Monoprice

Get the edge on your competition with this Mechanical Gaming Keyboard from Monoprice!

Our primary form of interaction with our computers is through the keyboard, yet it is the one device that most of us take for granted. We blithely go on using whatever cheap, mushy feeling keyboards that came with our PCs. Yet, the difference between an ordinary membrane type keyboard and one with mechanical switches is astronomical.

Membrane style keyboards typically have a minimal travel distance. To register the keystroke the key must be completely depressed, yet instead of a positive feeling of bottoming out the key, it produces a mushy feeling with no tactile sensation of a full keypress. Because of the requirement to bottom out the key to get it to register and the lack of tactile feedback, a membrane keyboard can result in greater hand and finger fatigue and can even contribute to carpal tunnel issues.

On the other hand a mechanical keyboard uses physical switches for each key. The switches have longer travel, yet can register a keystroke without requiring full depression, depending on which type of switch is used. This allows gamers to "double-tap" more easily and allows for faster typing. This keyboard uses the industry leading Cherry MX Black switches. The switches are gold plated to prevent corrosion and have a life cycle of over 50 million keypresses, which is 5-10x more than that of a conventional membrane keyboard.

The Cherry MX Black switches are among the most popular for serious gamers. If you are the type of gamer or typist that tends to hit neighboring keys, the high actuation force of the Cherry MX Black switches (over that of the Cherry MX Red switches, for example), means that the stray keypresses are less likely to produce a character.

Another advantage of this mechanical keyboard is that it supports "N-key rollover". Each switch is individually monitored so that each keypress is registered properly, even though other keys are being actuated at the same time. Typical membrane keyboards and most mechanical keyboards with a USB interface only support 6-key rollover (maximum 6 keys registering at a time), but this model supports 64-key rollover, which allows for complex gaming combos as well as faster touch typing with fewer errors.

The keyboard features a soft-touch, rubberized surface for maximum comfort. An attachable wrist rest helps ensure that your hands are at the proper angle for efficient typing and reduces fatigue and stress related issues.

The keyboard includes a 2-port USB 2.0 hub along with convenient connections for headset/speakers and microphone. It connects to the computer through the USB interface and features a long 58" cable.

Note that the keys produce an audible click when they bottom out, so this keyboard is noisier than your typical membrane keyboard. However, many gamers and typists actually prefer the audible feedback and find it to help maintain faster typing speeds.

Features:

• Uses Cherry MX Black switches
• Gold plated switch contacts
• Switches rated for over 50 million keystrokes
• 2 mm keyswitch actuation distance, 4 mm full throw distance
• Requires 60 grams actuation force
• Blue LED lighting for the keylock indicators
• Includes 2-port USB 2.0 hub
• Convenient connections for headset and mic
• Cylindrical shaped keytops
• Soft-touch rubberized surface
• Includes attachable wrist rest
• Includes media key functions for controlling playback of multimedia content
• Includes 4 high-visibility orange keytops for replacing the WASD gaming keys