Usage & Final Thoughts
I have been using the MasterKeys Lite combo for a couple weeks now and I do have to say I like it. Cooler Master has definitely made improvements over the keyboard and mouse that came with the Devastator II combo. The keyboard with the MasterKeys Lite is a much more solid keyboard and is better quality. The mouse is also more solid and has a much better feel.
I talked about the mem-chanical keys in my review of the Devastator II and I still feel the same way about them. They are going to give you the closest feel to having mechanical keys, without actually having them. They have great tactile feedback and are very durable. Using the MasterKeys Lite and then a keyboard with traditional dome keys is no comparison, I will go with the mem-chanical keys all the time.
The big change with the MasterKeys Lite is that Cooler Master added RGB backlighting to the keyboard and two RGB color zones to the mouse. The backlighting on the keyboard is actually quite good, definitely bright enough and there are different modes built in that will satisfy anyone. The lighting on the mouse is also quite bright and you can switch between having a solid color or the colors changing every second or so. Sadly, there is no software to setup the backlighting so you have to do it all on the keyboard itself, which is not all that hard, but I’m sure most people would prefer software. Also the backlighting on the keyboard is not per-key, but rather zoned.
Not having software is another drawback to this combo as you cannot custom program and of the keys or buttons on the mouse. There are no profiles, no macro function, etc. You can change your repeat rate and lock the windows key, but that is about it.
I will say both the keyboard and mouse are comfortable to use, and if you are looking in this price range the MasterKeys Lite is a great choice. Right now you can pick up this combo at our favorite online retailer for $59.99. Overall ThinkComputers gives the Cooler Master MasterKeys Lite a 9 out of 10 score.
Pros:
– Solid keyboard and mouse
– RGB backlighting
– Different backlighting modes
– Mem-chanical switches do make a difference
– Price
Cons:
– No software included so no profiles or macros