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Patrick T.

Patrick T.

Joined on 01/04/07

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Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 4
Most Favorable Review

Stiff action great for forceful typists

CM Storm QuickFire Rapid - Compact Mechanical Gaming Keyboard with CHERRY MX Black Switches
CM Storm QuickFire Rapid - Compact Mechanical Gaming Keyboard with CHERRY MX Black Switches

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.

Overall Review: 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.

A Joy to Type On

Das Keyboard Model S Professional Wired Mechanical Keyboard, Cherry MX Brown Mechanical Switches, 2-Port USB Hub, Laser Etched Keycaps (104 Keys, Black)
Das Keyboard Model S Professional Wired Mechanical Keyboard, Cherry MX Brown Mechanical Switches, 2-Port USB Hub, Laser Etched Keycaps (104 Keys, Black)

Pros: I have the MX Cherry Blue switch keyboard made before the change in manufacturer and the addition of the function keys. This soft touch model was purchased in order to have a quieter keyboard for working in an open office environment and while people were busy on the phones. Very impressed with the typing dynamics, the speed that I'm capable of while using this 'board, and also its lack of loud noise. For my own purposes, I love the click sound of the Blue switches, but the Browns give up very little in terms of dynamics, while remaining friendly to coworkers. For the purpose I'm using this 'board, which is to type, not game, I have found no real drawbacks thus far. It's fast, quiet, and just makes me happy when I'm typing. Good stuff

Cons: I suppose that I would have preferred the function key be somewhere else, because it makes for smaller Windows, ctrl, and alt keys, but I'm not really bothered by it enough to ding the manufacturer. I have yet to see any hint that there's a manufacturing defect, or any drop off of quality from the previous model. So, long story short, no cons.

Overall Review: You can see from this fairly lengthy review that I'm typing on the keyboard in question, and don't really want to stop. I've been busily thinking up reasons to type more since I hooked the darned thing up. While it may not *quite* be as magical as the keyboard that features the MX Cherry Blue switches, it's pretty darned close, and it's possible that people coming from the membrane keyboards will like the sound and feel even better. Get one, or get both, if you're a really typing snob.

Good upgrade from OEM

Antec BP550 Plus 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Intel Haswell Fully Compatible
Antec BP550 Plus 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Intel Haswell Fully Compatible

Pros: Fair price Quiet Good Cable management solution Reliable after a year Good air movement

Cons: None

Overall Review: Upgraded to this power supply w/ an HP quad core when I installed a video card. Has done its work, just as a PSU should.

Clicky Heaven

Das Keyboard DASK3PROMS1 (855800001166) Black 104 Normal Keys USB Wired Standard Model S Professional Keyboard
Das Keyboard DASK3PROMS1 (855800001166) Black 104 Normal Keys USB Wired Standard Model S Professional Keyboard

Pros: The Egg got me the keyboard on Wednesday, having ordered it on Monday afternoon. Great as usual, item came in a big box and was in good shape. Keyboard itself is far more substantial than your standard keyboard, a real blast from the past. Tactile feel and auditory cues are great. They really help you feel where your hands are on the 'board, and let you know if you're typing fast. Love the crackling sound of the mechanical switches. The "full stroke" keyboards are always appreciated in these days of laptop-style, rubbery junk. I also like the USB hub that is altogether on a separate USB plug, so as not to interfere at all with the keyboard throughput. Very neat. Finally, the keyboard is good looking, understated, and seems as if it will last well.

Cons: This is an expensive investment. I am expecting this 'board to be with me for many years. For the cost, which is around ten times what a normal keyboard might run you, it had better be a cut above. So far, that's a yes.

Overall Review: A relative in her seventies tried the keyboard, and loved it. She said, "I just typed a whole document, and I wasn't having dropped letters and half-done words like on most keyboards." I was inspired enough to write nearly 2k words last night when I first hooked it up. I'm a writer, and anything that helps me do my work is greatly appreciated.