Cooler master has launched the Quick Fire XTi keyboard in Europe. This mechanical keyboard is said to provide "the ultimate in minimal design and sleek simplicity," – it doesn't scream 'GAMING' at you but offers many features high up on a gamers' shopping list such as Cherry MX switches, on-the-fly macro and profile support, customisable multicolour per-key backlighting, NKRO, 1000Hz polling, Windows key lock and a detachable 1.8m braided, gold plated cable.
According to the email that HEXUS received from Cooler Master the European Quick Fire XTi keyboards will only be available with the Brown variety of Cherry MX switches. These are widely considered to be the best compromise between gaming and typing focussed switches as they offer fast re/actuation with a quieter tactile click than the blues.
The Cooler Master Quick Fire XTi keyboard can appear simple and understated with its slightly textured black ABS UV coated keys and uncomplicated lines. However users can easily turn up the LED eye candy with mixable dual colour blue and red LED backlighting providing 35 colours per key. The plug and play XTi offers multiple LED lighting modes including wave, breathing, and responsive effects without need for computer based software – it's all adjusted at the keyboard. Cooler Master says these and other modes will be available and enhanced with the latest firmware releases.
On the upper right of the keyboard are four dedicated profile keys. These can offer fast backlight switching and macro recording, again without computer-based software. Onboard memory is provided to store user profile settings. Cooler Master suggests saving multi-colour keyboard lighting configurations to suite particular games. With the use of the function key some keys also double as media control keys.
Cooler Master's QuickFire XTi will be available to buy in the UK ( EAN: 4719512048689, SKU: SGK-4060-KKCM1-UK) starting from early October. Its RRP is £139.99. All the above pictures are of the US version of the keyboard.
