Fujitsu in all probability isn’t the primary identify you consider in the case of gaming peripherals. Heck, you’ve in all probability solely heard of them when you’re a srs bsns kind working at a really company tech firm, and even then that is likely to be stretching it a bit. But the explanation I’m nattering on about Fujitsu as we speak is as a result of they lately helped keyboard change maker Topre carry their RealForce R2 gaming keyboard to the US (it’s additionally out there within the UK, however solely by way of import). And it’s in all probability the least gamery gaming keyboard I’ve ever seen.
The Realforce R2 couldn’t be extra company if it tried. Not that that’s essentially a nasty factor, after all. Its darkish gray chassis isn’t the prettiest factor on the planet, however not less than its sharp, wedge-like edges are a refreshing change from the metallic strips and flashing lights of different so-called ‘gaming keyboards’. It is out there in an RGB model when you so want, however the model I used to be despatched for overview was the common non-backlit mannequin.
I additionally somewhat like that, when you flip the keyboard over, you possibly can see it has three distinct exit factors for its USB cable, permitting you to route the cable out of the highest, left or proper of the chassis relying on what’s sensible and handy. It’s so easy, and but nothing else I’ve seen even affords this – and it makes you surprise why different keyboards don’t provide the identical factor.
Depending on the place your PC’s situated, you possibly can have the Realforce R2’s cable popping out of the highest, left or proper aspect of the keyboard.
However, I do want the Realforce R2 had absorbed not less than some of the teachings from the college of nice gaming keyboards, specifically having some rattling media keys. I realise I’ve been completely spoiled by different keyboards on this respect, because the R2 is a totally media free zone. I actually missed having the ability to flip the amount up and down with out Alt-Tab-ing out of my game, and it made me yearn for my best gaming keyboard champion, the Fnatic miniStreak, which nonetheless manages to cram some media controls into its row of Fn keys regardless of its tenkeyless kind issue.
There aren’t any devoted macro keys or particular gaming mode buttons both (though it does have full N-key rollover by default), and I didn’t realise for completely ages that it even had a bit LED mild telling you the Caps Lock was turned on. That’s as a result of it’s tucked away within the little hole between the Print Screen and Insert key clusters and is totally invisible from a standard typing place.
Still, for all of the issues it’s lacking, it truly is a really beautiful factor to kind on regardless of being completely in contrast to every other gaming keyboard I’ve seen within the historical past of the universe. That’s as a result of the Realforce R2 makes use of capacitive switches, which, in contrast to a membrane mechanical keyboard, don’t have any contact mechanisms in them in anyway. Instead, they every have a bit capacitor inside them that shops static electrical energy. When a key will get hit, the conductive pads contained in the capacitor get pushed nearer collectively, making a change in the kind of saved cost it has, which permits the keyboard to register it as a press.
In concept, this makes them much more sturdy than mechanical keyboards, as there aren’t almost as many elements that might probably fail. This is tough to check with out excessive long-term use, after all, however one of many R2’s different key sights is its diminished noise ranges. It doesn’t make almost as a lot racket as a CLACKY CLACK mechanical keyboard, and the noise it does make is extra akin to a membrane keyboard or typing on a laptop computer. This makes it a lot better suited to make use of in communal residing areas, and can possible lead to far fewer objects being thrown at your head to make you shut up.
The neatest thing, although, is that the R2 nonetheless feels like a mechanical keyboard if you begin typing. There is, I’ll admit, a really gentle trace of the outdated membrane sponge to them, however on the entire I’d say their straight, linear up and down movement could be very a lot in the identical vein as Cherry’s MX Red or Speed Silver switches – simply with out the CLACKY CLACK CLACK.
Indeed, attempt urgent a single key on the Realforce R2 and also you’ll discover you barely want to use any strain in any respect to ensure that it to register, which arguably makes them really feel even nippier than their mechanical counterparts. Indeed, I obtained on completely effectively with them for gaming and normal typing alike, and really most popular utilizing the RealForce R2 to the Cherry MX Speed Silver keyboards I’ve used previously.
The solely foremost drawback, after all, is the worth. Despite Fujitsu having helped Topre make an enormous push into the US with this factor, you’re nonetheless taking a look at forking out a massively $258 for it (or $240 within the UK plus transport), which is method past what I, or in all probability most individuals, could be prepared to pay for it. Sure, Topre is likely to be the perfect of the perfect in the case of capacitive switches, however when it’s being bought as one among their ‘gaming keyboards‘ and doesn’t even have what I’d contemplate fairly customary issues similar to media keys or a Windows Lock button, that’s a reasonably large ask.
Plus, if you would like the RGB model of the R2 (which does include Fn-based media keys and different gaming features, I would add), you’re going to must stump up $356, which, for me, is only a mad amount of cash to spend on a keyboard until you’ve by some means obtained cash spilling out of your present one together with all of the crumbs and cat hair that’s amassed there (through which case, why would you ever give it up?). There’s lots to love in regards to the Realforce R2, however I don’t suppose it’s $150 / $250 higher than the £100 / $90 Fnatic miniStreak.
