Cooler Master MasterKeys L PBT- Full Size Gaming Mechanical Keyboard, Cherry MX Red Switches, Thick 1.5mm PBT Keycaps

Unit: CM MasterKeys S PBT, Cherry MX brown switchesOS I use: Debian Linux: TestingUPDATE:So, I came back to this review to note something that is a little concerning to me. I've started to notice that my keyboard will occasionally put a second space after pressing the space bar. I dunno if this is just me typing lazily, because these are light switches, or that there is something wrong with the detection of the spacebar. Just something I've noticed, and it gets in the way of my typing when it happens. This didn't happen while I made this review a while back, so maybe I got a defective switch that I just need to replace.Overall:This is a great little keyboard with a lot of features for professional level users, and has a great typing experience to go along with it. Add to the fact that it's driverless, it makes this keyboard a dream for users on any OS. There are many other professionally oriented keyboards that are much more expensive, and at the price this keyboard is listed, makes it a very aggressive competitor that is arguably worth the price.Review:This keyboard is great, and is the best keyboard I have used so far. I used to have a Logitech G610 with brown switches, but slowly realized that, because I use Linux, did not have full control over it. It was also hard to modify, with screws under the thick rubber feet, causing you to ruin your keyboard if you attempted to take it apart.The main reason I bought this keyboard was because it was driverless, much more portable than my previous keyboard, is user serviceable, and had PBT keycaps. I'll go over the main features, and at the end mention the small details that I like or dislike about this keyboard.Driverless:This keyboard is driverless, meaning that it can plug into any type of system, and be fully supported as a standard HID keyboard. This means there is no special software needed to use this keyboard. In the manual, they keyboard has different things you can do with the function key, which are:-Change keyboard layout (Windows, Linux, Mac)-Change keyboard type (qwerty, dvorak, workman)-Change repeat rate (this is fairly useless in my opinion, as this should always be handled by the OS and not the keyboard. This is part of the reason why I dropped a star)-Meta/home key lock (the symbol used for this is a windows icon, which is a little disappointing. I don't use this, as I use meta+zxc to switch between desktops)-Multimedia control (volume, skip track, play/pause/stop)-Macro recording-factory resetMost of these features are good, except the rate repeat, and the macro system. Macros can be very useful for certain applications, but the way it's implemented on this keyboard is not very good. When recording a macro, it actually records the time between hitting keys, so when you play it back, it types it out exactly how you recorded it. This is inconvenient, as macros should be instantaneous. It could be useful in some cases, however it would make more sense if there was at least an option for instant output.Overall, this keyboard has nice driverless features that save even when the keyboard is off, like layouts and macros.Portability:The keyboard is tenkeyless, and is perfect for bringing to places. It has a detachable cable that comes with it that is braided, and is of a nice length that isn't too long or too short. The ends of it are also of a nice quality, and are made of a nice heavy plastic. The only problem with this is that for some reason CoolerMaster has decided on using micro USB, rather than mini USB, or even USB C. Micro USB is objectively a less durable connector, and subjectively more annoying than other options. This disappointed me, and adds to the reason why this review is 4 stars. However, it should be fine if you leave a cable plugged in, just make sure that you find a cable length that works with being at your desk and being somewhere with a laptop.User Serviceable:One thing that I was excited about with this keyboard was with how I could take it apart without breaking it. It's secured by one screw, that mainly is only there to ensure warranty (you must break a warranty sticker). After removing the screw, the shell is a two-part system that is clipped together, and can be taken apart using a spudger.After removing the front shell, you will see the metal plate, as well as a daughter board that is connected to the below PCB using pins. This is actually a very smart and modular design that CoolerMaster made. With time and resources, you could replace the board with a custom made one that would allow you to fully program your keyboard to your liking. Sadly, there aren't many options already available for doing that, but I'm sure there will be more in the future.Taking out the PCB, you can get to the bottom of it. The solder joints are good, but some flux is still visible, but that doesn't really affect anything. There is a clip cable that connects to the bottom shell, which is the micro USB port. It's screwed into the bottom shell, and can be removed. The USB cable clip on the PCB is strange, and I couldn't figure out how to remove it without putting a lot of pressure on it, which would risk breaking it, so I didn't try to remove it any further. With the way this keyboard is set up, you could definitely switch out or replace switches with alternative ones, which I may attempt at some point.There is one thing that worried me though. When unscrewing the PCB from the bottom shell, there should be two screws. Mine for some reason had one. This shouldn't affect much of anything for me, but I'm disappointed that QC didn't notice this.Keycaps:The keycaps that come with this board are 1.5mm thick PBT plastic, which is extremely durable and has a great typing feel. There are many keycaps like it on the market, but the quality shows on this keyboard. They are top printed with either laser etching or pad printing, but either way, the type face will start to discolor and disappear, so keep some new keycaps in sight for the future. One thing that I like about the printing is how the meta/home keys don't have a particular OS, but have the CoolerMaster logo. I think this is pretty cool, but some reviewers don't like it. The type face isn't gamery at all, so I could easily bring this out in public without being embarrassed. For the wide keys, the keyboard uses Costar bars for stabilization. Although less elegant, it gives the spacebar a satisfying clunk when you bottom it out. Overall, the keycaps are great, but because they are laser/printed, you may need to buy a new set at some point.Other details:-There is no logo anywhere on the shell other than the bottom, so you can replace the meta keycaps and truly make the keyboard your own, just like the CoolerMaster slogan.-The indicator lights for capslock and such use these white LEDs that are great. Many keyboards use extremely bright white LEDs that can be distracting, but this keyboard uses a dim enough to not be distracting white set of LEDs. This is a great touch that I wish other companies would do.-This keyboard is super solid. The metal plate inside makes it super rigid and heavy, and give the entire keyboard a sense of quality. It barely flexes. The plastic shell is also a matte black ABS, which is great for keeping fingerprints invisible.-One thing I noticed is that some keys made a pinging noise when I started using it, but it slowly went away as I used the keyboard. In general, this keyboard is a tad bit loud with brown switches, but not unbearable.Overall:This keyboard is great for people like me that want to bring their keyboard with them, and have a solid typing experience at the same time. Everything about this keyboard is designed to make the user happy, with the lack of branding (on the shell), and the ability to even change out the logic board for a custom one if you want. It looks like a normal keyboard, so using it in public isn't embarrassing. It's just how simple and well made this keyboard is that makes it my current favorite, and I recommend anyone buy this keyboard if they are on a budget, and want a keyboard that won't fail them. The only reason why I removed a star is because of all of the small things that added up, and they don't really bother me in the long run anyway.

