RAPOO V560 BACKLIT MECHANICAL GAMING KEYBOARD UNBOXING & FIRST IMPRESSION

In this review, I will discuss the following:

• advantages of mechanical keyboards for gaming
• Rapoo as a brand
• review of the Rapoo V560 keyboard

WHY GO MECHANICAL?

PROS

1. Longer Life
   We play games for long hours. The number of key press gamers do and how they press the keys especially in the heat of the excitement of the game, puts a heavy toll on the keyboard.
   Mechanical keyboards are more robust and have a significantly longer life span compared to the typical membrane keyboards bundled with PCs. Most are capable of lasting 30 to 70 million key presses compared to only 5 million key presses for membrane keyboards. That’s 6 to 14 times longer life span!
   For laptops, they usually use scissor-type switches that usually last from 10 to 30 million key presses. External mech keyboards will still last 2 to 3 times longer. So getting an external keyboard for your laptops, prolongs the life of your laptop keyboard and prevent spending on expensive keyboard repairs or replacement later.
   
2. Does Not Wear Out Easily
   Even after several years of use, the feel of typing on a mechanical keyboard feels like you are typing when you first got your keyboard.
   
3. Better Typing Experience and Keypress Feedback
   A mechanical switch of the mechanical keyboards offers way more in terms of configuration and tweaking. You can even change the type of keys according to your preferences in terms of hardness, acoustic feedback, that can be configured for gaming or for typing.
   
4. High Stability / Robustness
   Mechanical keyboards are usually heavier so it is more stable and won’t slide or shift so easily on your desk.
   

CONS

1. NOISIER
   Mechanical keyboards are definitely a bit louder than your typical keyboards. However, you can either choose one of the silent mechanical keyboard models with silent switches or use O-Rings to decrease the sound level of your keyboard.
2. More Expensive
   Typically more expensive than most membrane keyboards. But it’s an investment since it usually lasts 6 to 14 times longer.
3. Heavier
   They are definitely heavier due to their construction materials.

RAPOO AS A BRAND

For gaming keyboards, mouse and other accessories, we are more familiar with either the gaming PC/Laptop brands like Asus ROG, HP Omen, Acer Predator, or gaming accessories brands like Logitech and Razer to name a few. These branded peripherals are usually more expensive.

So what is the budget-friendly value for money options?

Shenzhen Rapoo Technology Co., Ltd., is known for its wireless peripheral technology especially keyboards and mouse. Due to their first-class industrial design and international-standard quality, Rapoo has been ranked No. 1 in China’s wireless keyboard and mouse market for two consecutive years. They became one of the leading supplier of wireless peripherals.

Since 2002, Rapoo has strong R&D capabilities and advanced manufacturing management. They has won praise from dozens of Chinese and international industry media, and received nearly 100 rewards.

In the Philippines, they have extensive support throughout the country. Rapoo differentiates itself not only in design and value for money but their after-sales service here in the country. If you take your faulty keyboard or mouse which is under warranty, you don’t have to wait for repairs but they will replace it with a new one. That’s the service other brands don’t offer at that price point.

REVIEW OF THE RAPOO V560 BACKLIT MECHANICAL GAMING KEYBOARD

Unboxing and First Impressions

The box contains the keyboard, a manual and a key-cap puller.

The keyboard looks large due to its protruding metal framing compared to other 104 keyboards but makes the keyboard look sleek.

No cable routing system under the keyboard but the cable is slightly to the right-hand side.

It has a floating key design.

The individual keys are Rapoo’s own Blue switch with a similar feel with that of the popular CherryMX counterpart. The keycaps are Doubleshot ABS.

Underneath, the flip stands lift the keyboard for a more ergonomic setup.

Once connected to the PC or laptop, the multi-color backlit lights up for a cool gamer look.

The floating keycap allows the light to shine out of the sides creating a visual treat.

The V560 has additional Function Keys functionality when pressed in combination with the Fn key:

• F1 to F4 : My Computer, Search, Calculator, Music Player
• F5 to F11: Media controls (Previous Track, Next Track, Play/Pause, Stop, Mute, Volume -, Volume +)
• F12 : Windows Lock function.

OUR RECOMMENDATION

PROS

• V560 is also Spill-Resistant rated IP 68
• has multimedia and short cut keys
• plug and play and no need for software drivers
• multi-color with 6 lighting effects. profiles can be changed using FN + Ins, Home, PgUp, Del, End, PgDn keys above the arrow keys
• anti-ghosting
• durable keys with double color injection molding keycaps with Rapoo Blue switches rated at 50 million key-presses
• high-speed response
• conflict-free design for all keys
• no signs of flex thanks to the sandblasted aluminum top
• build quality and durability
• service

CON

• not full RGB limited to only 6 lighting effects preset
• no customization for colors and lighting
• large due to the frame – may be a problem for smaller desks
• noisy key mechanical keyboard (as discussed above common to all keyboards of this type)
• no cable routing underneath
• no bundled software/drivers so no customization or macro recording

CONCLUSION

The Rapoo V560 is still one of the best mechanical 104 keys mixed-colored backlit keyboard for beginners below PHP 2,000 and will be gaming with you for a long time due to its durability.

With the suggested retail price of PHP 1,995, it is slightly more expensive compared to other OEM or similar brands. I would gladly pay a bit more because of Rapoo’s 1-year warranty and excellent after-sales service.

So for a cooler looking gaming keyboard that will help you win more games, Rapoo’s V560 keyboard is a good choice.

The V560 is now available in Silicon Valley, Complink, PC Express Branches, Joyo Marketing, and Achiles Computer and CCTV.

You can also check out Rapoo’s other keyboard variants like the V500S Alloy, V500 Pro, V500RGB, V700 RGB.