The UP Squared 7100 is a palm-sized computer board from AAEON Technology, with an Intel Alder Lake-N low-power processor, up to 16GB of LPDDR5 memory and up to 128GB of eMMC storage. It also has plenty of expansion options including two M.2 slots: one for storage and another for a wireless card, support for dual displays, […]

The post UP Squared 7100 is a 3.5 PC board with Alder Lake-N, 2 M.2 slots, and 40-pin GPIO headers appeared first on Liliputing.

Low profile mechanical keyboards are a popular choice for anyone that prefers the short, snappy feel of a great laptop keyboard but wants something a little more capable, durable and customisable. While full-height mechanicals were the first to go mainstream, low-profile alternatives are becoming increasingly common, and there's an exciting arms race resulting in some truly impressive designs.

Today we're looking at three such keyboards: a refined gaming-focused board from industry giants Logitech, a fancy typists' offering from Chinese boutique brand iQunix and a weird, stylish and unmistakenly early Apple keyboard from London one-man-brand Electronic Materials Office.

Despite being nominally part of the same category, these keyboards couldn't be more different in terms of their intended use cases - and that has lead to fascinating differences in design. Here are reviews of the G515 Lightspeed TKL, Magi65 Pro and Altar 1.

Read more

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One of the more underrated Samsung Keyboard features is support for extensions. Unfortunately, it looks like the company has shut down several big-name extensions.

Samsung removed some notable extensions from its keyboard app (h/t: SamMobile), namely Grammarly, Spotify, and YouTube.

The Grammarly extension looked out for typos and other grammatical errors as you typed. Meanwhile, the Spotify add-on let you search for and share links to songs without visiting the Spotify app. Finally, the YouTube extension lets you search for and share videos without hopping into YouTube.

There’s no word on why Samsung dropped these extensions, although comments in videos online suggest the change was made several months ago. Nevertheless, this is still a disappointing turn of events as Samsung Keyboard was one of the few keyboard apps with third-party extension support.

We’ve asked Samsung why it removed these extensions from Samsung Keyboard. We’ll update the article if/when the manufacturer gets back to us.

Low profile mechanical keyboards are a popular choice for anyone that prefers the short, snappy feel of a great laptop keyboard but wants something a little more capable, durable and customisable. While full-height mechanicals were the first to go mainstream, low-profile alternatives are becoming increasingly common, and there's an exciting arms race resulting in some truly impressive designs.

Today we're looking at three such keyboards: a refined gaming-focused board from industry giants Logitech, a fancy typists' offering from Chinese boutique brand iQunix and a weird, stylish and unmistakenly early Apple keyboard from London one-man-brand Electronic Materials Office.

Despite being nominally part of the same category, these keyboards couldn't be more different in terms of their intended use cases - and that has lead to fascinating differences in design. Here are reviews of the G515 Lightspeed TKL, Magi65 Pro and Altar 1.

Read more

---

One of the more underrated Samsung Keyboard features is support for extensions. Unfortunately, it looks like the company has shut down several big-name extensions.

Samsung removed some notable extensions from its keyboard app (h/t: SamMobile), namely Grammarly, Spotify, and YouTube.

The Grammarly extension looked out for typos and other grammatical errors as you typed. Meanwhile, the Spotify add-on let you search for and share links to songs without visiting the Spotify app. Finally, the YouTube extension lets you search for and share videos without hopping into YouTube.

There’s no word on why Samsung dropped these extensions, although comments in videos online suggest the change was made several months ago. Nevertheless, this is still a disappointing turn of events as Samsung Keyboard was one of the few keyboard apps with third-party extension support.

We’ve asked Samsung why it removed these extensions from Samsung Keyboard. We’ll update the article if/when the manufacturer gets back to us.

During Computex 2024, ASRock held an event to unveil some of its upcoming X870E motherboards, designed for AMD's Zen 5-based Ryzen 9000 series processors. ASRock's announcement includes a pair of Taichi-branded boards, the X870E Taichi and the lighter X870E Taichi lite, which uses AMD's X870E (Promontory 21) chipset for AM5.

