I don't see anything different from the normal rapid other than the fancy backlighting. I'd go for the normal rapid/stealth, but that's just me, since I don't need backlighting---even though some of the lighting effects seem cool.
I have this keyboard and as far as the functionality and build quality goes is its awesome keyboard. The per-key backlighting is good ever for user that dont need backlighting since you can just light up WASD or other keys for specific tasks.
However I wont recommend it. Keyboard has tons of issues. Well not tons but a huge one and thats something with the firmware. Here is the description of the issue http://community.coolermaster.com/index.php/topic/11379-cm-storm-rapid-i-doesnt-start-sometimes/ . I havent contacted CM support about it yet since i doubt that they will help and most likely they know about it so I just waiting for better firmware.
Did the problem occured immediately or after some time? Thats surely quite bothersome :/
Why didnt you return it if it was out of the box issue? :o Well if it doesnt happen over time but out of the box thats ok i guess, since i would just return it. Damn... too bad that i cant find K70 brown anywhere in my country :/
I encountered my first Rapid-i in the wild the other day.
For some reason the build quality felt a little bit better than the normal Rapid. I can't be sure but it felt a little heftier. I'd be interested to see a teardown and comparison of the two because I was under the impression that the internals were more or less the same. I didn't much care for the fugly stock keycaps or the smooth plastic finish on the case, though.
I'd say it's a decent board if you intend to replace the keycaps with something better.
I encountered my first Rapid-i in the wild the other day.
For some reason the build quality felt a little bit better than the normal Rapid. I can't be sure but it felt a little heftier. I'd be interested to see a teardown and comparison of the two because I was under the impression that the internals were more or less the same. I didn't much care for the fugly stock keycaps or the smooth plastic finish on the case, though.
I'd say it's a decent board if you intend to replace the keycaps with something better.
Probably not: It's only a couple grams. I bet it has a dual-layer PCB to get the routing for all the LEDs working and that's part of why it feels different.I encountered my first Rapid-i in the wild the other day.
For some reason the build quality felt a little bit better than the normal Rapid. I can't be sure but it felt a little heftier. I'd be interested to see a teardown and comparison of the two because I was under the impression that the internals were more or less the same. I didn't much care for the fugly stock keycaps or the smooth plastic finish on the case, though.
I'd say it's a decent board if you intend to replace the keycaps with something better.
the extra electronics involved in the LEDs might have had something to do with the heaviness
Probably not: It's only a couple grams. I bet it has a dual-layer PCB to get the routing for all the LEDs working and that's part of why it feels different.
I found something here: http://www.modders-inc.com/cm-storm-quickfire-rapid-keyboard-review/3/
Thanks!Show Image(http://www.modders-inc.com/wp-content/uploads/image//2014/05/a242.jpg)
Yep: 2 layer PCB for sure (and check out those banks of transistors powering the LED matrix! I think I see ~28; so many options.) not sure about the soldering quality, but it looks like it's decent enough that it wont randomly fail on you.
Also a big fan of the USB connector.
I found something here: http://www.modders-inc.com/cm-storm-quickfire-rapid-keyboard-review/3/
Thanks!Show Image(http://www.modders-inc.com/wp-content/uploads/image//2014/05/a242.jpg)
Yep: 2 layer PCB for sure (and check out those banks of transistors powering the LED matrix! I think I see ~28; so many options.) not sure about the soldering quality, but it looks like it's decent enough that it wont randomly fail on you.
Also a big fan of the USB connector.
Oh, they just power the LEDs and allow them to turn on/off. They need so many because they need to be able to address each LED individually for the cool lighting effects they do.
As far as "better" or worse than the TK: hmm it varies. I'm really not a fan of the soldering in that picture, but the rest of the build quality is nice (good PCB, great USB jack, I wouldn't expect it to break). They are both good options. As with many mechanical keyboards, there is no clear winner, just tradeoffs.
If you need a numpad, the obvious choice is to get a lightsaver :p
I have this keyboard and as far as the functionality and build quality goes is its awesome keyboard. The per-key backlighting is good ever for user that dont need backlighting since you can just light up WASD or other keys for specific tasks.You just saved my from a potential disaster. I have been looking into that board for a while and almost bought one.
However I wont recommend it. Keyboard has tons of issues. Well not tons but a huge one and thats something with the firmware. Here is the description of the issue http://community.coolermaster.com/index.php/topic/11379-cm-storm-rapid-i-doesnt-start-sometimes/ . I havent contacted CM support about it yet since i doubt that they will help and most likely they know about it so I just waiting for better firmware.
You just saved my from a potential disaster. I have been looking into that board for a while and almost bought one.
Well so lets sum it up... is this keyboard worth 115$? :)
What is wrong about the soldering? :/ I wouldnt want few switches to stop working after few months or stuff :/There isn't enough solder on some of the switches leaving a hole. It doesn't look like it'll fail, but I still don't like it. if this were my KB, I'd open it up and reflow all the joints.