QPAD Announces the MK-80 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

[btarunr]

The world-renowned premium gaming gear company QPAD sets a new standard in keyboard performance with the MK-80 Mechanical keyboard. Targeted at pro gamers and demanding enthusiasts, this full size board boasts to bring a new dimension to the gaming experience. This keyboard is packed with state of the art technology such as individual LED:s for each key and switches plated with gold/silver alloym but it's the core functionality of the board that really makes it unique: The QPAD MK-80 Mechanical key technology.

Unlike your average keyboard, that functions through rubber domes, forcing you to press each key all the way down in order for the stroke register, the MK-80 sports true mechanical switches with unmatched accuracy and feel. No more pressing cheap plastic bits with full-force in order to activate the keys. The QPAD keyboard will respond to your every move in an instant.



Other boards normally have a short life span and wear out quickly, resulting in unresponsiveness, delays and a dull, clunky feel to the keys. For most gamers, as well as professional typists, it’s all about the feel, and that is where the QPAD MK-80 truly shines!

Each key is built to last 50 million strokes, and the QPAD MK-80 mechanical key technology provides distinct feedback and puts you in absolute control. The travel distance of the keys is set to 4mm with an actuation point at 2mm. Typing or gaming on the QPAD MK-80 simulates the experience of a mouse click: you press it, you hear it and you feel it.

QPAD strongly recommend their board to be set up via the PS/2 connector when possible. This will enable unlimited amount of simultaneous key presses, and since USB connected keyboards force your CPU to take time polling the strokes, it will also allow your computer to focus on what you want it to: running your game as fast as possible.

The QPAD MK-80 comes with a two-port high-speed USB hub, 3,5mm headphone & microphone jacks and a detachable wrist pad. Four different backlight levels allow you to find the right key, day or night, in any situation. Other nifty functions include full N-key roll over with PS/2 or 6 key roll over with USB, gold plated connectors for extremely low latency, media keys for volume, control, play, pause and skip tracks. The board also supports full anti-ghosting with additional PS/2 plug.

Over all, this unique high end keyboard carries the potential to set a new standard in computer peripherals.

QPAD will present the MK-80 to fans, gamers, the industry, and the world, for the very first time at Norway's biggest gaming convention: The Gathering, held in Hamar, Norway.

Features:

• Key switch: Cherry MX blue mechanical switch technology
• N Key Rollover: Gaming cluster with anti ghosting capability
• Key strokes: 50 million
• Lightning: Individual LED backlight
• Lightning features: Four levels of brightness
• Connectors: Gold plated connectors for extremely low latency
• Media keys: Media keys for volume control, play, pause and skip tracks
• USB Hub: Two high speed USB 2.0 ports
• Audio ports: 3.5mm Headphone-out and microphone-in jacks
• Cable: 1.8 meter extra thick cable
• Extras: 4 extra orange key caps and key cap puller
• Dimensions: Keyboard 44.45 x 14.48 x 2.54 cm (17.5 x 5.7 x 1 inch), Wrist pad 44.45 x 6.1 x 1.4 cm (17.5 x 2.4 x 0.55 inch)
• Weight: 1.27 kg (2.8LBS)
• Warranty: 2 year

[Mescalamba]

That design looks like 20yrs back. Ugly, is word that comes to my mind. Though its interesting how pretty much every manufacturer decided to make at least one mechanical keyboard. Im curious how high quality will everyone of them offer..

[tmh]

So did QPAD buy iOne/XArmor's design or what? Oh, and if you're going to market a keyboard towards 'gamers', put Blacks in it, not Blues.

[techtard]

20 years back, they knew how to build keyboards right.
I still got a few old IBM and other mechanical keyboards in working order.

Decent looking offering.

[micropage7]

look at the design, i dont judge its bad but it aint looks different than normal keyboard just note: its mechanical keyboard

[Jack Doph]

Originally Posted by tmh

if you're going to market a keyboard towards 'gamers', put Blacks in it, not Blues.

I'm confused.. a black keyboard, with black keys .. is somehow not black?

[nemesis.ie]

Sorry, but I really don't want lightning in my keyboard, I can't imagine being shocked every time you touch it will do anything positive for your gaming experience.

Methinks they need to hire a good proof-reader for their press releases.

We can assume they mean "lighting" though, I think.

[Jack Doph]

Originally Posted by nemesis.ie

Sorry, but I really don't want lightning in my keyboard, I can't imagine being shocked every time you touch it will do anything positive for your gaming experience.

Methinks they need to hire a good proof-reader for their press releases.

We can assume they mean "lighting" though, I think.

Nah mate.. They want you to "feel" the experience XD

[tmh]

Originally Posted by Jack Doph

I'm confused.. a black keyboard, with black keys .. is somehow not black?

Sorry, I was talking about the keyswitches. MX Blacks are much more linear than MX Blues are, and are usually preferred over MX Blues for gaming.

[nINJAkECIL]

Originally Posted by tmh

Sorry, I was talking about the keyswitches. MX Blacks are much more linear than MX Blues are, and are usually preferred over MX Blues for gaming.

Wether black or blue, you can't see the switches. It's underneath the keypad.

QPAD choose Cherry MX Blue coz they want us to feel the tactical feedback and also the audible 'click' sound when the key near reaching actuation point. The Cherry MX Black, as far as I know, doesn't provide the audible 'click' sound.

[Dippyskoodlez]

I wish this were out sooner... my G15 is aching for an upgrade.... it's only about 7 years old...

[KieranD]

If they keep the mechanical keyboards coming maybe they will drop in price, also they are rare over here in the UK for some obscure reason. I think they are expensive because you have to actually consider that the individual keys cost more than membrane ones, the boards are generally more solid built.

TBH, doesn't look that bad i don't know what the aesthetic complaints are for.

EDIT: I have a G15 revision II and kinda now regret buying it although im fairly certain i will make my money back just wish i could swap it for a mechanical keyboard!

[fenurch]

Personally I like the design but since it's QPAD, I'm going to assume that this keyboard will be more expensive than the alternatives purely because QPAD only have 1 headset and it costs like 300 Euro.

[erixx]

Beauty! Only lacks macro keys.

[newfellow]

why o why the high profile keys.

[pentastar111]

I have their mouse...It is the best mouse I have ever used. If this keyboard's build quality is the same as this mouse in quality, I'm sure this keyboard will be a very good one. If I hadn't already bought this Deck, I'd probably give the thing a try.

[BumbleBee]

Originally Posted by tmh

So did QPAD buy iOne/XArmor's design or what? Oh, and if you're going to market a keyboard towards 'gamers', put Blacks in it, not Blues.

iOne manufactured it. it's like when Sony puts Samsung panels in their televisions.

[kaneda]

I'd use it,
Screw the haters

[Scrizz]

Originally Posted by kaneda

I'd use it,
Screw the haters

that's what I'm saying!