With hot-swappable RK Yellow Linear Switches
Today, we will be taking a quick look at the Royal Kludge RK84 RGB Limited Edition Keyboard in Macchiato White. It’s a 84 key keyboard in a compact 75% layout and uses RK’s hot-swappable yellow linear switches. It offers triple mode connectivity using USB-C cable (wired), or wireless operation via a 2.4GHz USB dongle or Bluetooth 5.0. It also comes with 20 dynamic RGB backlight modes, and a large 3750 mAh battery, which can last up to 1 week.
According to RK, their hot-swappable yellow linear switches have similar feel to Gateron’s yellow switches, which are heavier and more smoother than the red switch. They are all pre-lubed offering a buttery smooth typing experience and quick response.
The keyboard features 2 built-in USB-A pass-through ports and 1 Type-C Port. Use the included USB-C cable to charge the keyboard, or connect it to a PC/laptop and use it as a wired keyboard.
You can also download the software to control the RGB illumination and backlight, as well as program the macros with different keybindings and create shortcuts.
We recently reviewed the Royal Kludge RK87 Wireless TKL Mechanical Keyboard, which we thought was a decent 80% TKL keyboard that’s affordable and compact, offering RGB illumination, 3 onboard Macros, wireless connectivity, and tactile Brown switches. So the RK84 RGB Limited Edition which we’re about to review, should be just as good, if not better.
Before we go further, I would like to thank Royal Kludge for supplying the review sample. For those who don’t who they are, here’s a little blurb taken from their website …
About Royal Kludge
RK owns a complete set of automated production lines independently researched and developed, focusing on the R & D and production of game equipment peripherals. It is equipped with a domestic senior electronic R & D team and carefully designed for many years. After years of meticulous research and development of professional mechanical keyboard, gaming mouse and headset and other product lines.
For more information please visit Royal Kludge’s website.
Features
- RK Yellow Switch
- 3750mAh Big Mac
- 84 Keys, Compact 75% layout
- 2x USB 2.0 passthrough
- Diverse RGB Backlit
- Hot-swappable Switch
- Three Modes Connectable Keyboard
- Removable Frame
- DIY Software Supports
For more information about this product, visit Royal Kludge’s website.
84 Keys, Redefine TKL
The innovative 75% unique layout differs from traditional TKL keyboards, which cuts more clumsy space off while supporting the same functionality as a practical arrow, multimedia, and control keys.
High-capacity Battery
This keyboard is week-durable to 200 hours with nonstop use under backlight off status, fully charged requires only 6-7 hours.
Hot-swappable
Hot-swap PCB allows you to replace 3 pins/5 pins switches freely without soldering issues. Enjoy the fun of making your own unique keyboard.
RK Yellow Linear Switch
Similar to the feel of the Gateron yellow switch, heavier and more smooth than the red switch. Pre-lubed in every quantity, buttery smooth, quick response.
Pro Software Supported
Expand your options using the available software to design your own new modes and effects. Macros with different keybindings or shortcuts for more efficient work and gaming.
Triple Mode Keyboards
Wireless mode with stable Bluetooth 5.0, hassle-free 2.4Ghz dongle plus USB-C wired mode set no limits about your keyboard connection.
Hub Design
This wireless mechanical keyboard is armed with 2 built-in USB pass-through ports and 1 Type-C Port, allowing to back up more facilities
Overview
Specifications
Box and Packaging
No fancy colors or branding on the box and packaging … just orange and black. Inside, you’ll find the keyboard, instruction manual, keycap/switch removal tool, 4 spare yellow switches, 2 magnetic foot rest, and a USB-C cable.
A Closer Look
One thing that strikes you, are the different colour-coded keycaps. The majority of the keys are in Macchiato White (off-white), with several grey and brown keys. It kind of reminds me of a Noctua product 😀 lol!
The keyboard comes with RK’s hot-swappable linear yellow switches which I think offer a buttery smooth typing experience and quick response. You can use the included keycap/switch removal tool to modify your keyboard to your liking.
The RK84 is slimmer and feels overall much more robust than the RK87, which we recently reviewed. It is only a 75% keyboard, so it is more compact and weighs lightly less at 1.77lbs.
On the underside of the keyboard, you’ll find the ON/OFF switch, a switch for selecting Bluetooth or 2.4GHz wireless, and a convenient magnetic notch for safely storing your wireless USB dongle.
On the top side of the keyboard, you’ll find 2 USB-A pass-through ports and 1 Type-C Port. Use the included USB-C cable to charge the keyboard, or connect it to a PC/laptop and use it as a wired keyboard.
Royal Kludge RK84 in Action!
The RGB illumination kicks in as soon as you power up the keyboard. According to Royal Kludge, the RK84 can last up to 200 hours from a full charge when backlight is off. With backlight/RGB … you should roughly around 30 hours of usage.
RK84 Software
You can control the RGB lighting effects and program your Macros using the downloadable software from Royal Kludge here.
Verdict and Conclusion
I just love everything about this keyboard. The compact size, the hot-swappable linear yellow switches, the RGB illumination/backlight, the long battery life, the speial colour-coded keycaps and the triple mode connectivity. You get all these great features for less than USD $90. I don’t think you’ll find a better 75% size keyboard at this price.
Here’s a quick infographic of the yellow linear switch in action. They offer an actuation force of 50g, and an actuation distance of around 2.0mm (+0.6mm), with a travel of approx. 4.0mm. The switches are all pre-lubed offering a buttery smooth typing experience and quick response.
The yellow switches are responsive and extremely quiet, with no audible clicks. The lettering on the keycaps are large and clear, making it easy to identify while typing.
The RK 84 special edition comes in two colours. Macchiato White (off-white) or Americano Black. We chose the Macchiato White version due to its unique colour-coded theme which includes several grey and brown keys. You can replace the original keycaps and/or switches with your own custom ones using included keycap/switch removal tool.
You can buy the Royal Kludge RK84 RGB Limited Edition 
Pros
- Good Price
- Hot-swappable linear yellow switches
- Dynamic RGB illumination
- 75% layout
- 2.4GHz wireless or Bluetooth 5.0
- USB-C for wired connection
- Long battery life – 3750mAh Battery
- Macros/Shortcuts can be programmed
Cons
- Not compatible motherboard’s RGB eco-systems
Final words
If you want an affordable 75% keyboard that offers wireless connectivity, quiet operation, full customizations, and hot-swappable switches, then take a look at the Royal Kludge RK84 Wireless RGB Limited Edition Keyboard. You won’t find a better 75% keyboard for under USD $90.
Get 10% off at Royal Kludge for all our followers who would like to shop on rkgamingstore.com. Discount Code: “Funkykit” … Link: https://bit.ly/3FjF2Yh
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