The Cooler Master Master Keys Pro L White Mechanical Keyboard Review
by E. Fylladitakis on October 21, 2016 8:00 AM ESTConclusion
I always try to use every keyboard that we review as my personal keyboard for at least a week. My typical weekly usage includes a lot of typing (about 100-150 pages), a few hours of gaming and some casual usage, such as internet browsing and messaging. I personally prefer Cherry MX Brown or similar (tactile) switches for such tasks, so the Master Keys Pro L White was a nearly perfect match for my preferences. The Cherry MX Brown switches are the least fatiguing for long typing sessions and similar professional usage, providing subtle tactile feedback without stressing the tendons. They are also relatively quiet, making them a little more comfortable for the user and a lot less aggravating for everyone else in the vicinity. The lack of a palm rest on a keyboard this tall however is problematic for professional use and it is very likely that most professionals will be using aftermarket palm rests and/or cushions.
As for gaming, the Master Keys Pro L White is comfortable for long gaming sessions, feels very solid and is very precise. It is ideal for FPS/TPS games and other action or casual genres, where speed and precision are vital. However, we would not really recommend it for RPG/MMO/MOBA gaming, as it features only basic hardware-based macro programming that can execute only relatively simplistic keystroke commands. Advanced macros are a necessity in such games and most advanced gamers will find the simplicity of the Master Keys Pro L White to be insufficient.
Cooler Master has been very straightforward with the design of the Master Keys Pro L White. They wanted the keyboard to be aesthetically and practically simple, yet of exceptional quality. Its aesthetic design is truly minimalistic, perhaps even overly so for some people that would rather have a keyboard that does stand out on a desktop for that kind of money. The quality however is indisputably topnotch, with a solid construction and some of the best consumer mechanical switches available nowadays.
Meanwhile advanced users may find that the Master Keys Pro L White is too simple for a keyboard that sells for $110. It does support macro programming and up to four different profiles, as well as the programming of lighting effects, but everything is hardware-based. This hardware-based programming may be convenient in some cases, yet it is severely limiting, essentially allowing only for simple keystroke commands and remapping. It can also be confounding to program, particularly in comparison to the easiness that a well-written software utility can offer.
In summary, the Master Keys Pro L White is a very solid, high quality mechanical keyboard that will not leave professionals and gamers who prefer action-based games disappointed. However its current retail price of $110 seems excessively high, particularly given the crowded market for mechanical keyboards. Cooler Master’s competitors are currently offering software programmable keyboards with Cherry MX Brown switches at significantly lower prices, which leaves the Master Keys Pro L White at a disproportionate disadvantage in terms of value.
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JoeyJoJo123 - Friday, October 21, 2016 - link
CODE keyboards are sold with Brown and Green switches also, at least on Massdrop. I got a CODE tenkeyless with browns there for ~$133.74 after shipping not too long ago.I would've gotten a Cooler Master Master keys if it was available in tenkeyless form factor when I was looking for a somewhat portable 2nd mechanical keyboard to put in my LAN PC peripherals backpack. The full 104-keys is a bit too tall to comfortably zip up on my backpack, and I don't think I quite need the numpad when I'd likely just use the WASD keys 90% of the time.
pierrot - Friday, October 21, 2016 - link
Definitely reminds me of the CODE, and its cheaper too. There might be cheaper options out there but they dont have the minimal style. I wish this was out back when I was shopping for a kbl8gravely - Wednesday, October 26, 2016 - link
I've got two CODE keyboards, so I was interested in seeing this review, but I feel it left of some important details.1. Can I re-program the damn caps lock to be a Control key in hardware? I *never* need to use CAPSLOCK in my life, so putting the Control key back on the home row for this die hard emacs user is a key (sorry for the pun!) feature.
How durable will the key caps be? My CODEs are already showing wear on the keys, to the point that the A key isn't much more than a blob of white surrounded by black.
I do like the cheaper price and I might think about getting one of these down the line.
It is nice seeing that people are starting to realize that good keyboards are well worth the investment, esp for those who use them day in and day out.
MrSpadge - Friday, October 21, 2016 - link
Dear E. Fylladitakis, I'd appreciate your keyboard reviews even if more you had some spec sheet on the first page, like in other reviews. Switch type and price should be in this list (plus whatever you think is relevant). With that I could take a quick look an judge whether it's worth reading the review.MrSpadge - Friday, October 21, 2016 - link
Sorry: "even if more you" -> "even more if you"mobutu - Friday, October 21, 2016 - link
Finally, a simple solid product without big bullshit logos and stupid colours and rgb lighting. Just simple discrete aspect with white light. Excellent.DanaGoyette - Sunday, October 23, 2016 - link
Keyboard replaces the context-menu key with FN, while leaving two Windows keys... fail!When I bought my most recent keyboard, "doesn't throw away the context-menu key" was one of my criteria.
I'll admit that I don't use that key as often as I did in the past, but I still consider the key rather important.
asfletch - Sunday, October 23, 2016 - link
A counterpoint to the conclusion - there is no way in a million years I would have the 'Cougar Attack X3' on my office desk, whereas the CoolerMaster is close to the ideal candidate. As such, I don't see the Cougar as a direct competitor. If anything, this is up against Code, Ducky et al IMHO, and is accordingly priced just fine.BrokenCrayons - Monday, October 24, 2016 - link
I don't care much for mechanical keyboards. The IBM Model M was a good board, but modern mechanical switches are pretty horrible for typing comfort compared to pretty much any decent membrane board. The price premium is pretty much unjustifiable and espoused durability is a checkbox feature rather than representative of reality. In 30 years of computing, I've only seen two keyboards die...the Model M and one cheap Gateway branded membrane board so saying they last longer is, in my opinion, delusional fantasy presented by manufacturers to help justify higher margins in conjunction with clueless computer users looking for a way to make themselves feel better about being willingly taken in by the features list.However, if I had to use a mechanical keyboard, the Cooler Master in this review is one of the very few AT has looked at that I'd consider putting on my desk because this particular version doesn't waste its time with a lot of no-value-added macros and rainbow lighting. Still, I'd firstly stick with the keyboard built into my laptop before resorting to something like one of these. It'd be an absolute last resort.
nikon133 - Monday, October 24, 2016 - link
I have found my perfect keyboard in Logitech Orion 610 with Brown switches. I'm leftie, so macro keys usually don't mean much to me. On the other hand, I prefer small footstep keyboards but full-size layout with volume and basic media keys included.This looks quite a bit like Orion 610, only without media keys.