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The CM Storm QuickFire Rapid uses genuine Cherry MX keyswitches which are the most common and generally considered the best switches available for keyboards. This means a few things: First, the durability and quality testing are top notch. LinusTechTips took a tour there, and was extremely impressed. They go through vigorous testing, and are the highest quality keyswitches available. Second, because they're standard Cherry MX switches, they are interchangeable with custom keycaps. Down the road, if you prefer you can get your own custom keycaps which totally change the look of your board. From a minimalist design like this to a custom image like this, or even different shaped keys like this you can modify them to your hearts content. See More
Cherry MX switches come in a variety of options which are differentiated by their colour. This keyboard is available with 4 different switches - blue, brown, green, and red. Each has it's strengths and unique feel. Blues are commonly thought of as the best switch for typing as they have a tactile bump and click when they activate. Reds are better suited for quick activations and double tapping and are also quieter as they don't offer a tactile bump or a click. Brown switches offer the same tactile bump as the blue switches, but don't click. Green switches are a heavier blue switch which means it has a click and bump, but takes more pressure to activate the key giving it a different feel. Different people prefer different switches, and it's great that you have a decent selection when looking at the QuickFire Rapid. See More
Not only is the cable detachable, but it has cable routing as well. If you want, you can swap out the included braided cable for a longer/shorter/different coloured one that suits your setup better. Also, if you brake the cable (or your pet does), it's cheap to get a new one and very easy to do. Cable routing helps organize your cables in a more pleasing way. Instead of having the cord come right out the middle of the back, you can have it go on either side of the back which can help make your setup look cleaner. See More
The bezels of the keyboard are small, and the design of the board is minimal instead of gaudy gamer-focused designs. It has a volume roller in the top right accompanied by the mute button which makes the board feel more premium than it's price point would suggest. The keys also appear to be floating - while most keyboards have their keys recessed behind the casing, these ones aren't. this leaves their side exposed, and makes for a more unique design than other boards. See More
There are two switches to choose from: Kailh blue or Kailh brown. The blue switches offer a bump at the activation point as well as a click, while the brown switches offer a bump without the click. These switches are slightly heavier than the corresponding Cherry MX switches, but are similar in the way they act. See More
This keyboard uses the Kailh switches instead of the more common Cherry MX switches. Kailh switches are made in China instead of Germany where the Cherry MX switches are made. The Kailh switches don't last as long, and the quality testing isn't as vigorous as Cherry's. The switch naming scheme is very similar, however Kailh switches are typically heavier than the comparable Cherry switches. See More
While the keyswitches aren't the popular Cherry MX switches, they are still mechanical switches: more specifically Outemu blue switches. These switches are made in China, and work similarly to the Cherry MX blue switches. They offer a tactile bump and a click at the activation point (about half way down) which is not only satisfying to hear and feel, but also provides more accurate and comfortable typing. See More
This keyboard uses the Outemu blue switches which are clones of the massively popular Cherry MX blue switches. There isn't much information available on these Outemu switches, but they are made in China and likely aren't help up to the same standard that the German made Cherry switches are. See More
The stiff membrane keys combined with a short travel distance make this a fairly uncomfortable keyboard to type on for long periods of time. Each press will have you bottoming out the key with some force, which produces more strain on your joints than mechanical keyboards (constant collapsing against a hard surface VS the mechanical switch's activation point which is half way down). See More
Instead of mechanical switches found in higher end boards, this keyboard uses the more common rubber dome (aka membrane) key switches. These switches are cheaper to manufacturer as the activation mechanism is more basic. The key rests on top of a rubber dome, and when the key is pressed the underside of the dome completes an electric circuit which tells the computer that the key has been pressed. Typing on membrane keyboards isn't as comfortable as a mechanical keyboard, as the only way to type is to bottom out the key. See More
Unless you often use the number pad, it's actually better to not have one. It puts your mouse about 3 inches closer to the keyboard which is a more natural position for your shoulder, making it more ergonomic to use for long periods of time (especially when gaming). Because it's shorter, it's also easier to fit into a backpack or bag to bring to or from work/LAN parties/home etc. See More
Chinese knock-off switches quality varies a lot between manufacturers - some knock-offs provide a similar switch to Cherry's MX line of switches, while others have many issues. The switches used in this board are Zorro, and there is almost no information online about them. Based on Amazon reviews, it seems like these switches aren't as high quality as Cherry MX switches and the stems are a bit wobbly. Your mileage may vary. See More
The Zorro switches used offer a tactile bump as well as a satisfying click which signifies when the key has been pressed (activation point is about halfway down the keystroke). These work similar to the extremely popular Cherry MX blue switches. The feedback (both physical and audio) lets you know when the key has been pressed far enough, which lets you type faster as you don't have to press the key down fully. It also lets you know if you mistakenly hit a key, as you'll hear one too many clicks and can correct the typo before typing more. See More