CM Storm QuickFire Rapid-i keyboard

By Xah Lee. Date: . Last updated: .

Rapid-i is a new series that came out in late 2015, from Cooler Master.

Discontinued sometimes in 2017.

CM Storm QuickFire Rapid-i Keyboard 2016-01 30459
CM Storm QuickFire Rapid-i Keyboard.

The interesting new feature is the individually LED key, but only in one color, white, yet powered by a 32-bit ARM processor for effects.

CM Storm QuickFire Rapid-i Keyboard 2016-01 30460
CM Storm QuickFire Rapid-i Keyboard.

Features:

Why a single-color light keyboard need a CPU? Just what light effects?

The light effects are semi-programable. Basically, just a few “modes”, and in some mode you can set which keys to light up.

You program it by just press Fn+Fn. No need software. Excellent!

Here is the lighting modes.

You can also adjust light intensity, of course.

You need to watch a video demo for this.

vidthumb tx7spyv1af8

It also features programable key-repeat rate, this is a innovation. You press a key combination to set repeat rate to one of {normal, 2x, 3x, 4x}. But, rather, useless for programers.

You can also press a key combo to disable the ❖ Window key.

LED Dies, and Reboot Problem

On amazon user review, apparently, for many people, the many key's LED dies within a month or so. This is a major problem.

Other common report is that, often the keyboard won't be recognized when machine starts/reboot. You have to unplug and replug the USB. It's said that the updated firmware fixed this.

These are major, problems.

Conclusion

So, this light-show feature doesn't really do anything. First month fun then all is forgotten.

Lastly, this keyboard does not have programable key macro feature. Say, you want F4 to send Ctrl+c for copy. You can't. You'll need to buy a 10-buttons programable mouse to go with this keyboard. 〔see Mouse Reviews 🖱

For both programers and gamers, i think you better off to something else. See: Keyboards without Numeric Keypad.

Where to Buy

Buy at amazon