Topre Realforce RGB Keyboard (Seasonic) review

Gaming Devices 123 Page 12 of 12 Published by

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Conclusion

Conclusion

The RGB. My first title for this review was Redicuforce RGB. It is ridiculous for Topre, the bastion of beige, to make a gaming keyboard. The Realforce RGB, however, is not a Realforce. It’s the RGB, and I wanted to bash on it for being a ridiculous idea. After using it for the last couple of weeks, though, I’m so glad that Topre have made the RGB. It took me about 30 minutes to realize how good it is. The quality just seeps into your fingers—other keyboards may be close, but they’re not the RGB!

So, the RGB isn’t a Realforce, and you can still buy those of course, but this is the Realforce RGB. There’s a lot of features on display. The APC, RGB backlight, software, doubleshot keycaps, Topre switches, and the MX stems. It’s kind of like what you’ve always wished your regular Realforce had, but doesn’t.

At first blush of the RGB is a bit underwhelming. In the world of RGB gaming peripherals, the RGB doesn’t even shoot flames, man. It’s not over the top like most gaming themed keyboards are, too over the top. I should say the RGB is pure. There’s just a few backlight modes out of the box, and few ways to customize it. The backlight is also not very bright, but it is gorgeous. The software does a lot to overcome the lack of built-in modes, and offers color customization for three user modes stored on the keyboard. The software feels like there should be more features (version A0.17), but it is stable and bug free. I’m all on board when Topre updates the software, hopefully they add more modes and more customization features down the line.

The Actuation Point Changer is a great feature, too. It leverages the electrostatic capacitive switch to offer three modes, 1.5mm for speed, 2.2mm for typing, and 3mm for button mashers. In practical use, the 1.5mm and 2.2mm were what I most used, with a subtle but definitely there difference. Simply having the ability to change the actuation point without changing the keyboard is pretty awesome, and having the ability with the software to set per-key actuation points is killer.

The stock keycaps on the RGB are quite good, but should you feel the need to customize your Realforce RGB, you can. I have a hypothesis that one reason the RGB is so expensive is to prevent the poaching of its MX sliders. The RGB would become the shark fin soup of keyboards if it was priced any lower. Anyway, replacing the keycaps to recapture some of the traditional Realforce sound won’t get you much, but it will improve slightly.

Lastly, and most importantly, the good feeling of oneness with cup rubber. Typing on a Topre is an experience, and one that my fingers relish at the end of a day. It never misses a keypress, never chatters, and always works. Some keyboardists may dismiss Topre and stick with their MX or ALPS switches. More power to them, and that’s okay. Keyboarding is a journey, one that is as individual as your hands. For me, it’s the Topre that I come back to, the good feeling of oneness with cup rubber.
 

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The question, though, is the Realforce RGB worth the hefty asking price? If the RGB came in at around $200USD, then yes, absolutely you should buy one. It’s worth every penny. At $260USD, however, it’s a little bit harder to swallow. If you care about a pure, solid keyboard, with a great backlight, doubleshot keys, want the APC, need the Topre switch with MX mounts, and don’t mind the expense, then by all means, you should get the Realforce RGB. It is, after all, the best RGB.

Stuff That is Always at the End

Many thanks to Hilbert for getting this review rolling, and even more thanks to Walter and Irene at Seasonic USA for making this review possible. I’ve been using Seasonic PSU’s for years now, and now I’m a keyboard customer, too. Many thanks.
 

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