SteelSeries introduces Apex M750, featuring in-house designed switch

SteelSeries is no stranger to mechanical keyboards and just introduced Apex M750.  The keyboard has all the usual gamer friendly features as well as an in-house designed keyboard switch named QX2.  To my untrained eye, the QX2 is basically a tweaked rendition of the classical Cherry MX red.  The specs are pretty Cherry like as well, having about 40g actuation force, 2mm activation distance with linear resistance.  Of course, it is Cherry MX stem compatible to take advantage of that huge aftermarket key caps availability along with the usual durability claims.  One interesting thing is SteelSeries implying that is a pretty silent design.  So, those looking for a quiet linear keyboard may want to test it out first since there aren't that many silent Cherry MX red clones out there.

The keyboard retails for $140 US dollars.  So, it is not exactly bargain of the week, but places it in the mid-tier pricing range.  Those who are invested into SteelSeries ecosystem are likely to check it out.  For the outsiders looking in, this might tempt a few folks to take another look.

Yes, even Kinesis is getting the fever, by announcing Kickstarter for Freestyle Edge

Yeah, even one of the more known ergonomic keyboard brands is now jumping to the gaming keyboard bandwagon.  But, can yo blame them tho?  Anyway, Kinesis is doing a Kickstarter project to transform one of their previous split keyboard design, the Freestyle2 to a more gaming market friendly device, Frestyle Edge.  Yup, this is the manufacturer for the Advantage2 ergonomic keyboard line and a host of other ergo-friendly devices.  The Freestyle2 is a split keyboard design with tenting accessories.

So, one can easily guess the various features, such as featuring Cherry MX types switches, per-key LED lighting, macro keys and various other gaming friendly perks check boxes are dutifully fulfilled.  So, I won't dwell too much on the features themselves.  However, I would like to say that I like this move because Kinesis is taking more of the ergo designs and now trying to popularize it.  Yes, Matias has offered a similar design with the beloved Matis switch, but it is aimed at typists, programmers and the like.  This time around, Kinesis is taking a well liked ergonomic keyboard design and combine it with some often sought-after gaming friendly features.  I cannot say that's a bad thing.

To cut down the risk Kinesis is taking, the company is utilizing Kickstarter to fund the effort.  I can see that it's already past its goal.  So, let's see if Kinesis can deliver on its promises.  Like Metadot, they are branching out to experiment with newer designs and moving the ball forward.  That's a wonderful thing.

Ducky Channel's new Shine 6 Special Edition

Without fail for the last few years, Ducky Channel does a re-engineered of their flagship keyboard model known as Shine.  This is now the 6th time.  As usual, Ducky doesn't mess its winning formula, but made some significant changes that alter the aesthetics of the keyboard to set it apart from the crowd.

First and most noticeable change is the floating keycaps.  It's a pretty sounding name, but basically, it's a keycap that is half height rather than full height.  Ducky is not the first one, but seeing it on their flagship board signals that this is now in vogue.  So, expect some other keyboard makers making similar changes in the near future.  Half height keycaps serve an important purpose: letting more light out underneath the switch.  Because of the cross-shape key switch and cap interface design, the LEDs must be put somewhere not in the way.  Having half height keycaps allows more light as well as creating a more striking picture.  Using a black metal back plate instead of white one (such as in Shine 5), Ducky is counting on the float keycaps and brighter LEDs to compensate for the darker background.  The advantage is a cleaner light definition with a dark background.  So, I expect the LED colors to be more distinct and less affected by the neighboring ones.

Also, something new is the host PC software controlled lighting profile.  Although Ducky retained all the on board lighting and motion features, it too offers a customized profile.  The user costumed profile is the way to go now days.  I don't know how programmable it is, but it's a new direction for Ducky Channel.  With Metadot and Ducky going to the customization route, I think this feature will be around for a while and expanded to other experimental use soon.

