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Keyboard

Hell yeah, I want a Gundam keyboard with Topre switches
Gaming Gear

Hell yeah, I want a Gundam keyboard with Topre switches

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Japanese keyboard brand Realforce is teaming up with the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise and releasing four limited edition mechanical keyboards inspired by popular Gundam designs. The four keyboards are based on the Z Gundam and Hyaku Shiki from Zeta Gundam and the Nu Gundam and Sazabi of Char’s Counterattack fame. Realforce’s Japanese site indicates reservations will begin in late December, but there is no pricing.

All four models are based on the Realforce GX1, a wired tenkeyless keyboard that normally runs $250-ish. Realforce keyboards are made by the Topre Corporation; they use capacitive Topre switches, like the cult classic Happy Hacking Keyboard.

Realforce mentions both English layout as well as Japanese ISO, so hopefully these mecha-inspired mechs won’t be exclusive to Japan. As a Gundam fan, I’m certainly crossing my fingers they come to the US.

But as cool as these keyboards look, I think their designs are a little plain — like the Asus ROG Strix Scope Gundam Edition before them. Elsewhere, there are Gundam-inspired keycap sets out there that really amp up the nerdy anime fun. I know because I’ve bought some myself. In addition to the Char Zaku II keycaps I put on the Zoom75 Tiga in our recent keyboard buying guide, I’ve got Hi-Nu Gundam and Sazabi keycaps on my Epomaker P75 and Keychron Q1 Max.

Now I just need the matching Gunpla kits.



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Logitech Signature Solar Slim+ K980 Keyboard Review: See the Light
Gaming Gear

Logitech Signature Solar Slim+ K980 Keyboard Review: See the Light

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This likely won’t be an issue for anyone who wants a practical, simple keyboard, especially if you don’t care much about typing feel. However, there are countless other keyboards—wired and wireless—that can deliver more enjoyable typing experiences at comparable prices.

The Slim Solar+ K980 has a traditional full-size layout, with a number pad and a separate arrow key cluster. This layout takes up a good amount of space, but it has every key you’ll need. The function row can swap between function keys and system controls by pressing Fn + Esc, and the system controls include volume adjustments, play/pause/skip, brightness adjustments, window navigation, an emoji menu, and a key to summon Windows’ built-in speech dictation system. All of these are useful and convenient, and the labels are nearly all self-explanatory at a glance.

Photograph: Henri Robbins

These shortcut keys can also be customized with the Logi Options+ app, which has extensive productivity-oriented customizations. The most significant is the ability to remap the function row and navigation keys to specific keys, macros, key combinations, or programmed “Smart Actions.” Some of the preconfigured Smart Actions include a “Social Media Break” key to open multiple social media platforms in a new window (not quite what I would have imagined from the name), or a “Work Mode” key that opens Gmail and the Microsoft 365 Suite. These can be customized endlessly, with dedicated support for AI assistants, navigation, and other convenience-oriented commands.

Alongside customization options, there’s multi-device connectivity via Bluetooth with support for up to three devices that can be cycled through via dedicated keys. Or you can keep it connected to one device with the included USB-C Logi Bolt receiver. I had no issues with connectivity.

The keyboard has dual Mac and Windows legends on the bottom row, making it easy to switch between two operating systems. (There’s also a macOS-only version you can buy.) As the name suggests, the K980 is incredibly slim. It’s less than half the thickness of a true mechanical keyboard, with the thickest point measuring 18 millimeters (0.7 inch), and it can easily slip between other items in a backpack. The main issue is length, but that’s a problem with all full-size keyboards.

Practicality and Sustainability

Photograph: Henri Robbins

The only way to recharge this keyboard is with the solar panel on top. It doesn’t have any kind of USB port. Logitech claims the keyboard’s battery can run for four months without any light sources. Presumably, it can run indefinitely in a well-lit environment.



