This is a great keyboard that I would recommend to first-time mechanical keyboard owners and enthusiasts alike. Don't let the unknown manufacturer and the suspiciously low price deter you - this is a fantastic keyboard in so many ways and comes with many different switch and color options to fit your needs.



PROS:

+ Price. You'll be hard-pressed to find a cheaper keyboard that comes with legit Gateron and Cherry MX switches. This aspect alone should be enough incentive for an enthusiast to pick one up just to try some of its more obscure switch options (Gateron Brown/Blue/Yellow, Cherry MX Green/White). Combined with Amazon's generous return policy, this keyboard reduces the amount of commitment to a unique switch type to a record low on a true keyboard.

+ Options. This keyboard has TONS of switch options, several case options, and even multiple backlighting options. Kailh, Gateron, Omron, and Cherry switches are available to try. It's great to see both safe choices as well as more unique and adventurous choices. As seen in the pictures, I went with the silver case, white backlighting, and Gateron Brown switches.

+ Aesthetics. Personally, I LOVE the "floating-keycap" style most widely seen on the Corsair keyboards. The all-white look is not nearly as common as black and looks great on this keyboard. The aluminum backplate is stylish and feels great. The stock keycaps on this keyboard are very good, but not amazing; they're definitely better than most other stock keycaps I've tried on CoolerMaster and Logitech keyboards. The keyboard sounds and feels great. Overall, really impressive build quality for the price (so far).

+ Unique layout. I LOVE the 68-key layout. I use the arrow keys and navigation keys too much to lose them, and even though there's no dedicated function-key row above the number row, getting used to using the FN key has not been difficult. This layout is my ideal compromise between form and functionality.

+ "Standard" keycap sizes. The keycaps on this keyboard are the "standard" size for mechanical keyboards, meaning the spacing of the switches should be compatible with almost all alternative keycap sets. This is very useful for personalizing the keyboard to your liking.

+ Extra features, including DIP switches and backlighting modes. The DIP switches on the back of the keyboard allow for a small amount of customization, including swapping the Windows key and the FN key. The backlighting has 10 levels of brightness and includes a 3-speed "breathing" mode. These are all cherries on top and make this keyboard a great overall package.



CONS:

- Difficult to modify. For those hardcore enthusiasts who are interested in desoldering and swapping out switches, this keyboard seems to make that a difficult task due to obscure screw locations to a poorly-wired PCB.

- Mediocre cable. The rubber-coated cable the keyboard comes with isn't great, and you don't have any routing options other than straight out the back. I do appreciate how the keyboard's USB Mini-B type connector is protected by nesting it in an alcove under the board.

- Non-removable logo. I don't mind the Magicforce label etched into the aluminum plate, but I've heard complaints over it elsewhere.



As you can see, my list of negatives is way shorter than my list of positives, which is why I would highly recommend this keyboard (or some variation) to almost anyone who can handle a cut-down keyboard layout.