i-Rocks Golem Series K50 Keyboard Review

The only potential downside here is that the top and base are red, which might not be to everyone's tastes, but it adds a little pizazz to the equation if nothing else, rather than making the K50 appear cheap.


Other functions include 24-key rollover for anti-ghosting, although only 13 keys offer the feature if you use the USB connection as opposed to PS/2. The areas that offer anti-ghosting are the WASD area and arrow keys. You can also lock the Windows keys and apply one of three turbo typing or repeat rate modes, although again, the USB interface is limited to just one.


So, on to the keys themselves, and to start with we're massively impressed with the K50 here. As previously mentioned, they use a 4-point scissor structure switch that has been raised to provide a 3.8mm key stroke. There's still a membrane base, but the feel is vastly smoother, more responsive and predictable than a traditional membrane-only keyboard.


The lifespan of 30 million key presses is less than 50 million for a Cherry MX switch, but the actuation force of 55g is equivalent to 54cN, which is right in the middle of the pack as far as typical Cherry MX switches go. Blues have 50cN and Blacks 60cN, although with Reds at just 45cN this does mean the force is relatively high overall. We've experimented with o-rings and foam landing pads with mechanical keyboards and the K50 feels as if we've dampened a Brown or Black switch, with slightly more of a bounce thanks to the membrane base.


However, the noise produced, both on the bottom out and especially on the key return, which is always noisy on mechanicals, are an order of magnitude quieter - it's a joy to use compared to any mechanical keyboard in this regard, even a Topre switch-equipped model such as CM Storm's NovaTouch TKL. Full membrane keyboards really aren't that much quieter either, and depending on your typing style and current keyboard, the K50 may actually end up being quieter.

Conclusion

If you're not keen on mechanical keyboards, be it due to the noise or feel or even just the price, the K50 is one of very few keyboards that offer some middle ground between basic membrane and CherryMX switches, both in terms of typing experience and price. The switches offer good feedback and are an instant improvement over basic membrane and the fact the K50 costs less than £40 means that in our view, it's pointless spending more than this on a membrane keyboard unless it has features you specifically want.

Indeed, we'd love to see the K50 in a range of guises, such as media-focussed with a volume dial and USB 3 hub, as well as gaming versions with macro keys and more customisable backlighting. There really is very little to dislike and a lot to cheer about here. If you've been stuck in membrane alley, the K50 could be just the keyboard you've been looking for.