Cooler Master CM Storm QuickFire Rapid Mechanical Gaming Keyboard CherryMX Black Switch USB or PS/2 Cooler Master CM Storm QuickFire Rapid Mechanical Gaming Keyboard CherryMX Black Switch USB or PS/2

Pros: I got this keyboard in the mail in perfect condition and in good time, just as I expect from Newegg. I have two DasKeyboards, one with Blue switches and one with Brown, so I know my way around a mechanical keyboard. The Cherry MX Black is stiffer action, and may be just slightly quieter than the Brown (much quieter than the Blue, of course).

If you are a somewhat forceful typist, the stiffness of the keys shouldn't be an issue for you. If you're used to super light keys, you'll probably find yourself having to type harder and perhaps get a little fatigued over time.

The responsiveness of the keys, though, is good. The switches have a good, positive actuation, and the sound that arises from the keyboard as you're typing along is gentle, with now high pitched ping or click, if that bothers you.

I've gamed a bit (MMORPG, so not twitch-sensitive), and find that the keyboard works just fine for that purpose. I found that my entries into the chat channel were more lengthy, due to the fact that I could rip off sentences with greater speed than with the included keyboard on my laptop.

That brings me to where this little board seems to shine, which is as an external keyboard for a laptop. Because of its modest size, it will sit right in front of a 15" laptop, without taking up much table space.

Keyboard design and layout: For anyone who is familiar with the standard layout of keys on a full size, full stroke keyboard, you'll be immediately comfortable. All the keys are where they belong, and are the right size.

I like the very clear markings on the keyboard, as well. All the key caps are nicely printed, and are in a larger font size than many others I have seen. With a quick glance, you can easily find the home row or any other key, should you need to look down.

Others have been concerned with the high amount of branding on the keyboard, but I don't find it too offensive. It doesn't impede performance any.

The Quickfire keyboard has a good, solid feel to it. It's nice and heavy, with good sized rubber feet that keep it solidly in place on the desk, which is nice. One doesn't want to chase the keyboard around. I like the fact that they moved the function keys to the f5-f12 area, and allowed them to be engaged with the FN key, which is only on the right. Changing the spacing of the ctrl/win/alt keys on the left is troublesome to those of us who use a lot of keyboard shortcuts. I also appreciate that there is a Win key lockout, so that an errant press of the key doesn't kick you out of your game in the middle of a tough fight.

Finally, the detachable USB cord seems to be made of stern stuff, with the input plug hidden beneath the 'board and protected with a pressure-fit notch that should keep it pretty safe. The braided cord is a nice touch.

Overall, this is a solid keyboard, and well worth the money.

Cons: If you ordered this keyboard and did any study on what it was, you found out that it did not have a 10-key. I suppose that it could be something that someone could grip about, but who can feel bad if you don't read the specs?

Also, if you get the Black switches and then complain that the action is too stiff, it's on you. If you're a really light typist, I'd say to get the Brown keys, or the Reds.

I can't see griping about the logos, as they don't bother me.

Other Thoughts: Beware the road of the mechanical keyboard. It's addictive! I have become such a keyboard snob since buying my first one (I was really tired and disgusted with bad keyboards and threw money at the problem...it worked.)

If I were pressed to pick a favorite between the switches, I don't know that it would be an easy choice. I love the clicky noise of the Blue switch, and the Brown is soooo smooth. That said, I was quickly able to get my typing speed up with this new 'board, and it is very comfortable. I would say that it is a true statement that all of your Cherry mechanical switches are going to provide better feel and more enjoyable typing than any of the membrane or scissors-type keyboards.

Pros: Mechanical. Feels "heaveh"

Cons: Placement and Design of the cord connection. The way it is, you can route the cord 3 ways: to left, right, or straight out. If you choose to go left or right, you will have to bend the cord, which is VERY stiff. I felt like there was too much stress on the plug and cord to choose this option. Still the cord is kind of snaggy and I feel like I could unplug it by sliding it around. I feel like I'm going to have to glue the cord at the "straight out" position to keep stress off it. Especially reading what happend to some other reviewers.

Like most all mechnical keyboards, its loud.

Other Thoughts: I knew the cord was an issue and took the risk. It will require some management to prevent breakage.

