I’ve indulged myself with a new keyboard, the Cooler Master MK770 mechanical keyboard in shades of gray and black. It seems this keyboard has attracted quite a bit of on-line positive coverage. What finally sold me to make the purchase is that it’s a Black Friday sale item for $71. I figured for that price I could give it a try, and if I didn’t like it I could return it.

I ordered on Saturday and it was delivered by Sunday. I’ve spent the last few days learning how to use it and how to ‘program’ the back light colors. I must say I greatly appreciate the feel of the mechanical keys. I also appreciate how heavy and solid the keyboard is. I haven’t felt this kind of keyboard since the late 1970s and early 1980s. That’s when I used IBM keyboards in the IBM ‘moosehead’ terminals at the First National Bank of Atlanta, and the nearly identical keyboards on the original IBM PC and IBM XT personal computers. I’d forgotten how nice such keys were for long periods of typing.

So far I’ve managed to configure the colors using keyboard chording with the function key (the key at the bottom with the Cooler Master logo on it) and other regular keys. It’s a nice light green color.

I’m still getting used to how the arrow keys are positioned on the keyboard. I keep sending the cursor off in unintended directions.

One excellent feature of this keyboard is how it helps and enhances my touch typing. I thought I’d forgotten how, but within an hour of setting up the keyboard I’ve been touch typing like a maniac.

Finally, I’m using the USB-C cable to connect to my Linux system. The cable isn’t all that intrusive.

I never thought I’d get excited over a keyboard, but I am about the MK770. Highly recommended.