CM Storm QuickFire Rapid-i Keyboard Review
Final Thoughts
The CM Storm QuickFire Rapid-i’s tenkeyless form factor is an asset for gamers as the shorter length allows for a more natural arm placement compared to a 104 keyboard layout when it comes to mouse control. This is also easier on the wrist and much more comfortable for longer periods of time, minimizing fatigue. The N-Key rollover and additional rapid input features justify the “gaming keyboard” label. Slapping LED backlight option and aggressive styling does not a gaming keyboard make as most other manufacturers tend to think so it is great to see Cooler Master provide actual useable gaming functionality on a keyboard that otherwise would have been just eye-candy.
There are a few suggestions however which I think will really make this an outstanding keyboard. First the top down key legend position does not make sense considering the LED is positioned at the top. A side by side placement would have been preferable and functional. The font would have been necessarily smaller to make that work but it would not have affected readability considering the pause key was able to fit five letters across the top.
Secondly, since the new micro-USB connector port is non-recessed, it would be better if the included USB cable is angled, this would minimize potential of getting damaged from accidental tugging and the cable would be out of the way. This is a simple change that could be easily implemented since the cable is detachable. It was great to see that Cooler Master listened to previous requests and placed anti-fraying protection the micro-USB connector end however which was absent in the original QuickFire USB cables.
The original QuickFire Rapid is a tough act to follow considering it was and still is immensely popular, partly because of its price and partly because of its excellent build quality. In terms of pricing, even though it is twice as much as the QuickFire Rapid, the Rapid-i’s $149 price tag is inline and competitive against other currrent backlit tenkeyless keyboards such as Ducky Shine 3 TKL and Max Blackbird and costs less compared to WASD code ($165),and Deck Francium Pro ($165). Factoring in the two-year warranty, wide availability and additional gaming features, the QuickFire Rapid-i is certainly worth considering.
