But if you’re serious about your gaming sessions and want to minimize those moments when you’re character dies because your fingers mashed the wrong key, you’re going to want to use a full-sized keyboard. I found the key layout and switch feel less of an issue when gaming than typing-at least in terms of feel-in part because I use a keyboard with MX Red switches when gaming at home. Trying to start a letter or proper name with a capital letter, only to have your cursor jump up to the previous line is just plain annoying. But I’d still prefer a larger right Shift key. It’s pretty much a given that you’re going to type slower and with more errors on a smaller keyboard, so I find this difference acceptable if you’re prioritizing portability over comfort and accuracy.
My error rate was also up to 9 percent, from my usual 3-5 percent. And after that week, my typing speed on the 10FastFingers typing test averaged 52 words per minute, down from my normal full-size mechanical typing speed of just above 60 words per minute. It did feel, though, like I was adjusting to the SK621’s typing experience after about a week of regular use. Combined with the compact nature of the keyboard itself, this led to an immediate cramped typing feel, and a bit of finger fatigue after long periods of writing. The flat keys make it harder to orient your fingers by feel, and the 1.2mm actuation point and 3.2mm key travel, while luxurious by most slim laptop standards, is shallower than on larger mechanical keyboards. Just as we said in our review of the SK630 and SK650, this combo isn’t for everyone.
There’s also the issue here of the flat chiclet-style keys and the linear red switches.
This is also where you’ll find the Game Mode function for locking the Windows key, accessed by hitting the Function key (labeled with a Cooler Master Logo) and the (thankfully normal-sized) Backspace key. My main complaints about the SK621’s layout are the tiny right Shift key, which had me often accidentally hitting the up arrow and the fact that the Delete key is wedged between a couple of arrow keys, also below the Enter key.Īlso, since this is a five-row keyboard, the Function row has been relegated to secondary FN access, inside the number row. That’s not a problem with the SK621, although they do get shoved below the Enter/Return key here. My Anne Pro, for instance, lacks dedicated arrow keys-which I’ve found to be a huge pain point.
USB Type-C, USB 2.0 Type A / Bluetooth 4.0Įvery 60% keyboard is an exercise in compromise.