CM Storm Novatouch

[Matt3o]

the prototype has so many issues "heavenly" is the last thing I'd say about it. Anyway, very nice potential.

[Zeal]

Two opposite opinions. I wonder if there are differences between the two of your prototypes, or if it's just a matter of opinion.

[Matt3o]

CM is well aware of all the problems and they are working on them.

All I can say is that my opinion is that of a topre user (I have 3 topre keyboards).

[CommonCurt]

CM is well aware of all the problems and they are working on them.

All I can say is that my opinion is that of a topre user (I have 3 topre keyboards).

Matt,

You probably can't answer this, but is the case design final?  I'm not to keen on the way the sides of the case (towards the back) has that angle to it.

[Matt3o]

All I can say about the case is that all who I asked to really hated the rubber finish. I pointed that out to CM. Hope they will listen.

[CommonCurt]

All I can say about the case is that all who I asked to really hated the rubber finish. I pointed that out to CM. Hope they will listen.

Oh yes.

If they would get rid of the rubber finish then the prototype case would look fine

[tbc]

is it like their QF TK rubber coating?

[blackbox]

is it like their QF TK rubber coating?

Yes it is on the model I tested

[YuukiHaruto]

I'm the only one who likes it then.

[Matt3o]

it's nice to see, but very unpractical.

[HPE1000]

Filco case > QFR case

Although I think the filco has a different type of plastic, I am just talking about the finish.

[Matt3o]

rubber finish attracts grease, dust and wear off with usage. I really don't understand why they keep using it. Evidently gamers don't care durability but just eye candies.

[YuukiHaruto]

I am NOT that kind of gamer although I am a gamer. Done badly, that's what happens to rubber finishes. I've had rubber coated phones for several years and it is still almost as clean as day 1

[Firebolt1914]

Just wondering, is this supposed to be the 'quiet' topres?

[YuukiHaruto]

Just wondering, is this supposed to be the 'quiet' topres?

The answer is ... No.

[Dyslexic]

I am NOT that kind of gamer although I am a gamer. Done badly, that's what happens to rubber finishes. I've had rubber coated phones for several years and it is still almost as clean as day 1

Well, unfortunately, CM have displayed a propensity for doing the rubber finish poorly on this product. I've had 2 QFRs (had to RMA one) and both had issues with the coating out of the box. The corners of the chassis already had blemishes before the product even hit my desk. If they're using the same coating for their topre boards a lot of people are going to be very disappointed with their investment. I was willing to look past it cause the QFR was only $75. If I sink $150 into a keyboard, the coating had better be durable.

[fabioruxo]

do you work for cm? how were you able to get one? also do you know the release date for novatouch? I just bought my first topre (FC660C) thinking that novatouch will not be released anytime soon and next day I see someone with prototype novatouch...

Where did you get the FC660C? I'm searching for it but on ek they're out of stock :-)

EK has blanks and Imsto.cn has (expensive) printed ones. I don't recommend buying a printed one now, though, since the dyesub version is coming soon.

Thanks a ton for the info. I'm not into blanks (my wife gets pissed when she doesn't see printed caps... she's not a touch typist :-) ). And expensive printed ones... me no likey.
So I just ordered a Realforce 87U EK Edition on EK :-D

[YuukiHaruto]

I am NOT that kind of gamer although I am a gamer. Done badly, that's what happens to rubber finishes. I've had rubber coated phones for several years and it is still almost as clean as day 1

Well, unfortunately, CM have displayed a propensity for doing the rubber finish poorly on this product. I've had 2 QFRs (had to RMA one) and both had issues with the coating out of the box. The corners of the chassis already had blemishes before the product even hit my desk. If they're using the same coating for their topre boards a lot of people are going to be very disappointed with their investment. I was willing to look past it cause the QFR was only $75. If I sink $150 into a keyboard, the coating had better be durable.

On *this*? What do you mean by this? 

[Dyslexic]

I am NOT that kind of gamer although I am a gamer. Done badly, that's what happens to rubber finishes. I've had rubber coated phones for several years and it is still almost as clean as day 1

Well, unfortunately, CM have displayed a propensity for doing the rubber finish poorly on this product. I've had 2 QFRs (had to RMA one) and both had issues with the coating out of the box. The corners of the chassis already had blemishes before the product even hit my desk. If they're using the same coating for their topre boards a lot of people are going to be very disappointed with their investment. I was willing to look past it cause the QFR was only $75. If I sink $150 into a keyboard, the coating had better be durable.

On *this*? What do you mean by this? 

