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CM Storm Quickfire Rapid Review!


Text and pictures by Exile5's NXZ


Specifications!
Mechanical Key Switch: CHERRY Blue / Black / Brown / Red
Windows Keys disabled in GAME mode
N Key Rollover: N key in PS/2 mode
Polling Rate: 1000 Hz /1 ms
Interface: USB / PS2
Laser-marked keycaps
Extra Keys: 6 pcs
Keycap Puller: Yes
USB Cable: Removable
Multimedia shortcuts
Rubber coated Keyboard surface
Removable braided USB cable with cable routing
Dimensions: 355(L)x135(W)x35(H) mm
Weight: 940 g

These are the specs as taken from CM Storm's website. However, if you're like me the specs are often the last thing you look at when deciding what to buy. As such, here are a few of my thoughts about the Rapid!


Tenkeyless!
So the major thing you'll notice when you look at the Rapid is the lack of a number pad. This is a newer fad that more and more people are jumping on, the smaller length of the keyboard can improve posture and ultimately be more flexible in its placement on your desk. If you have a small desk then this will definitely let you save some more space for whatever else you might need. Granted the lack of a numberpad is somewhat of a con, I personally have not used a numbpad in a very long time, instead using the number row whenever numbers were required. As such, for a gamer like myself the smaller keyboard brings only advantages... Which brings me to my next point.

Portability!
This keyboard is immensely portable, during my travels to various LAN events around Brisbane I have always had the issue of BARELY being able to fit my keyboard in my bag. But, no longer! With the Rapid I can easily fit all my gear into my backpack. This is something that will be hugely beneficial for any gamer on the go. Another feature of this keyboard that really benefits your mobility is the detachable cable. I always hated when my keyboard cable would get pushed flat in a bag, it felt like I was treating my gear poorly but it was pretty much unavoidable. Now I can merely deattach my cable and put it elsewhere which again improves the keyboard's portability. However, one thing to note is that despite its size, the Quickfire Rapid isn't the lightest keyboard around which may be an issue for some.

Pros: Small size and good cable management make for excellent portability!

Cons: A little bit heavier than other keyboards in this size bracket.

Build Quality!
This added weight isn't all bad though as this keyboard is beautifully crafted. It feels solid and well built, definitely not flimsy like other keyboards I've used. The Rapid also has a really simple finish with no gloss that really appeals to the practicality I'm looking for in a keyboard. Previously, I used a Razer Blackwidow which gathered thousands of fingerprints due to its glossy finish. The Rapid on the otherhand doesn't seem like it can have fingerprints at all which will certainly help maintain the aesthetics over use. Lastly, the lazer marked keycaps are always nice in keyboards and its something I'm a fan of.


It really is a beautiful keyboard!

Pros: Solidly built with a very nice finish for my practical needs
Cons: None

No External Software Required!
So I'm a little bit torn on this one. On one hand it makes the keyboard very practical and easy with 100% of its possibilities ready to go right when you plug in but on the other it does lose some of the ability to customize I was used too from the Blackwidow. However, again practicality trumps random features for me any day so overall I'd say that its a positive, especially for LAN environments where your extra software might not be readily available.

Pros: Plug in and you're ready to go immediately!
Cons: Perhaps not the same ability to customize that you may have grown to enjoy.

Mechanical Switches!
Ok so basically it's like this, I have never seen a person who has switched to a mechanical keyboard and said afterwards they'd prefer a rubber dome. Maybe by necessity they'd switch back but never because they didn't like the feel and functionality of the switches. Let me put it this way, if you want to buy a keyboard for more than $40-$50 than you'd damn well buy a mechanical keyboard. And when it comes to this, the Rapid has almost all the options available. I'll go into a brief description of what switch might be best for you, should you choose to buy a Quickfire Rapid yourself.

Blues are what I've used prior to switching to the browns in this keyboard and they are very nice to use by yourself, however they are REALLY loud so if you don't want people around you cutting your throat while you play, then they might not be the best choice for you. Browns I think are the nicest for RTS games like StarCraft 2, they have a lower actuation force than blues and keep the tactile feel without the sometimes annoying noise. Reds are really nice with a low actuation force and are probably best for FPS players. Reds are generally rarer than the other 3 so when a keyboard like the Rapid has support for them it's definitely a big positive. Lastly, there are blacks, from what I've read blacks seem to be the poor man's reds, they have a higher actuation force which generally is a bad thing as a gamer and offer little to no advantage over the reds other than availability and price.

As a general rule of thumb when shopping for keyboards, if it's not mechanical despite how many macro keys or gimmicky screens it may have, it is not a gaming keyboard.

Miscellaneous Features!
The Quickfire Rapid isn't the shiniest keyboard on the market right now, it doesn't feature backlighting or macros but it isn't all bad news. Using the function key, the keyboard has several media keys that you can make use of on the go. Similarly, it can disable the windows key which is definitely a feature that is crucial for gamers, although it might not be the biggest deal for a SC2 player due to the option in-game. The keyboard also comes with a keycaps remover and 6 extra key pieces shown below. Lastly, the keyboard does feature N-key rollover when in a PS2 port so if you computer supports PS2 than that is definitely another positive to the keyboard's name.


The Windows key and wasd cluster keycaps


Media keys!

Pros: Media keys and the ability to disable the Windows key. NKRO in PS2 and extra keycaps.
Cons: No macro keys or backlighting may be an issue for some users.

Availability!
This keyboard can be found for as little as $80 depending on where you buy and what switches you choose to opt for. It is somewhat scarce in Australia so it might be difficult to buy without shipping costs included.

Conclusion!
As a SC2 player I really love this keyboard! It's no fuss, sturdy design really appeals to me and the portability is also a huge plus. It is affordable and has all 4 of the major switches readily available which make it a great choice for a keyboard. Overall, I'd say if your in the market for a new keyboard, want to take your game to a new level or just feel like you need to be a little more portable then the CM Storm Quickfire Rapid might be just the keyboard for you!