Latest news with #mechanicalkeyboard
Gizmodo
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
8BitDo Retro 87 Mechanical Keyboard (Xbox Licensed Edition) Hits All-Time Low, Even Less Than Prime Day
When it comes to nostalgia tech, there is simply no one doing it better than 8BitDo. This mechanical keyboard highlights that tremendously. It's based on not just any Xbox. This translucent green shell specifically evokes the limited edition Xbox original console which released bundled with Halo: Combat Evolved. I just had the standard Xbox growing up, but my friend Adam had the Halo-edition one and, man, was that thing a beaut. See at Amazon This Xbox-inspired mechanical keyboard from 8BitDo, normally priced at $120, is seeing a rare discount right now at Amazon. The 19% savings chops the price down by $22. That results in a new price of just $98 which happens to be the 8BitDo Retro keyboard's lowest price ever. This 87-key mechanical keyboard is compatible with Windows 10 and up as well as Android 9 and up which means it can even be hooked up to your phone to play games on. It has several options to choose from for how you connect to your PC or other device. Either go wired or connect over 2.4G wireless or via Bluetooth. The USB receiver can be stored easily in a magnetic compartment when not in use so it doesn't get misplaced. While the majority of the keyboard is in its translucent Halo-green shell, the up, down, left, and right arrow keys each get a unique yellow, green, blue, and red color scheme. These emulate how the Y, A, X, and B buttons looked on the first Xbox controllers. Additionally, The keyboard is backlit with eight different light modes you can swap between. The integrated Xbox button will activate the Windows Game Bar when used on a Windows device, just like if you press the Xbox button on an Xbox controller plugged into your PC. A small detail I really love is the littles knobs in the top left corner which can be used to control things like volume and Bluetooth settings. My laptop's keyboard I'm using right now requires me to hold down FN to adjust volume settings and I hate it. This keyboard doesn't feature a number pad, which does cut down on the space it takes up on your desk. It does, however, include two huge programmable Super Buttons. The functions of these can be customized without the need to download any extra software. For a limited time, you can score this Xbox-inspired 8BitDo retro mechanical keyboard for a steep $22 discount. That knocks the price down from $120 to just $98. See at Amazon
CNET
28-07-2025
- CNET
Act Fast to Get the Beautiful 8BitDo Retro 87 Gaming Keyboard for Just $70
While there are a lot of keyboard gaming keyboards out there, if you're someone who loves the old aesthetic of the Xbox console, then there's really only one solid option for you. That's the 8BitDo Retro 87 – a mechanical keyboard that pays homage to the console. It also goes really nicely if you've got a green setup, because vibes are everything. Right now, Woot has a massive $50 off the 8BitDo Retro 87 mechanical keyboard, meaning it's down to just $70. This thing is gorgeous, and it's also got plenty of features which make it great to use as well. The deal is only on until Friday though, so grab it quickly if you want it. It's compatible with Windows 10 and Android 9.0 or later, but it's meant to bring the nostalgic vibe to your office space, as it is not meant for Xbox consoles. In addition to its bold, transparent green design inspired by the original Xbox console, this keyboard has 87 keys, and you'll appreciate the Kailh Jellyfish X switches. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. It also has RGB backlighting with eight light modes and an integrated Xbox Button to activate your Game Bar. The specially designed dual Super Buttons are programmable, too. There's also an independent control panel to easily manage connections (wired, wireless and Bluetooth), adjust volume, and map buttons. We've also found gaming PC deals to help you complete your setup for less. Why this deal matters It's fun to look back at some of the consoles we have loved for decades, and this neat Xbox edition of 8BitDo's gaming keyboard is the perfect companion to your setup. And with a 25% discount, this is an excellent time to splurge on a customizable keyboard for your space. Woot deals don't last long, so order yours sooner rather than later to avoid missing out.