The current flagship model announced from ASRock's X870E line-up for Ryzen 9000 is the ASRock X870E Taichi. ASRock is advertising a large 27-phase power delivery through 110A SPS, suggesting this board is designed for overclockers and all-around power users. Two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots (operating in either x16/x0 or x8/x8) provide high-speed bandwidth for cutting-edge graphics cards and other devices. Meanwhile, ASRock has gone with 4 DIMM slots on this board, so system builders will be able to max out the board's memory capacity at the cost of bandwidth.

The storage offering is impressive; besides the obligatory PCIe Gen5 x4 M.2 slot (Blazing M.2), ASRock has outfit the board with another three PCIe Gen4 x4 (Hyper) M.2 slots. Also present are two USB4 Type-C ports for high-bandwidth external I/O, while networking support is a solid pairing of a discrete Wi-Fi 7 controller with a Realtek 5Gb Ethernet controller (and the first AM5 board we've come across with something faster than a 2.5GbE controller).

The audio setup includes a Realtek ALC4082 codec and ESS SABRE9218 DAC supporting high-fidelity sound. The BIOS flashback feature is also a nice touch, and we believe this should be a feature on all mid-range to high-end motherboards, which provides an easy way to update the firmware without installing a CPU. And, as no high-end board would be complete without it, ASRock has put RGB lighting on the X870E Taichi as well.

Ultimately, as ASRock's high-end X870E board, the X870E Taichi comes with pretty much every last cutting-edge technology that ASRock can fit on the board.

Comparatively, the ASRock X870E Taichi Lite is a more streamlined and functional version of the X870E Taichi. The Lite retaining all of the latter's key features, including the 27-phase power delivery with 110A smart power stages, dual PCIe 5.0 x16 slots operating at x16 or x8/x8, four DDR5 DIMM slots, and four M.2 slots (1x Gen5 + 3x Gen4). The only significant difference is aesthetics: the Taichi Lite features a simpler silver-themed design without the RGB lighting, while the standard Taichi has a more intricate gold-accented and fanciful aesthetics.

In terms of availability, ASRock is not disclosing a release date for the board at the show. And, checking around with other tech journalists, Andreas Schilling from HawrdwareLUXX has heard that X870E and X870 motherboards aren't expected to be available in time for the Ryzen 9000 series launch. We will investigate this and contact the motherboard vendors to confirm the situation. Though as X870E/X870 boards barely differ from the current crop of X670E/B650E boards to begin with, the Ryzen 9000 series won't be fazed by a lack of slightly newer motherboards.

Machenike's 2nd ever Kickstarter promises a see-through mechanical keyboard with a delightful look and a host of features, shipping with everything but the kitchen sink (or a numpad).

© Machenike

During Computex 2024, ASRock held an event to unveil some of its upcoming X870E motherboards, designed for AMD's Zen 5-based Ryzen 9000 series processors. ASRock's announcement includes a pair of Taichi-branded boards, the X870E Taichi and the lighter X870E Taichi lite, which uses AMD's X870E (Promontory 21) chipset for AM5.

The current flagship model announced from ASRock's X870E line-up for Ryzen 9000 is the ASRock X870E Taichi. ASRock is advertising a large 27-phase power delivery through 110A SPS, suggesting this board is designed for overclockers and all-around power users. Two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots (operating in either x16/x0 or x8/x8) provide high-speed bandwidth for cutting-edge graphics cards and other devices. Meanwhile, ASRock has gone with 4 DIMM slots on this board, so system builders will be able to max out the board's memory capacity at the cost of bandwidth.

The storage offering is impressive; besides the obligatory PCIe Gen5 x4 M.2 slot (Blazing M.2), ASRock has outfit the board with another three PCIe Gen4 x4 (Hyper) M.2 slots. Also present are two USB4 Type-C ports for high-bandwidth external I/O, while networking support is a solid pairing of a discrete Wi-Fi 7 controller with a Realtek 5Gb Ethernet controller (and the first AM5 board we've come across with something faster than a 2.5GbE controller).

