Rosewill RK-9000 Mechanical Keyboard review

Mechanical Keyboards For Starters

First, just a little history.  Keyboards have always been a part of computing since the very beginning.  The original IBM PC came with one, the Model M, which I used as a kid.  The Model M, of course, set the standard for all keyboards that came after it.  There are some variations in layout, but it's all based off the 101-key Model M.   The modern keyboard, thanks to Windows, now have 104 keys, and depending on your location, you can have many more keys than that.  Suffice it to say, keyboards are still the most efficient way of interacting with your computer, even with the great strides made in voice-recognition, touchscreens, and GUI optimizations.  I think the chances of humans ever growing out of the keyboard are pretty slim.

In the early days of personal computing the keyboard really meant something because it really was the only way to interact with the machine.  Having a good feeling keyboard was very important, at least until the mouse and GUI came along, and shifted the focus a little bit.  Mechanical keyboards have always been around, though, part of the collective geek consciousness, and the enthusiasts that inhabit that world are as hardcore as their keyboards. 

Getting back to the RK-9000, it is a spiritual successor to the Model M.  It is a great introductory keyboard to the world of mechanical keyboards, using Cherry MX Blue switches that click like the old Model M, but updated for modern computing.  It is very non-beige, native USB, and doesn’t take up nearly as much space on the desktop.

This RK-9000 arrived a few weeks ago and I've used it almost exclusively at work, taking it home a few times for the photo shoot and playing some games on it, then back to work it went.

Unboxing

A look at the back of the box reveals a little more of the features, but basically keyboards are a bit dry in terms of features that can go on the box.

As I mentioned the box traveled back and forth from work and home a few times, so it's a little battered.

The packaging is very nice and it survived traveling very well.  Other keyboard manufacturers will include a clear roof for the keyboard protecting it from spills and crumbs.  It is a very wise investment in some sort of cover for your mechanical keyboard.  You should also get in the habit of not eating or drinking in front of your keyboard.  Just sayin'.

There’s not much to unbox, just the keyboard, two cables, and a feature card.  It’s also a keyboard, we all know what that’s going to look like.

Most mechanical keyboards try to sweeten the deal with audio ports, USB hub, lights, knobs, wrist rest, or something, but Rosewill chose to keep the features to a minimum but the quality high.  I like this.  Adding extra features is a poor way to make something more reliable and easier to use.

The Rosewill RK-9000 does have a few features that tell it apart from other keyboards.  Next page to find out!