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Save $36 on a Cool, Compact Hall Effect Keyboard
Product Reviews

Save $36 on a Cool, Compact Hall Effect Keyboard

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Looking for a compact keyboard with a unique twist? The Keychron Q1 HE (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is currently marked down over $35 on Amazon, and comes with Hall Effect switches, a rare offering that adds a ton of functionality to your keyboard.

Photograph: Henri Robbins

Think of a keyboard switch like light switches. They have a fixed point where they activate, and all they can report is whether they’re in one of two states. Hall effect switches are more like light dimmer knobs. They know exactly where they currently are and can report that information back to the computer, which has a number of advantages over traditional keyboard switches.

For starters, you don’t have to settle for a fixed actuation point like you do on most keyboards. You can use the software to set the keys to be super sensitive, or require them to be almost all the way down, or even set keys to send different button presses depending on how hard they’re pressed. If you like to play video games, you can set keys to act like an analog joystick or trigger, letting you easily steer in racing games or walk in RPGs without picking up a controller.

The software has a lot of options, but is well thought out and easy to use, although you do need to plug it in to make changes. It’s QMK-based, but Keychron provides their own web-based launcher to make things even easier, particularly if you’re not well versed in that customization software.

It’s a premium mechanical keyboard throughout. The switches themselves are made by Gateron, and our reviewer noted that they’re exceptionally smooth, thanks to the pre-lubed rails and magnetic sensor. The gasket mount design and full aluminum body work together to provide a soft, deep, typing experience. Unless you’re already using linear switches, you might miss some of the crispness and feedback you get from a tactile or clicky mechanical switch.

While the larger Keychron Q6 HE currently sits at the top of our list of favorite mechanical keyboards, if you don’t need the num pad, you might appreciate the extra desk space you can reclaim with the Q1 HE. They’re otherwise extremely similar boards, and you’ll save $50 in the process.



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My favourite tech at Gamescom is this "falcon-shaped" split gaming keyboard
Game Reviews

My favourite tech at Gamescom is this “falcon-shaped” split gaming keyboard

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I want to tell you about my favourite thing from Gamescom. It’s not the Xbox Ally X, it’s not an active sim racing brake pedal, and it’s not even that 720Hz tandem OLED monitor. It’s a keyboard – a very special keyboard with one glaring flaw. Let me explain.

The Falcata is another of Asus’ keyboards named after a sword (Falchion, Claymore), and in this case it’s a falcon-shaped sword that was used in the Iberian peninsula. I had no idea that “falcon” was a valid shape for a sword, but there you go. The keyboard itself isn’t Falcon-shaped (thankfully), instead it’s kind of normal 75 percent keyboard sized. It does look a little odd though, with a loop of USB wire up top connecting the left side to the right.

That’s because the keyboard splits in half when given a tug, allowing some interesting possibilities. The left side houses all of the internals, so you can use it fully standalone as a keypad, giving you a huge amount of mousing space even if you have a small desk. You can also keep that right side connected, but separate the two halves, angling them outward for a more comfortable typing position. The bonus here is that a convenient space opens up between the two halves, which is ideal for a steaming mug of tea.

Here’s what the keyboard looks like when you use a proper camera to take a photo, instead of relying on a camera phone in a weirdly lit press area on a boat. | Image credit: Asus

Beyond the split ergonomic design, the Falcata is quite a comfy keyboard for typing. The big difference here is the inclusion of four layers of sound dampening poron and silicone, quieting the keyboard while also making its report deeper and more satisfying. There are also PBT keycaps, which last longer than ABS alternatives and tend to have a bit more texture to them, and detachable wrist rests for each side.

The Falcata is also very capable when it comes to gaming, with a laundry list of “best mechanical keyboard 2025” features: magnetic (Hall Effect) switches, rapid trigger (keys react instantly to being pressed or released rather than only when passing set depth thresholds), SOCD (pairing keys so that pressing one automatically disables the other, useful for side-strafing in FPS titles), 8000Hz polling (rinses your battery life to minimise input latency). And yup, this keyboard has 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connectivity, so there is a built-in battery. You can also use the keyboard wired if you prefer, with 8000Hz being an option both wired and via the 2.4GHz connection.

