Corsair announce Strafe RGB MX silent keyboard

As expected, Corsair is the first one out of the gate with the new Cherry MX silent switch based keyboard.  The characteristics of the new switches are described in previous blog posts, so I won't bore the readers again.  However, to summarize, the new switches are like the gamer oriented linear switches like the red or black.  Instead of using O-rings to dampen the noise, Cherry decided to use some fancy high tech plastic to do the work, built into the switch itself.  So, this is a very interesting concept.  I wonder if this new mechanism will migrate over to the other switches as well.

In any case, Corsair Strafe keyboard is a pretty high end gaming keyboard, costing $170 USD.  This is definitely in the higher price range with all the bells and whistles such as RGB LED lighting, key reassignments, fancy key caps for WSAD, etc.  Looks like everyone is positioning their high end Cherry MX based keyboard in that range now.  Here's Corsair's Youtube introduction video.  Enjoy!

Leopold FC660C first impression part 2

Well, it is a Topre switch based keyboard.  However, it feels just a little different and sounds differently more so from the RealForce keyboards that I have tested and used.  The keys seems to be stiffer than the 45g ones I have used while the sound is higher pitch.  It is definitely has a more of a snap rather than a soft bounce on the upstroke and the noise it makes correspond to that.  Not quite in the Cherry MX blue territory, but certainly higher than that classic thud noise Topre switches tend to make.  So, this one is somewhat of a surprise.  The word on the street is that Leopold has changed the key caps production.  So, some earlier ones didn’t quite sound like the one I got.  So, the reviews may be different depending on the production runs.  Again, this is more or less personal preference.  Some may like the clear crisp snap while other may prefer to the more stately stump or clack from the Realforce.  As with Realforce keyboards, Leopold also implemented the ability to swap control keys with cap keys and a few other alternative meta key arrangements.  One will reconfigure the key caps and set DIP switches on the back of the keyboard for these arrangements.

Overall, it’s an interesting keyboard that is small enough to travel with if one cannot stand the built-in keyboard found on many laptops.  It does features a detachable USB connection cable.  Now, I can see a good use case for such thing.  In any case, this keyboard can simply sit on top of a cardboard and place right over the laptop keyboard if one desires.  My impression is quite positive since I am quite used Topre switches now and don’t think much about it.  However, it is quite expansive and are in the Happy Hacking Keyboard (HHKB) price range.  Eeek!

Leopold FC660C first impression part 1

Leopold is one of the boutique keyboard makers in South Korea with a strong professional Starcraft player’s endorsement and following.  So, I decided to check out their 60% keyboard offering with Topre switch and see how I like it.  Long time readers know that I had a love and hate affair with Topre switches and I think I am finally a convert as a fan as long as the price is within a reasonable reach.  A new FC660C is on the lower two hundreds, which is pretty expansive if you ask me, but that’s the price of admission into the Topre kingdom.  Just how it is.  Sigh….

Aside from the expected sticker shock, this keyboard is rather unique in many ways.  The keyboard layout is definitely non-standard.  I appreciate the dedicated arrow keys, but many of the navigation keys requires Fn key to access.  So, it’s kind of choosing which one is more frequently used and which one is not and they depends on the user preference.  So, one may prefer one configuration while the other leans a different way.  Anyhow, I use the arrow keys quite a bit; so it makes sense for me.  I also use PgUp and PgDown quite a bit, but it needs the Fn to activate.  The Fn key is right next to the arrow keys so I am not going to freak out.  I probably wished that instead of Ins and Del, Leopold would use these keys for Page movement keys because I use those more than Insert and Delete.  However, for some games, these keys are more important.  So, I guess that’s why Leopold elect to put them in there rather than page moment keys.

So far so good.  This keyboard sounds more snappy and crispy to me when compared to the 87UW.  I am inclined to attribute that to the key caps as Leopold has their own cap design and make the keyboards themselves rather than contracts it out to Topre as before.  So, more to report later on.  Stay tuned!

If it's an Apple product, iFixit will do a teardown- the new Magic Keyboard

iFixit.com is well known for their teardown prowess.  Like it or not, Apple products announcements simply command attention, even for something as mundane as a keyboard, something many folks don't think too much about until it breaks.  As expected, iFixit did perform a product teardown of all the new accessories.

