There are still plenty of PC users that use membrane keyboards, and for a variety of reasons. They're usually more affordable than keyboards with Cherry MX switches, plus they're much quieter as well. Several manufacturers have grappled with the latter point over the past couple of years, with some of them creating their own switch types. The Golem Series K50 is a case in point. It uses scissor switches, but i-Rocks has tweaked the switch design to make them more gaming-friendly.
Instead of offering feedback similar to that of your average laptop keyboard, many of which use a similar type of switch, the K50's scissor switches have a raised structure compared with the standard low-profile versions, offering a 3.8mm keystroke. Several manufacturers, including Razer, have experimented with scissor switches in their full-sized keyboards, but most of these designs have had low-profile keys.
Of course, there’s still a membrane base, so key presses result in the slight bounce that's characteristic of membrane keyboards, but you also get a more linear and responsive keystroke than you get from a standard membrane design. The keys are very pleasant to use for both typing and gaming, and an instant improvement over a membrane keyboard. The actuation force required is 55cN, which is less than Cherry MX Black switches but a fair bit more than Cherry MX Reds. However, anyone coming from a membrane keyboard will probably get used to it very quickly.
The best part, though, is the noise, or rather the lack of it - the K50 is easily as quiet as a membrane keyboard and massively less intrusive than any Cherry MX switch keyboard, especially on the upstroke, where some keyboards still produce a loud clack on the key return even if you type lightly.
The K50 retails for £39, and it's devoid of quite a few features as a result. There are no macro keys, USB ports or customisation software included, and the only options for media keys are the volume control buttons.
Thankfully, the keys offer 24-key rollover with PS/2 or 13-key with USB, and they're backlit, albeit with a single lighting level and only in orange, but the brightness level is fine in both low light and completely dark lighting conditions.
There's no wrist rest either, and the support stands only offer a single, slightly overzealous height setting. That said, the K50's sloped key set made for comfortable typing without the stands engaged anyway.
There's no braided cable either, but there are cable channels that enable you to route the USB cable via either side or the centre.
While it lacks advanced features, the K50 is pleasant to use, very quiet and offers far more tactile feedback than membrane keyboards, although the membrane bounce means it isn’t for Cherry MX fans.
With its sub-£40 price, though, it sits comfortably between membrane and mechanical price brackets, offering a solid step up if you're not quite prepared (or don't have the cash) to enter the realms of mechanical keyboards. ANTONY LEATHER
A great upgrade for membrane keyboard owners, and it's quiet too, although it isn't going to challenge Cherry MX designs.
SPECIFICATIONS
Connection Wired, USB
Cable 2m, non-braided
Material Plastic
Switch type Scissor
Backlighting, 1 colour
Extras None