The core features stay pretty much the same with Cherry MX switches and other expected features.  So, it's not going too far off to the deep end.  It is now available in North America through the usual channels for around $160.  The price places the keyboard on the top, high end side of the market.  I like what they got this year and I look forward to see what Ducky Channel comes up next year.

Asus announces Claymore keyboard that splits into two

Asus recently introduced yet another gaming mechanical keyboard called ROG Claymore.  This one has all the usual bells and whistles using the ever popular Cherrry MX RGB switches.  However, one thing that is interesting about this keyboard is that it can split into two units.  The main unit is a typical TKL called the core while the number pad is the other entity.  One thing that is interesting Asus mentioned is that the number pad can be used on the left side of the keyboard.  I don't know if the keypad is still usable detached or it has to be attached for it to function.  I can't really tell from the press release.  However, it reasonable to assume that the number pad has to be attached based on the what Asus left unsaid.

Too bad that this keyboard didn't split in the way I would have like it, emulating the Microsoft Natural keyboard line had.  Maybe the next iteration.  We will see.

So, what about some good ol’ wireless (Bluetooth) mechanical keyboards?

I mentioned in a few posts before about Razer making wireless keyboard specifically for the iPad product line and other tablets.  I also mentioned that there are some Bluetooth wireless mechanical keyboards as well if someone rather use a more classical keyboard device.  That piqued some interests

So, there are basically two options.  One is to purchase a USB to Bluetooth wireless converter.  At one end is USB port that the keyboard of choice is plugged in.  And, there is no other end, because it is wireless.  It converts whatever keyboard that is attached to a Bluetooth one.  Pretty cool tech, but it’s a bit bulky and power source can often be an issue.  Some keyboards draw a lot of power provided by USB port.  Thus, even at measly 2.5W max clip, it can drain most portable batteries dry quickly.  One can browse around eBay and find such device to purchase if the use scenario makes sense.

The other option is to buy a wireless mechanical keyboard.  Here, the options are more limited.  One of the bigger player in this space is good ol’ Filco.  So, if you are Cherry MX keyboard switch fan, you are in luck.  Filco is one of the most respected mechanical keyboard brands out there as it’s basically DIATEC Corporation, based in Japan.  They offer quite a few wireless keyboards configuration using Bluetooth protocol as well.  Besides the standard 104 keys Majestouch Convertible 2 and the 87 keys TKL variants, they also offer one called Minila, stands for minimum layout.  The Minila Air is the one with wireless connectivity.  Minila is a 67 custom keyboard layout design, much like a non-standard laptop layout.  However, like Leopold’s FC660 series, it uses full size keys.  So, no strange half-height stuff.  That’s a big plus in my book….  These keyboards are also designed to run wired if needed.  So, it is a much more versatile keyboard than what meets the eye.  The only drawback?  Price and availability.  Filco’s products are not easy to find and the stock comes and go.  Because of the added complexity, it doesn’t come cheap either.  So, expect some price premium over regular boards as well. However, one can search mechanicalkeyboards.com and amazon.com in US to see if anything of interest is in stock.

Now, if someone would come up with a Topre switch wireless keyboard…..

Corsair announce a new Gamer focused K70 Rapidfire lines

Corsair is probably one of the few companies that closely identify itself with the PC enthusiasts.  Lately, they have been very focused on the gamer's market.  Corsair can probably say that their K keyboard product line aimed at gamers is quite successful.  Corsair, of course, has closely allied itself with Cherry.  Cherry has faithfully awarded Corsair's alliance with exclusives for years.  However, as Razer's rapid, short stroke switch based keyboard ascends in popularity, Corsair probably walked over to Cherry and said, "I want that."

