Adesso MKB-135B

Manufacturer: Adesso
Model: MKB-135B (Full Size Mechanical Gaming Keyboard with USB Hub and Audio Jack)
MSRP: $99.00
Check Lowest Price (Amazon)

After looking at Adesso’s compact version of this keyboard (MKB-125B), we let out a sigh of relief as we returned to a comfortable layout. The MKB-135B is advertised as a gaming and a professional keyboard, and is packed with features. It comes with a 2-port USB 2.0 hub, a microphone jack, and a headphone jack. It has a 6 foot cable that terminates in all sorts of plugs: a USB plug, PS/2 plug, headphone plug, microphone plug, and comes with a PS/2-to-USB adapter.

The USB hub provides a 480 Mbps data transfer rate, and provides a 500mA power current, which should be enough to handle most small USB devices like MP3 players, mice, digital cameras, iPhone, etc. It has 104-keys that are powered by Cherry MX Blue key-switches, supports 6-key rollover so that all your key presses are registered, and the keys are tested for a 20 million keystroke life-cycle.

The specs are great, and price hits the sweet spot. Is this the absolute best keyboard for gamers? Well, it depends on what you’re looking for. Some will prefer back-lighting as seen in the Razer BlackWidow Ultimate and iOne Xarmor U9BL.

While others will want to have Cherry MX Black key-switches for more linear action, and less time wasted on “clickiness” as seen in the SteelSeries 6GV2 or the 7G. Does this keyboard have all the bells and whistles to take your gaming over the edge? No, but this is a solid keyboard.

For enthusiasts and touch typists that want a better typing experience should not leave this keyboard out of their comparison list. It comes with a great USB hub, and integrated audio jacks, which clears up clutter on the desktop. Adesso has done a good job with the build quality, and for the price, you can’t ignore the value and quality of the MKB-135B.