CNET
24-07-2025
- CNET
This Nearly Perfect Gaming Keyboard Is Held Back by a Few Big Compromises
Finding the perfect keyboard can often feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. There's no shortage of mechanical keyboards offering a whole range of features and hardware options. While the "perfect keyboard" likely doesn't exist, there are certainly some good ones to be found. Finding a solid balance between hardware, features and price can be daunting. While Cherry's MX 8.2 TKL keyboard delivers fantastic hardware, there are compromises as well. I spent several weeks typing and gaming on it to see if it's worth it. What I like about the Cherry MX 8.2 keyboard CNET/Jason Cockerham There's not much to make this TKL (or "tenkeyless" aka no number pad) keyboard stand out, but that's a good thing here. The design is understated but well-built. It's not a full-metal build, but the plastic doesn't feel cheap and the metal base board allows for a very solid typing surface. In order to keep it compact, Cherry put the power switch and connection indicators on the back, which might get a bit confusing if you change inputs frequently. It's also pretty compact, even for a TKL keyboard. There's not much space around the sides or even between the keys and rows. I like it, but some might prefer things a bit more spread out, especially if you have larger hands. The MX 8.2 comes in white or black with ABS keycaps, which are actually nicer than I thought they'd be. I normally prefer PBT keycaps, but these don't feel as thin as other ABS keycaps I've used so they didn't bother me as much. And, of course, the keycaps are swappable. So if you have a preference or want to try a different type, they're easy to change. CNET/Jason Cockerham No gaming keyboard would be complete without RGB lighting, and that's one place the MX 8.2 shines (pun intended). You can customize the backlight for every key and there are several different lighting effects to choose from. In the Cherry software you can create up to 10 profiles so you can have one for each game (or, you know, for work stuff). Not every gaming keyboard supports wireless connectivity, but thankfully, the MX 8.2 offers both Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless dongle connectivity. If you're worried about latency, stick with the dongle, but in truth, Bluetooth was plenty fine for me during my usage. Great performance CNET / Jason Cockerham As expected from a keyboard sporting Cherry's MX switches, the typing experience on the MX 8.2 is wonderful. I've used dozens of other keyboards in my time, and every time I come back to Cherry switches I remember why I love them so much. They are clicky, tactile and responsive and give just the right amount of audible "thwack" as I type. I felt right at home on these switches as shown by my 100 wpm on MonkeyType, which is my typical speed. It helps that the version of the keyboard I reviewed came with Cherry's Brown switches, which I prefer, but you can get the linear Reds if you prefer. Sadly, they aren't hot-swappable, so you'll have to dance with the one who brung ya. The MX 8.2 is built for gamers and as such, has a few gaming-focused features that are helpful. For starters, if you get the Brown switches you already have a shorter actuation distance. This means you don't have to press as far down to trigger a command as compared to Red switches. This can help when speed and timing in a game really matters. It also supports full n-key rollover, which means every keypress is registered even when pressing multiple keys at once. It also has anti-ghosting to help avoid weird typos and such. In my time with the MX 8.2 it was extremely responsive while gaming. There were never any missed keystrokes, and most importantly, I didn't experience any hand strain during extended gaming sessions. that's not something I can say of every gaming keyboard I've used. What I don't like about the Cherry MX 8.2 keyboard CNET/Jason Cockerham There are a couple of hardware things that are annoying about the MX 8.2, the first being the lack of storage for the wireless dongle. This may not seem like a big deal, but with how small dongles are they're incredibly easy to lose and annoyingly expensive to replace, and that's if you can even find them anywhere. Additionally, you can't connect to more than one device via Bluetooth, so unless you re-pair it every time you switch devices, you'll want to use the dongle more. The other hardware annoyance has to do with the RGB lighting, specifically with the white key version. The LEDs are placed at the top of each switch housing, so the bottom two-thirds of the keys are shadowed by the switches. This means the lighting isn't uniform across the keys. But then again, I don't know how much time you spend looking at your keyboard so this may not bother you. Also, the white keycaps sort of make the lighting look a bit muted and washed out, but that's certainly quite subjective. I ended up leaving the lighting off during the day and turning it on at night and I was gaming. Frustrating software If you've read any of my (or most any other) reviews of Cherry keyboards, you might have seen that the software is one of the biggest frustrations with Cherry keyboards. Not only does Cherry have multiple apps for performing different – and even some of the same – customizations, not every product they have is supported by the software. It's mostly hit or miss as to which products get software support. On top of that, the apps the company does have are just bad. The UI looks like it's from 10 years ago, and the functionality is quite limited and confusing. There's no real guide, so generally you just have to figure it out by messing around with it. The only redeeming qualities about it are that you can customize the lighting effects pretty granularly, and you can program different functions for each key. But again, this process is tedious and frustrating, so I would avoid it if you can. Luckily, most of the basic functionality you should need is bound to a secondary layer behind the function keys, so you shouldn't have to mess with the software too much if you don't want to. Should you buy the Cherry MX 8.2 keyboard? The MX 8.2 has been out for a while now, and Cherry is asking $210 for it, although I've seen it for around $180 on Amazon. While it's certainly not the most expensive gaming keyboard around, that's still quite a lot for a keyboard, no matter how good it is. Especially considering how crowded the field is these days. There are quite a few really solid keyboards that can be had for around $150 or even less and Cherry doesn't really offer much to make it stand out. That being said, Cherry offers superb craftsmanship and a wonderful typing experience with the MX 8.2. The compact layout means it doesn't take up a lot of room on your desk while the per-key RGB lighting offers a lot of customization, as long as you're prepared for an annoying software experience. If you need a dedicated gaming keyboard that goes all-in on features and performance, there are better options. The same is true if you just need a good budget gaming keyboard. But if you're looking for a high-quality keyboard that works hard and plays hard, the MX 8.2 is worth considering.
