CM Storm NovaTouch TKL Keyboard Review
Looking around the NovaTouch TKL
The NovaTouch TKL uses the same enclosure as the tenkeyless QuickFire Rapid-i and consequently shares the same dimensions of 14.1 x 5.4 x 1.5 in (LxWxH) / 35.9 x 13.8 x 3.9 cm.
Were going to quickly turn our attention to underneath the keycaps. Cooler Master has modified the stems of the Topre switches to be Cherry MX keycap compatible, intended for keyboard enthusiasts who fancy higher quality keycaps. A keycap puller is included for this reason despite the NovaTouch TKL coming with no additional keycaps.
Topre switches combine a metal spring and elastic dome into the key mechanism. The spacebar happens to have an additional spring on the outside of the switch. Cooler Master calls its modified switch an electrostatic capacitive switch, but it is still a true Topre switch. Tactility is provided when the rubber dome gives way under pressure like any other membrane keyboard. The metal spring quickly resets the key and permits the Topre switchs elastic dome to be a soft material with its 45g actuation, the same pressure needed to actuate Cherry MX Brown and Red switches.
A set of polyurethane o-rings is included to optionally dampen the keys when bottoming out. The NovaTouch TKL is already a quiet keyboard as its actuation and tactile mechanisms uses elastic domes under each key.
A 6 ft. long USB-to-miniUSB braided cable is included and plugs into the NovaTouch TKL towards the right side on the back edge.
The minimalist and inoffensive bezel is characteristic to the CM Storm QuickFire Rapid lineup of keyboards.
The underside of the keyboard has a sticker with the serial number and model number, four feet for gripping surfaces at the corners, and two flaps that raise and angle the keyboard.
Like the CM Storm QuickFire Rapid-i keyboard, the NovaTouch TKL has full N-key rollover on Windows computers. Using the Microsoft Keyboard Ghosting Demo, we see that when all the keys can be pressed simultaneously, all actions are detected by the operating system.