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What Is a Hot-Swappable Keyboard?

Annie Cosby
julio 16, 2025 | 2 lectura mínima

If you're just starting to get into mechanical keyboards, you might have heard the term "hot swap" thrown around. But what does it actually mean?

Understanding Key Switches

Before we get into hot-swapping, you first need to understand what key switches are (often shortened to "switches").

A key switch is the individual component under each keycap that registers when a key has been hit. (A "keycap" is the part of the key that you see on a keyboard — the housing, often plastic, that your fingers tap.)

Mechanical keyboards use mechanical switches, which are beloved among keyboard enthusiasts for the satisfying feel and sound. You'll notice those feel different than the keyboards on the average laptop, which use scissor switches or membrane switches.

Consider the difference between Freewrite's Smart Typewriter and Alpha keyboards (which have mechanical switches) and Traveler's keyboard (scissor switches). Watch the video below to see the difference in action.


Hot-Swapping

Now, people who type a lot often have a key switch preference. (You might not even know you do!) There are all kinds of different key switches that vary in feel, sound, and price.

On most commercial keyboards, the key switches are soldered directly onto the circuit board. So if you wanted to change your switch type, you'd need to desolder and resolder each individual switch. It's an annoying and time-consuming process.

A hot-swappable keyboard, however, is one that allows you to easily change out the switches without the need for soldering. They use special sockets that let you pull out and replace switches with just a simple switch puller.

There are a range of switches available for mechanical keyboards, and you can learn more about them here.

Whether you're experimenting with different switch feels, replacing a faulty switch, or customizing your typing experience, hot-swappable keyboards make it easy.

In short, a hot-swappable keyboard is perfect for anyone who values flexibility, ease of customization, or just wants to dip their toes into the world of mechanical keyboards.

It’s the ultimate plug-and-play solution for keyboard enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

In short, a hot-swappable keyboard is perfect for anyone who values flexibility, ease of customization, or just wants to dip their toes into the world of mechanical keyboards.

Meet Wordrunner

For over a decade, the Freewrite team has been obsessed with helping writers be more productive. Over 700 million words have been written on our distraction-free writing tools by writers around the world.

Wordrunner brings everything we've learned about writing productivity to your laptop, phone, or tablet.

In addition to quality key switches and keycaps, Wordrunner boasts the world's first mechanical Wordometer, which tracks your word count in real time so you never lose momentum, while a built-in sprint timer is ready to push your writing forward.

Once you start typing, you won't be able to stop.

Learn more about Wordrunner here.

octubre 21, 2025 2 lectura mínima

Official Rules for the Giveaway

No purchase necessary to enter or win. A purchase will not increase your changes of wining. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.

1. Sponsor

The Haunted Traveler Giveaway (“Giveaway”) is sponsored by Freewrite (a product of Astrohaus Inc.), located at Astrohaus, 1632 1st Avenue #29179, New York, NY 10028 (“Sponsor”).

2. Eligibility

The Giveaway is open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are at least 18 years of age at the time of entry. Employees of Sponsor and their immediate family members or persons living in the same household are not eligible to enter. The Giveaway is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations and is void where prohibited.

3. Giveaway Period

The Giveaway begins at 12:01 a.m. EST on Tuesday, October 21, and ends at 11:59 p.m. EST on Thursday, October 30 (“Giveaway Period”). Entries submitted before or after the Giveaway Period will not be eligible. Sponsor's computer is the official timekeeping device for this Promotion.

4. How to Enter

To enter the Giveaway, participants must submit the official giveaway form with their name and email address. Limit one (1) entry per person unless otherwise stated. Entries that are incomplete or do not adhere to the rules or specifications may be disqualified.

5. Prize

One (1) winner will receive one (1) Freewrite Traveler with an approximate retail value of $549. Prize is non-transferable and no substitution or cash equivalent is allowed, except at Sponsor’s sole discretion.

6. Winner Selection and Notification

Winner will be selected at random from all eligible entries received during the Giveaway Period. The drawing will take place on or about October 31. The winner will be notified via email within 5 business days of selection. If the winner cannot be contacted, is ineligible, or fails to respond within 3 business days, the prize may be forfeited and an alternate winner selected.

7. Publicity

By entering, participants grant Sponsor the right to use their name, likeness, and entry for promotional and marketing purposes without further compensation, unless prohibited by law.

8. General Conditions

By participating, entrants agree to abide by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final. The Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, modify, or suspend the Promotion if it becomes technically corrupted or cannot be conducted as planned. The prize is non-transferable. All federal, state, and local taxes are the responsibility of the winner. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process or otherwise violates these Terms and Conditions.

9. Limitation of Liability

By participating, entrants agree to release and hold harmless the Sponsor, its affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents from any and all liability arising from or in connection with participation in the Giveaway or acceptance, use, or misuse of the prize.

10. Privacy

Information submitted with an entry is subject to the Sponsor’s Privacy Policy.

octubre 12, 2025 4 lectura mínima

The winner of the inaugural Freewrite 500 flash fiction competition is Brie Ripley Sparks, with her short story "High Holy Days."

octubre 12, 2025 2 lectura mínima

The first place story in the 2025 Freewrite 500 is "High Holy Days" by Brie Ripley Sparks.