NZXT Function Keyboard Lineup Review

Introduction

The world of mechanical keyboards can be something of a minefield. It is easy to assume that they are all the same and the only real differences lay in the type of switch they use, or the size (Full Size vs TKL), or that a certain brand means you have to pay a premium.

Whilst that is somewhat true, they contain a rabbit hole of subtle changes. In fact once you’ve got used to a certain mechanical keyboard our fingers muscle memory is such that you can easily tell the difference between different switch types, when glancing at the actuation pressure or depth on specifications sheet might lead you to conclude that you wouldn’t notice. Naturally you will, if you aren’t one of those people who use their keyboard as a means to offload some stress or anger. What this means is that you can spend £150 on a mechanical keyboard with a certain switch type, only to discover that you actually prefer a different one. Or maybe you want certain keys to have more weight behind them, whilst others are lighter.

This could be the case with a mainly WASD user, or perhaps you’ve got the dreaded physical limitations that mean you want outer keys – the pinkie ones – to be significantly easier to press than those you use your index fingers on. If you’ve yearned for a keyboard that provides you that full level of flexibility without taking you down the wallet-opening depths of fully custom builds, then the new Function models from NZXT might be just the thing. Hot-swappable keys supporting all major switch manufacturers, alongside a completely – yes, completely – re-assignable layout are just two of the heavy blows NZXT are throwing at other manufacturers out of the gate.

Technical Specifications

All three keyboards are very similar in their features with only the physical size changing, and of course the wrist rest isn’t supplied on their custom sized MiniTKL model. They’re mechanical keyboards on the face of it, but it’s what is underneath that makes all the difference.