To most people, a keyboard is often one of the last pieces of a computer to be considered. If a portion of the budget is even reserved for a keyboard, it’s a very tiny amount—sometimes less than $20. It’s kind of odd too, especially considering the amount of use keyboards get.
Of course there is an exception to this generality: the aficionado. The keyboard aficionado knows the differences between types of keyboards right down to the very components. They can tell you what makes a great keyboard great as well as why “that other keyboard” isn’t worthy of their attention. Likewise, they are willing to shell out obscene amounts of money for the keyboard that best suits their needs as well as their desires.
For gamers who demand more from their input devices, Thermaltake offers the MEKA line of mechanical keyboards.
The Thermaltake MEKA is a compact version of the MEKA G1 Phil reviewed a while back. It falls under Thermaltake’s Tt eSPORTS line of products. Its listed features are:
- Up to 1000MHz polling rate
- Cherry Black mechanical switches
- Two USB 2.0 ports
- Anti-Ghosting function (up to 16 keys)
- Gold-plated
teethconnectors - 1.8m Braided cable
- Smart cable management
- Switch lifecycle: 50 Million
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 16.93×6.3×1.57 inches (370x150x35 mm)
Everything about this keyboard says “heavy duty”. Given the wrong circumstances it could probably be used as a weapon or shield. The keyboard itself has a very good heft to it—far heavier than I expected a keyboard that size could be. The braided USB cable is extremely thick, but surprisingly bendable.
The only lights on the MEKA are on the Scroll Lock, Num Lock, and Caps Lock keys. Small windows at the bottom center of each are just big enough to show a small amount of red light indicating on/off status.
As a travel keyboard, the MEKA is awesome. It fits very nicely in my SLAPPA backpack (something my G15 just cannot do) and still leaves room for tons of other gear. Smaller laptop bags will easily hold the keyboard as well. The keyboard includes a Velcro tie that keeps the USB cable nicely wrapped during travel.
Mice should slide, keyboards should stay in place. The MEKA’s anti-skid pads are very effective at making sure the keyboard stays right where you want it. Four pads contact the desk, and this seems to be enough for a solid hold. It can be moved, but you pretty much have to want to move it to do so.
The guts of the MEKA
The Cherry MX Black keyswitches are fantastic. This my first experience in a very long time with a mechanical keyboard, and I’m sold. The tension on the keys is even for the entire keystroke, and the resistance just feels right. The feel of the “other” style with its mushy rubber domes just doesn’t feel as good anymore.
The layout. Mostly normal, but missing a key.
I do have one complaint, and it has to do with the layout. The backspace key is reduced to normal key size, the question mark key is now to the right of the up arrow key, and there isn’t a Windows key at all. The first two can be worked around—it’s just a matter of learning the new layout. The missing Windows key is a bit more problematic for me—many useful shortcuts are now lost. While less than optimal, the left control key could have been cut down a bit to accommodate the Windows key, but it is what it is.
Using the MEKA
Gaming with the MEKA is a very satisfying experience. The keyboard is very comfortable even during extended gaming sessions. I’m mostly an FPS gamer, and I couldn’t find anything to complain about during the hours spent testing under Team Fortress 2 and Deus Ex: Human Revolution. My exposure to the MMO world is nil, but given the keyboard’s ability to handle 16 simultaneous keys, and the same excellent internals as the MEKA G1, it’s not a stretch to predict good results.
In my dual roles of software engineer and Icrontic writer, it’s not uncommon to spend upward of 14 hours at the keyboard in a day. Despite the MEKA’s slightly odd layout and missing shortcut key, it still works well for both roles. And I’ll admit, I’m now sold on the virtues of mechanical keyboards. Were it not for the cost of replacing all the keyboards in my house with mechanical versions, I’d do it in a heartbeat.
The Thermaltake MEKA sells for $100.99 on Newegg before a $20 mail-in rebate. It’s expensive when compared to other keyboard types, but narrowing the field down to mechanical keyboards of its type (using Cherry MX Black switches), the price is actually on the low end of the spectrum. Additionally, the keyboard is very well built and should last a very long time. An extra $10 will get you the MEKA G1, but if you need a quality compact keyboard, the Thermaltake MEKA is definitely a keyboard to consider and is awarded the Icrontic Stamp of Approval.
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