At first we would like to thank Rantopad for offering us the chance to review their latest MXX Gaming Mechanical Keyboard in this article.

 

 

About Rantopad:

 

“Shenzhen Sake Trading Co. was established in April 2004, with registered capital RMB10000000, company main business engaged in: computer peripheral product distribution, Rantopad brand promotion and operations. Company headquarters and warehouse logistics are established in Futian district, Shenzhen city, and in year 2006 established overseas division in Hong Kong.

 

After years of careful cultivation company business achievements, Rantopad has been highly recognized in the original brand and industry partners , since from 2004 has introduced the top international game brand --- USA Razer, Denmark SteelSeries, Sweden QPAD into China, and through to work closely with manufactures launched the brand promotion, for the expansion of the field of Chinese consumption gaming products ,to provide the domestic user the world's leading science and technology experience, and even the promotion of domestic electronic sports projects made a tremendous contribution.”

 

Product Description:

 

With its minimal 87 character keyboard design, detachable USB keyboard cable and overall sleek design, the Rantopad MXX Gaming Mechanical Keyboard combines function, freedom and a powerful, play-conducive feel.

 

Enjoy the contemporary look and feel of the MXX keyboard’s unique style, its space-grade aluminum cover and its outstanding cool and comfortable surface areas protected through anode oxidation to resist corrosion and offer outstanding wear resistance.

 

Fourth-generation, organic coated keycaps, N-Key rollover and a 1 millisecond gaming-grade response speed give you the advantage you need to maximize your playing and be consistently competitive.

 

Product Specifications:

 

Mechanical Switches Provide a Lifespan of 50 Million Clicks per Key

Monochrome LED Backlight

Space-grade Aluminum Cover

Detachable, Gold-plated, Braided USB Keyboard Cable

87 Keys

N-Key Rollover

 

Rough Size and Weight

 

Length: 385mm (15.15 inches)

Width: 124mm (4.88 inches)

Height: 44mm (1.73 inches)

Weight: 650g (1 pound, 6.92 oz. excluding cable)

 

This is actually not the first time we are taking a look at a Rantopad product and we have learned that the company is producing highly-affordable gaming gear, while including good quality components. Rantopad MXX keyboard makes no exception to the rule, but let’s get in more detail by checking out the product itself. Our MXX test sample has arrived inside a medium-sized cardboard enclosure, which features the keyboard photo on the top, along with the Rantopad logo; the box is fully sealed inside with a transparent plastic layer:

 

 

 

 

Some more details on the product can be checked out on the back, but all is written in Chinese language:

 

 

 

After removing the top packaging layer, we will discover another black cardboard box, with the manufacturer logo debossed in the middle:

 

 

 

The keyboard along with its bundle are held secure inside:

 

 

 

The documentation along with the key puller can be found along inside a black cardboard envelope, with a “catch”:

 

 

 

The “catch” is that all text is written in Chinese:

 

 

 

As we have seen with the FF Gaming Mouse, one of the documents included is a product catalog, giving us an idea regarding other items available from Rantopad:

 

 

 

The other document represents a Quick Installation Guide:

 

 

 

The acrylic key puller also features the company logo:

 

 

 

MXX keyboard brings the quality of construction a step further, by including a space-grade aluminum cover, Gateron Blue switches, a N-Key rollover design and this particular model does come with a tenkeyless design:

 

 

 

Gateron Blue switches are highly appraised among enthusiasts and bring about the same level of durability as their Cherry MX counterparts; they are also equipped with white LED lighting, while the top cover is made of transparent plastic in order to allow a more uniform light distribution:

 

 

 

Let’s also discuss regarding the extra functionality of the F keys; F1, when actuated along with the Fn key will result in opening the Calculator application; moving on to the right we have the Mute, Volume Down and Volume Up function keys:

 

 

 

F5 is designed to open the “My Computer” windows section and to the right we do also have the Play/Pause, Backward and Forward multimedia keys:

 

 

 

F9 was designed as a Game Mode key, which disables the Alt+Tab functionality, F10 switches between the available lighting patterns and with F11 and F12 we can increase or decrease the LED light intensity (MXX logo is not affected though):

 

 

 

On the left side of the MXX LED-lighted logo we have the function LEDs:

 

 

 

The left and right sides of the keyboard are a bit curved and the brushed aluminum finish really stands out; the manufacturer logo is also present here:

 

 

 

If we look on the back area, the keyboard resembles the design of a futuristic spaceship:

 

 

 

In the middle we will get to see the area where the USB detachable cable gets installed:

 

 

 

 

A quick look at the bottom area of the keyboard will reveal the placement of the rubber feet:

 

 

 

 

One sticker is also present with the product serial number, power rating and model code name:

 

 

 

The detachable USB cable comes protected inside a transparent plastic bag but is also kept secure with a Velcro strap:

 

 

 

As with most high-end peripherals, we will get a braided cable:

 

 

 

Also, the USB connectors are gold-plated for optimal contact:

 

 

 

Here is how the cable does fit into the position:

 

 

After connecting the keyboard to a spare USB port, the LED lighting will start operating right away:

 

 

 

 

By working with the Fn+F10 combo, we will begin first with the Default Backlight Mode, which lights up the WASD along with the directional keys; the light intensity can be adjusted by pressing the Fn+Up/Down keys. This mode also permits working with Backlight Edit Mode (Fn+Delete) which allows us to keep any other keys lit and the settings will be saved. Moving on we will get to see the Wave mode, Ripple mode, Breathing mode, Trace mode, Six-box Grid mode (pressing any key will change the brightness of that key and the 5 keys above it to 20% of the current brightness) but also Backlight On mode where the brightness will remain on at all times.

 

Of course, a video exemplification is in order:

 

 

Despite the fact that the Rantopad MXX does not feature software for additional configuration purposes, we were quite impressed with the build quality of the keyboard, while the compact (TKL) size and space-grade aluminum cover give the product a professional look. MXX does come for now with Gateron Black or Blue switches (and aluminum covers in blue or dark grey), but in the future we will also see white and red variants introduced and a much wider switch selection, including Cherry MX RGB switches.

 

People do not need to make the purchase decision based on the switch manufacturer in this case; Gateron switches are new on the block and provide a similar feel to their Cherry MX counterparts. The keyboard enthusiasts’ forums already tested more variants from the same manufacturer and haven’t encountered any issues. Rantopad also mentions a lifespan of 50 million actuations per key, which is great!

 

Customizable LED lighting system is a nice addition and the product can be found on Amazon.com for just $80, telling us again that Rantopad aims for great price/performance ratios.

 

Rantopad MXX Gaming Mechanical Keyboard is Recommended For:

 

 

We would like to thank again to Rantopad for making this review possible!