The audio setup includes a Realtek ALC4082 codec and ESS SABRE9218 DAC supporting high-fidelity sound. The BIOS flashback feature is also a nice touch, and we believe this should be a feature on all mid-range to high-end motherboards, which provides an easy way to update the firmware without installing a CPU. And, as no high-end board would be complete without it, ASRock has put RGB lighting on the X870E Taichi as well.

Ultimately, as ASRock's high-end X870E board, the X870E Taichi comes with pretty much every last cutting-edge technology that ASRock can fit on the board.

Comparatively, the ASRock X870E Taichi Lite is a more streamlined and functional version of the X870E Taichi. The Lite retaining all of the latter's key features, including the 27-phase power delivery with 110A smart power stages, dual PCIe 5.0 x16 slots operating at x16 or x8/x8, four DDR5 DIMM slots, and four M.2 slots (1x Gen5 + 3x Gen4). The only significant difference is aesthetics: the Taichi Lite features a simpler silver-themed design without the RGB lighting, while the standard Taichi has a more intricate gold-accented and fanciful aesthetics.

In terms of availability, ASRock is not disclosing a release date for the board at the show. And, checking around with other tech journalists, Andreas Schilling from HawrdwareLUXX has heard that X870E and X870 motherboards aren't expected to be available in time for the Ryzen 9000 series launch. We will investigate this and contact the motherboard vendors to confirm the situation. Though as X870E/X870 boards barely differ from the current crop of X670E/B650E boards to begin with, the Ryzen 9000 series won't be fazed by a lack of slightly newer motherboards.

MSI on Thursday published the first image of a new desktop motherboard that supports the innovative DDR5 compression attached memory module (CAMM2). DDR5 CAMM2 modules are designed to improve upon the SO-DIMM form factor used for laptops, alleviating some of the high-speed signaling and capacity limitations of SO-DIMMs while also shaving down on the volume of space required. And while we're eagerly awaiting to see CAMM2 show up in more laptops, its introduction in a PC motherboard comes as a bit of a surprise, since PCs aren't nearly as space-constrained.

MSI's Z790 Project Zero Plus motherboard, which supports Intel's latest 14^th Generation Core processors, is to a large degree a proof-of-concept product that is showcasing several new technologies and atypical configuration options. Key among these, of course, is the CAMM2 connector. The single connector supports a 128-bit DDR5 memory bus, allowing for a system to be fully populated with RAM with just a single, horizontally-mounted CAMM2 module. And in terms of design, the Zero Plus also features backside power connectors for improved cable management.

CAMM2 is designed to replace traditional modules in an SO-DIMM form-factor and is meant to occupy up to 64% less space than two DDR5 SO-DIMMs. In addition, CAMM2 greatly optimizes signal and power traces inside the motherboard, primarily by ensuring all memory trace lengths are identical, reducing some of the signaling penalties that normally come from supporting multiple SO-DIMM slots in a system. With DDR5 being particularly sensitive here – to the point where 2 DIMM Per Channel (2DPC) configurations take a max frequency hit even on desktop systems – CAMM2 modules are expected to simplify and, to a degree, improve laptop designs to better match DDR5's limitations.

Though whether CAMM2 sees widespread adoption remains to be seen. Unlike it's LPDDR5X counterpart, LPCAMM2, DDR5 CAMM2 hasn't attracted the same interest from laptop vendors quite yet, in large part because it doesn't introduce any new functionality (e.g. socketed LPDDR5X).

Meanwhile CAMM2 in ATX desktops is all but unexplored right now, which is why we're seeing experimental products like MSI's motherboard. The space savings alone aren't as important in desktops due to their size – though CAMM2 does cut down on Z-height, keeping memory away from CPU coolers. But PC makers will be looking at other factors such as inventory, as equipping desktop boards with CAMM2 connectors would allow them to use the same memory modules in both laptops and desktops. And longer term there is the question of whether CAMM2 can deliver tangible signaling benefits over traditional DIMMs.