The magnetic switches in the Falcata look just like this, but smaller.

You can see some of the four layers of sound-dampening poron and silicone here.
Image credit: Eurogamer

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Setting up your keyboard can take a second or hours, depending on your requirements, but you don’t need to install software to do this with the Falcata. Instead, you can access web software to rebind keys, adjust the RGB lighting or make macros. This is a continuing trend these days, and as someone that is contractually obligated to clutter up my computer with thousands of peripheral drivers and software, I feel very grateful.

Now here’s the bit where I lose the otherwise-interested reader: the Falcata costs £376 or $420, which is about 50 percent higher than even I expected. That’s a ludicrous price, even for the high-end specs and features offered, but sadly ergonomic keyboards like this do come with a massive mark-up. The keyboard isn’t yet out, so I hope there’s room for that price to come down before launch – or a cheaper wired model to be commissioned. Regardless, it’s likely that we’ll see more affordable imitators before too much longer. And maybe one of those keyboards will be my favourite piece of tech from Gamescom 2026.

Disclosure: Asus paid for flights and accommodation to Cologne for Gamescom so that we could see their new products in person.



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Front of Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1 on desk on with pink background
Product Reviews

Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1 review: an underwhelming mechanical gaming keyboard eclipsed by better value alternatives

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Why you can trust TechRadar


We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1: one-minute review

The Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1 is a wired mechanical keyboard with the simple aim of delivering great gaming performance.

Its sleek appearance is achieved thanks to the low profile keycaps with their prominent indentations, and despite being made from ABS, they look and feel every bit as premium as their PBT counterparts.

What’s more, the very bright RGB lighting looks particularly striking on the white colorway. The metal chassis, however, looks less impressive, coming across a little cheap.

Fortunately, it feels more solid than it appears – as does the whole board for that matter, equaling what the best gaming keyboards have to offer. It’s reasonably heavy as a result, but not onerously so.

The detachable USB cable also feels premium. It’s braided which makes it more flexible, and it’s quite long, too, which makes it easier to route on various setups.

The software that attends the MX 3.1 is quite limited compared to those of other gaming keyboards, containing only a handful of shortcuts rebind options and a basic macro facility – and not much else besides. This will no doubt disappoint gamers after deep customization options.

To game with, the MX2A switches in the MX 3.1 are heavier than you might expect. They feel quite clicky with minimal dampening, which can make them feel a little harsh when hammering away at them.

This aspect isn’t helped by the short travel of the keys. Thankfully, those indentations on the keycaps are comfortable and secure, which makes them ideal for both gaming and typing.

I also appreciated the rounded back edge of the space bar, which softens the impact when you hit it. This is especially useful given the shallow angle of the layout: instead of fold-out feet, the MX 3.1 comes with two sets of screw-in pins with different heights. No matter which set I installed, the layout always seemed too flat for my liking. Combined with the thick body, this means the MX 3.1 can get uncomfortable after long sessions.

It’s priced slightly below what you might expect from a wired mechanical gaming keyboard, but in today’s market there are plenty of great value models offering more features and stronger performance for less.

(Image credit: Future)

  • Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1 (White) at Amazon for $94.99

Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1 review: price and availability

  • $129 (about £100 / AU$200)
  • Available now in three colorways
  • Slight below-average pricing

The MX 3.1 costs $129 (about £100 / AU$200) and is available now in black, white, and pink colorways, although the latter is currently only available in Asia.

This is a slightly-below average price for a full-size wired mechanical keyboard, but there are plenty of wired and even wireless alternatives that perform just as well, if not better, for less money.

Take the Roccat Magma, for instance, which is our pick as the best gaming keyboard for those on a budget. It may feature membrane rather than mechanical switches and exhibit less-than-stellar build quality, but its performance is sharp and accurate and has a miniscule price tag in comparison to the MX 3.1.