Forbes
23-07-2025
- Forbes
NuPhy Announces Latest Version Of Its Award-Winning Air75 V3 Low-Profile Keyboard
The NuPhy Air75 V3 is the latest version of the brand's most popular keyboard can comes with a host ... More of improvements that will appeal to Apple Mac users. Mechanical keyboards are so popular right now. People love their positive and clacky action compared to the soft and spongy feel of a membrane keyboard. However, some Mac users find the chunky look of a mechanical keyboard detracts from the aesthetic of their computer. So, how about a mechanical keyboard that looks as if it were made to go with a Mac? That's what keyboard brand NuPhy thought, too. The company has just announced the NuPhy Air75 V3, a new and low-profile mechanical keyboard with a 75% ANSI layout and 83 keys. It looks like it was designed with Mac users in mind, thanks to its 220-grit anodized finish, which gives it a sophisticated look that chimes with the keyboard's minimalistic colorways. Thin And Light NuPhy Air75 V3 The new Air75 V3 is the third generation of NuPhy's low-profile keyboard and it has plenty of innovations and improvements. This new iteration of the Air has been on a diet and now measures just 13.2mm thick, making it easy to carry around for use with a MacBook without weighing down a workbag. The new Air75 V3 is a low-profile mechanical keyboard using Gateron 3rd Gen hot-swappable and ... More low-profile switches. Like most of NuPhy's keyboards, there is a hardware switch for changing the keyboard from Windows to Mac layouts. A hardware switch is so much easier to use than keypresses. Also, there are modifier keycaps in the box for both Windows and Mac users, making the keyboard suitable for use with either operating system. Other new features include a programmable rotary knob, which can be used as a volume control or whatever else you want it to do. The switches on the Air75 V3 now offer as much travel as a high-profile keyboard, even with an ultra-low profile. There is a choice of three types of switches: Blush Nano, Brown Nano and Red Nano. All three switches are Gateron 3rd generation low-profile and made completely from polyoxymethylene with a travel distance of 3.5mm. Hot-Swappable Switches The new mini Air75 V3 keyboard from NuPhy is small enough to fit in a workbag or be used with an ... More iPad. The Blush Nano switches are completely silent, making them a suitable choice for a busy office. For those who prefer something with more clack, the Brown or Red switches should suffice and all switches are hot swappable. The battery fitted to the NuPhy Air75 V3 has also been transformed. The rechargeable battery has a capacity of 4,000mAh, which means it can run for up to 1,200 hours with the RGB backlights turned off, which is more than 900 hours more than the NuPhy Air V2. Using a bigger battery reduces the strain from constant recharging and makes the keyboard suitable for portable use away from the office. Variable Typing Angle As well as being slim and light, the new Air75 V3 has a variable typing angle with kickstand legs offering 4, 8 or 10 degrees of slope. With 108 keys and a full row of function/multimedia keys designed to make the keyboard both agile and adaptable. The low profile switches of the NuPhy Air75 V3 are hot-swappable but still have a full 3.5mm travel ... More distance. When it comes to connectivity, there are three options with the NuPhy Air75 V3. For starters, there is plain old Bluetooth which can switch between three different devices without the need to re-pair. This feature means you can have the keyboard connected to a computer, tablet and smartphone or a second computer and switch between them with a keystroke. The second connectivity option is 2.4GHz wireless. This uses a high-speed wireless link with a 1,000Hz polling rate, which means much lower latency than using Bluetooth, making the wireless option as responsive as using a wired connection. This is suitable for gamers who want the freedom of a wireless connection but with the agility of a USB connection. Finally, there is a USB-C port for connecting the Air75 V3 to a computer and it is also used to recharge the built-in battery. The Air75 V3 can have a programmable control knob. It also has kickstand legs for 8 and 10-degrees ... More typing slope. Easy Configuration With NuPhy IO Other features on this new keyboard worth noting are two multi-segment LEDs, which NuPhy calls a Rhythm RGB Light Bar. The one on the right is a battery charge display, while the bar on the left side shows status like Caps Lock. The side bars can be customized. Finally, NuPhy has developed a web-based configurator for the NuPhy Air75 V3, which is easy to use. Simply connect the keyboard to a Mac or PC and then, using HID-compatible browsers, such as Google Chrome, you can reprogram the Air75 V3's keys. It's an elegant solution with drag-and-drop keycaps, enabling complete remapping of the keys. The new NuPhy Air75 V3 low-profile mechanical keyboard is on sale now at the NuPhy website and is priced at $139.
