Most keyboards with complicated macro and lighting customisation options manage these features through software. There are a few exceptions, however, and adding itself to that list is CM Storm’s Quick Fire XTi. This new keyboard offers multi-colour per-key backlighting, five on-board profiles and programmable macros for almost every key, yet it’s also fully plug-and-play with no need for software.
The Quick Fire XTi has an extremely minimalist design; it’s about as small as possible for a full 105-key keyboard. The small space above the numeric keypad is home to four dedicated profile keys, allowing for easy switching at any time. You can also hit FN-Esc to go to the keyboard’s default profile, which returns every key to its default function.
All five profiles, including the default one, can have a wide array of backlighting effects applied. Using FN-F3, you can flick between pre-programmed effects that are applied to the entire key set, or, with FN-Pause, record your own perkey patterns. Each key is backed by a dual-colour LED. FN-F2 controls the red lighting while F1 controls blue lighting, and you can also achieve a purple effect. There are five levels of brightness per colour, which equates to 35 possible combinations overall. In record mode, the FN key indicates the current selected colour, and you then simply hit which keys you want to be that colour. It may sound confusing, but you quickly get used to it, and Cooler Master has made a handy YouTube manual to guide you through the process.
The quality of the lighting is superb. The brightness is consistent, the colours are solid and there’s a lovely glow between the keys courtesy of the white plate on which the keys rest. This plate also helps to spread the light effectively through dual-symbol keys.
Meanwhile, macros can be recorded and stored in all but the default profile using FN-F9 (F10 for macro deletion). Most keys are available for programming, with the available (empty) ones lighting up blue. Once a key is selected, you simply enter your keystrokes – the keyboard can handle at least 100 key presses per macro and there’s no obvious time limit either. You can even set specific playback modes for the macro – one-time, toggle or loop.
Of course, without software, there are limitations as to what can be achieved. For example, the backlighting isn’t RGB, although red, blue and purple are popular colours among many enthusiasts. You also can’t program keys with functions, such as Windows or program shortcuts, nor can you set macros to be replayed without delays – these settings are stored and played in real time.
All this customisation would be meaningless if the keyboard itself wasn’t up to scratch, but thankfully, the Quick Fire XTi is fantastic. It’s extremely well built, and feels as solid and robust as the best keyboards we’ve used. The rubber pads equip it with a strong grip on smooth surfaces, while its rear legs provide a sharper typing angle if desired. The USB cable is detachable too, which typically increases longevity, and it can be threaded through one of the underside’s three cable channels to keep your desk tidy.
Our sample was furnished with a full set of Cherry MX Brown switches, although Red and Blue Cherry MX options are also available. In use, the switches are as excellent and consistent as ever. We find the light, tactile Brown switches to be pleasant both in typing and when gaming, making them ideal for people who do lots of both on the same machine. Full 105-key rollover is supported over USB and the keycaps are a joy to use, as they’re not only smooth, but they also have the right level of grip – they also have a UV coating. Honestly, we can’t fault the experience of using the Quick Fire XTi.
While build quality is high, though, extra features are thin on the ground. There’s no wrist rest, for example, just a key puller and a replacement keycap sporting the Cooler Master logo. There are also no USB ports or dedicated media controls. The FN key brings a few more functions though. Coupled with F4, it provides a Windows key lock, while F5-F8 control the hardware accelerated repeat rate. Lastly, with the six keys above the arrow keys, you have all the usual media and volume controls at your fingertips.
A price of £140 is serious cash for a keyboard. For those who use their machines solidly, such an investment can make sense, but Cooler Master could still have sweetened the deal with some extra features. If you don’t mind using software, Corsair’s K70 RGB offers even more lighting and key options, dedicated media keys and a wrist rest, and for £20 less too.
That said, there are very few keyboards that offer multicoloured lighting control and heaps of macro possibilities without any software – as far as we know, the XTi is the pinnacle of plug-and-play keyboards. These features are very appealing for certain gamers, though, as is the exceptionally high level of quality that Cooler Master has poured into the XTi. If you’re looking for a superb mechanical gaming keyboard that’s brimming with macro options and doesn’t require you to faff around with software, the Quick Fire XTi is currently as good as it gets. MATTHEW LAMBERT
VERDICT
The Quick Fire XTi offers superb quality and excellent plug-and-play features, which don’t require any software. It’s expensive, but worth the cost if that’s what you’re looking for.
SPECIFICATIONS
Connection Wired, USB
Cable 1.8m, braided, detachable
Material Plastic
Switch Type Cherry MX Brown (Blue and Red available)
Backlighting Red/blue dual LED, per-key
USB ports None
Wrist rest No
Extras 105-key rollover, Windows lock, media keys, key puller, replacement function key, on-the-fly lighting control, on-the-fly macro recording