QPAD MK-50 Mechanical Keyboard Review

This is my first review for QPAD, and its for the QPAD MK-50 Mechanical Keyboard, one of there entry level gaming keyboards, so lets go over what this keyboard has, as its main features,

QPAD MK-50 Pro Gaming Mechanical Keyboard,

• Cherry MX mechanical switch technology,
• Full N-key roll over, via PS2,
• 50 Million Key Stokes,
• PS/2 or USB Connectors, both are included,
• Media keys for volume control, play, pause and skip tracks,
• 1.8 meter extra thick cable,
• 4 extra orange key caps and key cap puller,
• Keyboard Dimensions, 44,8 x 14,9 x 3,5 cm, (17,6 x 5,8 x 1,37 inch),
• Wrist pad Dimensions, 44,8 x 6,6 x 1,7 cm, (17,6 x 2,48 x 0,66 inch),
• Overall Weight, 1.27 Kg, (2.8 LBS),
• 2 Year Warranty,
• Laser engraved keycaps,

Now the RRP 79.90 Euro, for a mechanical keyboard, that’s cheap, so what has been compromised how have they managed to be create such a cheap and affordable mechanical keyboard?

Well, looking into a few things, the QPAD MK-50 is the little sister/brother of the MK-85, it’s pro gaming version and comes at a price of 149.90 euro.

Here are the features of the QPAD MK-85,

• Cherry MX mechanical switch technology,
• Full N-Key roll over via USB,
• 50 Million Key strokes,
• Individual LED backlight on every key for enhanced visuals,
• Four levels of brigthness allow you to locate keys easily,
• Gold plated USB connectors,
• Media keys for volume control, play, pause and skip tracks,
• Two high speed USB 2.0 ports,
• 3.5mm headphone-out and microphone-in jacks,
• 1.8 meter braided cables and key cap puller ,
• Keyboard Dimensions, 44,8 x 14,9 x 3,5 cm (17,6 x 5,8 x 1,37 inch)
• Wrist pad Dimensions 44,8 x 6,6 x 1,7 cm, (17,6 x 2,48 x 0,66 inch),
• Overall Weight:1.27 Kg, (2.8 LBS),
• 2 Year Warrenty,
• Customizable profiles, programmable keys and macro recording,

 

So what did they compromise? Well, gone are the LED backlighting, the etched keys, the two USB 2.0 Ports, and 3.5mm Headphone and Microphone jacks. So what is left, you guessed it, a basic, non glitzy keyboard.

Now I love keyboards that have LED’s, Macro Keys, mechanical, with added additions to suit, so the MK-85 would be right down my alley, but what if I was on a budget and wanted a keyboard that could last me a long time, and also look great, does the MK-50 pull this off?

Well, if I was to purchase this from a shop, the front of the box does look fantastic and showcases all the main features of this keyboard, there is just one issue, compatibility, Windows 2000, xp, vista and 7, nothing that says the keyboard would work with Windows 8 or windows 10. Not stating this on the front, could lead to lack of sales, for parents looking to purchase this as a gift, and have no idea that windows 10 and windows 8 allows for backwards compatibility for many programs and products.

The back of the box is very minimal, lack lustre, again, though, it does stat all the main features, operating systems, contents, keyboard layout and switch type. On the side, you can see some of the small added additions, like the orange keys, height adjustment and palm rest.

So here I am, with a budget, mechanical keyboard, I am impressed, with what they have given us, ok, it’s not up to the standards of the MK-85, but what do you expect for the price? It’s a full size keyboard, with easy to use media keys, an option to use USB or PS/2 as main connection, it also has a palm rest, which is something you don’t see on many of the more expensive mechanical keyboards.

The keyboard, sounds and feels like any other mechanical keyboard, regardless of the price you going to pay for it, so that’s great. The added palm rest as a much needed addition for gamers on the those long gaming sessions, this palm rest feels warm and smooth, a very well designed and thought out piece of equipment.

 

There are some issues though, when it comes to producing a cheaper keyboard, the etched keys, that allowed the light to come through are gone and in its place are long lasting painted on symbols, which over time will fade away. The downgrade has left the USB ports and both of the audio jacks have been capped over, but still have gaps where dust can enter through.

I would of loved to have some sort of LED lighting, even it is was just white, this would truly make this keyboard standout a little more. Having LED Lighting would also see an upgrade to the keys, as they would be laser etched and see through, so the light can shine through them, this would make the key very long lasting.

So, is the keyboard worth it? Will the keys last 50million clicks? Well,for the price, what you are getting, you cannot really complain, there is nothing this cheap and mechanical in the market currently, from what I have seen personally. I very much doubt all the keys will keep their symbols, for the full 50 million clicks, so you might see yourself replacing them or just living with blank keys.

I do like the idea of having different colour keys, this allows you to easily find the keys you class as a priority, I set the four orange keys to WSAD, what else, I am a gamer, anything else would be, not so useful.

There is nothing really much to say about this keyboard, I covered everything, it works, its mechanical, its damn cheap and well worth it, if you are on a budget. For me though its lacks the glitz and its not something I would pick up, I would be saving for something a little more expansive.

I am scoring this keyboard 8/10, why? wel its lacks glitz, which i personally love, the USB and 3.5mm jack ports are still open to dust, and finally the key symbols might not last 50 million clicks. Though, those issues are mostly small, I feel the keyboard is also well worth the price for a mechanical gaming keyboard, add a little more work to the final product, and QPAD would have a winner.