Rosewill Apollo Red Backlit Mechanical Keyboard with Cherry MX Brown Switch (RK-9100xRBR)

1 year review: PROS: I'm very happy with this keyboard. Sometimes when buying at budget prices one ends up getting something of lower quality but this is pretty comparable to the more expensive keyboard models. It uses the same MX Brown switches so you're not losing anything there. The lights are red and can be set to varying levels of brightness and can be made to pulsate or stay steady. The two USB outputs, headphone output, and Microphone input built into the keyboard are extremely useful to me and I don't think I could go back to a keyboard without them. CONS: The included software is not great. The keys are a little bit wobbly, by which I mean that a fingertip pressing it left/right/away/toward you will move the key around. Most people don't seem to mind this even on $200 keyboards but it's something I do not enjoy. The caps lock / number lock / gaming mode lights are kind of bright compared to the dim setting I have the keys' lighting set to. CONCLUSION: A fairly basic keyboard which offers high end switches underneath the keys, adjustable lighting, and a nice built in hub. I'm very happy with this purchase.

Solid keyboard, and a huge upgrade from an old Sidewinder. Its my first mechanical keyboard and I'm very pleased with how responsive the keys are. I got the MX Brown version and the key actuation is much lighter than the gaming membrane keys I'm used to. The noise isn't any more than I expected, and is noticeable enough to be enjoyable without being a hassle. It works at the base level without the firmware if you don't want to install, but its small and non invasive so there's not much you'd save by not. The USB/Audio hub is a nice bonus, I have my headset plugged into it right now and use software to switch between it and my speakers with a macro. Works well with no audio loss that I can tell. I 4 stared this though because mine came with the spacebar only half connected to the board, and after securing it the actuation seems squishy and unresponsive.. Its also very sharp. Theres a 90 degree angle falloff at the edge which is uncomfortable when gaming. My thumb was sore after using for a few hours in game. Not something I'd expect to have to worry about when buying, and not something I've seen in any reviews so far. Its not a deal breaker by any means, more weird than anything else. Something I'll just have to get used to.

This keyboard is a delight to type on, and is at an extremely competitive price. For many years I hoarded and went through a stash of the Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite. While I enjoyed the form factor, the keys always left something to be desired. I had the opportunity to try out the Das Keyboard Professional and Ultimate models at a trade show, and absolutely loved how the keys felt, but did not really want to spend 120+ dollars on a keyboard. I also did not like the excessive designs of the gaming keyboards that have popped up all over the place. The design of this keyboard is minimalist, the wrist-wrest is comfortable and doesn't take up much space, and the lighting controls are simple to use with the included software. Rosewill is Newegg's in-house brand of tech products, and they stand by their manufacture...I've ordered tons of stuff from Newegg for the past eighteen years! Glad to see these products on Amazon...

It's ok. It was my first mechanical keyboard, and the keys feel good. The construction is fine, not great. The period key on the number pad stopped working after a month or so of use. Frustrating. Hopefully it's not an indication of future failures.

I do love typing on my Rosewill Apollo. It's a sturdy, well-designed mechanical keyboard. I wasn't sure I'd like the Cherry Brown keys (the have a slight detent on the way down, with no clacker). I hardly feel the detent, and the mechanical key sounds are not as loud as other models, i.e. less annoying to co-workers. It's quieter than other Rosewill keyboards as well. The cable is one of the toughest I've seen yet on a keyboard. It's big improvement over the Rosewill 9000 keyboards that have a mini-USB connector on the keyboard chassis that's just begging to get hit or ripped out. It also provides two USB ports, and a mic and headphone connector at the keyboard, which is great when your box is an under-the-table server. I'm not a big gamer, but the keyboard back lighting is nice to have in those late-night sessions in a darkened room.