MSI plans to showcase its Z790 Project Zero Plus platform at Computex, alongside memory partner Kingston. The latter will be at the show to demonstrate its Fury Impact CAMM2 memory module, which is one of the first DDR5 CAMM2 modules to be announced.

MSI on Thursday published the first image of a new desktop motherboard that supports the innovative DDR5 compression attached memory module (CAMM2). DDR5 CAMM2 modules are designed to improve upon the SO-DIMM form factor used for laptops, alleviating some of the high-speed signaling and capacity limitations of SO-DIMMs while also shaving down on the volume of space required. And while we're eagerly awaiting to see CAMM2 show up in more laptops, its introduction in a PC motherboard comes as a bit of a surprise, since PCs aren't nearly as space-constrained.

MSI's Z790 Project Zero Plus motherboard, which supports Intel's latest 14^th Generation Core processors, is to a large degree a proof-of-concept product that is showcasing several new technologies and atypical configuration options. Key among these, of course, is the CAMM2 connector. The single connector supports a 128-bit DDR5 memory bus, allowing for a system to be fully populated with RAM with just a single, horizontally-mounted CAMM2 module. And in terms of design, the Zero Plus also features backside power connectors for improved cable management.

CAMM2 is designed to replace traditional modules in an SO-DIMM form-factor and is meant to occupy up to 64% less space than two DDR5 SO-DIMMs. In addition, CAMM2 greatly optimizes signal and power traces inside the motherboard, primarily by ensuring all memory trace lengths are identical, reducing some of the signaling penalties that normally come from supporting multiple SO-DIMM slots in a system. With DDR5 being particularly sensitive here – to the point where 2 DIMM Per Channel (2DPC) configurations take a max frequency hit even on desktop systems – CAMM2 modules are expected to simplify and, to a degree, improve laptop designs to better match DDR5's limitations.

Though whether CAMM2 sees widespread adoption remains to be seen. Unlike it's LPDDR5X counterpart, LPCAMM2, DDR5 CAMM2 hasn't attracted the same interest from laptop vendors quite yet, in large part because it doesn't introduce any new functionality (e.g. socketed LPDDR5X).

Meanwhile CAMM2 in ATX desktops is all but unexplored right now, which is why we're seeing experimental products like MSI's motherboard. The space savings alone aren't as important in desktops due to their size – though CAMM2 does cut down on Z-height, keeping memory away from CPU coolers. But PC makers will be looking at other factors such as inventory, as equipping desktop boards with CAMM2 connectors would allow them to use the same memory modules in both laptops and desktops. And longer term there is the question of whether CAMM2 can deliver tangible signaling benefits over traditional DIMMs.

MSI plans to showcase its Z790 Project Zero Plus platform at Computex, alongside memory partner Kingston. The latter will be at the show to demonstrate its Fury Impact CAMM2 memory module, which is one of the first DDR5 CAMM2 modules to be announced.

Ive always been addicted to mechanical keyboards. There is something about a solid feeling deck that helps manifest the words onto the page, but Ive never felt the need to tinker with them. Whatever I received out of the box, I lived with, even if it meant settling for options or switches I wasnt in love with - until now.

Maxsun has a new Anime-themed B760 Micro-ATX motherboard featuring a white theme with Anime-inspired color accents and graphics.

© Maxsun

Maxsun has a new Anime-themed B760 Micro-ATX motherboard featuring a white theme with Anime-inspired color accents and graphics.

© Maxsun

What is an enthusiast-grade mechanical keyboard? It depends on what you're into - it might be a super-fast gaming board for esports, an ultra low-profile work keyboard equally adept for Mac or Windows, or even a full-fat custom keyboard with unique switches and a compact form factor. Today we've got examples of all three, giving you an idea of what sorts of keyboards are out there and which you might prefer.

