Black Shark RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard 105 Keys UK Layout Wired Keyboard with Red Switches, Full Anti-Ghosting Keys, Aluminum Base, for PC Windows Gamer

Purchased this keyboard as I wanted a sturdier and more durable unit compared to the standard variety. Item came in full retail packing and was well presented. The keyboard itself was heavy and has a great build quality. Keys have a lovely matt finish, are at the perfect height and very comfortable to use.The top of the unit, under the keys, has a metal covering and the complete unit had a look and feel far exceeding its price tag.However, from the first key press I noticed the excessive key click. This audible feedback, for me, was far to noticeable and distracting. Sharing a room, whilst home working, meant it was impractical to use this whilst working so close to someone else – I think a previous reviewer also commented on this.This was my first mechanical keyboard and I thought I had checked out the various properties associated with each key colour option i.e red, brown, blue switches etc but guess I should have opted for red switches rather than blue ones. Aside from the audible clicks this keyboard is perfect. I was going to give this 4 stars, owing to the excessive audible key clicks, but feel I can’t mark down a product where it meets specification but not my preference so I must give it 5 stars.If anyone is looking to buy this, I would advise them to research the complete range of switches as having returned this, and purchased a red switch variant, I am now completely happy with my choice.

Firstly, I just want to say that I'm writing this review after using the keyboard for only a few hours, so I can't comment on the long-term reliability at all at this point. However, what I will say, based on my usage so far, is this...This is the best keyboard I've ever used. I began my software development career in the 1980s when the very highly regarded "IBM model M" buckling spring keyboards where pretty standard items. I would say the feel and action of this keyboard is definitely comparable. It's satisfyingly clunky to type on -- every keypress is positively affirmed by feel and by sound, just like the old model M. But in addition to the great, positive, key action, you also get a wide choice of of LED lighting -- a configurable background colour (or one of several effects) for the background/border LEDs and various configurable colours and effects for the individual keys. I've settled on a turquoise colour with a relatively low brightness for everything, but there are all sorts of garish options available too. You can configure different colours for each keytop for use with different pieces of software. All of that is configurable using the Function key on the keyboard itself with no additional software required. Or you can switch the LEDs off with Fn+Esc if you prefer.The keyboard works perfectly under Linux too. All the function keys for volume control, media playback/pausing, etc. all seem to work fine on my Ubuntu 20.04 installation. No additional software needed.Obviously, time will tell how robust it turns out to be. But so far, it feels reassuringly solid. The (aluminium, I think?) baseplate is sturdy and it has feet at the back to set it to a decent operating angle.I see a few people complaining about the "noise". Well, it's a proper mechanical keyboard, the clunking, as far as I'm concerned, is a definite plus point and it is nowhere near as loud as the old model m. Although it does kind-of bring back wonderful memories of being in a room full of coders all clanking away on their keyboards simultaneously.If you want a silent keyboard for typing on while your partner sleeps or watches TV or something, then this is not the keyboard for you. If you want the best typing experience, and plan to operate and enjoy the keyboard in room on your own, then you'll struggle to find better I think.

Lovely product positive action easy to install would buy again. I bought this for wifey as she had used her previous keyboard so much, working from home, the letters were worn off the keys. I stuck replacement letters on them but that looked really naff. So I bought this mechnaical keyboard for a birthday present - I know I'm a big (cheap) spender. She loves the multiple colours rotating around the edge of the keyboard, I just left them as the default colours, I forgot to tell her the colours are adjustable, ignorance is bliss, besides it seems that changing them colours take several key strokes, I did change the backlighting below the keys to a comfortable shade of green, very restful, I think. Wifey agrees.The keyboard is a chunky beast and stands out proud on the work table - normally I type without resting my wrists, perfect as the keyboard has no rest areas at all. But I've found that wrist resting and typing from the table postion is easy enough for editing. I'm a high speed left and right single finger typist - I think as I type whereas I know some fellas type faster than they think. I have a soft touch keyboard on my main PC but this mechanical jobby is superior, key clicks are not particularily loud and a slight touch can produce a quiet performance - it really depends on how hard the keys are punched down. Just think of an expert pianist, gentle strokes for gentle tunes. The keys respond with about 1 mm movement or less.

Quite heavy and sturdy, but has an annoying rocking motion if the legs are out (solved with a folded kitchen towel). LED ribbon around the base has some gaps in irregular places, some quite long.LED functions are quite basic, but it's early days, apparently I can get some software for more versatility and control.Overall okay for a budget keyboard.

I think that this particular keyboard is good value for the money. Although this type of mechanical keyboard is quite noisy as the keys are mechanical, I no longer get typing errors as the key press is very positive. So unless you need to use a keyboard in a quiet night time environment, I would certainly recommend this keyboard. I really like being able to set the colour I desire on the key illumination and there are so many choices.