Long and behold, Corsair has just announced K70 RGB Rapidfire, K70 Rapidfire and K65 RGB Rapidfire.  I will just focus on the K70 RGB since that's the flagship.  However, the rest are just tiers of the existing K keyboard line.  The K70 RGB Rapidfire keybaord itself is basically a RGB K70 keyboard with a new key switch type.  Ah...  See, it's the switch that is interesting.  Cherry has to respond to market pressure one way or another I suppose.  The switch is basically a modified MX red with shorten activation distance.  A typical Cherry MX design has about 2mm stroke distance for activation.  This new one shortens it to 1.2mm.  So, the keys activate faster because it has a shorter distance to travel.  The spring weight is kept around 45g, just like the MX red.  Also, it is a linear spring design.  Therefore, this is basically a short stroke Cherry MX Red.

I am guessing that Kailh must be doing quite well with the short stoke key switches they are selling to different keyboard vendors.  Each month or so, a new keyboard comes out with that particular feature.  Now, I am guessing such key switch design is gaining some popularity in the gaming circle, hence Cherry has no choice but to follow in this case.  It's interesting to think that we are going back to a shorter key stroke distance again because rubber domes and scissor switches tend to have shorter travel distance.  One of Cherry MX's claims to fame is the restoration of longer key stroke distance back to the good old days like the Model M.  I wonder how Cherry feels about that.

In any case.  Now, Cherry has come out with a short stroke mechanical keyboard switch.  Let's see if it shows up elsewhere like Ducky, Cooler Master or other vendors.  Then again, I wonder how long the time exclusive would be until we see another vendor get to use it.  As production cycle begins to shorten for keyboard switches like just about everything else, I wonder if Cherry can keep up with timed exclusives to a single vendor while allowing Kailh or other switch makers scoop up the rest.  Oh wait.  Kailh already did....

The other trend I worry about is the beginning of the short travel distance arms race.  Just watch, somebody is going to come out with a new switch with 1mm activation, and then another one with 0.5mm and finally Apple will just point and laugh at everybody because the virtual keyboard, technically, has no travel distance....

Going back to basics, SteelSeries introduces Apex M500

A recent trend in mechanical keyboard manufacturers is the move toward simplicity and more "office" like mechanical keyboards.   I was wondering who might follow suit after Logitech's announcement.   I guess we are coming in full circle in some shape.  It's no surprise that many of the big keyboard makers have at least 2 lines of  mechanical keyboards.  One kept the traditional gamer look while the newer products ascribe to a sleeker image.  Following the lead of Logitech and Cooler Master, SteelSeries recently introduced the Apex M500.

The Apex M500 is positioned similarly to Logitech's G610.  The emphasis is on the clean look and a design that is uncomplicated and not distracting.  Also similar to Logitech, instead of using the proprietary switch SteelSeries employed for the M800, it's back to Cherry MX.  In this case, just MX red.  In many way, the parallel is quite uncanny.  In many respect, the M500 has hit all the right check mark and a price that's quite reasonable, at $100 USD.  It is slightly higher than other offerings from say Rosewill.  I suppose SteelSeries is counting on the integration with its other product lines such as mouse with an unifying controller software.  Wait, isn't this the same strategy Logitech is using?

Anyway, let's see where this lead and see if other keyboard makers follow suit.

Meet G810's little twin siblings, the G610

Either Logitech believes the G810 form and design has struck gold or they simply ordered too many shells, or both.  Or neither because I am just plain wrong.  No matter what is behind-the-scenes scenario, Logitech just introduced a pair of mechanical gaming keyboards patterned after G810 design DNA.

Meet the G610s, the Orion Brown and the Orion Red.  As the names imply, Orion Brown employs Cherry MX brown switches while you guessed it, Orion Red uses Cherry MX Red switches.  For some reason, MX blue version is missing on the first go around.  These two boards have the same design and features as the older sibling, G810.  The only major difference that I spot (besides the switch) is that two G610s do not have LED RGB lighting, but has white LEDs instead.  They all use LGS (Logitech Gaming Software) to control the lighting and other minor functions.  So, this is likely a host based solution like Cosair's implementation.  The expected street price is around $120 USD.  One can preorder from a few different retailers and Logitech itself now.  No street date has been given however.

