Capsule Review: Thermaltake Meka Keyboards and Black Element Mouse
by Dustin Sklavos on June 28, 2012 2:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Peripherals
- Mouse
- Keyboard
- Thermaltake
Conclusion: The Pieces are Here
Since we're really dealing with four different products and two different categories in the space of one review, it makes sense to break things down. Before we do that, though, it must be said that Thermaltake has produced some fairly solid products. They're not exceptional and need a little work, but they're certainly worthy of consideration and the software is in much better shape than I'm used to seeing.
Of the keyboards, the base Meka model can easily be ruled out. While one can appreciate the desire to produce a compact but still usable keyboard, the layout is so mangled that it's going to be of little use to anyone but gamers. Basic typing with that layout is more of a chore than it needs to be, and instead of reinventing the wheel Thermaltake's designers would've been better served simply porting over a standard notebook keyboard layout and calling it a day. The price tag of $89 is just the final nail in the coffin.
The Meka G1 model, on the other hand, is pretty much where it's at. While I can't stand the red LED for the lock toggles (especially when the other Mekas use a pleasing white LED highlight under the lock keys), the layout is best of breed and the wrist rest, though chintzy, is comfortable. That said, the $110 asking price is a bit steep steep, especially when you can get a Corsair Vengeance K90 with arguably superior Cherry MX Red switches for the same price. Corsair did cut costs by putting membrane switches under the macro keys, function keys, and document navigation keys, but it's a fairly minor sacrifice in exchange for what's a more attractive and frankly better built keyboard.
Finally, the Meka G-Unit is a mostly excellent keyboard with all the bells and whistles. The MSRP of $139 would be difficult to stomach, but thankfully you can find the Meka G-Unit starting at $98 (around $110 with shipping) which is even lower than the G1. Again, the problem is that it's competing in a universe where the Corsair Vengeance K90 exists. One place where the Meka G-Unit does beat the competition is in including sound hardware that allows you to plug a headset and microphone directly into the keyboard instead of your tower, so for some users that may be a solid selling point.
Between the three keyboards, I'd really like to see the Meka G1's layout on the G-Unit, and have the G-Unit's macro keys either recessed or somehow differentiated by touch from the rest of the keyboard. Across the board, MSRPs are a bit high, but online prices are better; I'm also still not sold on using Cherry MX Black switches for gaming. I've been using the MX Reds for a while and have found them close to ideal.
As for the Thermaltake Black Element mouse, that's a bit of a happier story. While I'm not a fan of how chintzy the programmable buttons can feel, the LED lighting is soft and appealing, the software works well, and more importantly, it has a surprisingly good feel to it. Mice are in many ways even more subjective than keyboards, but the Black Element's adjustable weight and relatively easy (and flexible) programmability coupled with its excellent handling should make it a strong candidate for most. You can pick it up starting at $55 online (or $65 at Newegg), so the price is pretty much in line with other gaming mice. I'd personally recommend it over Corsair's Vengeance mice, but my trusty Logitech G500 is still cheaper and I prefer that to both the Thermaltake and Corsair mice. If you need a good mouse that's more ambidextrous, though, the Black Element is worth a look.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
37 Comments
View All Comments
Jakeisbest - Thursday, June 28, 2012 - link
Cherry corp has announced they they are making an even lighter switch, i think the announcement was at the CES tradeshow.cmdrdredd - Thursday, June 28, 2012 - link
Anything lighter and you'll have way too many misfires. No thanks.AssBall - Friday, June 29, 2012 - link
You type at "like 140wpm".When you ignore spelling and punctuation and capitalization.
I can type "like 140 WPM" of junk too...
IlllI - Thursday, June 28, 2012 - link
completely ruins it.fishbits - Thursday, June 28, 2012 - link
"While the aggressively loud and wonderfully clicky Cherry MX Blue switches in Rosewill's RK-9000 leave a lasting and indelible impression as being ideal for any serious typing (and not sensitive enough for gaming)"Disagree. I've had two makes of keyboard with Cherry Blues and they've been fine for gaming, and not just RTS. The clickity audio aesthetic isn't the best mesh for things like FPSs, but gaming was no problem. That includes Mirror's Edge ;)
I did get a Rosewill with Cherry Browns recently, and like others are saying, it is really good for gaming and typing. Nice, quiet "thunk" feeling to them... but a lot lighter than that. Just satisfying to use. I've yet to try blacks or reds, but am picturing the browns as close to ideal for all-around use to me.
Belard - Thursday, June 28, 2012 - link
These keyboards are aimed at gamers? The tiny one as the worst layout... moving the ? key over? there is no reason for it. Just leave it where it is... stick the shit key where it belongs.The middle keyboard, almost got it... +/- for the points made.
The Meka G-Unit is something I am almost interested in. First, I actually PREFER the L-shaped ENTER key. My keyboard was made in 1996... its no longer made... and is white(ish). Todays black keyboards are hard to read at night too.
Anyway, my layout is similar to the Meka G-Unit but they screwed it up by moving the RIGHT shift KEY way over to the right. (Again 3 different keyboards with 3 totally different layouts? I think these come from different suppliers). Finding a keyboard with both a BIG-L enter key and BIG Backspace key is rare. On mine, they stuck the :\ key (rarely use) to the right of the RIGHT shift key and of course made R-Shift a bit smaller. I think that's a perfect layout.
- BIG backspace
- BIG Enter Key
I'd go with this island keylayout... BIG Delete key, but keep the HOME/END Page UP/Down keys where they are. (toss out the Pause/break key, its a Fn or CTRL key combo on Scroll Lock).
Cons:
- not all keys light up... why not ALL and selective? Or how about multi-colored user control. Some keys red, some white, some blue, etc?
- Not all players use WASD control. I use a mouse for all movements. Keyboard to fire.
cmdrdredd - Thursday, June 28, 2012 - link
WASD is the accepted norm and just about every competitive FPS player uses it because if you use your mouse to move, you can't aim for shit.Belard - Thursday, June 28, 2012 - link
Funny... my AIM is quite good with the mouse.The keyboard has 4 directions for moving. My mouse moves quite well. My tigger finger isn't interacting with the mouse.
Mouse = Mouse view and movement direction... I can run at angles and circles that you can't do with WASD. The LEFT button = move forward. RIGHT button = move backwards. My logitech has two side buttons, I have these set to STRAFE <left and right>.
CTRL key = Primary fire
Shift key = secondary fire (grenade)
ASDFG keys = Weapons keys. (also mouse wheel)
Z = zoom
XCVB = various controls keys.
I never touch the right side of the keyboard.
On my ONLINE FPS games... I'm usually in the top 3-4 in scoring/kills.
Its fine that people use WASD, as long as I have the option to make it work for me.
perspicacity - Friday, June 29, 2012 - link
Good to know I'm not the only one who use the mouse for movement. I've tried to get used to using WASD for movement, because it's the default for most games these days... but it just feels so clumsy for me.Mostly it's a bit of an old dog / new trick sort of thing... I'm too lazy to learn a new style of play.
I think the WASD choice came about because of similarity to console games... my style came about because that's how games were set up in the earliest FPS's.
left button = fire
right button = forward
back button = backward (extra button on mouse)
Porksmuggler - Thursday, June 28, 2012 - link
I have the base Meka, and yes the layout is odd, but that's i-rocks doing (they made the board before Thermaltake rebranded it).The reason I use it? It's the only compact mechanical with tenkey and 2 usb ports. Unless someone knows of another. I would love a standard tenkey compact with usb ports in a more standard layout.