CM Storm QuickFire Rapid-i Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Review
Final Thoughts and Conclusion
It came as no surprise that the QuickFire Rapid-i didnt disappoint. While Cooler Master doesnt fool around with any of its mechanical keyboards, it has also been rare to find a keyboard with Cherry MX switches that can be justly labeled as lousy. Therefore, the likability of the QuickFire Rapid-i or another mechanical keyboard comes down to personal preference. Theres nothing wrong with that, but what makes shopping for mechanical keyboards difficult for those who have never tried one is how different the various switches feel when typed on. Fortunately, Cooler Master has a good guide to rid some of that confusion since they do offer several switch varieties on their keyboards. Having this choice is good.
Besides the great typing experience mechanical switches offer, there are other things going on with the Rapid-i that should be mentioned. White backlights look nice and theyre not as flamboyant or vicious as other backlight colors. The lighting modes for the backlights offer some fun options that cant as easily be found on other keyboards. The minimalist tenkeyless design is inoffensive in just about any environment with the narrow bezel, inconspicuous CM Storm logo printed on the far side of the keyboard, and detachable USB cord.
While the QuickFire Rapid-i is a fantastic mechanical keyboard that we definitely recommend, the issue is finding value. Unfortunately, this keyboard doesnt come cheap, costing $134.99 for the Brown switches and $149.99 for the Blue switches. This is exacerbated by the limited assortment of backlit tenkeyless Cherry MX mechanical keyboard alternatives, such as those from Ducky, while there are a wider variety of full-sized mechanical keyboards out there. With so much hanging on ones personal preference, the worth of the Rapid-i comes down to how one values this keyboards design and features.
Legit Bottom Line: The Cooler Master QuickFire Rapid-i is simple and stylish, subtle and tough, as it should.