CM Storm QuickFire Rapid-i keyboard
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](igm/CM_Storm_QuickFire_Rapid-i_Keyboard_2016-01_30459.jpg)
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](igm/CM_Storm_QuickFire_Rapid-i_Keyboard_2016-01_30460.jpg)
Features:
- Cherry MX key switch (brown, blue, red). [see Keyboard Key Switch Mechanisms]
- Individual Key Lighting, White LED Backlit, powered by a 32-bit ARM processor for effects.
- 1.8m detachable braided cable.
- N-Key Rollover. [see Max Number of Simultaneous Key-Press (N-key Rollover, NKRO, Ghosting)]
Why a single-color light keyboard need a CPU? Just what light effects?
The light effects are semi-programable. Basically, just a few โmodesโ, 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.
- all keys lights up.
- no keys lights up.
- breathing effect for all keys.
- light up only some keys, such as W A S D keys, or your choice. You have 4 profiles.
- light up when key is hit.
- trailing effect: light up when key is hit, but fades gradually.
You can also adjust light intensity, of course.
You need to watch a video demo for this.
![vidthumb tx7spyv1af8](i/vidthumb_tx7spyv1af8.jpg)
- https://youtu.be/tx7spyv1af8
- Joanne reviews
- CM Storm QuickFire Rapid-I.
- Jump to the light demo, starting at 6:15.
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 โ 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's 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 ๐ฑ]
For both programers and gamers, i think you better off to something else. See: Keyboards without Numeric Keypad.