I don't even know where to start.As a consumer non-custom board, the inclusion of PBT key caps from a major computer peripheral producer remains a pretty exclusive feature among mechanical keyboards. Often relegated only to high-end custom builds, PBT key caps are known for their more durable feel and their reluctance to ever wear down. When I received my keyboard, at first I was a little disappointed by what at first seemed like low quality key caps from a visual stance alone, however after using the keyboard for nearly 3 weeks I can say these are some pretty dang good key caps. They're more smooth than what one may be used to coming from something like a DIY board with $80 key caps alone or a buckling spring Model M but they're definitely miles better than any ABS key cap set that comes on pretty much any other main stream mechanical keyboard.Gushing about the key caps aside, the design of the keyboard with its minimal focus (no LED's, practical and sophisticated legend, and minimal branding) hooked me instantly. The only choice that mars the design even in the slightest is that the Windows/Mac keys are replaced with "Cooler Master" keys which are the only give-away that this keyboard may be a "gaming" keyboard. But, I bet with minimal searching, if anyone wanted to, replacing the windows keys would be extremely easy. Other than that, I was also slightly disappointed with how the legend on the keyboard is only lasered in, but seeing as how the caps themselves are very high quality, even if the letters are worn down after a few years use I don't see why I couldn't just sand them down and go for a letterless look.For performance, this keyboard is also a dream. It's native 1000hz response rate, exceptionally precise key de-bounce, and N-key rollover made it a must for me as an Osu! and FPS gamer, but I feel that these specs are great and should be a requirement for any gaming or typing in general. I have a typing speed of around 120 wps with around 97% accuracy on average and I have never once felt slowed down by this keyboard, even though I'm used to heavier blue or brown switches. My only complaint is that the caps lock, shift, and other big keys are too sensitive / easy to push down and as a preference I would have liked to see those keys have black switches to compensate, but other than that I can see the utility of having fast response on those keys as well.Overall, this keyboard for me is more of a 4.8/5, due to the lasered legend, the cooler master branding, and my own personal preferences, but it is definitely the first keyboard I'll recommend to any of my friends, peers, or coworkers who are looking for a high quality, low visual impact keyboard.

