NZXT FUNCTION, MINITKL & TENKEYLESS Mechanical Keyboard Review
Peter Donnell / 3 years ago
Performance
When it comes down to it, I can’t really tell you which one of these keyboards is best, as I think that’s a pretty subjective thing. Straightaway, however, I can tell you which one I would have. I’d have this one, the full-size model, and that’s purely because I spend a lot of time typing numbers, and I would be lost without a full-size number pad. It’s really as clean-cut as that for me.
That being said, this TKL version is gorgeous and while I need the full-size model on my work computer, we do have some other gaming-focused setups in the house where this would be a good fit. The slimmer design frees up some precious desktop space too, allowing you more mouse room, which is great for when you’re using a lower DPI setting and want the movement space.
Then if you have the even smaller one, perhaps you have a REALLY small desktop area, or it’s so littered with Cheeto packets and beer cans that a MINITKL is all you have room for, lest you actually have to clean your desk. Pictures snacks are purely for demonstration purposes, you can’t have them.
Of course, this keyboard is the smallest and lightest of the three, so throwing it in your backpack, carrying it in your hand, etc, is going to be easier. Basically, if you need a mechanical keyboard that’ll fit into a budget airlines carry-on, this is your number right here.
All three of these keyboards perform pretty equally for gaming. They all have the same Gateron mechanical switches. They’re a linear red switch, that feel like a certain other brands red switches. In that sense, there are really no surprises here, and they feel just like any other premium quality mechanical keyboard should.
The only one that really feels a little weird is the MINITKL, as it has a non-standard layout. However, if you’re left hand is on WASD and your right on your mouse, you wouldn’t know which of the three keyboards you were using without looking.
All three models have the same RGB hardware, which is lacking in built-in profiles, and I would like to be able to cycle through more lighting stuff on the keyboard itself. However, there’s nothing wrong with the RGB tech either, it’s per-key lighting, and you can customise it till your heart is content.
Overall, they all look fantastic, it’s basically down to you to decide how much NZXT keyboard you want in your life.