There are numerous mechanical keyboards out there that don't come with a big price tag. The Tronsmart TK09R is another to add to the list. The company is better known for chargers and other devices rather than PC accessories, but the brand has outed new gamer gear all linked by a software package.
Is the TK09R any good? Keep reading.
Costs around $66Bottom line: It's a budget mechanical gaming keyboard that does more right than wrong.
For
- Comfortable.
- Affordable.
- Blue mechanical switch.
- Sturdy build.
- Internal storage.
Against
- Software is a little clunky.
- Palm rest can't be detached.
You'll like the switches on the Tronsmart TK09R
The Tronsmart TK09R comes rocking Outemu blue switches, similar to the same color switches you'd find from other makers like Cherry. While these ones may be considered cheaper alternatives, it's not a terrible typing experience — no different than other similarly priced mechanical keyboards. You have various shortcuts available to control functions and the lighting effects. Everything you'd expect is present.
Tronsmart is attempting to follow other vendors by highlighting the RGB lighting as one of the selling points of this keyboard. Each key is individually lit and many preprogrammed mods can be selected, depending on which patterns you prefer. Much of the keyboard can be configured using the Tronsmart software, which is a nice touch. The internal storage lets you save everything to the keyboard, ideal if you frequent LAN events.
The integrated palm rest does a stellar job providing a base for your wrists to lay, but it's not padded, which may put some off. It's also not detachable. The entire keyboard is plastic and I wouldn't say it's an attractive set of keys. There's slight flex if you push down on the center but this shouldn't be a problem.
You'll dislike the Tronsmart software
Unfortunately, while the keyboard offers a good typing experience and the palm rest does a solid job, Tronsmart really needs to do some work on its Radiant software. Forget that it looks like something you'd expect to run on Windows XP, it's clunky to use and could do with further development and a UI redesign to bring it up to speed.
A minor annoyance I have with the TK09R is that the palm rest is not detachable. It's great to have it for those who enjoy using them, but I don't on a regular basis and would rather see it detachable, especially if you don't have ample amounts of desk space to accommodate the large rest.
Should you buy the Tronsmart TK09R?
If you don't mind cheaper switches and an integrated palm rest you cannot detach from the main unit, the TK09R is worth considering as a budget-friendly mechanical keyboard. It offers a solid typing experience with only a few minor drawbacks, and I bet you'll see some updates to the software offering to make it deliver a more compelling user experience.
