Why I wouldn’t recommend the pre-built version of the GMMK Pro keyboard

The GMMK Pro was the first DIY keyboard we added to our range. It’s designed to be a gateway drug to the hobby. And the keyboard definitely does the trick.

With this in mind, I was a little confused when Glorious announced they’d be bringing out a pre-built version of the GMMK Pro. Find out what I thought of it in the video above. For English subtitles, click the gear icon, «Subtitles/CC» and «Auto-translate».

Keyboard

349,99 EUR

Glorious PC Gaming Race GMMK Pro

ANSI standard, Cable

2

Keyboard

349,99 EUR

Glorious PC Gaming Race GMMK Pro

ANSI standard, Cable

2

Don’t feel like watching a video? The unedited subtitle transcript’s below if you prefer.

Video transcript

The GMMK was the first DIY keyboard brand we added to our range. Now it’s available in a so-called pre-built version with everything included in the box. Find out who might enjoy this and whether I liked it or not now.

Let’s unpack this thing. You get the keyboard, a flexible palm rest, a spiral cable with Aviator connector, a key cap puller, a switch puller and suitable key caps if you have a Mac.

*The contents are worth about 400 francs if you were to buy everything individually. Buying the fully assembled version of the keyboard would set you back 430 euros. The Swiss price has not yet been announced. Allow me to translate. Is it worth it?

In my opinion most definitely not. I’m always for building everything from scratch. In addition, the keyboard as it is now doesn’t really satisfy my keyboard enthusiast’s soul. And this has to do with two things.

Firstly, the stabilisers. They’re the bits that stabilise your longer keys. The space bar, for example. They just feel weird when you push them in this pre-built version. That’s probably due to the lube that was used. They feel squishy. And sometimes they feel like they’re getting stuck at the bottom. To me, they just don’t feel like stabilisers should.

The second fly in the ointment is the so-called gasket mount implementation. Gasket mount is a way of building a keyboard. Usually, you’ve got a circuit board with a cover plate on top and switches at the end. But with gasket-mount keyboards, this is clamped between the upper and lower parts of the case and fixed with so-called gaskets, which is basically a sealing rubber. This is intended to create a soft typing feel. The keyboard should slightly give in to the pressure. But it doesn’t do that at all with this keyboard.

The main reason I wouldn’t recommend it is that there’s not much point in a getting a DIY keyboard where you can choose everything – switches, keycaps, cables, palm rest. You’re buying a finished product that’s no longer a DIY keyboard.

At least that’s my keyboard enthusiast’s opinion. But if you’re used to typing on a clunky office keyboard or a gamer who’s used to big-name gaming keyboards, this keyboard is certainly a big improvement. If that’s you, this keyboard might be a good idea. But only if you’re willing to cough up 430 francs for it.