I have the model with the Brown Cherry MX switches. I have been using a standard unlit silicone/dome style keyboard for many years. I didn't find it hard to switch to this mechanical keyboard. Yes, it makes more noise when typing, but I expected that. It reminds me of the old IBM days.
PROS
* The keys feel great
* The 5 macros keys are a bonus; their location is fine
* Most keys can be assigned a macro or reassigned as another keystroke (not just the 5 macro keys)
* 3 levels of backlighting
* detachable palm rest (attached for my use)
* Mechanical means it will outlast standard keyboards
CONS
* The status lights for NUM/CAPS/SCROLL are not visible at a glance
* Inadequate documentation
The status lights for NUM/CAPS/SCROLL are not visible at a glance; you have to lean forward or to the right to see them (or sit up straight--like your mama taught you!). They are placed too close to the keys, so they cannot be seen over the keys. I'm not sure why they did that, but my guess is that the hardware for the 2 USB ports, mini USB port, and power jack got in the way of placing the lights higher on the keyboard. It's not a big deal...just a minor annoyance.
Documentation consists of a manual that came with it; although it appears thick, it only consists of 2 pages for multiple languages. For additional documentation, go to Cool Master's website. But even there you can't get a decent PDF manual. Instead, you'll find a FAQ (seems to be a collection of user questions), sales brochure, and an interactive guide (i.e., watching examples on video). Who wants to wait through a video for several topics? Not me. I expanded all FAQs and printed them to PDF for later viewing. In the comments of this review, I added links to the documentation.
I have only been using this keyboard for about a week; if I find more CONS later, then I'll update this review.
ITEMS OF INTEREST
POWER ADAPTER
It's not included, but you probably saw that from the description or other reviews. It's no big deal. It only serves 2 purposes: #1 to supply more power to the 2 extra USB ports (if you have power hungry devices that you don't already plug into your PC elsewhere), and #2 to obtain two more backlit brightness levels. This wasn't a CON for me. Why ship a power adapter with the keyboard when most people may not need it? That's a waste.
#1
I already have 4 USB ports on the front of my PC, and I rarely use more than 1 of those at a time (and most of the time, none get used).
#2
The 3 backlit brightness levels that are standard with the keyboard are good enough for me. I only turn-on backlighting during the evening or at night. I don't need it during the day. And when I do use backlighting, I have it turned-on at the lowest level, since I don't want it to be distracting. The lowest level is bright enough for me (and that means the next 2 brightness levels are more bright than what I need, so why buy the adapter for even MORE brightness?).
SOFTWARE
There is no driver software. There is application software for macros; the software does not come with the keyboard (you have to download it from Cool Master's website). I didn't think this was a CON. Software is usually outdated shortly after it's published, and the Trigger's macro software is no exception. As of this review, they are on version 1.2. Just download it.
The software is okay. If you have used macro software before, then you can stumble through it without a manual; if you need some pointers, then check-out the FAQ or interactive guide.
The software can be used to configure the 5 macros keys, or almost any other key on the keyboard (and that last part is not widely publicized, but highly desirable to me). You can have up to 5 profiles plus a standard non-configurable profile (press the Storm key then press ~ or 1-5 to access the profile, where ~ is the non-configurable profile).
You don't need Cool Master's software to manage the backlight brightness settings, the CD controls, or the volume up/down/mute controls.
It takes about 10 seconds for Cool Master's software to load (when you run it...like at startup; and also when you save a macro). That's annoying, but not a CON for me.
I haven't used the OTF (on the fly) macro ability. I prefer to create and test my macros before I use them.
Another reviewer pointed-out that you could use other macro software instead of Cool Master's software (like a free application called autohotkey). I tried autohotkey and it works well. People who have some programming knowledge will find it easier to use than those who have none.
Why WOULD you use autohotkey?
Using Cool Master's software, you are only allowed 25 keystrokes or actions per macro. So far, this limitation has not been a problem for me. Autohotkey does not have this limitation. If I had a larger macro, then I would do one of the following:
1a) Use Cool Master's software and just do 2 or more macros
2a) Use autohotkey
3a) Create the macro with autohotkey, and use Cool Master's software to assign it to one of the M1-M5 keys by using method 1b in the paragraph below.
Why WOULDN'T you use autohotkey?
