Pros & Cons
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- Mechanical key switches.
- Multiple programmable macro keys with easy customization.
- Backlight with dual-zone lighting.
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- Crowded macro keys may hinder as much as they help.
- Asymmetrical design is more style than substance.
When it comes to weapons for battle, some gamers prefer features and functions, while others prize flashy designs. Generally, Mad Catz has gravitated toward the latter, but its latest keyboard may signal a change. The Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E. TE ($149.99) is the company's first mechanical gaming keyboard, and while it still has an eye-catching design, it brings a new level of quality to the Mad Catz lineup. Despite the improvements, however, our top pick is still the Roccat Ryos MK Pro, which has a fuller feature set and a more luxurious feel.
Design and Features
The new S.T.R.I.K.E. TE—the TE stands for Tournament Edition—is the first keyboard from Mad Catz with mechanical key switches. It blends competitive quality and advanced gaming features with the usual Mad Catz flair, and is available in glossy black, red, or white, or a matte black, as seen with our review unit.
View All The move to mechanical switches is a significant improvement from past offerings from Mad Catz, and if you're trading up from something like the Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E. 3, the difference will be felt immediately. The Kailh Brown switches—an alternative to the Cherry MX Browns used on the Logitech G710+—offer smoother, faster keystrokes, and the way each keystroke registers midway through the keystroke, and the keys spring back with each press, is a welcome change. The silicone dome switches used on other keyboards require bottoming out each key press to register the keystroke, and doesn't have the same springy feel. Anti-ghosting with 30-key rollover lets you press up to 30 keys simultaneously without locking up, allowing you to fire off as many key combinations as you can imagine, and it's a step up from the 12-key rollover seen on the Rosewill Helios RK-9200.
