CM Storm Quick Fire Rapid-i Mechanical Keyboard Review

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Conclusion

It’s great knowing that CM Storm have taken a more consumer orientated approach to their product R&D, constantly sourcing feedback and opinions from customers and experts in the fields: I think it’s safe to say that CM Storm’s Quick Fire Rapid-i is a great product of all of this feedback from the original Quick Fire Rapid, as numerous points have been taken into consideration. Firstly the branding has been kept to a minimum, resulting a clean and sleek looking keyboard. LED lighting – another major request by gamers has also been included, which also squares the QFR-i off against Ducky’s TKL keyboard offering. NKRO over USB is an additional feature over the original QFR, making it ideal for those hardcore gamers.

It’s often hard to find a fault with a mechanical keyboard, although the pricing tends to be a major issue for most. The QFRi comes in at £89, which places it underneath the Ducky Shine 3 TKL at £110, making it an ideal contender if you are in the market for a TKL keyboard with back-lighting. Some might consider the back-lighting a gimmick, but for this price you are also getting one of the best keyboards I have seen from CM Storm in terms of quality and appearance – certainly something to take into consideration. The performance is also amongst the top, with NKRO over USB – ideal for gamers and then the well placed media keys – great for listening to your music and of course the mechanical Cherry MX goodness, making you want to type and type and type…

It’s interesting to see CM Storm moving towards a different connector, the micro USB. Typically the keyboard market is dominated with mini USB; although this has a larger connector which results in an overall larger footprint – something that CM Storm have opted to keep at a minimum – so much so they have even removed the cable channels to shave off those extra millimetres.

Overall I have been thoroughly impressed with the Quick Fire Rapid-i and CM Storm in general for really upping their game in terms of performance and customer feedback. I normally find keyboards with LED back-lighting and the fancy lighting effects a bit of a gimmick, although I find it really suits the QFRi and its sleek look – especially with the white plate the switches are mounted in, it really makes the keys glow in the dark; ideal for those late night gaming sessions. It’s certainly a keyboard that you would want to show off, with the rubberised casing, the sleek, less branded look and of course, numerous back-lighting options. I think this will be a keyboard I hang on to for a while, so I think it is fair to say that this takes my top choice for the current back-lit keyboards on the market – so obviously I will be awarding the CM Storm Quick Fire Rapid-i with the most prestigious award we have, combined with the next best for CM Storm’s involvement of the keyboard community.

I would like to thank CM Storm for sending me the Quickfire Rapid-i Mechanical keyboard and look forward to seeing more from them in the future.