Pros: -On the cheap side for a mechanical keyboard
-Comes in all the various cherry MX switches
-Tenkeyless (it's a pro for me)
-Small; doesn't take up much desk space
-Comes with neat red WASD keycaps that make them look like arrows

Cons: -Feature-dry (no backlight, USB hubs, etc)
-Logos EVERYWHERE

Other Thoughts: Although the cons don't bother me (which is why I got this keyboard), it might bother some. However, if you're curious about mechanical keyboards this is definitely a great keyboard to start.

Pros: -It's high quality, nothing cheap about it

Cons: -Way too many logos!! It's extreme and not enjoyable to look at.

Other Thoughts: I'm returning this because the Black keys are WAY too stiff. If you're looking for stiffer keys, I'd recommend Reds of Browns. These are extremely stiff.

Pros: -Compact. Doesn't take up a lot of space on the desk like most of the "super 1337 gaming keyboards" do, simply because of the fact that it has no excess macro buttons or built-in anything.
-Simple. As I said earlier, really no unnecessary buttons or doo-dads. It is what it is, and it does what it is meant to do.
-High-quality cable. The braided cable is a great touch on this. I don't have to worry about pinching it off when I route the cable to one side or the other in the built-in cable channel on the underside of the keyboard. And I don't have to worry about my cats gnawing through it!
-Amazing key-kinetics. For lack of a better word, it just feels really good to type on it! The MX Cherry Blacks are a great balance for gaming and typing because of the fact that you don't have to bottom-out (push the key all the way down until you can't anymore) for the keyboard to pick up the keystroke. This is awesome for the clutch combos in gaming, and makes speed-typing a breeze.
-Durable. I have spilled on it accidentally and had no problems with any of the keys malfunctioning afterwards, not to mention I'm a bit of an "aggressive typer" in terms of key-stroking (hence the attraction to mechanical keyboards) and it has put up with all my abuse without fail.
-Relatively low-priced. This beats any keyboard, including the high-priced "gaming keyboards), that I have ever used. For the price, it's well worth it.

Cons: -A tad excessive in branding. I'm pretty sure I know I purchased a CM Storm Quickfire keyboard. You don't need to have the logo twice on the board itself, along with "CMSTORM" above the arrow keys, along with "QUICKFIRE" on the space bar, and the logo two more times on both the Win keys. I think I get it!
-Loud, but this isn't really a con because of the fact that, if you didn't want a keyboard that offered a satisfying "click clack" every time you typed, you wouldn't purchase a mechanical keyboard!

Other Thoughts: I am incredibly satisfied with my keyboard thus far, and should anything ever happen to this one, I would be more than happy to purchase another, as I've already gotten my money's worth out of it.

Pros: Great build quality
Ease of use
Great aesthetics

Cons: A little cramped

Other Thoughts: I bought this keyboard after agonizing over whether or not I was going to even get a mechanical keyboard and if so, which one.

I own a Belken N52te as well, and have used it for years, so I had a hard time justifying buying a "gaming" keyboard, but after spending some time with this one, I know I made the right choice. The crisp activation of the Cherry MX Black keys really improved my twitch response, and while I still use the N52te for MMO's, this keyboard will always be my go-to for FPS's or RTS's!

My only compliant is that the keys seem a little more compact than on a full size keyboard. I understand that this is meant to be a small keyboard for travel, but it is just a tad smaller than I would like, but desk space dictated that choice!

Pros: I've had this keyboard for about three months and it's been doing great thus far. The keys haven't worn even after the ridiculous amount of stress I've put them through via gaming and such. It's mechanical as it says and the sound, though not exactly what I was hoping for coming from a mechanical keyboard, is pretty good for a newer model. The caps lock and scroll lock lights are very obvious and make it much easier for me to see when I have them on.

Cons: When I first got the keyboard the q key would get jammed. I would have to repeatedly press it to get it unjammed, otherwise it would continue to think it was being pressed and type many more qs. This was resolved just by normal use of it. Keep pressing it and it eventually comes unjammed and I haven't had it jam since, even after using it for gaming purposes.

Other Thoughts: I haven't yet put the keys that come with it onto my keyboard so I can't say much for how easy they are to take out and replace.