CM Storm Trigger Z - Full Size Backlit Mechanical Gaming Keyboard with CHERRY MX Switches, Detachable Wrist Rest, and Dedicated Macro Keys (Blue LED/Blue Switch Model)

This is a really nice keyboard. I'm a Mac user and a PC user, and if you want to use this keyboard on a Mac you will need Karabiner and you'll want to swap Windows and Alt in the OS X Keyboard prefs because there are NO DIP switches whatsoever on this board. There are also NO LED's whatsoever - no light for caps lock to be found.What's really nice is the capacitive switches. They are smooth as silk and feel great to type on. The sound is pleasant, albeit loud, sort of like a galloping horse sound effect, but as I said, I do find it enjoyable to listen to, more enjoyable in fact than the "clicky" types of Cherry switches like greens and blues. But this review is about the keyboard, the whole package... If Topre is or is not for you, that's for you to decide; but what about the package that CoolerMaster has given us here?The keyboard comes in a very nice box and includes rubber O-rings. Many people think these are to silence the keys, and that is, in fact, what they will do on Cherry switches. But if you take a look how they fit on the keys and how the stem fits into the keycap, they don't really seem to do much of anything for you on this board. I tried them, and it doesn't do anything like what o-rings do on Cherry switches at all.Another reviewer commented that the connector for the cable isn't good. I would say it's better than most I've seen. Some of the "other" keyboards have the jack soldered directly to a PCB and every time you plug in and remove the cord, you flex it a little. That's going to break sooner or later. From the internals pictures I've seen of the CM, they actually have it reinforced pretty nicely. It seems well-designed... Although I would agree, I would prefer it were attached underneath and routable left or right.Now for the real negatives... I'm writing this from the standpoint of someone who types a lot for a living... Coders, writers, etc. who want something "more" than the garbage rubber-dome keyboard you've been given.Unless you're a gamer, the Fn layer on this keyboard is kind of dumb. I don't need hotkeys to disable the Windows key or 8x repeat. I'd rather have a real Menu key I could remap to something. As it is, I can't even disable the built-in FN key except by putting a blocker under it, which is a good idea, because the included keycaps are destined for the dustbin and you'll forget that Fn + F9 turns off the Windows key in short time, since you'll probably never use that feature. I should mention that it's easy to unplug the keyboard and plug it back in, which resets those functions to the default setting.The lack of a light for Caps Lock is also a negative, but not a huge one. Actually I use the Caps Lock key as an additional Control key anyway, but you might want one. The stock key caps, also a negative - although the whole point of this is to have Topre switches where you can actually find aftermarket keycaps for them. But one would think that for this price, they could include something reasonably good. The dirty white on black thin ABS keys do not do this thing justice, and make the keystrokes sound thin and hollow. I've already installed some thick PBT keycaps and it's really a great keyboard to type on with that addition (but that bumps the total investment by $50...)So to summarize, the only real negatives for me on this board are the lack of any sort of way to customize the Fn layer (WASD v2 for example, can use internal Fn layer or give you a PC Menu key) or any kind of Mac-compatibility mode (WASD and KUL both offer this) and that the Fn layer included is, well, geared more towards gamers than people who want to use a keyboard for typing. Then again, it's Cooler Master, so I'm not sure we should expect any different.Bottom line: If you are a PC user looking for a great keyboard to type on, for roughly $25 more you can buy an honest to goodness Realforce 87u that comes with PBT keycaps stock. I'd have a hard time steering you away from that, if custom keycaps weren't really a selling point for you. In other words, if you just want a great keyboard for typing, that you can take out of the box and use as-is, I'm not sure this is the best value. If on the other hand, you're a gamer who wants a customizable board with Cherry-compatible stems, this is pretty much your only choice, and it's not a bad only choice to have at all.

I recently tested a ton of different tenkeyless mechanical keyboards:1) CM Storm QuickFire Rapid - Tenkeyless (Cherry MX Brown)2) Max Keyboard Blackbird Tenkeyless (Cherry MX Blue)3) KUL ES-87 Tenkeyless Mechanical Keyboard (Cherry MX Black)4) Topre Realforce 87U 45 g5) Topre Relaforce 87U 55 g6) This keyboard: CM Storm NovaTouch TKL#1, #2 and #3 are Cherry MX switch keyboards, whereas #4, #5 and #6 are Topre switch keyboards. For me, this keyboard is the winner - the Cm Storm Novatouch TKL is what I currently use both home and work.Among the cherry mx family, I liked the Cherry mx blue most, and thus the Max Keyboard blackbird (#2) was my first choice for a cherry keyboard. Cherry mx brown was a close second - it closely matched Topres weight and sound. As much as I initially liked the sound of the blues, very soon I soon figured that I enjoy topre keys much more than any cherry mx. Just love that buttery smooth feeling and that luxurious thock! Now that I settled for Topres, the Realforce 87U were an obvious choice to consider. However I encountered some challenges with them 1) The 55g keyboard (#5) was too heavy and I was getting finger strain a week into it 2) The 45g Topre (#4) had sleep-wakup issues on my mac. The keyboard would hang after it wakes up the computer from sleep. I discovered that this keyboard (#6) at 45g was the perfect weight for me. Additionally, it was awesome that it has the cherry mx interface allowing us to use our own keycaps. What more can I ask for?This keyboard weighs a good 2 lb and is very solid. It comes comes with a detachable, braided micro usb cable, which is very sturdy. It's nice that a keycap puller and dampers are included. Packaging is also very well done. I realize that I'm not an easy customer to satisfy when it comes to electronics, and this being a winner for me says a lot about the quality of this keyboard. However, any product can be improved. With that perspective here are my suggestions, in the order of priority:1) Include Led for Caps lock - this one is a very basic requirement. The Realforce 87Us (#4 and #5 in the list) have this.2) Include PBT keycaps. The default keycaps feel pretty cheap. I would pay more for PBT. Again the 87Us have this.3) Include straight usb cable or one that angled to the right, as the usb connected is to the right of the keyboard.4) Have a channel to route the cable to the left or right. The 87Us have this.5) Include Led backlighting for all keycaps.July 11th, 2015:Slight downgrade to 4.5 stars. Although this keyboard is nice, the tactile and aural feedback does not quite compare to that of a real topre. I went back to the 87U tenkeyless all 45gram. I can live with sleep wakeup issues on my mac, but the quality of the original Topre keys is something I don't want to give up. If you are looking to customize your keyscaps and still have some of the topre experience, the CM Storm NovaTouch still remains the top choice. However, if you are looking for the best tactile experience, go with the original topre.

now i just use the keyboard to type. very good touch and sound. love it!