CM Storm QuickFire TK mechanical keyboard review
Cooler Master recently added the CM Storm QuickFire TK to its line of mechanical gaming keyboards. The QuickFire TK is basically a more condensed version of the QuickFire Pro, this new model ditches the arrow keys as well as other navigation and editing keys. It's a compact, no-fuzz keyboard without too many bells and whistles, you get Cherry MX switches, key illumination, and NKRO. It seems this keyboard is aimed at gamers with a small desktop and LAN party-goers who are in the market for a compact keyboard that you can easily take with you.While the full-size QuickFire Pro is available with Cherry MX Black, Blue, Brown, and Red switches, the QuickFire TK limits the choice to red, brown, and blue. The red model has a red backlight, the blue one has a blue backlight and the brown one features a white backlight, probably because a brown backlight wouldn't be appealing enough. Each keyboard is reinforced with a steel plate, which has either a red, blue, or brown coating, corresponding with the color of the Cherry MX switches.
When the QuickFire TK arrived in our test lab I was quite surprised by the size of the product's box - especially the box's width seemed very small. I knew this wasn't a full-sized keyboard but I didn't expect it to be this small.
Before we move on to the rest of the review, here's a look at the QuickFire TK's features and specifications:
Upon opening the box you find the keyboard in a protective bag, you'll notice it has a nicely braided cable and that there are surprisingly few accessories. Cooler Master included a brief manual as well as a keycap puller that enables you to remove the keys for cleaning without having to resort to more brusque methods like using a screwdriver to pop off the keycaps. Unlike most gaming keyboards, this model does not require the installation of a driver, every feature of the QuickFire TK can be activated/deactivated directly on the keyboard.Model Numbers:
- SGK-4020-GKCR1(Red switch)
- SGK-4020-GKCM1(Brown switch)
- SGK-4020-GKCL1(Blue switch)
Key Switch: Cherry MX Blue/ Brown/ Red Keycaps: ABS, grip coated, removable Keycap Puller: Yes, ring-puller Backlight:
- All keys backlit, 5 Levels, 3 Modes(Breathing, WASD or full backlight);
- Red switch key has red backlight, Blue switch key has blue backlight and Brown switch has white backlight
Key Rollover: NKRO (Windows only) Polling Rate: 1000 Hz /1 ms Interface: USB 2.0 full speed USB cable: 1.8m, braided, gold plated, removable Dimensions: 377.5(L)*138(W)*33(H)mm (14.9(L)*5.4(W)*1.3(H)inch) Weight: 544 g (1.2 lbs)
The QuickFire TK has a unique layout, it's the first keyboard I've ever had in my hands that has a numpad but no dedicated navigation nor editing keys. In order to make this keyboard more compact than its larger brother, Cooler Master decided to offer these keys as second functionality on the numpad. The arrow keys and the print screen, scroll lock, pause, insert, home, page up, page down, end, and delete keys are all situated on the numpad, you can toggle between regular numpad mode and second functionality by using the num lock key. The QuickFire TK has a length of just 377.5mm, whereas the QuickFire Pro is 454mm long.
Added: December 16th 2012
Product reviewed: CM Storm QuickFire TK mechanical keyboard
Reviewer: Thomas De Maesschalck
Score: 8/10
Page: 1/3