Llevo unas pocas horas usándolo desde que me llego y les puedo decir que es un teclado muy cómodo, anteriormente tenía (todavía lo uso) el CM Storm Quickfire TK Cherry MX Blue, no es para nada un mal teclado, al contrario me encanto. Compré el teclado por simple gusto de querer probar lo que son los Cherry MX Brown.**Actividades que hago con el teclado**|Juego varios tipos de videojuegos - Osu! - LeagueOfLegends. - Counter Strike: Global Offensive. - Starcraft II. - World of Warcraft. - Call Of Duty.|Realizo programación|Realizo documentos Word, PowerPoint, etc.|Dibujo y edito imágenes en PS y Paint SAI.|Edito Audio.Con eso dicho, daré más adelante a más detalle lo que son los pros y contra del teclado, pero "so far, so good".**Pros** - Silencioso. - Cómodo (las teclas son suavecitas, no al punto que sean almohadas obviamente). - Diseño muy simple, pero eso no lo deja hacer notar. - Configuraciones de Macroteclas. - Teclas multimedia con la tecla de "FN". - Material de calidad. - Tiene "patitas" que levantan el teclado. - Usa cable microUSB y de muy bien material (llega el cable hasta mi PC pero me gustaría un poco más de longitud).**Cons** - Las "patitas" que sirven de soporte para el teclado para que se levante son algo débiles; levanto las patitas, empujo el teclado un poco adelante y como que le gana el peso y se caen. - Las teclas de QWERASD que te dan, al ponerlos al teclado siento que no están en su lugar, IMO.- El cable es algo corto, en mi caso.- No resiste mucho a juegos donde usas algo "agresivo" las teclas como lo es en mi caso del juego osu!DD/MM/AAAA**09/03/2018||Notas||- Tres teclas parecen despintarse, el CTRL izquierdo (No lo uso), el SHIFT de la izquierda (Lo uso mucho) al igual que el de la derecha.- Me acostumbre demasiado al teclado; aprovecho al máximo lo que son las MACRO teclas que tiene para configurarse.DD/MM/AAAA***07/04/2018||Notas||- Al utilizar mucho osu!, una tecla ya no entra dentro del teclado, no me importo mucho porque le puse otra tecla diferente.- Noté que el cable es algo corto, compre otro más largo.DD/MM/AAAA***07/10/2018||Notas||Hola, después de un buen tiempo de uso el teclado creo que ya esta llegando a su límite de uso, me sorprende ya que lo usé/uso muchísimo, desde programar, trabajar y jugar varios juegos diferentes. Hasta el momento tiene esto el teclado: - La tecla X, A y 1 a veces se escriben 2-3 veces con una presión, a veces si escribe bien o simplemente no lo detecta.Y oh sorpresa, nada más eso, es uno de los teclados más duraderos que he tenido por el uso que le he dado. Un gran teclado, ya lo voy a sustituir dentro de unos meses, talvez en diciembre. Sigo recomendándolo.DD/MM/AAAA***08/14/2020 - Si, Agosto 14 del 2020

This is THE BEST mainstream keyboard out there for serious typists, BUT it does not have LED lighting.I really, really liked this keyboard's PBT keycaps. It is amazing how PBT and the extra keycap thickness really improve the feel and the entire typing experience.It is not easy to describe the feel -- but I will try my best. Basically, with the PBT material keycap and its extra thickness, pressing on a key (I am using the Cherry MX Red linear switches as reference here) feels like you are pressing down on a solid object rather than a plasticky, flimsy, thinner regular keycap. By "solid," I mean the PBT keycap does not have that cheap "hollow" plastic feel to it when you press. The force needed for each press is still the same as with regular keycaps -- actually, I would say these PBT keys feel like they need slightly less force to press than the regular keycaps, because each PBT keycap is heavier with gravity and thus needs less additional downward force from the press to activate the switch spring.But I digressed. The point is that the combination of the "solid" feel of the PBT keycaps and also the fact that the force needed for each press is same as (or actually slightly less than) that for regular keys -- creates a LUXURIOUS, SILKY typing experience. Try it and you will know what I mean.Overall, this keyboard is very well-build (similar to the Cooler Master MasterKeys L Pro, which I also got). However, this keyboard has an additional advantage -- the additional side balancing guards underneath those longer keycaps (such as the SPACE BAR, SHIFT and ENTER keys) in this keyboard uses a different mechanism compared to other keyboards that I have seen -- they have an additional steel beam support that adds steadiness to the press -- so you don't get that shaky, clunky, inconsistent press as you would with those longer keys in other keyboards. Pressing the SPACE key for example on this keyboard feels steady, even if you press it on one side -- without that annoying vibration. So you get very consistent presses for the SPACE and ENTER SHIFT DELETE keys. Amazing!Should you buy this keyboard? It depends.If you are a real elite typist, and absolutely demand a top-quality, professional-grade, no-nonsense, no-compromise device that is designed for serious typing, then YES, absolutely buy this keyboard at once, because I think there's no other keyboards in the mainstream market that are as good as this keyboard (and yes, I looked and looked, researched and examined in detail, and have tried many, many keyboards).But if you need LED backlighting....tough luck. This keyboard -- because it is so elite -- does not have time for that trivial nonsense. I am not being sarcastic here because I really respect the no-nonsense, professional build of this serious keyboard.I _really_ wanted this keyboard since I type a lot and I am super picky about the feel of keycap presses but my environment is low-light and darkish -- so I would need an LED backlight (or a desk lamp). So sadly, I had to return this as it would be difficult to see the keys without LED backlighting in a dark room.So sad.... Cooler Master, please make a version of this with LED lights. I will be the first in queue to buy it.

