Introduction

MSI has been busy this CES season, releasing more new products than I can count on my fingers and toes combined. There have been plenty of gaming peripherals among those, including two different new keyboards. The subject of this article arguably grabbed my interest more than even the other one, the MSI Vigor GK71 Sonic, owing to a much-needed new entry to the truly low-profile keyboard market. Thanks to MSI for providing TechPowerUp a review sample!


Okay, maybe that was a bit of a stretch since there have been other such low-profile keyboards before. MSI itself has one right now called the GK50 Low Profile, and that is a full-size keyboard using Kailh Choc switches, but I never really understood the need to pair a low-profile switch with a full-size form factor unless you absolutely want something to replace a full-size chiclet keyboard. A tenkeyless (TKL) form factor made more sense to me with the enhanced portability, and guess what we have here today? The MSI GK50 Low Profile TKL is a truncated form of the older, bigger brother that promises good build quality and plenty of onboard and software customization, and we examine all these features in detail in this review that begins with a look at the product specifications in the table below.

Specifications

Packaging and Accessories

Packaging for the MSI Vigor GK50 Low Profile TKL, which I will simply refer to as MSI GK50 LP TKL from now on, is the first sign for many of the recent internal design language changes across MSI products. Indeed, the black and red gamery colors are now replaced by a cleaner and more universally appealing black/white base, which extends to the software suite. The cardboard box is on the thinner side to begin with, which goes well with the low-profile nature of the keyboard inside. On the front is a render of the keyboard all lit up, with the MSI logo and product name to go with salient marketing features. This continues on the back and sides with plenty more features called out and illustrated to where this would be an excellent retail box to help customers make an informed purchasing decision in a brick-and-mortar store. A double flap and seal keep the contents in place in transit.


Opening the box, we see the keyboard tucked between cardboard on all sides for further protection, and it even comes inside a handy carry case. The other accessories are found underneath or to the top in a separate cardboard compartment. This includes a multi-language quick-start guide that goes over the various pre-programmed functions of the MSI GK50 LP TKL keyboard, and I do recommend going over it since it allows for a lot of user customization options without the need for software drivers.


MSI also throws in a handy metal wire keycap puller, which is nice to see from a mainstream brand as it makes removing multiple keycaps collectively without risking scratching the sides of the keycaps easier than with the cheaper plastic ring-style keycap puller. There is also a detachable black USB Type-A to Type-C cable adding to the portability of the keyboard, which of course can be taken around in the thick fabric drawstring carry case you get, too! Lastly, we see two replacement keycaps for Ctrl and Alt, which also tell us the stock keycaps are likely manufactured the same way.