Mechanical Keys
Mechanical Keys
Every key is mechanical, and in this case we've gone for Kailh switches that light up blue and an RGB LED backlight. Key presses on mechanical switches are meant to feel different from those on cheaper dome-based keyboards, which employ ordinary rubber membranes. Mechanical keyboards have seen a huge uptick in popularity over the past year or so, likely because gamers appear to like mechy's very much over dome based keys.
The MSI Blue offers fast response time. The low resistance switches ensure that the actuation point is reached quickly with just a slight press of the key. This makes it a great choice for gamers who require fast response times in high-pressure situations. I put the keyboard to the test in both gaming and typing and was impressed with its performance. The fast response time proved to be an asset in games, allowing for quick and precise movements. Writing texts and documents was also effortless with the quick keystroke, making it a versatile option for both gaming and productivity. It is, however, noisy like many mechy's out there.
The keycaps are made of ABS material, which is to be expected at this price point, but they are finished neatly and feel good to the touch. Back-lighting on a Kailh switch is sharper than that of a membrane keyboard because each key is lit by an individual LED and not in an array. This means that if you remove the key-cap, you can see a LED directly under it that maximizes the lighting effect. Our keyboard houses a type of blue Kailh switches reworked with MSI, as you can tell from the pressure switch under the key-cap (see above). The behaviour of any switch can be divided into three categories:
- Linear. The keystroke is consistent and smooth.
- Tactile. A bump in the middle of travel, usually around the actuation point.
- Clicky. A bump in the middle of travel accompanied by a sharp “click” sound.
Kailh (Kaihua Electronics) is a China-based switch manufacturer. Since its founding in 1990, the company has expanded its presence all over the globe, they compete directly against Cherry MX. Kailh switches are identical to Cherry MX in design. They even have the same characteristics corresponding to the same color schemes. As such, keycaps designed for Cherry MX stems are also compatible with Kailh switches. Each color switch feels different. The mechanical switches are intended for for fast, efficient gaming. The keys are curved a little and are fairly slippery, which gives them a good-positioned feel. Mechanical keys are in the noisy category.