You can't program the 5 macro keys with it (autohotkey can't recognize them). However, there is a way around this problem: Create a macro using autohotkey. Then create a macro using Cool Master's software and call the autohotkey macro from it; you can do this in one of two ways:
1b) on MACRO STUDIO screen, select the "action" dropdown box and selecting Run; then select the action box again and choose "single key" and type the first letter of the file name, and keep doing that until the file name is spelled-out, then use single key of "enter"; or
2b) on the STORM CFG, click on a key like the letter "J")and use the "launch program" option.
Both Cool Master's software and autohotkey use about the same amount of RAM. I find the Cool Master software good enough for me, and I use it instead of autohotkey.
WINDOWS KEY
Yes, the windows key is replaced by the Storm key (the key with a nautilus or swirl on it...maybe it's a cloud...or even a storm). With the software, you can reassign the left Storm key to be the Windows key. The right Storm key cannot be reassigned.
REASSIGNING KEYS OR USING KEYS WITH MACROS
Using Cool Master's software... ESC, F1-F12, ~, 1-5 (across the top), and the right Storm key cannot be reassigned and cannot be used with macros. Shift, Control, and Alt can be reassigned, but not to macros. All other keys can be reassigned or can be used with macros.
MACROS
In some reviews, people pointed out that when a macro is running, it cannot be stopped. So, if you're in a game, and you have a certain macro that you want to perform an action until you stop it, then you can't do that. Well, you have options within the software when assigning the macro to a key, and here they are:
#1
the macro can be run once and you can repeat it by hitting the macro key again and again (if the macro is short, this might be okay; but pressing the macro key repeatedly somewhat defeats the purpose of having a macro!),
#2
play the macro X number of times,
#3
use the key to toggle the macro on/off,
#4
loop the macro while the key is pressed.
#5
The prior options are present while assigning a macro to a key. This 5th option is not present while assigning the macro to a key. Instead... In the system tray, right click on the Storm icon and select "Execute Macros via AP"; this setting will allow you to interrupt a macro by pressing any other key. This setting will persist/save even after you exit the software (so the next time the software runs--like during the next boot--the setting will still be selected). I use this 5th option. Works great. And if Cool Master had some decent documentation, then there would be less confusion about their products, and possibly more sales (since people would know exactly what their products can do BEFORE buying them).
KEYBOARD LAYOUT
The row of keys across the top (~, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0, -, +) show the shift values on the bottom part of the key and the unshifted values on the top part of the key. For example, a key on a standard keyboard has the number 4 as the main value printed on the key and the $ symbol printed above the 4 on the key; the Trigger is just the opposite. I didn't find this to be a problem, and I may not have noticed it until I read another review that mentioned it. The shifted values are not well lit (they are dimly lit...very dimly lit). That's why Cool Master put the numbered values on the top part of the keys, and the shifted values on the bottom part of the keys.
ELECTRICAL VIBRATION
I noticed that once in a while there is a slight electrical-like vibration on the left part of the keyboard. If my fingers rest on the keys, I can feel it. If I place my fingers on the flat part of the keyboard on the left side, I can feel it. But it rarely happens. And that's the weird part. I've tried the keyboard with the backlighting on/off and with the software running/not running. I don't use the USB ports, and I don't have a power adapter plugged in. I haven't determined what "triggers" it...yet. Since it is intermittent and rare, I have not listed it as a CON.
OTHER
My mouse is a
Logitech Wireless Gaming Mouse G700
, which has 13 buttons (12 are programmable); I really like this mouse. I'm right handed, so I do a lot with the mouse. The placement of the 5 macro buttons on the left side of the keyboard is not a problem for me, because my right hand is really busy with 13 buttons; so, 5 macros on the left side of the keyboard works great for me.
I am happy with this keyboard; and I would purchase another one, if the need arises. If you have questions about the keyboard, please see the first comment to this review for Cool Master documentation and a link to their chat support (or leave a comment for me, and I'll see if I can help).
UPDATE 3/6/13
I purchased a second keyboard (the Blue Cherry MX switches this time) for a family member, and paid 85 bucks for it (and after the 15 dollar rebate, the final price is 70 bucks...excellent price for this keyboard); Amazon was the seller; the rebate is through Cool Master with forms available from Amazon. I tried out the keyboard, and the Blue switches also work great. The Blue switches make a clicking sound (and that's expected), and I liked it. I'm happy with both the Brown and the Blue switches. You may have a preference for click versus non-click, but you can't go wrong with either one.
| Number of USB 2.0 Ports | 2 |
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