CM Storm QuickFire Rapid-i keyboard
Rapid-i is a new series that came out in late 2015, from Cooler Master.
Discontinued sometimes in 2017.
The interesting new feature is the individually LED key, but only in one color, white, yet powered by a 32-bit ARM processor for effects.
Features:
- Cherry MX key switch (brown, blue, red). [see Keyboard Key Switch Mechanisms]
- Individual Key Lighting, White LED Backlit, powered by a 32-bit ARM processor for effects.
- 1.8m detachable braided cable.
- N-Key Rollover. [see Max Number of Simultaneous Key-Press (N-key Rollover, NKRO, Ghosting)]
Why a single-color light keyboard need a CPU? Just what light effects?
The light effects are semi-programable. Basically, just a few “modes”, and in some mode you can set which keys to light up.
You program it by just press Fn+Fn. No need software. Excellent!
Here is the lighting modes.
- all keys lights up.
- no keys lights up.
- breathing effect for all keys.
- light up only some keys, such as W A S D keys, or your choice. You have 4 profiles.
- light up when key is hit.
- trailing effect: light up when key is hit, but fades gradually.
You can also adjust light intensity, of course.
You need to watch a video demo for this.
It also features programable key-repeat rate, this is a innovation. You press a key combination to set repeat rate to one of {normal, 2x, 3x, 4x}. But, rather, useless for programers.
You can also press a key combo to disable the ❖ Window key.
LED Dies, and Reboot Problem
On amazon user review, apparently, for many people, the many key's LED dies within a month or so. This is a major problem.
Other common report is that, often the keyboard won't be recognized when machine starts/reboot. You have to unplug and replug the USB. It's said that the updated firmware fixed this.
These are major, problems.
Conclusion
So, this light-show feature doesn't really do anything. First month fun then all's forgotten.
Lastly, this keyboard does not have programable key macro feature. Say, you want F4 to send Ctrl+c for copy. You can't. You'll need to buy a 10-buttons programable mouse to go with this keyboard. [see Mouse Reviews]
For both programers and gamers, i think you better off to something else. See: Keyboards without Numeric Keypad.