In many ways, I see this as s shrewd move on Logitech's part.  They segmented the market into two tiers with this move by pricing the Cherry MX boards below the one with Romer-G.  Thus, this creates the perception that Romer-G is superior and make Cherry's products appear more pedestrian.  In a sense, they might be trying to dethrone the notion that Cherry MX is a premium brand.  Secondly, they get to test out the market more and see if people would be receptive to a more subdued and formal design and style.  I am still waiting for Logitech to make the next logical move, which is to introduce a K-line keyboard with the Romer-G switch.  This product announcement is a bit unexpected on my part because I thought they already covered the ground via the G710s.  However, these two elders are older products and are likely to be near the end of their product life cycle.  So, it kind of make sense in the short term and I missed it.  Instead, I jumped the gun and wanted to see what they are going to do with the Romer-G in the future.  Oh well.  Live and learn I guess.

Anyway, Logitech now cast a wide net to cover the gaming keyboard market, ranging from run-of-the-mill rubber dome to Cherry MX and up into the sky with Romer-G.  Let's see what their next move is.

Wooting One Keyboard?

Just saw this over at Tech Report.  Looks like the mechanical keyboard sphere in general is starting to move beyond digital key presses.  Last year, Topre demoed a pressure sensitive Topre switch that can function like an analog device.  Looks like Wooting is building a mechanical switch with the same concept.

The keyboard itself is a standard ten keyless (TKL) design with fairly understated and not overly flashy design, but checked all the right boxes such as RGB LED lighting, interchangeable top plate, Cherry MX compatible key caps, etc....  Upon first glance, this seems to be a bit run of the mill.  However, the keyword or phrase that I found is “not just a red switch”.  It does sound like a reimaged Cherry MX red switch from the infographics Wooting presented thus far.  Wooting probably came up with a novel way to measure distances, using strain gauge perhaps.  Now, a linear switch for analog device makes perfect sense since there’s no need to indicate an on/off point.  Another interesting thing about this is the software support.  Now, analog device and control is likely a bit more complicated than a typical mechanical on/off switch like almost all of the mechanical keyboard switch and devices.

So, I think the software is going to make or break this device, like Topre’s pressure sensitive version.  The host computer will probably be doing most of the heavy lifting while the keyboard just function as a multi-channel DAC for the switches.  I could be wrong tho as the detail is fairly thin at this point.  Because its mostly software driven, I won’t be too surprised that this will come with some fancy remapping, macro features somewhere down the road.  Another application is obviously gaming where some graded input is a plus, such as speed or directional control.  Again, this is where the software magic is supposed to take place.  Wooting wisely chose the open source route.  So, I am kind of excited to see what the open source community can come up with.

Now, I don’t know if the analog function is present in all the keys or just a few select keys such as WASD and the arrow keys, but let’s see what Wooting and the software team brings to the table.  This may put some pressure on Topre to really come with something cool to do with their pressure sensitive switch as well.  Exciting times.

Steelseries introduce yet another gaming oriented mechanical keyboard

A few days ago, Steelseries, a well-known European brand that focuses almost exclusively on the PC gaming peripherals announced a new mechanical keyboard targeting at the ever popular PC gaming demographic.  Again, this is probably another mechanical keyboard announcement, but when one start to string a few of them together, perhaps some patterns might emerge that’s worth taking a closer look.

