Capsule Review: Rosewill's RK-9000 Mechanical Keyboard
by Dustin Sklavos on January 26, 2012 12:40 AM EST- Posted in
- Keyboard
- Peripherals
- Rosewill
- Cherry MX
- Input Devices
Conclusion: Worth the Upgrade
I know there are a lot of users out there that honestly just don't care that much about how their computing experience goes. My dad couldn't care less, as long as the mouse is reasonably responsive and he gets a recognizable picture on the screen. He's not a heavy duty typist, so as long as he can press a key and have that letter appear, he doesn't care. A keyboard like the Rosewill RK-9000 is most definitely not for someone like him.
Chances are, though, if you're reading AnandTech you're not like him, in which case this review is most definitely for you. Many users cheap out on the basic peripherals: the screen, the keyboard, the mouse. They shoot for adequate. Yet while there's been a decent market for good screens and especially good mice, supposedly high-end keyboards (typically gaming keyboards) still often leave a lot to be desired. When you're using your computer, there should be as little abstracting your experience with it as possible. If you notice the peripherals you're using, it should only ever be in a positive way. Of course, there is the concern of others noticing your typing if you're in a cubicle with neighbors that don't like all the clicking, but at least your boss will be able to hear you hard at work.
While the month of use I've put the Rosewill RK-9000 has revealed to me that the white printing on the keyboards isn't quite as durable as I would like, and the generic appearance does leave something to be desired, as a pure typing apparatus the RK-9000 and its Cherry MX Blue switches is easily the best keyboard I've used in a long time. $99 is a lot to ask for the kind of commodity peripheral you can get for $10, but the RK-9000 makes a very convincing case for the expense.
Other keyboards with Cherry MX Blue switches exist, but most are priced similarly to the Rosewill or higher, and without trying all of them we can't easily say which is best. Regardless of that fact, while I'm concerned about the print wearing out and I can't (yet) compare the experience to other high-end mechanical switch keyboards, I can say that overall the typing experience was great. For writers or others who primarily type (e.g. not gamers), the Rosewill RK-9000 seems to be worth the price.
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Concillian - Thursday, January 26, 2012 - link
I have an RK-9000BR and my 'D' key is also dark and dirty or worn looking. Backspace squeaks too.Otherwise great, and certainly a lot better to type on than my old logitech keyboard.
My wife doesn't like the clackyness when she's trying to sleep. Even though our computers are in another room, she hears the keys clacking.
_rob_ - Tuesday, January 31, 2012 - link
> I have an RK-9000BR and my 'D' key is also dark and dirty or worn looking.Retreat less.
Wolfpup - Thursday, January 26, 2012 - link
Thanks for reviewing this, and thanks to Rosewell for giving it for review!I think the only membrane keyboards I've been able to stand are an older Dell multimedia one (I think it's still sold as like "business multimedia" or something). It's trying be a real keyboard, and gets out of the way...
Most though are just awful. I've got an "HP Classic" and a Microsoft one and a Logitech one-they're all just so unpleasent to type on. I make so many more mistakes.
I'd like a good mechanical keyboard, but probably with the quietest switches (actually using all of them would be neat)...and while I don't like gimmicks, I do like having at least volume control buttons on the keyboard.
If this ad those, I'd probably buy one! Looks like just a nicely designed keyboard.
And Apple? UGH. They had good keyboards in the 90s. Even a turn of the century design was fine. But now? They're putting LAPTOP KEYBOARDS on desktops...that shows how far they've fallen.
esteinbr - Thursday, January 26, 2012 - link
I've got 2 different old school mechanical keyboards.1) My main keyboard at home is a Gateway 2000 anykey keyboard which is programmable on the keyboard itself with out requiring any drivers or software. It's something like 15 years old and still working great.
2) An old IBM ps/2 keyboard.
Pylon757 - Saturday, January 28, 2012 - link
The Anykey is actually not mechanical. It's still a really well-built keyboard though. The metal plate in there is crazy thick.Gonemad - Thursday, January 26, 2012 - link
I like some weigh to my keyboards, and hardware-interrupted PS/2 connection. IIRC, you can get up to 7 key-presses, when 4 or 5 would be enough for FPS gaming (the infamous Half-life jump-crouching, strafing, and running, there go 4 key-presses for you).You either have a stable and comfortable typing position, or not at all. If the table is wobbly, the fault should on the table, not on the keyboard. I miss those IBM keyboards.
kschaffner - Thursday, January 26, 2012 - link
I have been using the Razer Black Widow for over a year now and it also is equipped with cherry mx blue switches. I've tried mx browns and blacks and the blue is my favorite. I play a broad range of games from RTS such as SC2, RPG like D3 beta (woot) and the likes of Skyrim and BF3. I don't think I could ever go back to using a regular keyboard and again and even though this review says that mx blue's are not good for gaming due to travel. the key activates at half depth of the key press and I find I don't have any issues gaming at all.johnsmith9875 - Thursday, January 26, 2012 - link
I have always been a fan of keyswitch keyboards, having been raised on the Original IBM-PC keyboard and learned to type on those long travel mechanical typewriters.I finally picked up a Solidtek KB-6600 and have been typing happily ever since. It makes such a racket that my sleepy GF once got up and stormed out of the room to sleep on the couch, oh bliss.
For those who think membrane keyboards are 'good enough', you don't know what you're missing.
ripster5555 - Thursday, January 26, 2012 - link
Details on the Lasered Keys staining here:http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Das+S+Laser...
agent2099 - Thursday, January 26, 2012 - link
I assume these mechanical keyboards would not be the ideal for if you are prone to carpal tunnel. I would think the"cheap" keyboards would be a better option, or even a virtual keyboard with zero travel Luke that one that projects a laser diagram in your tabletop .