Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E. 7 MCB43109N002/02/1 Black USB Gaming Keyboard

Pros: Easy-ish setup, sweet v.e.n.o.m. touchscreen, great lighting, best adjustable wrist wrests ever in all of history, cool replaceable keys which are easy to switch in and out.

Cons: Wish it had mechanical keys. If you have the money for this, then save some money and buy the Razer Deathstalker.

Pros: Great Key pressure
Sturdy
Cool Design (thought this is highly subjective)

Cons: Horrific Customer Service
Horrific Software Support

Other Thoughts: If this was a normal keyboard then I would have given it 5 stars. But it is a keyboard that thrives on Software. Macro Programming, Software for the onboard Display, regular driver update for new operating systems.

The latter parts simply doesn't work. I cannot upgrade my Firmware, and support ticket to MadCatz falls on deaf ears. I was hoping it would resolve some of the freezing issues that occures with the keyboard but the firmware update simply doesn't start.

This is not even including the driver not working correctly in Windows 8 with frequent crashes and freezes. When it doesn't crash the keyboard management software prevents cap lock/num lock/scroll lock indicator lights from working, and that is just the surface of the mess that is the software.

Pros: I got one of these for Christmas. They thing felt awesome good solid heavy construction all metal base and good solid lock in multi-place parts. Astatically pleasing looks like a 3 bills keyboard and that is where the pros for me end.

Cons: On the ascetics the display is very cheap with low fresh. On functionality my computer would not even boot up with it plugged in. It would throw a hex PoST code 50 which is bad USB device. I opened a ticket with tech support. Still no reply… Open a ticket on the 25th but still nobody has even commented anything I can see and it has been six business days. I tried it on anther computer same response tried it on a 3rd and 4th computer and it worked. Fond the common issue is an x58 chipset. Did some googling and fond it was an also an issue with a tech reviewer from King5 news in Seattle. The Mad Catz tech support told him to unplug the power and plug it back in after the computer booted up. This is from King5 news and I quote "Eventually, working with Mad Catz's customer service, we figured out it was the separate power that plugged into the keyboard. If I unplugged that before turning on my computer then it would fully boot. Of course, I would then have to plug the keyboard back in to use it. It's annoying, but currently unavoidable for me." So I rigged up a USB manual physical switch and I got it to work with two settings “boot” and “run” brings me back to the days of a wonderful DEC Alpha UNIX minicomputer. Also the keyboard has no host system CPU, Memory, or GPU monitor (note: my 2005 G15 Logitech has that.) This is 2013 it is so irritating I cannot stand it Newegg awesome and they returned the keyboard.

Other Thoughts: Also this keyboard uses a full blown Linux OS but there is no place to download source this is in legal violation of the GNU GPL.

Newegg reviewers please read my comments and others and not sell this product until the manufacture fixes it. If somebody were to give me this keyboard for free I would not use it.

Pros: Honestly any pro I can think off becomes a con.

Cons: Made of cheap plastic, feels cheap and looks cheap for a $300 keyboard. The screen is is useless, and you have to press it hard to register presses. TO change things around you have to use screws, becomes a pain and defeats the purpose of being a keyboard with mu configuration. Writs pads snap in a way that you know will break within a few months.

The wrist component with a wheel and a mouse is extremely uncomfortable and a waste.

Other Thoughts: Cyborg went wrong in every possible way here, whoever approved the final design, should be fired, this $300 keyboard isn't worth $50. If you still lay out the bucks, you have been warned.

Pros: Modular, obviously.
Versatile for form and function as well as desk real-estate.
Plethora of highly customizable macro keys and macro modes.
Multi-color LED backlighting and visible through etched keys.
Aluminum plating for a seriously heavy-duty look and feel.
Rubberized plastic chassis so anything not metal feels solid and no visible fingerprints.
Full-color touchpad for more functions, displays, and controls than any one person could want.
Eye-catching 'Mech' look for those into that sort of thing.
Quieter than mechanical keyboards due to the rubber dome switches.
Clearly built to last and take a beating.
Maybe Michael from Rage Quit could test that for us.

Cons: Heavy, obviously.
Modular cabling can catch on loose 'things' around the desk.
There are far more macro keys and modes than your average gamer would ever want let alone need or use.
Certain display panel functions are useless in certain games since you will be too focused on the monitor to be bothered to look at it.
Touchpad will need wiped for prints frequently if that sort of thing annoys you.
No mechanical key switches, making wear'n'tear a concern.
Space key squeaks and clacks loudly, easily fixed though with some rubber o-rings, glue, and lubrication-gel.
As expensive as most high-end PC components.
The most expensive gaming keyboard I have seen.

Other Thoughts: Ultimately, considering the anti-uniform shape and construction, as well as the amount of tech inside and the perceptive quality of the materials used; I don't think it's overpriced personally. DEFINITELY overkill though. It's closest competitor, the Logitech G19, is about the same in terms of function, but completely lacks the modular form. Both have rubber-dome switches, which is a negligible factor for gaming, and both have a lot of macro keys and modes. This has some conveniently placed 'special' keys and is essentially a laundry list of everything nearly every other gaming and modular keyboard can do within a standard form-factor. For what you get, the price is right. For what you're going to do with it, make sure it's the only thing that can do everything you want compared to everything else. I doubt any one person could use every feature of this keyboard effectively, and anyone who intends to is forcing it just to prove it can be done.

Pros: its completly customizable, it's extremley high quality for a keyboard. lots of metal, love the flip down feet made of full metal completly wraped in rubber provide a completly slip free interface.

Cons: the keys are rubber dome mechanical imitation style keys. the space bar is prone to squeeks. the could be more cord options. its over priced and under supported by both cyborg and madcatz. currently you can't even get ahold of cyborg or madcats for tech support their system has said it was down for maitnence for 3 weeks. they failed to recontact me by email, i have emailed them every 4 days since i received the product, a fair wait for any tech support. the number pad (for me) was a DOA. i never was able to resolve this. mine was not purchaed through newegg and ive never had a problem with newegg as a company or shipper. this review is purley a bag on madcatz\cyborg.

Other Thoughts: I made an unboxing and moderatley in-depth review of the product, and although i was inititioly satisfied i will be returning this product. i purchased mine direct from madcatz. it has only recently been made avilable to other outlets.

http://www.evga.com/forums/tm.aspx?high=&m=1716835&mpage=1#1721445

you may safley click this and i do advice a good read on it so you know what your digging into. for me, i had a DOA number pad, ive never been able to resolve it and have always kept a high opinion of them untill now where as of now ive decided they have failed me and I will now do my best to inform the public of this massive fail. the entire line up from cyborg is a fail, their top of the line joystick. a complete flop and i mean COMPLETE. their mouse had tons of dirt issues getting around and screwing up the laser, and eventuly became so prone to problems it was a useless mouse to me. I do not endorce these products and i suggest you give my warnings a stirn consideration.

Pros: Complete Modular Design allowing for complete and utter control over every aspect of your keyboard layout. Full control over macros easy to use enterface.

Cons: complete modular system
very well built
awesome overall look
comfort and ease of use

Other Thoughts: the layout is hard at first to get used to, there are tierd raised keys so some people that want a even flow wont get that.