The Apex M800 checks all the right boxes, just as many of their competitors have.  In my previous blog, I speculated that some vendors may start to change the layout or come up with a better key cap design.  Yeah, Steelseries enlarged the space bar and comes up with a cool tilt profile.  Yet interestingly, Steelseries went a little bit further still by making a new switch and deviated further away from the traditional Cherry MX design than say Metadot did.  They took many of the great Cherry design concepts and works with a big Cherry MX cloner, Kailh.  The result is a relatively new switch design named QS1.  From some reports, the keyboard switch functions and feels almost like the Cherry MX Red, yet the chiclet like key cap design, shorter profile, the smaller travel distance and a centered LED position makes it more like the Romer-G than a Cherry MX.  Moving away from the industry standard MX key cap is a gutsy move as there is a rather large aftermarket MX key cap demand.  Perhaps Steelseries saw that it didn’t really affected Logitech or any other keyboard makers much.  So, why not take this opportunity to fix lighting issues that plagued the MX design?  After all, Steelseries’ core clients are gamers and good LED lighting seems to be important enough.

There’s a larger pattern still I think that’s worth looking at, the trend away from Cherry MX hegemony.  Cherry MX has been the industry standard, but the new blood is thirsting for the throne.  Some keyboard manufacturers took baby steps away by changing some switch characteristics to cater a specific crowd.  However, rarely does one swims out of lane, dumps the cherished Cherry history and market a new switch design that is incompatible with Cherry MX.  Now, I can understand Logitech doing so with Romer-G because they can.  They are Godzilla in this space and Godzilla will do what it wants, whether Cherry like it or not.  On the other hand, we are beginning to see some closer collaboration with Cherry MX cloners such as Kailh from some long time clients such as Metadot.  I think that’s much more troublesome for Cherry.  Maybe those timed exclusive deals with Corsair are coming back to haunt Cherry.  Now, I don’t think Cherry is going to go out of business anytime soon.  In fact, I think it’s going to remain the dominant force for a good few years if not more.  On the other hand, I don’t think Cherry can keep the crown by sitting around and not innovating anymore because these external pressure points.  If Cherry doesn’t, companies like Kailh, Gateron or other will gladly step in.  I view this as good news because it foster improvement, new designs and creativity.  Indeed it’s going to be fun time observing in this market arena.  Let’s see where this trend takes us.

No joke, another day, another gaming keyboard announced. Make that two…

About a week or so ago, Asus, one of the biggest Taiwanese PC related manufacturer just announced a new gaming keyboard that is part of the Republic of Gamer line.  Right after, Razer, another big gamer’s brand based in Taiwan as well, also announced a refresh of their gaming mechanical keyboards line.  As one might have guessed, the mechanical gaming keyboard market is getting really crowded.  Just about everybody has at least one or two offering by now.  Upon closer examination, Asus and Razer each took a different approach to differentiate their products from the rest of the group.

Let’s take a look at Asus’ first.  Upon a quick glance, Asus’s offering really is nothing new, but iteration of what we have in the market.  Asus emphasizes a better microcontroller, better macro capability, clever software control and perhaps more colors.  What’s striking is likely the look since there’s isn’t much one can do beyond the standard Cherry MX RGB switches.  Asus went with fancy CNC aluminum face plates and accents.  Maybe their internal research shows that the look is what is going to help them stand out.  Maybe, maybe not.  I tend to think that the gamer is busy looking at the screen and rather than looking at the keyboard.  So, maybe the rainbow color pulsating across the keyboard and crazy blinking light pattern is a distraction tactics for the opponents of some sort.  Then again, I am going to assume that the opponents are online and nowhere near by or they are also too busy to pay attention.  One of these days, I will have to get educated on this.  Maybe it really is all about the looks for the spectators.  In that case, Asus proves again to be the genius and not me.

On the other hand, Razer, long have declared independence from Cherry by going with Kailh shows another path to stand out.  Instead, they chose to compete against Cherry MX switches by reiterating a “better” switch.  Building on the established Cherry MX technology, Razer worked with Kailh to make optimized switches for gamers.  They have one that is kind of like MX blue and another like MX brown.  They colored them green (after Razer’s logo color) and orange respectively.  Instead of RGB lighting and fancy looks, Razer shifts the emphasis toward faster reaction time and thus implying better performance.  No wonder Razer is one of the premier gaming peripheral brands.  Now, if I am a gamer, that’s what I want to hear whether such claim is true or not.  I don’t know if human fingers can reliably take advantage of sub millimeter differences in key presses, no one knows for certain without a good study.  Then again, any edge is welcomed in a competition I suppose. If travel distance is the only metric, then scissor switches should be the best possible gaming keyboard switches.  Well…

