Hands-on review: Rapoo VPro 710 Backlit Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

Mechanical keyboards have a completely different feel to the membrane-based board that may have been supplied with your computer. And depending on the type of mechanical keyboard you buy, that will feel different to other mechanical keyboards.

As far as its build is concerned, Rapoo's VPro V710 Backlit Mechanical Keyboard is of great quality. Large and sturdy, with a rainbow of backlit lighting options and removable keys. It works well as a standalone gaming keyboard – and could even be used as a general keyboard for getting work done.

V710 Keyboard Design

This sturdy plastic keyboard is designed well. One of the great things about this keyboard is that it's waterproof. It's easy to clean as you can remove each individual key to get behind it by pulling it out and then clipping it back in.

The keys are matte black and have a slight non-slip texture. That loud clackety-clack ambience can add to your environment, but you might need to increase game volume to compensate for the noise - or just use headphones. The keyboard's 12 LED blink patterns look amazing when pressing the keys; strobing and blinking. You can change the patterns using the VPro key in conjunction with the F1-F12 keys. The screen lock, mute button and keyboard toggle mode are all easily accessible above the numpad.

All the keys on the keyboard are programmable (including single keys, combination keys and macro keys) within five gaming profiles – this simplified operation can allow you to be one step ahead when it comes to gaming. What's more, each individual key has a life of up to 60 million operations.

The V710 prides itself on its high-speed response, with a non-conflict design which allows you to press any number of keys simultaneously and still register and execute every command exactly and rapidly.

V710 Keyboard features

The Rapoo V710 contains adjustable RGB colours, is water splash resistant and has a built-in flash memory feature.

There is a decent level of customisation. Preloaded macros are available for Battlefield 3, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Minecraft, Neverwinter, League of Legends and many others. Record keystrokes and assign shortkeys to customise your macros. You can intricately tweak some of the macro settings, such as delays and triggers - I was able to delete and remake many macro combinations to find the right solution for me.

The keyboard itself is commendable and a very competitive product. Ultimately, the Rapoo V710 is an ideal keyboard for a gamer (both casual and intense) who wants the best features at an affordable price.