Quite right, I should say on the existing QFR line. I haven't seen a Novatouch in person to judge the coating, but based on my own experiences I'd believe what Matteo has to say about the coating.

[rowdy]

I'm the only one who likes it then.

The rubber coating?  I don't mind it (my QFR has silver and QFS has black), but it does attract finger grease and can get a bit shiny where I rest or tap my fingers on the keyboard case top above the arrow keys and sometimes around the function keys.

[YuukiHaruto]

I'm the only one who likes it then.

Agreed.

The rubber coating?  I don't mind it (my QFR has silver and QFS has black), but it does attract finger grease and can get a bit shiny where I rest or tap my fingers on the keyboard case top above the arrow keys and sometimes around the function keys.

[blackbox]

I'm the only one who likes it then.

Agreed.

The rubber coating?  I don't mind it (my QFR has silver and QFS has black), but it does attract finger grease and can get a bit shiny where I rest or tap my fingers on the keyboard case top above the arrow keys and sometimes around the function keys.

I have no problem with the rubber coating on my quickfire xt. But think that the people that complain uses it differently than I do.

[CommonCurt]

I'm the only one who likes it then.

Agreed.

The rubber coating?  I don't mind it (my QFR has silver and QFS has black), but it does attract finger grease and can get a bit shiny where I rest or tap my fingers on the keyboard case top above the arrow keys and sometimes around the function keys.

I have no problem with the rubber coating on my quickfire xt. But think that the people that complain uses it differently than I do.

For some reason (don't know why) the gray QFR cases don't seem quite as bad as the black ones.

That's why I'm hoping they will offer the Novatouch with a gray case option.

[blackbox]

I'm the only one who likes it then.

Agreed.

The rubber coating?  I don't mind it (my QFR has silver and QFS has black), but it does attract finger grease and can get a bit shiny where I rest or tap my fingers on the keyboard case top above the arrow keys and sometimes around the function keys.

I have no problem with the rubber coating on my quickfire xt. But think that the people that complain uses it differently than I do.

For some reason (don't know why) the gray QFR cases don't seem quite as bad as the black ones.

That's why I'm hoping they will offer the Novatouch with a gray case option.

I see. The version I tested had a black case but that might change.

[Matt3o]

let's make it clear. the rubber coating is very nice and makes the keyboard looks cool. it's not a deal breaker nobody won't buy it because of it, but we are talking about a $150+ keyboard meant to last for decades (look at IBM Model M, they still rock after 30 years). If CM wants to produce the "perfect keyboard" has to get rid of the rubber finish because it has NO practical use on a keyboard. it's just a short lasting smokescreen cosmetics.

[CommonCurt]

(look at IBM Model M, they still rock after 30 years). If CM wants to produce the "perfect keyboard" has to get rid of the rubber finish because it has NO practical use on a keyboard. it's just a short lasting smokescreen cosmetics.

Couldn't have said it better.

[Premonition]

let's make it clear. the rubber coating is very nice and makes the keyboard looks cool. it's not a deal breaker nobody won't buy it because of it, but we are talking about a $150+ keyboard meant to last for decades (look at IBM Model M, they still rock after 30 years). If CM wants to produce the "perfect keyboard" has to get rid of the rubber finish because it has NO practical use on a keyboard. it's just a short lasting smokescreen cosmetics.

Just wondering (as I think I have the finish on the TK), is it really a big deal? As in, it's not really a negative in any way, just a positive that doesn't last very long, right?

[esoomenona]

"Nobody ever do anything different. Everything must be made the same as the old way because that's the only way and new things suck."

[Matt3o]

it serves no real purpose. It just attracts dust and grease. Using it for the sake of it is pointless.

Is it a big deal? No.

[davkol]

What kind of finish is that anyway? I suppose it isn't like the one on classic thinkpads (T/X lineup).

[YuukiHaruto]

What kind of finish is that anyway? I suppose it isn't like the one on classic thinkpads (T/X lineup).

I have several T61s lying around 

[davkol]

What kind of finish is that anyway? I suppose it isn't like the one on classic thinkpads (T/X lineup).

I have several T61s lying around 

...and?

