I've been using the Cooler Master Masterkeys Pro M mechanical keyboard with Cherry MX Browns for a few months now. I chose this keyboard primarily because it fits the functionality of a full-sized keyboard into a package of similar size to normal tenkeyless keyboards. I had previously used the Cooler Master Quickfire TK with Cherry MX Blues, which was essentially a prior model of the Pro M but with a standard layout and modern-styled keycaps.
 |
| CM Masterkeys Pro M, image from Cooler Master |
I liked the QTK a lot, but the kicker for me, aside from the MX Blues which I found quite heavy to type on, was the nonstandard bottom row, which would make it a little more difficult to readily find keycaps to replace the horrid set it came with. The update Cooler Master made from the QTK to the Pro M addressed the layout issue, made the keycaps more modern and minimalistic, and updated the Mini USB port to a Micro USB port. Cooler Master also debuted a RGB version of the Masterkeys Pro M, but I decided to pick up the White LED version because it was actually available.
 |
| CM Quickfire TK, image from Cooler Master |
I've enjoyed my time with the Masterkeys Pro M. Everything I liked about the Quickfire TK is still here, but even better. The white LEDs now come standard across each switch variation of this keyboard, whereas with the QTK if you had Blue switches, as I did, your LEDs were blue, red LEDs with Red switches, and white LEDs with brown switches. The inclusion of the standard bottom allowed me to easily pick up a new set of keycaps, the Tai Hao Cubic, Midnight Dawn set, which I'll more thoroughly discuss in a later post. The Tai-Hao-exclusive Cubic profile keycaps feature sharp edges and corners which fit well with the Pro M and greatly enhance the experience for me. The sharpness of the caps makes the whole keyboard feel more well-machined and somehow industrial, which compliments the Pro M extremely well.
 |
| My Cooler Master Masterkeys Pro M (White LED, Cherry MX Brown) with Tai-Hao Midnight Dawn Cubic keycaps |
I do have one issue though, and to some this may come as a deal-breaker. Upon arrival and first use of the Masterkeys Pro M, I discovered that the switch under the 3 key was missing its LED and still is to this day. I was so excited for this keyboard when it came in that I didn't even care about the missing LED, and still don't. Was it disappointing? Yes, especially considering I only heard of one other person on Amazon have their Masterkeys series keyboard arrive with a missing LED, but it isn't a deal breaker for me. I still 100% love using this keyboard as my daily driver.
 |
| Comparison |
 |
| Missing LED |
 |
| Un-illuminated 3 key |
Comments
Post a Comment