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Overall, the design of the GK40’s body is attractive and the materials used are of good quality. It’s relatively lightweight and inexpensive, but sturdy. The palm rest is a nice addition, but it would be even better if the surface material was softer and the rest itself was a little deeper. Although it might add to the production cost, having a removable rest might also appeal to a chunk of KitGuru readers.
The biggest advantage of MSI’s faux mechanical switches is that they are quieter. At night, you can often hear an enthusiastic gamer banging away on mechanical keys from another room. So while we can say that it is quieter and cheaper than a full blown mechanical keyboard, a lot of gamers may still want the definite audio/tactile confirmation of every key press.
While this mechanical-feel keyboard might not have converted me away from my preferred red-switch mechanical keyboard, it didn’t detract from my gaming experience. Overall, it’s not a bad choice by any means. It served me well, I experienced few typos, but it could definitely be improved in several areas – especially the software.
The basic lighting options (i.e. before you install the mystical software), could be improved and the balance of light coming through the key caps – compared to the amount bleeding around the edges of the keys, certainly needs looking at. More programmable options for gaming functions would also be welcome.
On the whole, the MSI Vigor GK40 remains a good choice for casual gamers who either like membrane keyboards or who have no specific preference. It offers them a robust casing with some aesthetically pleasing features and the RGB lighting that can impress your mates in a dark room. The price is fair, the product is well built and it’s functional. In the UK, it is available from Overclockers for £49.99. That means there will be some mechanical RGB keyboards in your price range when making a decision.
Pros
- Good build quality.
- Water-repellent.
- Integrated palm rest.
- Should impress membrane fans.
Cons
- Basic lighting modes aren’t balanced.
- Lighting software is disappointing.
- Won’t impress mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
KitGuru says: This keyboard is an interesting adventure into RGB for those who like the idea of a mechanical keyboard, but find themselves on a budget. The software needs improvement however.
