KEYBOARDS ON MSI’s laptops have tended
to be somewhat hit and miss over recent
years, but it’s difficult to get everything
right when creating a budget laptop.
Inevitably, compromises have to be
made and those looking for for value may
consider that their money is better spent
on the performance of the device.
However, with the latest addition to
MSI's range of peripherals, this VIGOR
GK50 low profile TKL keyboard, all the
attention is focused on performance.
This keyboard is a fresh take on the
VIGOR GK50 low profile board that has
been around for a couple of years. The
idea behind a low-profile keyboard is that
it is both sleeker and more minimalist
than a traditional keyboard, so it would
appear to make perfect sense to merge
the low-profile aspect with a compact
TKL (TenKeyLess) format, which cuts out
the 10-key numeric keypad on the right
of the board.
The TKL format is a favorite amongst
competitive gamers as it allows the user
to free up more desk real estate for their
mouse, but the low-profile keyboard
format has some pretty good properties
for gamers too. The lower height, shorter
keys, and less key travel should, in
theory, make it better for gaming. Of
course, some gamers may appreciate
those extra keys, but this format at least
offers a genuine alternative.
That shallower angle for your wrists to
rest upon should mean you can use this
keyboard for longer gaming sessions.
The ergonomics here are pretty good
with the low profile format—the mainIs taking a low profile best for compact gaming?
7
VERDICT MSI VIGOR GK50 low profile TKLSLEEK Compact low profile
design; snappy switches;
detachable braided cable.
EEEK Subjective font; slightly cheap
feeling; no USB pass-through; no wrist-rest.
$89.99, http://www.msi.comSPECIFICATIONSSwitch Type Kailh Low Profile
White Clicky
Switch Durability 50 million+ presses
Design Style TKL
Connection USB-C to type A
Wrist-rest N/A
Weight 1.23lbsconstruction of the board is an aluminum
upper and plastic lower chassis.
It’s a slim keyboard too, measuring just
1.29 inches at its thickest point, so sits
nice and flush to your desk. If you prefer
a steeper angle, there are two different
levels of height adjustments available
from the built-in rubber kickstands.
The keyboard also has five rubber feet
that grip your desk—without them, the
lightweight design would otherwise slip
all over the place.
In terms of features, the board has
a strong and evenly spread sprinkle of
RGB, courtesy of MSI Mystic Light. Even
better, you don’t need to use software to
control lighting, as you can cycle through
presets and play around with a few
settings from the board. Also in the box,
there's a keycap tool, a spare ALT key, a
spare CTRL key, and also a drawstring
mesh carry sleeve, which is handy if you
take the keyboard on the go with you. A
braided detachable USB-C to A cable is
also included and, at 1.8m, should be
long enough for most setups.
This TKL keyboard features clicky
Kailh low-profile White switches. For
those who are used to linear switches
with a more standard profile, this might
be quite some departure from the
norm. With a low actuation point and
a total key travel depth of 3mm, which
is accompanied by a satisfying clicking
noise, you get a speedy performance
with that audible clarification many PC
enthusiasts love.
It’s fair to say that MSI has aimed the
VIGOR GK50 low profile TKL keyboardat the competitive gamer, rather than
the professional writer. It's still a
comfortable keyboard and would suit
long periods of typing, but those clicks
may get on your nerves. Even for a budget
keyboard, the caps feel a little cheap and
will be more frustrating to replace than
typical deeper keycaps.
However, the low profile aspect
and the slim design work in its favor to
create a snappy keyboard that is ideally
suited for high-octane gaming. It's also a
comfortable and ergonomic board that's
easy to use for hours on end, although
the inclusion of some kind of wrist-rest
or support would have rounded off a nice
little package. –SAM LEWISMAR 2022 MAXIMU MPC 85
MSI VIGOR GK50
low profile TKL