[tbc]

i personally like the rubber finish on the TK.  the one on the stealth is different though and isn't that great.

the rubber felling makes the case feel softer when you handle it.  flat plastic just reaps of cheapness.  maybe adding rubber isn't the greatest solution, but doing nothing is the worst 'solution'

[YuukiHaruto]

i personally like the rubber finish on the TK.  the one on the stealth is different though and isn't that great.

the rubber felling makes the case feel softer when you handle it.  flat plastic just reaps of cheapness.  maybe adding rubber isn't the greatest solution, but doing nothing is the worst 'solution'

It does, Flat plastic makes things feel cheap. They (the testers) don't like it but I rather have rubber if they can't make a aluminium faceplate instead

[Premonition]

i personally like the rubber finish on the TK.  the one on the stealth is different though and isn't that great.

the rubber felling makes the case feel softer when you handle it.  flat plastic just reaps of cheapness.  maybe adding rubber isn't the greatest solution, but doing nothing is the worst 'solution'

I agree. Something (albeit small) versus nothing, it still wins out to me. And I really like the TK case, it's very nice and solid.

[kakarlsen]

What kind of finish is that anyway? I suppose it isn't like the one on classic thinkpads (T/X lineup).

I have several T61s lying around 

The T61 didn't have rubber coating, but the newer ones does. I have a Thinkpad X1C that's pushing two years now (with lot's of traveling). Rubber coating is still as new.
Edit: No wait!. *touches my old T61*. It has coating, but only on the screen lid. The newer ones has it on all surfaces. Also; the coating on the corners of the T61 is worn away.

[CommonCurt]

I guess to each his own.  Trying to clean the black rubber coated one without leaving some kind of mark on it is almost impossible.  I really hate it

[YuukiHaruto]

What kind of finish is that anyway? I suppose it isn't like the one on classic thinkpads (T/X lineup).

I have several T61s lying around 

The T61 didn't have rubber coating, but the newer ones does. I have a Thinkpad X1C that's pushing two years now (with lot's of traveling). Rubber coating is still as new.
Edit: No wait!. *touches my old T61*. It has coating, but only on the screen lid. The newer ones has it on all surfaces. Also; the coating on the corners of the T61 is worn away.

Yep!

I guess to each his own.  Trying to clean the black rubber coated one without leaving some kind of mark on it is almost impossible.  I really hate it

I would rather put up with that than have shiny plastic after a year.

[avtar]

Your cases get shiny?

[YuukiHaruto]

Your cases get shiny?

Yup. Every plastic (non-glazed) case I've ever owned gets shiny after a year.

[davkol]

WTF do you do with them? I can't recall the last time I touched my keyboard's case, except putting it in a bag/box when travelling.

[YuukiHaruto]

WTF do you do with them? I can't recall the last time I touched my keyboard's case, except putting it in a bag/box when travelling.

The case referring to the outer shell of the keyboard.

[epzy]

I like touching my cases.

[davkol]

Huh?

I have to admit, you're pretty good at avoiding any explanation of why do your keyboard cases get shiny. gratz

[ynrozturk]

I will probably buy this then just saw the case off.

[YuukiHaruto]

Huh?

I have to admit, you're pretty good at avoiding any explanation of why do your keyboard cases get shiny. gratz

What? My palms touch them everyday and this is a tropical country.

I will probably buy this then just saw the case off.

It's not true rubber anyway. It's just a rubber coating which IMO actually lasts longer than I would admit, rubber. I don't see why it gets so much hate.

[davkol]

Huh?

I have to admit, you're pretty good at avoiding any explanation of why do your keyboard cases get shiny. gratz

What? My palms touch them everyday and this is a tropical country.

I see, but then I suspect your typing technique is to blame, not the keyboard. ~_^

[YuukiHaruto]

Huh?

I have to admit, you're pretty good at avoiding any explanation of why do your keyboard cases get shiny. gratz

What? My palms touch them everyday and this is a tropical country.

I see, but then I suspect your typing technique is to blame, not the keyboard. ~_^

my palm is usually on the table for a non-wristed case but the areas where the palm is joined to ma fingers touch the keyboard. My fingers aren't 10000cm long 

[avtar]

It's not true rubber anyway. It's just a rubber coating which IMO actually lasts longer than I would admit, rubber. I don't see why it gets so much hate.

I'm not a fan of it because I don't want a grease trap:



And as you mentioned in your previous post if the material wears down over time then going with a plastic case seems like a better decision.

[davkol]

Huh?

I have to admit, you're pretty good at avoiding any explanation of why do your keyboard cases get shiny. gratz

What? My palms touch them everyday and this is a tropical country.

I see, but then I suspect your typing technique is to blame, not the keyboard. ~_^

my palm is usually on the table for a non-wristed case but the areas where the palm is joined to ma fingers touch the keyboard. My fingers aren't 10000cm long 

That's exactly what I mean. If you eventually get some sort of RSI in your wrists, don't be surprised.