The Verge
10-07-2025
- The Verge
Our favorite desk accessories for Prime Day
What you have on your desk and in your workspace at home can reveal a lot about you: how you work, what you like to distract yourself with, what kind of toys and other tchotchkes you like to have around you. That is why we have the What's On Your Desk? series, where we look at how some of our coworkers organize their spaces. It gives us — and you, our readers — a glimpse into the personality of the folks who work here. Out of curiosity, we took a look at some of our past articles to see if any of the devices that our staff use in their day-to-day work have surfaced during Amazon's Prime Day sale. We managed to find quite a few. Here they are, along with any comments that the folks who use them had to say. I have a Logitech G713 wired mechanical keyboard with GX red linear switches. It came with the cloud wrist rest, which was admittedly the main reason I bought it over other keyboards. (I got a rainy day-themed mouse pad from a small stationery shop called Unicorn Eclipse to complete the look.) I also liked the tenkeyless layout; my previous keyboard had a number pad and two rows of programmable keys, and even though setting up macros was nice, it took up way too much space on my desk. Plus, I only ever used the number pad to input the PC shortcut for em dashes. I also got the matching Logitech G705 wireless gaming mouse, which, again, I use wired. I was worried it would be too small — it's specifically marketed as having a 'smaller fit,' and my hands are a pretty average size — but I actually love it! It's comfortable and made me realize the Razer mouse is slightly too big for me. I used to fish the cables off the floor when I needed them but I finally got these stick-on cord holders, and I've been a changed woman ever since. At my desk, I use this Logitech Pebble 2 keyboard and mouse that I bought purely based on looks but they're quite nice. Unless a company wants their review device back right away, I like to keep them for about a year after the review to revisit them and use them for comparisons. But everything eventually goes back to the manufacturer, unless they specifically don't want it — in which case I bring it to a center that will either refurbish and reuse them or recycle them. I was keeping them in their boxes until I saw some other phone reviewers had them organized in neat little stands, so I got one, and I'm not sure how I lived without it before. I usually have a huge Logitech Ergo K860 keyboard, as I have had some wrist issues. The pink Logitech Lift mouse is my favorite mouse ever. I've spent a long time looking for a comfortable mouse that doesn't aggravate my wrist, and it does the job. I love its scroll wheel, but I set up its buttons to do something useful when I first got it and have never used them since. I have a surprising amount of Logitech gear: I use the MX Master 3S mouse and the MX Keys S keyboard, both of which are best-in-class as far as I'm concerned. This mouse is a Razer Basilisk V3, which is one of the more ergonomic gaming mice I've used. I'd opt for a vertical mouse, but I really hate switching my gear around between work and gaming-optimized peripherals, and this hasn't given me any reason to make the switch. My webcam is a Logitech Brio, which has been super reliable and still holds up against more specialized 'streaming' webcams like Elgato's facecam series. I've got an Elgato Key Light, which helps when it gets dark in my office and I need to look presentable on a Zoom call. It's also just a great light for when I'm journaling at night. My keyboard is a Keychron K2 with brown switches. I've used mechanical keyboards off and on since 2016, but most of the ones I tried were gaming keyboards, and those work best on Windows computers. I liked the feel, but I have a Mac and was annoyed at all the workarounds for mapping keys. An old coworker recommended Keychron during the pandemic because their keyboards are Mac-compatible — and I haven't used another keyboard since. Sign up for Verge Deals to get deals on products we've tested sent to your inbox weekly.
