Zalman ZM-K900M RGB mechanical keyboard review

Gaming Devices 123 Page 5 of 8 Published by

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Mechanical Keys


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All keys are mechanical, in our case making use of Kailh with blue switched and being RGB LED back-lit. The idea behind mechanical switches is that they give a key press a more perceptible feel opposed to keys with a standard rubber membrane used in cheaper dome based keyboards. Gamers seem to prefer mechy's very much over dome based keys, and ever since the past year or three mechanical keyboards have been on the rise big-time. 


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The keyboard registers ALL keys pressed at once, as such this is full key rollover. If we may believe these Kailh blue switches can withstand over millions key presses. Each key switch is mounted directly onto a top plate that ensures structural rigidity, topped with a translucent ABS laser-etched UV coated key-cap to enable back-lighting. 
 

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Back-lighting on a Kailh switch is sharper than that of a membrane keyboard because each key is lit by an individual LED and not in an array. This means that if you remove the key-cap, you can see a LED directly under it that maximizes the lighting effect. 
 

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Our keyboard houses type blue Kailh switches as you can tell from the pressure switch under the key-cap (see above). The behavior of any switch can be divided into three categories:

  1. Linear. The keystroke is consistent and smooth.
  2. Tactile. A bump in the middle of travel, usually around the actuation point.
  3. Clicky. A bump in the middle of travel accompanied by a sharp “click” sound.

Kailh (Kaihua Electronics) is a China-based switch manufacturer. Since its founding in 1990, the company has expanded its presence all over the globe, they compete directly against the Cherry MX. Kailh switches are identical to Cherry MX in design. They even have the same characteristics corresponding to the same color schemes. As such, keycaps designed for Cherry MX stems are also compatible with Kailh switches.

  • Black - Linear switch with Actuation Force: 60g (40g-80g overall)
  • Brown Switches - Tactile Switch with Actuation Force: 45g (55g Peak Force)
  • Blue Switches - Tactile & Clicky with Actuation Force: 50g (60g Peak Force)
  • Red Switches  - Linear Switch with Actuation Force: 45g

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Each color switch feels different. The mechanical switches are intended for for fast, efficient gaming.  The keys are curved a little and are fairly slippery which gives them a good positioned feel. Mechanical keys are in the noisy category.


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