Getting a mouse and keyboard combo is a pretty good idea for a variety of reasons. First off, the devices come from the same stable, and they’re designed to work together (for the most part). Secondly (and this may or may not matter much to you) they look good together. And thirdly, you’re generally going to get a better deal.
Cooler Master has a number of very good combo sets, and they have just added the Devastator II to the mix. It’s an upgraded version of the Devastator set, but most of the work has gone into the keyboard. As far as the mouse goes, you’re still getting the (decent) Devastator mouse, which has a DPI range from 500 to 2000 and a low lift-off distance.
The keyboard, though, has seen a major design change. It still looks pretty much like the original Devastator… what makes the difference here is under the hood. See, there really is little space left in the debate between membrane and mechanical keyboards. Mechanical wins, hands down, even if you hate the clicky noise, except in one area… membrane keyboards are generally much cheaper.
Cooler Master have attempted to bridge the gap here, using a technology they call mem-chanical. They differ from normal membrane keys in a number of ways, which largely comes down to their construction; they make use of both membrane and mechanical elements.
So what does this mean for the end user? Well, the board feels like a mechanical board, with a better tactile response and all the clicky noises your heart desires. And while they may not match the multikey performance of true mechanical switches, they do offer one other thing that is pretty important: they’re far more durable than the average membrane keyboard. Add to that the fact that even with the combination of technologies, the Devastator II is still at a much better price point than comparable mechanical keyboards, and you have a pocket-friendly solution to your keyboard desires.
While the Devastator II is a responsive and effective keyboard aimed at the gaming market, neither part of the combo has a lot of bells and whistles. The keyboard, for example, doesn’t feature any macro keys. The mouse, while effective, is also a little vanilla, and some may find that even though it is an effective device, it simply doesn’t offer enough sensitivity.
This lack of special features may not be ideal for some, but it hardly makes the Devastator II combo a bad bit of kit. It falls into the realms of “perfectly functional”, with a no-nonsense approach that will suit many. It’s not highly customisable or overly fancy but (perhaps most importantly) it gets the job done pretty well.
With an upgraded keyboard, the Devastator II kit offers a mechanical feel without the cost. It gets the job done pretty well.
SPECS
- Mem-chanical key technology
- Three LED colour options
- 2000 dpi mouse
- 6 button mouse