In any case, both Logitech and Metadot seem to combine both approaches hoping to make their product stand out even more in this increasingly crowded space.  As I noted in another blog, a lot of the keyboard makers are now moving upstream and compete in the high price bracket and leaving the lower tiers to smaller keyboard makers.  I am beginning to wonder if an attrition will begin shortly if the market doesn't continue to expand.  However, I don't know where attrition may begin if it does.  I believe the lower end will give us the first clue to the tilt and leaning of the market.  The forecast is that while PC sales will continue to contract because of a longer life cycle, the PC gaming side of things is booming.  So, I am hoping that this is the incoming high tide that will float all boasts higher because I can't wait to see what innovations come along the benefit everyone.  Maybe some new improvement comes later are better key cap designs and more ergonomic keyboard layout, for example....

Metadot announces Division Zero Gaming Keyboard

Metadot, the company behind the acclaimed Das Keyboard lines has just announced a new line of products aimed at the booming PC gamers market called Division ZeroGaming.  I am just going to focus on the keyboard announcement because it’s a bit more than another day, another gaming mechanical keyboard.

The X40 keyboard features an ANSI standard 104 key layout, red LED lighting and 5 macro keys along with media control keys.  Emulating Apple a bit, there is a single cable from the keyboard to the back of the computer that comes with USB2 port, headphone and microphone jacks pass through.  (Think pass through as an extension cable that connects to the keyboard back panel so that the user can connect peripherals to it rather having to reach to the back of a PC.)  It has a fancy interchangeable front/top plate if one wants a different design.  So far, it’s been pretty standard.

Now, borrowing some of Razer’s ideas, Metadot has also announced its own line of mechanical switches with specifications rather like the Cherry MX ones called Alpha-Zulu.  There’s one with linear (olive color) force profile and another with soft tactile feedback (mustard color).  They even sound like the original they are based on.  However, unlike the standard Cherry MX devices, these has a shorter actuation distance around 1.7mm.  Romer-G is around 1.5mm, whereas other Cherry MX clones tend to be around 2mm, including Razer’s custom one.  The theory is that a shorter distance allows quicker activation.  In the gaming world, that’s probably important, but not for someone like me who tends to bottom out.  Anyway, like Das Keyboard’s OEM mystery, Metadot has declined to identify the switch maker. Some online commentators speculated that Kailh is the most likely candidate since they are also the OEM for Razer’s custom switches.

In any case, if one has any doubt that mechanical keyboards market has evolved to largely cater to the gaming crowd, here is another piece of evidence.  Metadot started out making keyboards for programmers.  It has now changed direction and branched out to gaming.  It’s not a bad thing per se.  Let’s see where this wave takes us.

Hands on impression of Cherry MX linear switches

Continuing my conquest to at the minimal, try out how each of the major mechanical switch type operate and how it fits my style.  So, I had a chance to test out some Cherry MX linear switches at a local computer store.  You know, they are exactly what I expected.  Springy.

OK, I think I got my corny joke out of the system for now, but the switch is exactly what I thought it would be.  The feeling is same as press on a spring board or anything that uses a spring to provide resistance.  The switch gets harder to push down until it bottoms out in a rather linear fashion.  There’s no hints what so ever when it was activated or when hysteresis has completed.  Just plain old spring going up and down.  Now, there’s nothing wrong with that if that’s what someone likes.  I can see why this appeals to gamers because often key press timing and repeating speed means winning and losing.  Since the key resistance is the lowest at the beginning, by exerting little effort and learning by force feedback on the fingers, a gamer can easily tap out commands at lightning speed.  Feedback really is rather optional.  Why have something to distract you?  Makes sense I suppose.  I personally do like some tactile hints and feedbacks on what and how am I doing.  So, each to his/her own.  :)

