Hardware

AMD’s Strix Halo - officially the Ryzen AI Max 300 series - is the first x86 APU that can genuinely replace a discrete GPU for local AI workloads. The flagship Ryzen AI Max+ 395 pairs 16 Zen 5 cores with a 40 CU Radeon 8060S iGPU, a 50 TOPS XDNA 2 NPU, and up to 128GB of LPDDR5X-8000 unified memory on a 256-bit bus. For homelabbers who want one node to run Proxmox, a Llama 3.3 70B inference endpoint, and a handful of VMs without a discrete GPU, Strix Halo delivers what no other single-socket mini PC can. The catch is price - $1,600 to $2,800 depending on configuration - and the fact that RAM is soldered at the factory.

The Keygeek Y2 linear is the best-selling mechanical keyboard switch of 2026. Based on aggregated sales data from keyboard shops and manufacturers, the Y2 overtook the Sillyworks x Gateron Type R to claim the number one position. Linear switches dominate the rankings with 7 of the top 10 spots, silent switches keep growing, and Keygeek has cemented itself as the top brand by sales volume.

2026 Top 10 Switches - The Full Ranking

Each entry below includes the switch type, key specs, and approximate pricing.

For most typists, thick 1.5mm doubleshot PBT in Cherry or MT3 profile is the best all-around pick. It resists shine for years, produces a balanced clack-to-thock profile, and holds crisp legends through daily abuse. Competitive gamers who care about fast finger-to-finger transitions still prefer ABS sets like GMK for the slicker surface and lower friction, while RGB builders should choose polycarbonate sets for maximum backlight bleed. If you want the deepest thock on a gasket-mounted board and don’t mind a slippery texture, POM sets like Keyreative POM or TOFU POM sit at the premium end.

Picking Between Three Incompatible Low-Profile Worlds

Touch typists who want the most familiar desktop feel in a slim chassis should reach for Cherry MX Low Profile 2.0 . Its 3.2mm travel and 45gf actuation keep the tactile vocabulary of full-size MX intact, and it accepts standard MX-stem keycaps. Competitive gamers chasing the shortest travel win with Gateron KS-33 or Gateron Low Profile 2.0: 3.0mm travel, a 1.3mm actuation point, and a linear 45gf spring weight, shipping on boards like the Keychron K5 Max and NuPhy Air75 V2 . Custom-build enthusiasts soldering ergonomic splits such as the Corne, Ferris Sweet, or Ploopy Adept should buy Kailh Choc v2: it is the only switch in this trio that fits 18x17mm Choc-spaced PCBs while accepting MX-profile keycaps, something neither Cherry nor Gateron can offer on those boards.

If you spend eight-plus hours a day in a terminal and an editor, the right pointing device counts as much as the right keyboard. The Logitech MX Vertical remains the default vertical pick. It has a 57-degree handshake angle, a 4000 DPI sensor, and solid Linux support via Solaar and logiops . For a thumb trackball, the Logitech MX Ergo S wins on tilt and 120-day battery life. The Kensington SlimBlade Pro leads the finger and palm trackball field with its 55mm billiard-grade ball and Bluetooth LE. For open-source fans, the Ploopy Classic 2 with QMK firmware ships as a fully user-fixable device. Linux sees it as a standard HID mouse with zero closed drivers.

Building a custom mechanical keyboard means assembling five core components: a PCB, a case, a plate, switches, and keycaps. The result is a board that types, sounds, and feels exactly the way you want. Budget $100 to $400 depending on materials, set aside three to six hours for a first build, and you’ll end up with a board no mass-produced model can match. This guide walks every decision from PCB choice to firmware flashing and final assembly.