When it comes to gaming keyboards, TECWARE is a company that is no doubt gaining a lot of attention.
Creating brown switch mechanical keyboards for under $50, that is very rare. And while the saying of “You get what you pay for” rings true most of the time, I have to say that TECWARE’s Phantom 104 Backlit Mechanical Keyboard is a quality gaming keyboard featuring brown switches that people should definitely take a look at.
For those confused about the term blue switch and brown switch, blue switch are loud keyboards, brown switch is not as loud and red switch are quiet. Granted, if you want the quietest gaming keyboards, look towards gaming keyboards which offer cherry red switches (I don’t like the feel of cherry red switches, but it’s great for those who definitely want quiet key strikes).
The keyboard is plug and play and features RGB backlighting with one single plug. Some keyboard makers have one dedicated for the keyboard and a second dedicated to lighting, this is just a single. You can also download the software on the TECWARE website to change to 20 pre-set color configurations.
The keyboard also features customized OUTEMU mechanical switches and the good news is that the keyboard comes with spare modular switches with keycaps and a switch remover. And also features Double-Shot ABS Keycaps to prevent surface wear and that markings are not easily worn off.
The keys are floating and this is great, so you can easily blow the dust out. Especially for those who tend to eat and key (which I don’t do, but I know others do it).
The TECWARE Phantom 104 also features fiberglass PCB (SMD LEDs and FR-4 fiberglass printed circuit board) to withstand extended periods for longer gaming sessions.
The cables are also braided, which I also prefer.
And last, the keyboard also features full N-key rollover and 1000Hz pooling rate. N-Key roll over means that each key is scanned completely independently by the keyboard hardware, so pressing on each key is detected individually.
Pooling rate is the rate in which the computer checks the USB bust for data. So, at 1000Hz, the CPU checks 1000 times a second or 125 times every 8ms.
So, far I am enjoying the keyboard and it’s a great value at under $50 and often comes with an Amazon coupon for a few dollars off.
One thing I noticed with the keyboard is that it works great for gaming, but for standard typing, it took me a little while to get used to.
I used a Razer keyboard and was used to having numeric keys on the left side, but I used it for very few games, so I figured that I’m good with going for a gaming keyboard with 104 keys. I’m sure I could have gone with the 87 but I’m so used to having the number keys on the side.
Also, it takes a while to get used to the break in the digit layouts. You’ll notice that TECWARE has their own style for displaying text and there are breaks in digits and letters.
Personally, I am enjoying this keyboard, for gaming and I use this keyboard for my work at home and for gaming.
Overall, the TECWARE Phantom 104 Backlit Mechanical Keyboard works very well for its price. I have not had any problems with it at all, nor any problems with the keys. Granted, it’s only been a few weeks but if there are any problems that come up within the next few weeks or months, I’ll definitely update this review.
But for now, I do recommend the TECWARE Phantom 104 Backlit Mechanical Keyboard.