My main interest of course is the keyboard.  Indeed iFixit confirmed quite a few things in the magic keyboard teardown.  Yes, it is a scissor switch, not a butterfly switch.  To see a butterfly switch, iFixit's got it covered as well.  Comparing the two kind of switches, I think Apple went with the more traditional scissor switch because it doesn't need LED keyboard lighting.  The scissor switch design seems to take more real estate than the butterfly one.  That's a major design factor if one needs keyboard lighting as one prefers the support mechanism to be out of the way as much as possible to allow better lighting.  Butterfly switch design moves the support arms out of the LED's way to make even key lighting, but the trade-off is a more stressed hinge in the middle as it flexes during key presses.

The other thing is that the key travel for this keyboard is indeed quite shallow, measured to be around 1mm or so.  That's pretty close to what Apple Macbook's as well.  The key caps are indeed completely flat, another Chiclets style keyboard signature.  In any case, I think the speculation that Apple is trying to merge its desktop and laptop user experience is not without merit.  Given the market trend, laptop usage is now the dominant one.  Thus, it is no surprise again that Apple is showing preferences to its mobile platform.

Rosewill RK9000 V2 long term use review

To be honest, the articles about Rosewill RK9000 V2 on this site has the greatest number of hits.  So, to meet the demand, I here present you with a long term use review.  Now, my reviews typically are not about the keyboard since most other sites have done a great job about it.  Instead, I want to focus on what’s it like after using the equipment for a while and evaluate where I stand, in comparison to other offering out there.  For those who may not know, Rosewill is Newegg.com’s house brand.  It’s kind of like Costco’s Kirkland brand.  Since Costco doesn’t want to directly compete against its suppliers, it uses another brand to sell the same things in the same space.  Same idea applies here.  Newegg.com doesn’t really want to come out and show-up Corsair, for example by making and selling their own mechanical keyboard.  So, this avoids the look of the conflict of interest.  Another example is Amazon Basics.  Anyhow....

Right off the bat, the Rosewill RK9000 is an excellent entry to mid-level mechanical keyboard.  One can find it for sale on Newegg.com for around $100 and lower if it’s on sale.   The one I received has Cherry MX blue switches.  One can find more of my impression and views about this switch.  So, I won’t repeat the same material.  However, as a package, this keyboard is indeed quite well put together.  The rumor is that Filco is the OEM.  Therefore, it shares many characteristics of a Filco keyboard, including the minimalist design, robust construction and well thought out designs.  The keyboard has a nice weight and presence despite its smaller footprint and does not slide around when typing.  Because of the metal back plate and MX blue switches, the keyboard has a ringing or reverb effect when typing.  It’s like pressing the piano sustain pedal to keep notes going.  I enjoy that kind of harmony, but some may find it irritating and prefers a crisper pop rather than decaying ringing.  With the MX blue, it’s quite obvious.  However, I haven’t driven anyone crazy yet, unlike with the Unicomp….

Normal typing and typical operation with the keyboard are nothing noteworthy and that’s exactly how it should be.  Just be aware that the numlock LED is be quite bright if one look straight at it.  Since most people don’t tower over the keyboard, it’s a small thing.  For someone who prefers a dimly lit room while watching a movie on a computer, the light emitted can be distracting.  The key cap is fairly standard ABS type with cylindrical shape to prevent slip.  The cap feels semi-smooth and doesn’t bother me and my fingers don’t slip out while typing.  The white ink used does feel bumpy on the fingers.  As time goes on, it does get wear down a little it seems.  I however, haven’t got any key’s ink to come off completely.  This is not the case with an older Das Keyboard I have however.  I have worn out a few keys there and it’s obvious now.  So, long term wise, I do think that the key legends will slowly wear out.  Good thing is, one can easily procure some new key caps since it is a standard Cherry MX key cap and stem. So, I don’t see this as a negative per se, but something to be aware of if dirty looking legend bothers you.

One thing I don’t quite get is the detachable USB keyboard cable for a device that’s meant for desktop.  I definitely get its use for a keyboard that moves around like the Leopold’s FC660C.  The RK9000 version 1 suffers connection issues because of this choice.  I am in the KISS school of engineering design.  So, I would have eliminated this all together to avoid any issue.  However, this version (the V2) vastly improves the robustness of the connector.  Rosewill wisely supplied a 90 degree braided cable to avoid having it stick out.  So, I don’t think this is a problem anymore unless the user is really sliding the keyboard around during a heated FPS session and ramming it up against other objects for example.

