Tt eSPORTS reveals Knucker keyboard at CES

Tech Report got to see Tt eSPORTS' Knucker keyboard at CES 2012. This gaming keyboard uses a rubber-dome key switch design, but ThermalTake claims it strove to make the keys feel more like mechanical key switches. The reporter says the keys felt a bit springier and crisper than many other rubber-dome keyboards, but not as good as mechanical keys. The advantage though is the price tag, the Knucker will retail for $39.99.

Thermaltake has an extensive line of Cherry MX-based keyboards. The Knucker is different, though. It's based on the now-snubbed rubber-dome switch design, which uses rubber plungers to provide tactile resistance and feedback. Thermaltake says it strove to make the plungers feel just like mechanical key switches. While we could easily tell the difference, the Knucker did seem springier and crisper than many other rubber-dome keyboards. This puppy also has anti-ghosting technology, which enables up to 12 simultaneous keypresses "within the particular section of the keyboard," plus glowing key labels.

Of course, the rubber-dome design may result in reduced endurance compared to mechanical designs. Thermaltake says the Knucker can handle 15 million keystrokes over its lifetime. Cherry, meanwhile, rates its MX switches for 50 million actuations.