MOST people do not give much thought to the keyboard sitting on their desk, viewing it simply as a tool to type emails, write reports and reply to messages.
For tourism industry professional Maressa Esa, however, a keyboard is something to be carefully customised and maintained in pursuit of the perfect sound and feel with every
keystroke.
The 35-year-old has spent countless hours researching switches, keycaps and keyboard modifications, investing hundreds of ringgit to build custom keyboards that deliver her desired typing experience.
“I got into the hobby in late 2022, when videos showcasing different mechanical keyboard sounds started appearing on my social media feed.
“After several days of scrolling and researching to find the perfect sound, I eventually bought my first hot-swappable mechanical keyboard while on holiday in the Klang Valley,” she said.
Unlike standard membrane keyboards, mechanical keyboards use individual switches beneath each key, allowing users to customise the sound, tactile feel and responsiveness.
Enthusiasts often swap switches, change keycaps, add internal foam and lubricate components to achieve their preferred typing experience.
Maressa said she owned five fully built keyboards, ranging from full-sized layouts to compact 65% models, along with 10 different types of switches and seven sets of keycaps.
“I spend at least an hour every two weeks cleaning and maintaining my collection, especially the keyboard I use for work,” she said, adding that she finds the activity therapeutic.
Her most expensive custom build cost about RM600, while she typically spends between RM300 and RM500 per shopping session on parts.
Maressa keeps up with new releases and modification techniques through social media, where keyboard reviews and sound tests often inspire her next project.
The hobby has even shaped her home life.
After moving into a new house, she and her husband planned a shared home office with sections dedicated to their respective pastimes.
“My side is for my mechanical keyboards and his will display his remote-control car collection on wall-mounted shelves.
“We often spend our weekends at home together, setting aside two to three hours to focus on our individual hobbies in the same space.
“I am quite competitive, so I even bought a remote-control car to occasionally race with him when time permits,” she said, adding that they enjoy sharing each other’s interests.
For 35-year-old personal shopper Mohd Fathi Syazwan Nordin, his passion lies in a different collection – dinosaur, Godzilla, Kamen Rider and Ultraman figurines.
His fascination with dinosaurs began during the Covid-19 pandemic when he found a rare 1.06m dinosaur model online.
“As a huge Jurassic Park and Jurassic World fan since childhood, I grabbed the opportunity to buy it, which kickstarted my dinosaur collection,” he said.
Mohd Fathi Syazwan still vividly remembers the first Tyrannosaurus rex figurine his parents bought him as a child.
“The feeling of holding figures from my childhood shows is indescribable,” he said, adding that his collection has grown substantially over the years.
He regularly sets up booths at collectors’ markets in Johor Baru, not to turn a profit, but to share his passion with others.
“Visitors are encouraged to touch and play with the items, even if they do not buy anything.
“I notice many adults whose eyes light up when holding these toys.
“For many of us, our parents could not afford these toys when we were young.
“Now that we are earning our own money, we can ‘buy back our childhood’, which serves as a form of therapy,” said Mohd Fathi Syazwan.
He added that child visitors were often able to identify dinosaur species, turning the toys into an unexpected educational tool.
Meanwhile, engineer Siew Qi Heng, 36, finds that immersing himself in competitive trading card games like Magic: The Gathering brings added value to his professional life.
“I have been playing the card game for 15 years and love the social aspect and strategic thinking required.
“The game requires me to manage risks and resources while reading my opponent’s next move,” he said.
Siew believes the hobby has sharpened skills that extend beyond the gaming table, including communication, critical thinking and decision-making under pressure.
He visits a local hobby store in Johor Baru almost every week, where a regular community gathers for matches and tournaments.
“It is a great way to de-stress and I have made many firm friends through the activity over the years,” he added.
Adam Low, 44, owner of Alexandria Bookstore hobby shop in Johor Baru, said he had watched the community grow steadily over the past decade.
He started by selling and organising card games from the boot of his car before opening a physical store about 12 years ago.
His shop now serves as a community hub for tabletop card games, board games and comic book enthusiasts.
“We hold weekly community tournaments and have seen increasing interest from young adults and professionals.
“Acceptance of these niche hobbies has improved over the years.
“People are curious when they come across our activities,” he added.
Beyond gaming, Low believes the true appeal lies in something increasingly rare, which is genuine face-to-face interaction.
“People tend to be engrossed in their smartphones these days.
“These hobbies encourage social interaction and foster a sense of belonging,” he noted.
Low’s store has also collaborated with Johor Baru’s Sultan Ismail Library to introduce board games and related activities to children and families.
Whether it is the satisfying sounds of a customised keyboard, the nostalgia of a childhood figurine or the challenge of a trading card match, these hobbies offer something that busy working lives often lack – space for creativity, connection and personal joy.