Even the wireless MonsGeek Fun60 Ultra is cheaper than the MX 3.1, albeit not by as much. This board supports both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connections, and features TMR analog switches that allow for far greater customization. I also found it great to both game and type on.

Value: 3 / 5

Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1 review: specs

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Layout

Full size

Switch

Mechanical

Programmable keys

Yes

Dimensions

17.1 x 5.4 x 1.4 inches (435 x 138 x 35mm)

RGB or backlighting

Yes (customizable)

(Image credit: Future)

Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1 review: design and features

  • Solid and sturdy construction
  • No folding feet
  • Limited software

The MX 3.1 has a simple yet sleek design. The speckled metal chassis that frames the entire board features angular contours and sporadic holes, all of which add some interest. However, this frame ultimately looks a little cheap and harks back to a bygone era of gaudy gaming peripherals.

The very bright and vibrant RGB lighting, on the other hand, is striking yet tasteful. It certainly attracts plenty of attention, especially on the white model, which it complements rather well.

Build quality is very good as well, with the whole unit feeling quite sturdy and heavy, more so than perhaps it looks. That metal chassis is solid as you could wish for, and so too are the plastics, which means the MX 3.1 should stand the test of time.

The keycaps look elegant thanks to their low profile and deep indentations. Despite being made from ABS, they feel every bit as premium as PBT varieties. They feel super smoother under the finger tips, too.

(Image credit: Future)

Their overall size is quite small compared to those on other mechanical keyboards, which makes the whole of the MX 3.1 feel more compact. It’s a shame, however, that there’s no volume dial, with F-row shortcuts relied on for this function in its place.

Instead of foldable feet, the MX 3.1 comes with two sets of pins of different lengths that screw into the back end of the board to adjust the angle. While this method arguably offers a more secure footing, it’s a less sophisticated and more time-consuming solution.

What’s more, even the longer pins aren’t tall enough to create an angle I was entirely comfortable with. This issue is exacerbated by the thick chassis – and lack of wrist support – which meant my wrists had to bend upwards more than I would’ve liked.

The MX 3.1 comes with a long, braided USB cable, which makes it amenable to various setups and routing options. The central placement of the USB-C port also helps with these aspects.

The companion software for the MX 3.1, the Cherry Utility Software, is quite sparse compared to rival tools. Every key can be remapped to another, but there are only a handful of system and media shortcuts available to assign, while the macro creator is very basic. Those looking for more performance based tweaks will be disappointed.

Design & features: 3.5 / 5

Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1 review: performance

  • Switches heavier than expected
  • Good for typing
  • Considerate space bar design

The MX2A Silent Red linear switches are quite clicky with little dampening, which makes them feel harsh when hit hard. They’re also quite heavy to press, which is most noticeable when using the WASD keys for in-game movement. This resistance is somewhat surprising, given the short travel of the keys themselves.

This short travel makes the MX 3.1 great for typing on, though, as do the aforementioned keycap indentations, since they provide both security and feedback when touch typing. Their low profile also helps to compensate for the whole unit’s lack of tilt, allowing my fingers to stay relatively flat while dancing around the keys, which I find more comfortable.

Another aspect of the MX 3.1 I appreciated is the soft curve on the back edge of the space bar, as this cushions impacts with the thumb. It’s a shame this curve is confined to the center rather than extending along the entire edge, but I still appreciated its inclusion.

(Image credit: Future)

Performance: 3.5 / 5

Should I buy the Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1?

Swipe to scroll horizontallyGamakay TK75HE V2 Scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

It costs less than the average price for a mechanical keyboard, but there are cheaper alternatives with more features.

3 / 5

Design and features

The MX 3.1 is elegant, despite the somewhat dated design of the metal frame. It’s built to a surprisingly high standard, too, although the software is underwhelming.

3.5 / 5

Performance

The switches are heavier than you might expect, but typing is satisfying. The lack of angle can cause some ergonomic issues.

