“Allow’s relocate onto the peripherals.” It’s a sentence I always dread hearing throughout a CES booth trip, specifically amongst traditional brands like MSI. I know I’m in for a variety of keyboards that do not come close to the very best gaming key-boards, and they usually come at a shocking rate. However MSI left me gobsmacked at CES 2025 with its new $ 80 mechanical key-board.
It’s called the Forge GK 600 TKL Wireless, and it puts practically every video gaming keyboard I’ve attended shame. Not just is it loaded with costs design aspects usually scheduled for pricey key-boards like the ROG Azoth and GMMK 3– it likewise is available in at that ridiculous $ 80 cost. Also as I’m composing this short article, I’m still stunned at the rate. The Forge GK 600 has no company being as economical as it is.
However I’m sure grateful it’s that economical. The Forge GK 600 has essentially every little thing going all out. It’s a mechanical key-board constructed with a hot-swappable published motherboard (PCB), so you’re free to include your very own switches if you desire. The stock switches are actually strong– I’ll get to those soon– yet a hot-swappable mechanical key-board for $ 80 is unprecedented, particularly from a brand as big as MSI.
Still, the Forge GK 700 TKL goes additionally. It’s cordless, as the name suggests, with assistance for both a 2 4 GHz connection and Bluetooth. It likewise supports up to 3 Bluetooth links and comes packed with a 4, 000 mAh battery.
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For me, the actual distinction is the gasket mount and appear moistening. A gasket place is the way to obtain the most effective noise out of most key-board and switch mixes, and it’s something you’ll usually just find on a key-board well north of $ 100 MSI is using it here for $ 80, along with so much else, from the wireless support to the hot-swappable PCB.
I ‘d be extremely pleased with the keyboard out of package, however. MSI is utilizing KTT HiFi straight switches on the key-board, which appear exceptional. There’s constantly room for fanatics to include something like Gateron Oil Kings, yet out of the box, and also on the CES show floor, the Forge GK 600 sounds wonderful. It has marginal ping and a relatively deep thock, no matter the cost. The reality that the key-board is so inexpensive is just the cherry ahead.
Currently, there is a caution to every one of this. The Forge GK 600 is completely constructed from plastic. Truthfully, though, I’m entirely fine with that said. I enjoy a big, thick aluminum keyboard that seems like a mantle on my desk– something like the Meletrix Boog 75– yet at $ 80, I don’t expect that kind of premium therapy. MSI is using plastic, however it toenailed practically every various other facet of this key-board, and it really feels excellent to kind on therefore.
MSI plans to supply this key-board in two shade alternatives, both of which are fairly appealing, modern styles for a costs mechanical key-board. Along with the keyboard itself, you also obtain a tiny status screen on the key-board. It’s not adjustable, yet it reveals you if Caps Lock or various other functions are made it possible for and shows a little picture of MSI’s mascot, Lucky.
I’m uncertain when this key-board will certainly be broadly readily available– for a firm as huge as MSI, keyboards definitely do not take concern– yet I’m looking forward to providing it a close appearance once it’s offered. Taking into consideration the rate, I have a hard time imaging I’ll leave dissatisfied.