After much research, I settled on this Cooler Master SGK-4035-KKCM1-US MasterKeys L PBT- Full Size Gaming Mechanical Keyboard as a companion to my laptop. I also bought a great laptop docking station.The Cherry MX brown provides the perfect tactile balance for the keys. This keyboard makes typing fun. Everything is smooth and the keys are responsive without being springy. I wish it were LED / backlit, but this version doesn't come with it (it is available on another model). The Screenlock and Caps Lock buttons do light up, though - and it's a super bright red colour.Of course, being a gaming keyboard, it comes with key caps to switch out for the relevant keys. It comes with the cap replacer tool to make it easy to change them.An interesting feature is you can configure the keyboard for Mac, Linux or Windows OS. You can change the layout by using one of the Function buttons. Dvorak and Workman layouts arranges the keys in a unique way that differs from QWERTY for those who require it or desire it over the traditional layout.You can store macros in the keyboard as well - great for gaming. Another unique function is you can set the repeat rate - which controls the speed with which a key is repeated when held down. It can be set for really quickly, or more slowly.It's also great there are keyboard shortcuts for audio controls you can use as shortcuts for listening to Google Play at work rather than having to mouse up.As this keyboard is used in an open office, it was important to not get a keyboard that would be too 'clack'y. These Cherry Mx brown switches are a great balance for this.I appreciate the full size keyboard with the numbers on the side vs the more compact version of this keyboard.After about 9 months of use, I'm starting to see *some* slight wear on the space bar finish, but it's not really noticeable. In sum, this is a fantastic keyboard and I'm really happy with this choice.

This was my first mechanical keyboard purchase, and I was searching for something simple and productivity-focused, with a budget of about $100. After some research, I was debating between this and the iKBC CD108, but decided to go with the more reputable brand name of Cooler Master.When I first received the keyboard, I was overall pleased with it. Here are some of my favourite attributes of the keyboard:- Non-Flashy, Professional Design- Sleek Case- Genuine Cherry MX Switches (I got Browns)- Easily Hardware-Swappable to Macintosh Mode- Beautiful Status Lights (Crisp White LED)However, there were two drawbacks that were deal-breakers for me:1. Space Bar was extremely loud and shaky. Every time I hit it, there was a significant sound of metal rattling. This not only increased the volume of the keyboard, but gave it a "cheap" feeling.2. Although the keycaps are PBT, they aren't Doubleshot. With Doubleshot PBT, the letters are actually a separately-coloured piece of plastic embedded in the keycap, so they can never wear out. However, with this keyboard, they are simply printed on. This means that they can wear out. Worse, my keyboard arrived with some keys already fading, and certain keys (like the Q) had been double stamped - one stamp slightly beside the other.These are issues that I didn't consider to be acceptable at this price point, and therefore I have returned the keyboard to Amazon. After doing more research and talking to friends, I learned that Ducky is a brand that uses Doubleshot PBT keycaps, and are known for their superior build quality. As such, I decided to order a Ducky One 2 Skyline. It cost me only $7 CAD more than this keyboard, which is well worth it for the Doubleshot PBT keycaps, let alone the better build quality.Overall, if you're okay with a bit of a louder keyboard and imperfect keycaps, then this may be the right option for you. However, for just a small increase in price, better offerings can be had from Ducky.

I was looking for a tenkeyless keyboard with brown switches to help with my debilitating chronic wrist tendinitis. My brother, who's a keyboard collector, has this brand (with silver switches) and he recommended it to me due to its good value. He was right because it was love at first sight and touch for me.I loved the minimum effort required to surface type (type without pressing down fully to use less effort) on this keyboard. From the low tension springs to the very subtle tactile bump, this keyboard was perfect for surface typing with my weak wrists (much easier than red switches). The thick and solid keycaps feel much better than regular keycaps and the look is minimalistic and slick with a matte finish. It also comes with additional red keycaps for WASDQER.In conclusion, I would have gave this a 5 star rating if not for a few things: short 2m cable, some of the bigger keys are shaky which makes pressing the corner of them way harder, some keycaps have white outlining on their bottom edges due to imperfect moulding, and the Ctrl button is smaller than that of the default keyboard which puts the Ctrl and Alt buttons off-centered by 0.3cm (I only noticed because I use Excel shortcuts all the time). All these quality issues, especially the shaky keys, shouldn't exist in a $100 keyboard so I took 1 star off.Update (3 months later): I initially had a few issues with the inconsistent tension between keys and between two copies of this keyboard, but the keys did eventually break in and I don't notice the tension issues anymore. Now I have grown to love the keyboard for its lightness and minimalism, and my wrist doesn't hurt as much from typing anymore!