ROCCAT Ryos MK Glow – Illuminated Mechanical Gaming Keyboard - BLACK CHERRY MX Key Switch

I'm really enjoying this keyboard! This is my first mechanical keyboard and I'm quite pleased. I was worried about the clicking noise that people talk about from mechanical keyboards, but this one is perfect for me as it's not too loud but still gives a little click feedback. I'm happy with all the secondary key functions and am excited to play with the programmable options that this keyboard has to offer. So glad I can set macro keys to system functions! The driver software is awesome.

I will start off by saying that I have never owned a mechanical keyboard or have used a mechanical keyboard before this one, and this is my first actual "gaming" keyboard, so please take that into account when reading this review.So, this is a great keyboard. At the time of writing this review, I've had it for about a week. I did not know what to expect when I first got this keyboard, other than that it should be the "best keyboard I've ever used" since mechanical keyboards are supposedly better than membrane keyboards according to 95% of all reviews and testimonies I've ever read, and I've never owned a mechanical before.I can definitely confirm that this keyboard is nothing like any "membrane" keyboard I've ever used before. The keys look and feel very different, but in a good way. At first, though, I had mixed feelings about them. They felt unnatural and just slightly uncomfortable to use, and I was debating sending the keyboard back. However, I am now finding myself getting used to the keys and they are starting to feel better to use each day. I am still debating on whether or not I will send back the keyboard for a gaming-suitable membrane keyboard, and if I do then I will be sure to edit this review with my reasoning. As for now though, I am leaning towards keeping it.Keys aside, the rest of the keyboard is very comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. I love the lighting and keyboard itself has much utility for gaming while retaining the simplicity that I prefer my keyboards to have. The wrist-rest is nondetachable and some people might find that unpleasant, but I am perfectly fine with it. I don't know exactly how long the keyboard's wire is, but I would say it is probably a good 6 feet. The best word would be "sufficient." Also, I find positioning of the macro keys on this keyboard very ideal.One unique feature of this mechanical board (compared to the other 10-15 boards that I researched) is the thumb macro keys. There are three of them under the spacebar, and I find them incredibly useful. I mostly play FPS games, so I map my grenades/other weapons to those keys because it is more efficient for me. Honestly, after having these keys to play with, I can't imagine playing without them. I suspected they would have much utility in the first place, so since I saw that none of the other keyboards I looked at had them, they were the deciding factor in my purchase of this particular keyboard.For anyone who is deciding whether to buy a mechanical or membrane keyboard, the last thing I have to say is that it truly is a matter of preference. After using this keyboard for a good amount of time, I feel that I still prefer chiclet keyboards a little more, but that should not stop you from buying this keyboard if you like mechanicals. I still think this is a very good board for what it's worth, and is definitely worth a shot if you are in the market for a mechanical keyboard. I like it.To sum up, here are my pros and cons:PROS:- Awesome blue backlighting with 6 different modes- Very useful thumb macro keys- Very nice-looking keyboard- Less prone to making mistakes while typing- Entire keyboard is fingerprint resistant- Wrist-rest is comfortable- Wrist-rest is non-detachable (could be a con for some people)CONS:- Wrist-rest is non-detachable (could be a pro for some people)- Only one option for color of backlight- This keyboard only has the option of coming with Cherry MX Black keysThat concludes my review. I hope it helps!

EDIT 12.25.15I paid to ship it to Roccat for repair, it came back a week later with another light out. This time the period key. Roccat wanted me to pay to send it out again, at $25 a pop, this was getting to be an expensive keyboard. They wouldn't budge either. I'm sure in a week it'll be another key. Only buy this if you're content spending $100 in shipping over it's year of warranty and being without a keyboard for weeks. They're also very snarky with support communication. "I'm sorry to hear that" and that's it. Not a good experience.ORIGINALI needed a new keyboard since the one I had been using bit the dust recently. I thought about Razer, but all their new peripherals use cloud based drivers which is stupid as heck. So I thought I'd try Roccat. I've heard they have very good Linux support and I liked their software from what I could see online.Speculation aside, when I got the keyboard, it was hard to type on. I have typed on mechanical keyboards before, but something about this one makes it really hard to get used to. The spacing between keys seems wider. The hight of the rows are different which really throws you off. I started missing keys a lot more often as well and I'm a programmer by trade. The thing is also huge. I'm fine with big keyboards, but this is a behemoth.I don't often write reviews either. I half wanted to return this keyboard, but thought I'd get used to it. "Four glowing reviews can't be wrong", but now the 'V' key is no longer lighting up. Just over a month and the back-light is failing. I've contacted Roccat support about this and will report on how that works out.

Never owned a mechanical keyboard, and I see what I was missing out on. Keys are extremely responsive, the sound is actually quite nice and the ability to set up profiles for whatever game you're playing is great. LED Backlit keys take some time getting used to though, but you can always turn down the brightness.

Fantastic!

Had some issues getting the software on a reinstall (Keep your disc)Keyboard has nice colorWorks wellPlenty of settings to adjust for different games/gamers

This is a great mechanical keyboard. Bar none