After using the keyboard for a while, I think Rosewill has put out a very good starting point for people who want to try out a Cherry MX board.  Its price is a bit high compared to other entry boards because of the genuine MX switches while other brands may opt for cheaper clone switches.  So, as far as Cherry MX based keyboard goes, this is reasonable market priced, especially if one catches it on sale, which seemed often.  Using this keyboard has given me a firm starting point to explore.  In some way, it serves as benchmark for its peers.  Obviously it is no match against, say Ducky Legend which has a far higher production value and budget, but RK9000 is exactly where it should be and does very well in that space.

Overall: Well thought out, minimalist approach to engineering with a little flair in artistic design choices.  Offers a solid platform for Cherry MX switches to shine.

Grade: B

Apple introduces new Magic Keyboard

Probably not getting top billing from Apple anymore, the Macs now play second fiddle to the iDevices.  Never the less, Apple continues to move forward in this space, albeit with less fanfare now....  In any case, today, Apple announced a new Magic Keyboard with integrated battery and uses Lightning cables for pairing and charging.

Now, I am far more interested in the key switch mechanism.  According to many sites, it is reported that Apple returned to the scissor switch mechanism rather than using the new butterfly type developed for the new laptops.  It's interesting to say the least that Apple went back to a scissor switch rather than using the butterfly design.  As usual, there are some improvements such as key stability over the previous generation, but nothing too surprising.  Granted, both are basically the same operationally, except the support structure mechanism, but still something a little unexpected.  Perhaps the butterfly switch is more expansive to make or has deficiencies in some way for desktop use cases.  Then again, there's no need to use butterfly switch if keyboard switch height is not a concern.  Maybe the board was already designed while the butterfly switch was still in development.   Apple is well known for running parallel internal design competitions.  Maybe, just maybe the scissor group won this round.  No one outside of Apple knows at this point.  It's likely they will never disclose the reason behind the decision.....  So, we are all left guessing.  Fun to speculate, but the proof is in the finished product.  Let's see how the users' reactions are after a while.

Apple has always marched to its own drum beat and its keyboard layout is no different in that regard.  This is an expanded version of Apple's laptop keyboard layout with full size keys.  Rumor had it that Steve Jobs hated function keys and wanted them removed.  So, the function keys size has atrophied and had shrunken to take less space.  Now, they are back to full size.....  The layout itself is not quite 60%, since it retains the function key row, but the navigation key cluster is missing and the arrow keys tucked under the shift key.  The up and down arrow keys are vastly smaller, sharing the same vertical space as a full size left or right arrow key.  So, somewhere between TKL (87 keys ANSI layout) and 60%.  How's 75%?  70% Maybe?  Since Apple does not use ANSI keyboard layout to begin with, the the comparison is moot anyway, but just for fun, I guess.

Also, because of the new integrated battery setup, there's no longer a need for that cylinder thing on the top side.  No more replaceable batteries.  So, the new shape is a wedge like to give the keyboard a bit of a tilt.  There's no option to change the angle that I can see tho.  So, stacks of post-it will do the trick I suppose.  The Lightning port is in the middle so I am assuming that one can charge the keyboard while in use.

Apple also announced a new mouse and a track pad.  Overall it's been an interesting announcement day for Apple peripherals.  From the look of it, Apple is trying to unify the desktop experience along with their laptop one....

Different 60% keyboard layouts

Because of the size restriction and keyboard estate limitations, many keyboard makers have come with many different methods hiding the navigation keys and meta keys.  Some very specialized keyboards can alter the entire layout based on which mode it is in.  It’s kind of like a super CAPS lock key if one can generalize it somewhat.  So, instead of K, it might be page down in one instance, or the number 2 or even a keyboard macro.  These multi-modal keyboards are very popular with the gaming crowds and programmers.  However, it can get tricky tracking which mode the keyboard is on without some handy indicators.  So, often Fn key becomes a critical player as it temporarily changes the meaning a key stroke without shifting to an entire mode.  In any case, Fn key placement becomes crucial as some people might prefer a single handed operation whereas some prefer the Fn key is elsewhere so that they don’t have contort the fingers just to reach some strange keyboard combo.  Instead, the more sane two handed approach is more appreciated.  Thus, different keyboard makers come up with different configuration schemes to address one or try to accommodate both.  Now, I am hearing people attempting that’s called 40% keyboard, which has even fewer keys.  So, that’s going to get complicated pretty quick.

So, now there’s more than just two key factors in the equation, we have to add another one, which is the layout.  Such thing is a minor consideration for the full size key and to most degrees the 84 TKL or variations of it, such as Cooler Master’s TK series.  However, with 60% or less, the layout and the operational factors for the necessary navigation keys will become a major deciding factor.  Fun times indeed.  What was a lot of personal preference is now even more so.  Perhaps this explains why some absolutely love Happy Hacking Keyboard and will never consider using another kind.  There are some other would rather burn it with fire.  I thought Topre keyboards were polarizing, try a Topre keyboard with 60% layout…..  :)  Now we are going full scale….  Super kamehameha!

