QPAD MK-80 Mechanical Keyboard Review

Introduction

We've often discussed the merits of typing on a mechanical keyboard here at OC3D. Indeed if you've never experienced the pleasure, and you find yourself typing anything approaching a reasonable amount, then you're certainly missing out.

The majority of users will be used to a keyboard that relies on either the scissor-style or a membrane for their keys. These are, to use a technical term, squishy. Not only does this give you a an experience akin to prodding custard, but because the keys are reliant upon you reaching the limits of their travel before the keypress is acknowledge then you can quickly become fatigued.

A mechanical keyboard by contrast uses individual switches for each key, and they are capable of providing the key you have pressed long before they reach the end of their travel. So although you might believe that a laptop style gives a shorter keystroke, it's more than likely that a good mechanical keyboard actually requires less travel before activation. Although you might have 6 of total travel, you only require 2mm. So your fingers can skate across it, leading to a much faster and less painful typing adventure.

Technical Specifications

Specifications wise the MK-80 ticks all the boxes we'd expect of a current mechanical keyboard. We have the Cherry MX switches that are the heart of any great keyboard. It's no shock to find them in everything, because they're so perfect. This particular keyboard has the MX Blue's, ones with a microswitch click for additional feedback. As well as those the MK-80 has N-Key rollover for those times when banging your head off the keyboard is the only reply possible to a particularly dull-witted forum post. Otherwise it's the usual extras of media keys, LED lighting, gold connections and USB ports.

• Key switch: Cherry MX blue mechanical switch technology
• N Key Rollover: Gaming cluster with anti ghosting capability
• Key strokes: 50 million
• Lightning: Individual LED backlight
• Lightning features: Four levels of brightness
• Connectors: Gold plated connectors for extremely low latency
• Media keys: Media keys for volume control, play, pause and skip tracks
• USB Hub: Two high speed USB 2.0 ports
• Audio ports: 3.5mm Headphone-out and microphone-in jacks
• Cable: 1.8 meter extra thick cable
• Extras: 4 extra orange key caps and key cap puller
• Dimensions: Keyboard 44.45 x 14.48 x 2.54 cm, Wrist pad 44.45 x 6.1 x 1.4 cm
• Weight: 1.27 kg
• Warranty: 2 year