The red Cherry MX switch is indeed less resistant than the black one.  I sense that I might accidentally activate a switch since it’s a habit of mine to rest my fingers on the keys.  This was one of the many things that drove me bananas with the Topre ergonomic key weight setup.  So, my feeling is that the red switches will appeal to the touch typists while the black and the clear ones are more for the traditional typist like me who likes to pound on the keys.  It’s great that Cherry and most of the mechanical switch vendors offer varying weights.  Options are good since almost no one types the same way.

Congratulations, you got twins! Leopold FC660M and FC660C

Leopold is clever enough not to waste a winning layout design.  Apparently, Leopold also manufactured an identical looking keyboard named FC660M, which is Cherry MX based.  That alone should bring the price back to Earth.  From the looks of it, mechanical keyboard.com is selling it for $150 or so, depending on the color schemes and MX switch types.  I am aware that there are white color scheme versions with MX brown and MX red switches.  I am pretty sure that other combinations exist.  It’s not that much difference, but could be a deciding factor.  If one fancies that Leopold’s layout but doesn’t like Topre switches, then this is a good alternative to consider.

I don’t have a FC660M in house for testing, so I can’t honestly tell you what exactly to expect.  By most indication, the keyboards should be almost identical, except the switch and some minor differences because of the switch related changes.  You never know tho.  So, this is more of an informational post than anything else.  If you have experience with FC660M that you would like to share, that would be great!

Cooler Master introduces Quick Fire XTi

Full RGB LEDs seem to be the rage these days, for better or worse.  From the keyboard side of things,, full RGB Cherry MX Switches are still difficult to come by.  Aside from Corsair, no one else seems to have something.  Ducky Channel is moving forward with Shine 5, which is a full RGB design, but it won't arrive in North America till probably late October with a price tag that matches Corsair's offering.  So, it's kind of a surprise to see Cooler Master to introduce a new keyboard that is not full RGB.  I guess Cherry still can't make them fast enough....

Quick Fire XTi is an interesting beast.  It's likely to implement the older LEDs rather than full spectrum RGB one for lighting.  Perhaps Cooler Master got a good deal on those Cherry MX switches.  Who knows....  For one thing, this keyboard is a rather minimalist design.  It doesn't even have Cooler Master's logo in the front.  Instead, it is embossed on the back side of the keyboard.  The focus of the keyboard seems to be its ability to store profiles and macros.  These information are stored with the keyboard and not dependent on a computer host.  So, the approach is more akin to Ducky Channel's by including a decent ARM based micro-controller rather than Corsair's approach, which depends on the computer host for most of its functionality.  There are pros and cons to each approach.  It's interesting to see Cool Master electing to go with the more independent route.  I suppose one could be traveling to tournaments that allows one to bring their own keyboards and mice.  So, having the settings and macros stored on the keyboard could be an important advantage.

The one thing Cooler Master left out was the media control keys.  Instead of media keys, the programmable keys took their place.  So, it's another give and take for one to end up with a minimal 104 key board foot print without resorting to extending outward like Logitech's G910.  Cooler Master is asking for $150 USD for one of these.  It's available with almost all the popular MX switches, such as MX blue, brown and red,  According to keychatter.com, Cooler Master may even do a MX green production run pending demand.  The price is a bit of surprise as Cooler Master used to play more or less in the mainstream and economy brackets.  So, this is signaling that they moving up to higher end.  Indeed, it's a bit on the higher end, but given its ample abilities, Cooler Master felt the price is justified.  We will see how the market respond.

Looks like Cooler Master Quick Fire XTi with MX blue switches is available from Amazon.com already.  Handy links are listed below if you are looking to purchase one from Amazon.com to support this site.  Thanks!

