The key removal system is very simple, just click the key-pull into place and a gentle tug is enough to remove the key. Replacement is simply a reversal. I would have liked a satisfying 'click' to ensure the key is securely snapped into position rather than pressing it down with my finger but that said, it's an easy process and hardly rocket science.



Here we see the removed key which shows that this key has undergone a transformation from translucent white to black at some point in its life. This in itself may not be an issue but I hope that the paint will not rub off, only continued and prolonged use can give you that information but upon investigating, I am yet to encounter anyone who has had any such problems. This process is required to allow the LED to shine through the key as if it was sold black and laser etched, the lettering would not be illuminated, only the key surrounding.



This is perhaps the biggest reason you will consider the QPAD MK-80 and is perhaps its most defining feature - the use of Cherry MX blue switches. It's a strange choice for a keyboard that touts itself as Pro gaming as most gamers I have spoken to prefer the Cherry MX Black variant. The blue differs from the black in that it has an audible 'click'. There is also a tactile bump when the key is pressed shortly after the click so both your sense of touch and hearing are alerted to every key press. Whether that's a good or bad thing, only you can decide. It is certainly a break from the norm given that the QPAD's competitors all prefer the Cherry MX Black switches.



The replacement keys, as you can see, have no lettering. I was puzzled at this bizarre choice at first as I saw little point in replacing a worn out key with one which was 'pre-worn'. There is however method to the madness in that these keys will inherently be used for either WSAD or arrow key setups depending on your preference. Ergo, if you have a preference, you have no need to know which key is which as these keys are second nature to a gamer thus no lettering is required. Simple!



The LED's have four levels of brightness and this is controlled via the use of the Fn key and the appropriate Up-arrow (brightness increase) or Down-arrow (brightness decrease). Personally I found that once the level you prefer is attained, you have little need to adjust again but the option is there should you wish.



Unfortunately you are restricted to just one colour of backlight - blue. The LED's can be a little too bright on the highest setting; fine in daylight but too bright at night. However, because each key is individually lit, the backlight is uniform throughout and certainly adds aesthetical and functional appeal. I have been asking for a back lit mechanical keyboard for a while now and I am pleased to report, QPAD's effort works brilliantly and is perhaps the best looking of all the mechanical keyboards we have tested thus far!



While the key lock lights look very good when illuminated, they do not dim with the rest of the keyboard. I am perhaps being a little unfair for criticising QPAD for not dimming the key lock LEDs with the rest of the keyboard but would it really have been so difficult to place the LED's on the same relay? The offset to this of course is that should you choose not to have the backlight on, then the key lock lights would also cease to function. A dimmer switch would however be useful as the lights in this area can be a little distracting when they don't match the effect of the rest of the keyboard.

It's time to put the keyboard to the test now as I give it the gaming treatment...