MSI introduces new gaming mechnical keyboard. (I am shocked. /s)

I am not surprised one bit by this news.  I was wondering when the next shoe would drop and indeed, MSI announced that it is introducing the GK-701 gaming keyboard.  Some places had this board for sale for a while apparently....  Any guesses what it might be?  If you say Cherry MX switches, you are right.  If you say it's got red color to go with the MSI gaming logo theme, you are right.  If you say that it's got some cute lighting effects, you are right.  One more.  If you say that it has media control keys, you are right!  This one has a standard 104 ANSI keyboard layout, at least in the US and ticked all the right box with a reasonable mainstream market price around $120 US dollars.  While some companies are going all out gaga with full RGB lighting, some remained more or less with just a single or dual color LEDs.  I really do think that RGB lighting may be more expansive than expected or that Cherry is still having issues meeting demand.  In any case, the sub $150 price clearly reflect that reality.

GK-701 appears to have the cherry brown switches.  That was a bit of surprise as most of the time, the gaming crowd seemed to have preferred the linear switches such as the Cherry MX red or the black (with a more stiff spring).  However, Logitech and a few others have defied the trend.  So, maybe the gaming keyboard market is moving away from linear spring toward a more tactile, but not overly so, kind like the MX brown.  This is worth watching as there's some change in the air if that's the case.

Anyhow, this news should not surprised anyone.  Asus has already established a mechanical keyboard line and with Gigabyte introducing something just about a month ago, it is no shock to anyone who watches the big 3 Taiwanese computer/components manufacturers to see this coming.

Going opposite directions

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that Cooler Master is moving upwards in the market by building a minimalist type mechanical gaming keyboard.  Looks like Gigabyte is joining the trend by introducing the K83 that look almost like a Filco design if I didn’t see the corporate logo.  Then we have the other extreme, G.Skill, which is another brand that cater to PC enthusiasts and gamers just introduced their take on gaming mechanical keyboard, the KM780 series.  Now, if someone didn’t say anything, I would have guessed that it’s a Corsair K90’s cousin with a top plate.  Now not only does this one hosts the full keys, but added more than a dozen more dedicated macro and control keys.  So, in that direction we go with supersized keyboards that has a key for just about everything.  Now, where’s the coffee/tea making macro key?

Anyhow, perhaps this is another sign of divergent demographics in the mechanical keyboard enthusiasts’ world.  Both Gigabyte and G.Skill are going after the same market segment Cooler Master is.  I am going to venture to guess that this price market is just as competitive as the main stream side.  However, the margin is probably better.  Anyway, this space has already been occupied by Corsair, Logitech and other boutique brands.  Either way you cut it tho, the only one who’s laughing all the way to the bank is Cherry.

Cherry seemed to have established itself as the one to beat with genuine Cherry switch experience because all these keyboards took great length to ensure that perspective buyers know about it.  Unlike Topre, Matias or Unicomp, Cherry is experiencing the clone war sort of speak because Cherry like switches are all the rage these days.  So, it’s probably best that Cherry stay on top of the game.  Given that they just introduced the new quiet switch line, I think they will be all right.

Not to be left out in the cold, Matias is going for a 60% keyboard

It’s a little amusing to see this actually.  After all, Edgar Matias is one of the pioneers in the minimal keys keyboard business.  Some of Matias’ claim to fame includes a single handed keyboard for instance.  Yet, such device is so specialized that mainstream users don’t ever even take a second look.  So, for Matias to continue to innovate in the keyboard layout front, they are coming out with a few designs, some radical, some more calibrated to the market trends.  The 60% keyboard Matias is their interpretation of yet another keyboard layout to accommodate the necessary keys within the alphanumeric block.  Matias has chosen to change the shape of some keys by either halving the width or close to doubling it.  Thus the result is a new and interesting look for the bottom row housing an out sized space bar.  This way, the arrow navigation keys are not too small like those suffering on some laptop keyboards. 

I will be closely watching this development since Matias has elected to use this layout for their ergo keyboard as well.  So, it’s pretty much doubling down on the design.  Now, Matias knows a thing or two about keyboard layout and ergonomic designs, after all he is one of the experts in the area.  So, I am interested to see how this impacts this ever shifting place in the mechanical keyboard world.