Here are three reviews then: the low-profile Mistel AirOne, the rapid trigger Meletrix BOOG75 and the custom-built Keychron Q1 Pro with MX Purple switches designed by Cherry and British keyboard maker Glarses. All are fascinating options in their own right, showing the breadth of the enthusiast keyboard market in spring 2024.

Buy:

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MSI is releasing new BIOS updates featuring AMD's latest AGESA 1.2.0.Ca firmware update for AM4 motherboards. The update is designed specifically to fix a new vulnerability affecting Zen 2 CPUs only.

© AMD

A few months ago Geekworm launched one of the first boards that allows you to connect up to two M.2 2280 PCIe NVMe SSDs to a Raspberry Pi 5. Now the company is back with another model that supports up to four. The Geekworm X1011 add-on board for the Raspberry Pi 5 is available now […]

The post Connect up to 4 M.2 NVMe SSDs to a Raspberry Pi 5 with the Geekwork X1011 board appeared first on Liliputing.

A Chinese chip design company called SpacemiT has unveiled a new laptop that will be powered by the company’s K1 processor, which is an octa-core processor that should offer better-than ARM Cortex-A55 performance, support for 4K video, and a 2 TOPS NPU for hardware-accelerated AI features. While the upcoming MUSE Book isn’t the first laptop with […]

The post Lilbits: Another RISC-V laptop, a PCIe connector for the Raspberry Pi 5, and Arc browser comes to Windows 11 appeared first on Liliputing.

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Logitech have kicked off its Playdays event for 2024, with some of their best headsets, mice and keyboards on sale across various retailers in the UK.

That list includes one the current best Wireless gaming keyboard, the G915 Lightspeed wireless, which is now on sale at Currys with two different form factors on offer: the full size model and the more compact tenkeyless (TKL) version.

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From Make: Vol. 87: New evolutions in dev boards make this a metamorphic period for Makers.

The post Boards Guide 2024: Boards Are Back appeared first on Make: DIY Projects and Ideas for Makers.

It feels pretty appropriate that my last deal post for RPS is for my favourite PC peripheral: the humble mechanical keyboard. This mechanical keyboard is more humble than its peers too, with a $30 asking price that is absolutely exceptional for a name-brand keyboard that gets rave reviews: the Keychron C3 Pro.

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Asus has introduced a USB4 PCIe add-in-card for the company's desktop motherboards, allowing users to add two USB4 ports to their systems. The card can be used to connect up to four devices and a display to each of its ports, and can even be used to charge laptops that support USB charging.

The Asus USB4 PCIe Gen4 Card is based on ASMedia's ASM4242 controller and supports two USB4 ports at 40 Gbps data rates, with up to 60W USB Power Delivery. The board also has two DisplayPort inputs to in order to route graphics through the card as well in order to make full use of the versatility offered by USB4 and the Type-C cable. Alternatively, one can connect the card to the motherboard TB3/TB4 header and use integrated GPU to handle displays connected using USB-C cables.

One of the main advantages that the ports of Asus USB4 PCIe Gen4 card have over USB4 ports found on some motherboards is that it supports 60W Quick Charge 4+ to devices, which enables to charge laptops or connect devices that demand more than 15W of power (but less than 60W).

There is a catch about the Asus USB4 PCIe Gen4 card though: it is only compatible with Asus motherboards and needs a motherboard with a Thunderbolt or USB4 header (which is mostly designed to use integrated GPU). The company says that many of its AM5 and Intel 700-based motherboards have an appropriate header, so the device can be used on most of its current-generation boards.

The card operates on a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface, providing 7.877 GB/s of bandwidth to the ASMedia controller.  The card also features a six-pin auxiliary PCIe connector to supply the additional power needed for the card's high-powered ports.