Cooler Master QuickFire XTi Multi-Color Backlit Mechanical Keyboard, Blue Switches (SGK-4060-KKCL1-US)

Cherry announced a new member to the MX family

Cherry has just announced a new MX switch, dubbed, the MX Silent.  Here's the announcement video via YouTube.  Given the timing with Gamescom, taking place in Cologne, Germany, one should not be surprised that this is likely a gamer-centric switch.  Indeed, it is their new RGB linear switch like the MX red that is silenced by some technology that Cherry wasn't ready to share in the video.

Not too much known at this time, but Corsair, one of the partners closest to Cherry is supposed to have a keyboard ready for the market soon called STRIFE RGB, retailing for around $150 USD.  STRIFE RGB has the traditional 104 keyboard format.   From the look of it, Corsair is the exclusive customer for the new switch.  I am guessing that this is a timed exclusive agreement, like the MX RGB switches before.  Now that Cherry MX RGB switches are no longer Corsair's alone, Corsair will need something new and this is probably what Cherry came up with to share with Corsair.  On the product website, Crosair specifically named Black Widow Chroma and G910 Orion Spark as competitions.  This should be interesting to watch because I am pretty sure Razer and Logitech, I mean, Logi are not just standing around and let Corsair have all the fun....

Cooler Master QuickFire TK, a throwback to the Model F

Cooler Master is definitely one of the more daring keyboard companies out there right now.  They are producing quite a few different lines of gaming keyboards, some with mechanical switches, some with the rubber dome membrane switches such as the Cooler Master Suppressor and Devastator.  The Novatouch (Topre switch with Cherry MX stem), Trigger-Z (Cherry MX), QuickFire (Cherry MX) lines are mechanical switches based.  Anyhow, the one that caught my attention is the Quick Fire TK.  Instead of tossing the number pad to produce the Ten Keyless (TKL) version, Cooler Master went the other way, they got rid of the navigations keys instead and kept the number pad.  In many ways, this reminds me of the original IBM PC XT/AT keyboard, the Model F.  Although some of the keys have moved around, removed or added, the idea is the same.  The number pad now doubles as the navigation pad and number pad; thus the original purpose of the number lock is to switch between the two modes.  So, it’s a clever twist on the TKL model that reaches back in time.  It’s not a new idea per se, but I am happy to see this format available on the market again.

So, for those people who hate losing the number pad, but don’t mind having it doing double duty as it was in the early 80s, the this TKL version is worth considering.  Cooler Master also has Cherry MX red, blue and brown version available.  So, any Cherry MX aficionados should be able to find one they would like to try out.

Cooler Master Quick Fire TK is available from many retailers and Amazon.com.  Handy links are listed below if you are looking to purchase one from Amazon.com to support this site.  Thanks!

CM Storm QuickFire TK - Compact Mechanical Gaming Keyboard with CHERRY MX BROWN Switches and Fully LED Backlit

CM Storm QuickFire TK - Compact Mechanical Gaming Keyboard with CHERRY MX BLUE Switches and Fully LED Backlit

CM Storm QuickFire TK - Compact Mechanical Gaming Keyboard with CHERRY MX RED Switches and Fully LED Backlit

Another day, another mechanical keyboard goes on sale

I guess if I start paying enough attention, there bound to be some sale out there for mainstream mechanical keyboards pretty much every week in the US market.  This one for some reason caught my attention.  Monoprice is hawking their new backlit mechanical gaming board for $70 US dollars through their Rakuten store front.  I think it has free shipping too.  The deal ends 5/14/15.  This one comes with Cherry MX red switches.  So, maybe that's why it sort of jumped out at me.  It has 2 port USB hub, audio headset and mic jacks.  (These audio plugs are probably just extensions judging by the posted images.)  So, if one fancies a linear switch, this one might fit the bill.

The usual disclaimer applies, I don't get paid by Monoprice or Rakuten.  So, this is more or less PSA.  Enjoy!

UPDATE: the deal is done.  No more....