Cherry MX Blues are among the most popular switches for mechanical keyboards, especially when you use them for gaming.
The Das Professional 4 Mechanical Keyboard is a high-end mechanical keyboard that offers all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a gaming keyboard, albeit in a more professional package. This full-size 104-key keyboard offers clicky and tactile typing to those trying to boost their WPM or APM. The keycaps are laser-etched and can withstand plenty of abuse. The anodized aluminum top panel is under an inch thick, which is considerably thin by mech keyboard standards. It is still plenty durable. One downside of the professional look of this keyboard is that it forgoes LED backlighting, which can make this keyboard slightly hard to use at night. However, considering that Das makes several keyboards with completely blank keycaps, this company expects you to know your way around the home row. This flaw is easy to overlook when you consider the major benefits that the Das Pro 4 offers. This keyboard has two USB 3.0 ports next to its built-in six-foot USB cable. These can be used to plug in peripherals like a mouse and a microphone. It also has dedicated multimedia controls with an oversized volume knob. Possibly the most outlandish feature is the keyboard’s detachable magnetic footbar, which also serves as a ruler if you are pro gamer enough to have to measure out the distance between your peripherals. The Das Pro 4 might not be flashy but it will still be the most important device you’ll plug into your PC. VideoVideo related to das professional 4 mechanical keyboard2019-06-07T19:20:25-04:00 With very few major players in the mechanical keyboard industry, newcomers iKBC have made waves with the budget-conscious functionality of their full-size iKBC CD108 v2. This keyboard has a fairly plain look out of the box, but you can spice up its all-black design with some optional colored keys (pictured above). The keys are not backlit. One of the nicest aspects of the iKBC CD108 v2 is its high-quality double-shot PBT keycaps, which are considerably more durable than standard ABS keycaps. They also have a 7° tilt for added ergonomics whether or not you use the foldout stands to further prop up the keyboard. The CD108 v2 has dedicated volume keys plus a Win lock key. Unfortunately, it does not have playback controls bound to it. The switches underneath are genuine Cherry MX Blues, which is awesome considering the price of this keyboard. They feel clicky and tactile as expected, though some users noted that the larger stabilizer keys (particularly the spacebar) were a little slower to return. The CD108 v2’s base plate is durable matte plastic. It is sturdy enough to survive daily use but it doesn’t feel quite as rugged as the metal bases you get on pricier boards. The rest of this keyboard’s components feel nice, including its fold-out feet and attached USB cable. If you are looking for an affordable mechanical keyboard that will last you an incredibly long time, then this keyboard is a great pick. The Asus ROG Strix Flare is the perfect keyboard for a serious gamer, especially if they want their gear to stand out as much as their skills. This gaming keyboard packs fully customizable RGB LEDs behind each keycap and some sickeningly cool underglow – and it is all compatible with Asus Aura Sync to match your other peripherals. The Strix Flare uses full-size layout including a number pad. This gives it a commanding presence on any desk. You also get a set of dedicated multimedia controls above the function row, which includes (non-mechanical) buttons to control video playback, adjust LED brightness, and disable the Win key. There is also a volume scrollbar. The name brand Cherry MX Red switches feel great on this board, providing quick and responsive linear activation. I do wish the Strix Flare came with PBT keycaps instead of the included ABS ones but this is to be expected at this entry-level price point. But just because this is an “entry-level” mech keyboard doesn’t mean that it falls short on extra features. The Strix Flare supports on the fly macro recording and comes with a detachable wrist rest for added ergonomics. It also has a pass-through USB port to connect other peripherals. Of course, you also get adjustable rear feet too. All in all, there is little else to ask for out of the Strix Flare. It simply checks all the boxes. A great “entry level” mechanical keyboard for those looking to up their speed and accuracy. The G. Skill Ripjaws KM570 MX is a versatile keyboard that is flashy enough to bust out at the most outrageous LAN fests yet refined enough to use in an office setting. This keyboard can ship with all sort of Cherry switches, including Brown, Red, and Silver, but I prefer the KM570 MX with Blue switches because I enjoy the clicky and tactile feedback it creates. This is a full-size keyboard with some dedicated volume control buttons and some more complex media hotkeys bound to function keys. The macro functions are somewhat sloppy though, as there are no macro keys to bind to, making it easy to screw up the layout of your keyboard if you aren’t careful. The KM570 MX complements your normal suite of media keys with extra buttons to pull up your default web browser, email client, calculator, and more.
