QPAD MK-80 Keyboard Review

👤by Richard Weatherstone Comments 📅06-11-11
Conclusion

Depending on which side of the fence you are, QPAD MK-80 could be labelled an evolution of mechanical keyboards or the bastard love child two totally separate entities. Either way there can be no doubting that aesthetically at least, the keyboard is a good looker and not the Quasimodo it could have been.

The LED lighting works very well with each key illuminated strongly giving a faint afterglow to the surrounding area. While the controls of LED's are basic, they function enough to deliver individual appeal whatever your preference. My one criticism in this area is the key lock lighting which could have been better thought out.

The plush, rubberised effect plastic used on the QPAD is very nice to the touch, certainly more so than the cheap brittle plastics used in the previous mechanical keyboards we have tested. This plastic is also used in the wrist rest which while small, is functional as a palm-rest unless you have childlike hands. The replacement orange keys are in total contrast with the rest of the keyboard and thus work very well, even though they have no lettering which makes them truly modular. So, overall I believe aesthetically, QPAD have created a very neat, good looking keyboard.


I keep lingering on the usage of Cherry MX Blue switches and for good reason. Those who have never used a mechanical keyboard will certainly find it odd but because there is no basis for comparison to other keyboards, will no doubt appreciate the tactile feel. The mechanical clicks of each keystroke will either be a love it or hate it scenario. Personally I quite liked the sound, especially while typing which brings me on to the feel of the keyboard. For gaming it did not feel quite as nice to use as a Cherry MX Black equipped keyboard. The keys did not feel anywhere near as linear and like the rubber domed keyboards, had a slight 'wobble' effect to them. This is fine if you are typing but after experiencing the precision offered by MX Blacks, I feel a little short changed.

Should you have the opportunity to try both MX Black and MX blue keyboards (and I do recommend you do try both) then you may well prefer the tactile feel of the blues. Certainly for long typing they felt better than the blacks but for raw gaming, the MX black key switches appealed more to my tastes. In short, QPAD have set out to create a keyboard that has wider appeal than those who only cater for gamers. For the most part, they have succeeded in their remit.

Personal preferences aside, the decision to go with MX Black or blue switches will depend on whether you want an all-round keyboard that not only looks the part but is great to use in all scenarios or a keyboard that is built solely for one purpose, gaming and to hell with everything else. If it is the former then the QPAD MK-80 is an excellent choice that will give you years of high performance along with long, reliable service and for that reason deserves our Silver and Vortez Approved awards.

Pros
+ Cherry MX Blue Mechanical Switches
+ Robust Keyset
+ Clicky, tactile key strokes
+ USB & Audio Hub
+ Expensive plastics
+ Optional replacement keys
+ Adjustable backlight

Cons
- No Key lock LED brightness adjustment
- No macro capability
- Cherry MX Blue switches may not appeal to some gamers




Click here for an explanation of our awards at Vortez.net. Thanks to QPAD for providing todays review sample.

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