Cooler Master is over at CES 2023 and has brought with it a new mechanical keyboard: the MK770. It’s specific not a gaming keyboard, although of course it will work just fine for that kind of activity. Instead, Cooler Master says it’s targeting keyboard enthusiasts and other “niche needs” with its new ranges at the Vegas Tech Show.
“This year we found a subgroup of our audience whose needs were not being met 100%, so by 2023 we hope to fill that gap for the most part,” said Dennis Liu, Cooler Master’s head of peripherals.
I guess Liu means “weren’t 100% met [by Cooler Master]because we’re literally swimming in keyboard enthusiasts, from small solo projects to the larger DIY market. I’m not saying no to more competition in the space, though.
Cooler Master’s MK770 is definitely a bit different from its usual fare, although the last CM keyboard I used extensively was the MasterKeys Pro L – so a while back. The MK770 has a vibrant design with brightly colored keys, and there are a few to choose from, including a green palette and a pink palette. There’s also uh, brown.
These are also PBT keycaps. Cooler Master has mastered that one important feature for enthusiasts. PBT is the stronger, more resilient cousin of ABS plastic, which is normally found on a keyboard.
The funny thing about the MK700, however, is that Cooler Master has also found it suitable to install RGB LEDs on it. Yes, if you weren’t happy with the pink, blue, and cream keycaps, you can light them all up with any color of the rainbow. I’m sure with a good eye you can make something really beautiful here, but I expect most combinations will be really quite ugly.
On the more technical side, the MK700 comes with Kailh Box switches and a hot-swappable PCB, meaning you’re free to chop and change those switches to your liking. Another feature I’ve come to really appreciate lately, and something that, provided you’re careful when changing switches, should extend the life of your board.
Those Box switches are pretty nice too, or at least the few main ones I’ve used myself I hold in high esteem.
The more surprising feature here is that the MK770 is wireless. In fact, the MK770 comes with both Bluetooth and 2.4G wireless. That’s not always something I see on more enthusiast keyboards – in fact those tend to make a real meal of the cable itself – but with cheaper boards offering the functionality, for example, such as the Keychron K2 (opens in new tab)I suppose it makes sense to at least include functionality on this premium looking board.
That’s the point, I have no information on pricing for this keyboard. If it is much more than the price of a Ducky One 3 (opens in new tab)will struggle to feel worth it, even with added wireless functionality.
But hey, if this is a more general trend for CES 2022, I’m happy. More enthusiastic Keebs, please.