Asus has yet to reveal recommended price and availability date of its USB4 expansion card. Given that this is not the industry's first card of this kind, expect it to be competitively priced in comparison to existing Thunderbolt 3/4 expansion cards, which have been on the market for a while.

NZXT's new Function 2 keyboards now have extra sound dampening in their cases and up to 8,000 Hz polling rates.

© Tom's Hardware

Asus has introduced a USB4 PCIe add-in-card for the company's desktop motherboards, allowing users to add two USB4 ports to their systems. The card can be used to connect up to four devices and a display to each of its ports, and can even be used to charge laptops that support USB charging.

The Asus USB4 PCIe Gen4 Card is based on ASMedia's ASM4242 controller and supports two USB4 ports at 40 Gbps data rates, with up to 60W USB Power Delivery. The board also has two DisplayPort inputs to in order to route graphics through the card as well in order to make full use of the versatility offered by USB4 and the Type-C cable. Alternatively, one can connect the card to the motherboard TB3/TB4 header and use integrated GPU to handle displays connected using USB-C cables.

One of the main advantages that the ports of Asus USB4 PCIe Gen4 card have over USB4 ports found on some motherboards is that it supports 60W Quick Charge 4+ to devices, which enables to charge laptops or connect devices that demand more than 15W of power (but less than 60W).

There is a catch about the Asus USB4 PCIe Gen4 card though: it is only compatible with Asus motherboards and needs a motherboard with a Thunderbolt or USB4 header (which is mostly designed to use integrated GPU). The company says that many of its AM5 and Intel 700-based motherboards have an appropriate header, so the device can be used on most of its current-generation boards.

The card operates on a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface, providing 7.877 GB/s of bandwidth to the ASMedia controller.  The card also features a six-pin auxiliary PCIe connector to supply the additional power needed for the card's high-powered ports.

Asus has yet to reveal recommended price and availability date of its USB4 expansion card. Given that this is not the industry's first card of this kind, expect it to be competitively priced in comparison to existing Thunderbolt 3/4 expansion cards, which have been on the market for a while.

Build your first AI project using a micro:bit board and Google's Teachable Machine

The post Anyone Can Use AI appeared first on Make: DIY Projects and Ideas for Makers.

The WhiteFox Eclipse is an excellent reinvention of the original WhiteFox. Its magnetic case is a model for keyboards to follow in the future and makes it a great choice for everyone from new builders to experienced modders and average users that just want a great set of keys.

© Tom's Hardware

Mechanical keyboards can be pretty cheap these days, but I've not never seen one on sale for as little as £4.99 - especially not for a full-size RGB model available for a brand I've actually heard of before! That is indeed the case at GAME though, who are selling the Trust Gaming GXT 865 Asta for £4.99 plus another £4.99 in shipping - that's £20 less than this keyboard normally costs!

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As an avid computer user, having a high-quality keyboard is essential for your productivity and comfort. While mechanical keyboards are renowned for their superior tactile feedback, durability, and customization options, many models can be quite expensive. However, you don’t need to shell out a lot of money to experience the benefits of mechanical keys. There are affordable options that provide an excellent typing experience without breaking the bank.

We’ve compiled a list of the best cheap mechanical keyboards that deliver premium quality at budget-friendly prices. Whether you’re looking to upgrade from a stock keyboard or want to try out a mechanical option for the first time, you’re sure to find a great pick on our list for under $100. Keep reading to discover some of the best Mechanical Keyboards on the market today.

What I Look in Mechanical Keyboard Before Buy:

When shopping for an affordable mechanical keyboard, there are a few factors Which I consider:

Durability and Build Quality

I go and Look for a keyboard with a sturdy plastic or aluminum chassis and high-quality mechanical switches rated for at least 50 million keystrokes. These ensure longevity and a premium feel. Popular, durable switch options include Cherry MX Reds, Browns, or Blues.

Key Layout and Size

Choose between a full-size keyboard with a number pad, a tenkeyless model without a number pad, or a compact 60% or 75% size. A smaller footprint means more desk space but fewer keys. Make sure all the keys you need for productivity or gaming are present.