3.5 / 5

Overall

The MX 3.1 doesn’t do anything to set the gaming keyboard world alight. While it’s solid in some regards, it’s too expensive for what it offers.

3.5 / 5

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1 review: also consider

Swipe to scroll horizontallyHeader Cell – Column 0

Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1

MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra

Roccat Magma

Layout

Full size

60%

Full size

Switch

Mechanical

Analog (TMR magnetic)

Membrane

Programmable keys

Yes

Yes

Yes

Dimensions

17.1 x 5.4 x 1.4 inches (435 x 138 x 35mm)

11.5 x 4 x 1.1 inches (293 x 102.5 x 28.5mm)

17.8 x 6.2 x 1.5 inches (452 x 157 x 39mm)

RGB or backlighting

Yes (customizable)

Yes (customizable)

Yes (customizable)

How I tested the Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1

  • Tested for a week
  • Used for gaming and working
  • Extensive gaming keyboard experience

I tested the MX 3.1 for about a week, during which time I used it for gaming and working.

I played Counter-strike 2, which is a great test for keyboards given the demands it places on fast and its requirement of precise inputs. I also played games that make greater use of the entire layout, such as Abiotic Factor.

I’ve been PC gaming for over a decade, and during that time I’ve experienced a vast array of gaming keyboards. I’ve also tested a wide range of them, as well as other Cherry XTRFY products.

Cherry XTRFY MX 3.1: Price Comparison



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KeyGo keyboard
Gaming Gear

KeyGo’s hybrid keyboard brings Apple Touch Bar dreams to life with a 12.8-inch touchscreen, making every workspace instantly more versatile

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  • KeyGo 12.8-inch screen offers sharp visuals despite a compressed 1440p layout for multitasking
  • Scissor-switch keys provide a tactile typing experience suitable for serious work or long sessions
  • RGB lighting enhances visibility in low-light conditions while allowing personal customization

Small external screens have steadily become essential for those seeking flexible workflows and improved multitasking capabilities.

Yanko Design’s new KeyGo keyboard merges a 12.8-inch touchscreen monitor with a full-size keyboard.

It aims to create a hybrid device that extends the traditional workspace without requiring a full desktop setup.


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A screen built for precision

This concept is ambitious, but its practicality is limited by the absence of a built-in battery, meaning users must remain connected to a power source for extended use.

The integrated display delivers a resolution of 1920×720 at 60Hz, which might initially raise eyebrows among those accustomed to conventional 1080p monitors.

However, the design essentially compresses a 1440p screen across a wider layout, producing a pixel density that keeps text sharp and visuals reasonably crisp.

For professionals who rely on portable monitors or a monitor for video editing, this width-oriented resolution provides a usable secondary screen for reference materials, timelines, or notifications, even if it cannot fully replace a main 4K display.

The keyboard uses scissor-switch keys, which offer a responsive typing experience comparable to high-end laptops.

This design minimizes the often-criticized “mushy” feel of cheaper units, enabling fast and accurate typing.

RGB lighting is integrated with three modes, supporting work in dimly lit environments and allowing a degree of personalization.

While the visual flair may appeal to gamers, business users may appreciate the practicality of illuminated keys during extended work sessions.

Connectivity is handled through USB-C, simplifying connections to laptops, tablets, or smartphones across Windows and macOS platforms.

The single-cable solution handles both power and data, which reduces clutter and streamlines setup for mobile professionals.

Despite its thin CNC-machined aluminum build, which gives it a premium feel, the device remains somewhat limited by its dependence on external power.

It also comes with a 180-degree hinge, allowing users to orient the touchscreen above the keys or stand it fully upright as a second monitor.

While the KeyGo revisits ideas reminiscent of Apple’s Touch Bar, it expands the concept into a standalone, multi-touch interface.

Pricing begins at $538, although early backers can purchase the KeyGo for $249, representing a 54% discount.

The product also includes global shipping and a one-year warranty, and the company claims only 23 of 200 units remain.

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