Inland might not be the first name that comes to mind when talking about gaming peripherals but the manufacturer has collaborated with US's biggest retailer, Microcenter, to offer its new MK -PRO lineup of keyboards which come in a pre-build and barebone design. These keyboards allow users to fully customize as per their preferences and can be outfitted with a range of keycaps & switches for a truly Pro gaming experience.
For today's review, Microcenter sent us the Inland Gaming MK-PRO 75% Barebone Edition design which is a keyboard layout that is commonly used for space-conservative gaming environments. It is known that most pro gamers within the eSports segment don't necessarily have to rely on 100% keyboards as they want more desk pad real-estate dedicated to their mouse for swift movement & large keyboards with full-sized num pads can get in the way.
Inland Gaming MK-PRO 75% Barebone Edition Keyboard Specs
Inland doesn't has an official site where the keyboard is listed but you can find it on various retail outlets. Some of the basic specs include a matte black color that features a plastic frame with an aluminum case which gives out a very durable and strong feel. In terms of packaging, the keyboard comes in a large rectangular box with all the marketing labels and a price tag of $99.99 US (from Microcenter).
The keyboard comes with 3 main features as listed by Inland which include:
- Aluminum-Case
- Gasket-Mounted
- Compatible with QMK & VIA
- Hot Swappable
The backside of the package lists some additional features and tech specs of the keyboard.
Having a gasket-mounted design is very nice since it adds a rubber gasket layer between the top plate of the keyboard and the bottom side of the panel. This design choice leads to less resistance and lower noise output upon each switch. Gasket designs are mostly found in high-end keyboards so it is pleasant to see Inland taking this approach on the MK-PRO but once again, gasket-mounted keyboards come down to user preference. I personally prefer the gasket-mounted approach over traditional designs.
Now for the design itself, once again, the Inland Gaming MK-PRO keyboard comes in the 75% form factor which is a mid-way solution for users who don't want to go as big as full-sized keyboard or as low as half-sized keyboards. The 75% design comes with four numpad switches on the far right side which can be programmed by the user as they wish.
On the programming front, the keyboard is compatible with both QMK & VIA open-source firmware. This is an essential part of this custom keyboard design where users want to find the ideal keyboard layout for their needs.
(TLDR) QMK is an abbreviation for Quantum Mechanical Keyboard, it's an open-source project that allows users with enough skills or developers to build their own QMK firmware for a custom keyboard to control backlight effects, macros, custom keycodes, and mouse commands on different keymap layers.
VIA works by communicating with the firmware that is running on the device and sends commands via USB. Enabling the VIA feature in QMK helps to support both the ability to communicate with the VIA Configurator and the ability to store keymaps and other settings.
Hot Swappable keys and switches are a fundamental design of customizable keyboards and that is also the case here. The MK-PRO features a 5-pin Modular south-facing PCB which supports both 3-pin and 5-pin TKL hot swap mechanical switches. Microcenter also sent us four boxes each of the CherryMX Black and Cherry MX Ergo switches and two sets of ASA Profile keycaps in Blue/White & Black/White color themes.
In terms of lighting options, the keyboard comes with a signature side-lightning panel that can be fully programmed and supports up to 16.8 million colors (RGB) along with custom pre-key RGB light zones.
The keyboard also comes with a fully programmable rotary encoder on the top right side which is ideally used as a volume knob.
Finally, you get a USB Type-C interface on the back of the keyboard which can be equipped with the 6ft braided cable which comes with the package. There's also a switch that lets you select between Windows and Mac mode.
Other accessories include a switch puller, a keycap puller, and a user manual.
Following is what the keyboard looks like when equipped with the switches and keycaps:
Endless Customizability, Solid Design
In terms of design and build quality, the Inland MK-PRO 75% is a very high-end design that is great for your daily usage. I won't call myself a pro gamer by any means but I am definitely an avid gamer who enjoys both single-player and online experiences. I tried a couple of FPS and RPG titles and the keyboard was definitely great with my choice of Cherry MX Black and ASA profile switches. The best part is that users will be able to explore as many customization options as they prefer, making this a great solution for hardcore gamers who want to map out each key and configure each switch to a liking of their own.
In terms of software, well there isn't much to go by except that you will have to use open-source VIA & QMK guidance to fully unlock the potential of this keyboard. There will be some work you'd have to put in on the software side but that can also be seen as a fun part to some and a tiresome job for other casual gamers. What I really liked the most were the keycaps offered by Inland which are very flavorful with pink, purplish blue and ceramic white designs. You can find some fancy Play Station keycaps too which are a nice touch.
The RGB lighting accent plates on the side are a great touch and although the keycaps don't fully illuminate the RGB switches underneath them, once again they can be customized to more clear caps. In terms of pricing, the $99.99 US for the barebone keyboard might be a bit on the high side but for users who want a custom keyboard that will run and operate according to their will, the MK-PRO is a great option for DIY'ers.
You can buy the Inland Gaming MK-PRO 75% Barebone Keyboard For $89.99 US at Microcenter!
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