Programmable Keys and Backlighting

If customization or gaming in low light is essential, look for a model with programmable macro keys to map custom commands and adjustable backlighting. RGB backlighting offers millions of colour options to match your setup.

Ergonomics

For extended use, an ergonomic and adjustable keyboard is best. Look for one with a slight slope for a natural wrist position, padded palm rest, and height adjustment options.

Additional Features

Consider media controls, USB passthrough, detachable cable or wireless connectivity based on your needs. Braided, detachable USB-C cables are durable and make storage easy.

With some research, you can find a high-quality yet budget-friendly mechanical keyboard with all the features that matter most to you. Your hands and wallet will thank you!

Redragon K552 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

The Redragon K552 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is our top recommendation for those seeking an affordable yet high-quality mechanical keyboard. At under $50, this keyboard provides exceptional value without compromising performance.

Redragon is a reputable brand that produces durable, dependable mechanical keyboards at budget-friendly price points. The K552 features custom mechanical switches that provide a tactile bump and audible click with each keypress, resulting in a satisfying typing experience for many. The keys have a lifespan of up to 50 million keystrokes, so this keyboard should last through years of regular use.

With 87 conflict-free keys, the K552 is compact yet includes all standard keys as well as 12 dedicated multimedia keys. The minimalist design allows for more space for your mouse. Backlighting on each key allows for use in dim environments, with adjustable brightness settings. The keyboard is also spill-resistant, with channels that divert small liquid spills away from internal components.

For the money, the Redragon K552 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard simply can’t be beaten. Whether for work, play, or both, this keyboard provides a premium feel and essential features at an affordable price point. For budget-conscious consumers seeking a high-performance mechanical keyboard, the K552 should be at the top of your list. With a proven brand and build quality, as well as overwhelmingly positive customer reviews, this keyboard is a safe, smart choice.

Havit Mechanical Keyboard Wired 89 Keys Gaming Keyboard

The Havit Mechanical Keyboard Wired 89 Keys Gaming Keyboard is a compact, budget-friendly mechanical keyboard ideal for gamers looking to experience the tactile feel of mechanical switches without breaking the bank.

High-Quality Switches

This keyboard features Kailh blue switches, a Chinese clone of the popular Cherry MX blue switches. Kailh switches provide a satisfying clicky feel and audible feedback when pressing the keys. The 50g actuation force and 4mm travel distance result in a responsive keypress suitable for fast-paced gaming. While not quite as smooth as genuine Cherry switches, Kailh switches perform reliably for their low cost.

Minimal Design

With a tenkeyless 89-key layout, the Havit Mechanical Keyboard has a small footprint that frees up desk space. Its minimal black design with red LED backlighting has an understated style suitable for any setup. The keyboard does not have dedicated media keys, macro keys or wrist rest. However, its compact size, detachable USB cable and lightweight build make it highly portable.

Programmable Keys

Although the Havit Mechanical Keyboard lacks dedicated macro keys, it allows you to program macros, remap keys and create profiles through its software. The keyboard has onboard memory to save up to 5 profiles that can be switched on-the-fly. Its reprogrammable keys provide more customization options for both gaming and productivity use.

For budget PC gamers wanting an affordable entry into the world of mechanical keyboards with clicky, tactile Kailh blue switches, the Havit Mechanical Keyboard Wired 89 Keys Gaming Keyboard is a solid, compact choice. While basic in features, its high-quality switches, minimal and portable design as well as programmable keys cover the essentials for enhancing your typing and gaming experience. Overall, an excellent value mechanical keyboard for the money.

Redragon K552-N Kumara Mechanical Keyboard

The Redragon K552-N Kumara is an excellent budget-friendly tenkeyless mechanical keyboard option. Tenkeyless keyboards lack a number pad, freeing up desk space while still including arrow and function keys.

