Xiaomi Unveils Its First Mechanical Keyboard with Configurable RGB Backlighting
by Anton Shilov on August 10, 2018 3:00 PM EST- Posted in
- Peripherals
- Keyboard
- Xiaomi
- RGB
In the recent years Xiaomi has expanded its product way beyond smartphones, moving into a wide field of consumer electronics and doodads, covering items like air purifiers, electric toothbrushes, electric scooters, and many other products. Continuing this diversification, this week the company introduced its first mechanical keyboard aimed at gamers and featuring configurable RGB backlighting.
The Xiaomi Gaming Keyboard features 104 keys backed by TTC Red switches (with a 3-mm travel distance). Under the hood, Xiaomi is using a Sonix microcontroller featuring a 32-bit Cortex-M0 core as well as a USB interface supporting a 1000 Hz polling rate. The keyboard supports 33-key rollover, which is important for FPS and RTS gamers that press multiple keys almost simultaneously. Meanwhile, it does not have programmable keys and does not support macros.
The Gaming Keyboard from Xiami comes in aluminum chassis to ensure its durability and give a premium feel. The key caps themselves are made of PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), which is more durably than traditional ABS plastic used for key caps. When it comes to ergonomics, the keyboard can regulate its angle using special rubber nobs, a rather conventional feature implemented using an unconventional method.
The keyboard’s RGB backlighting can be programmed manually using embedded software and the FN key. Therefore, it does not look like Xiami’s keyboard supports RGB controls using software from makers of motherboards, such as the ASUS Aura Sync.
Xiaomi has already begun to sell its Gaming Keyboard in China for ¥229 ($33.6).
The keyboard is not the only product for gamers launched by Xiaomi recently. Earlier this summer the company introduced its Mi Gaming Mouse with a 7200 DPI sensor, RGB accents and additional buttons.
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Source: Xiaomi
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jrs77 - Friday, August 10, 2018 - link
Anyone have any idea how those TTC-switches compare to Cherry switches?fazalmajid - Friday, August 10, 2018 - link
If they're Red switches (i.e. mushy, no tactile feedback), it doesn't really matter.Robotire - Saturday, August 11, 2018 - link
Urgh, why are the keys so weirdly placed? Why didn’t they align them correctly so it can be used with human hands?kgbme - Saturday, August 11, 2018 - link
LOVE these guys, Xiaomi. For example, their Mi A2 (Mi 6X) with Snapdragon 660 is costing around 200 Euros - a quick comparison may be the Nokia 7 Plus, which is (literally!) double the price - and it's Android One; & any (small!) details, which they pass on - such as the DUMB idea of not including a quickcharger - really do *not* matter, when it is SUCH value for money! =)kgbme - Saturday, August 11, 2018 - link
$60 for the Mi Android TV b0x is gr8, too! Anandtech users have covered it, as well: https://forums.anandtech.com/threads/mi-box-and-nv...spaceship9876 - Sunday, August 12, 2018 - link
pffft. That has quite a lot of bugs in the firmware and they took forever to release an update newer than android 6.0. Also there is no ethernet port.hemedans - Monday, August 13, 2018 - link
It jas been updated to Oreo already.Lambda4Freeman - Saturday, August 11, 2018 - link
Better just call it a gaming keyboard, because Xiaomi themselves didn't claim it is a mechanical keyboard(on their official Chinese advertising pages) , moreover under the TTL switches are still membranes. The switches only provide a mechanical-like feel, there are no electronic actuation things inside the switches.But imo at this price is still a good keyboard and worth buying, since no one else ever build membrane keyboard this solid and useable yet still quieter than many other mechanicals, and also have decent backlight. There just don't have many manufacturers willing to make membranes like this. (Forgive my awful English:)
FunBunny2 - Sunday, August 12, 2018 - link
"moreover under the TTL switches are still membranes. The switches only provide a mechanical-like feel, there are no electronic actuation things inside the switches."FWIW, the vaunted IBM keyboard worked the same way.
Tams80 - Sunday, August 12, 2018 - link
Topre switches also use membranes, and are also vaunted as great switches.