsive double-staged spring. The Gateron Green Apple would be a great choice for users who are chasing the creamy or thocky sound profile. The Gateron Green Apple has the potential to utilize its sharp bottom out to create a mid to higher pitched sound profile, as well as the potential to lean towards a creamier sound profile by utilizing its heavy tactility. 

Here is a sound test of the Gateron Green Apple:

Comparison of Gateron Mini I and Gateron Green Apple

The most noticeable comparison between the Gateron Mini I and the Gateron Green Apple is the spring weight. The Gateron Mini I feels much lighter than the Gateron Green Apple. The actual bump on the stem of both the Gateron Mini I and the Gateron Green Apple are similar, however heavier spring weight of the Gateron Green Apple adds to its tactility and creates a feeling of a larger tactile bump. Both the Gateron Mini I and the Gateron Green Apple have a long stainless steel double-staged spring, making them both very responsive to type on with a snappy return. 

The Gateron Mini I would be for you if you prefer a lighter tactile switch with a slightly deep and thocky sound profile. The Gateron Green Apple would be for you if you prefer a snappy and solid feeling bottom out with a sound profile that tends to be creamy in the mid ranges. 

Conclusion

Both the Gateron Mini I and the Gateron Green Apple are solid options for a tactile switch to use stock straight out of the box with Gateron's excellent factory lubing. The Gateron Mini I and the Gateron Green Apple provide satisfying tactile mechanical switch options to explore by creating a comfortable typing experience for office work and for gaming. 

You can find these switches in our shop. The Gateron Mini I and Gateron Green Apple are both in stock. 

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