Compact yet Durable Design

The K552-N Kumara features a compact yet sturdy plastic chassis and plate-mounted keys. It measures 14.9 x 7.2 inches, small enough to fit in most backpacks. The minimalistic design is ideal for minimal desktop spaces and gamers who prefer more room for mouse movement.

Despite its small size, the K552-N Kumara feels solidly built. The plate-mounted mechanical keys have a tactile bump and audible click for satisfying feedback with each keypress. The keys are rated for up to 50 million keystrokes, ensuring durability for both gaming and typing.

Customizable Backlighting

The K552-N Kumara comes with red backlit keys and 9 different lighting modes, including reactive, wave and ripple effects. The backlight brightness is adjustable to suit your preferences. The red backlighting also complements the keyboard’s black chassis for a stylish gaming esthetic.

Programmable Keys

Although tenkeyless, the K552-N Kumara provides programmable keys for added functionality and customization. The FN key allows access to media controls, lighting effects, and can be programmed to launch applications or execute macros. Gamers will also appreciate the Windows key lock option to avoid accidentally minimizing games.

For budget PC builders and gamers seeking a compact yet customizable mechanical keyboard, the Redragon K552-N Kumara is a solid choice at an affordable price point. Its small footprint, plate-mounted keys, and programmable backlighting offer great value without compromising performance or durability. Overall, the K552-N Kumara punches well above its weight class.

RK ROYAL KLUDGE RK61 Wireless 60% Mechanical Keyboard

The RK ROYAL KLUDGE RK61 is an affordable 60% mechanical keyboard that delivers a high level of customization for the budget-conscious.

Programmable Keys

The RK61 allows you to program all 61 keys for custom macros and function layers using the keyboard’s firmware. This means you can set up shortcut keys for commands you frequently use, create layers for specific programs or games, or simply remap keys to your personal preferences. Programming the RK61 does not require any special software and can be done directly on the keyboard.

For additional customization, the RK61 comes with Cherry MX-compatible key switches in your choice of linear red, tactile brown, or clicky blue. The hot-swappable PCB means you can easily swap between different key switches to find what feels and sounds best for your needs. Keycaps are also interchangeable, so you can customize the look of your keyboard with aftermarket keycap sets.

Wireless Connectivity

The RK61 can connect either over a wired USB-C connection or Bluetooth wireless for cable-free use. The built-in rechargeable battery provides up to 10 hours of use over Bluetooth. Switching between wired and wireless modes is seamless and can be done with the press of a function key.

For the budget-conscious looking to dive into the world of mechanical keyboards, the customizable RK ROYAL KLUDGE RK61 is an excellent place to start. With hot-swappable switches, programmable keys, and wireless connectivity, this 60% keyboard allows you to tailor a premium typing experience without paying a premium price. At under $50, the RK61 delivers features generally found in keyboards costing significantly more. If you’re looking for an affordable mechanical keyboard that doesn’t compromise on customization, the RK ROYAL KLUDGE RK61 should be at the top of your list.

Conclusion

With technology advancing so rapidly, it can be easy to get caught up in the latest flashy gear and overspend on devices that will quickly become outdated. However, for something as simple yet essential as a keyboard, tried-and-true often makes the most sense. Mechanical keyboards have endured for good reason.

They provide an unparalleled typing experience that boosts speed, accuracy and comfort. While mechanical keyboards were once cost-prohibitive for most, many budget-friendly options have emerged that deliver premium quality without the premium price. For under $100, you can equip your workstation with a durable keyboard that will improve your productivity and typing enjoyment for years to come. So save your funds for the tech that really matters, and invest in a solid mechanical keyboard that gets the job done. Your fingers and wallet will thank you.

The Logitech G915 Lightspeed TKL is a phenomenal gaming keyboard with low-profile mechanical switches, reliable Lightspeed wireless and a compact layout, yet Logitech normally ask well over £100 for it - and double that when it first launched! Today though, the G915 TKL Lightspeed is 55% off, dropping it to the more reasonable price of £99.

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