Our Verdict
The Akko MOD007B is a surprisingly succesful gaming keyboard that doesn’t promote itself as such. With its eye-catching Tokyo-themed design (different themes can be found) it seems at first to be a keyboard that’s all about type with little substance. Nonetheless, hidden behind its rose-hued cuteness is a keyboard that additionally supplies the construct high quality, typing efficiency, and, most significantly, gaming efficiency to largely justify its premium worth.
- Sudden gaming efficiency
- Simple to make use of companion software program
- Gorgeous visible design
- Restricted customization choices
The Akko MOD007B Tokyo is a surprising gaming keyboard to have a look at, because of its mixture of a compact 75% format and charming Tokyo-themed design. Nonetheless, behind the Tokyo panorama, there’s additionally a powerful gaming expertise which means it’s principally well worth the $150 price ticket on each efficiency and magnificence.
Together with its dependable typing expertise and irresistible type, the Akko MOD007B additionally has the options and gaming efficiency chops to make it among the best gaming keyboards I’ve used in recent times. I wrote the Akko MOD007B off as a conceit product, one thing that will look nice in your desktop, however with out the efficiency to match its type, however that’s not the case. Plus, should you’re not a fan of the Tokyo theme, it’s additionally out there in a blue Santorini theme whereas the broader MOD007 vary is available in all kinds of different types.
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Akko MOD007B options
The Akko MOD007 is a 75% format, merely which means the quantity keys sometimes located on the right-hand facet of the keyboard are eliminated, together with a handful of the cluster of keys that usually sits above the cursor keys. It’s primarily an much more compact model of the long-standing tenkeyless (TKL) design, which simply removes the quantity keys.
Some 75% format boards actually bunch up the keys in order that all of them sit in alignment – a bit like this 65% Corsair K65 keyboard. Nonetheless, right here there’s a bit extra respiratory room plus the addition of a simple-to-use quantity and LED brightness dial within the high proper. This explicit variant of the MOD007 design is simply out there in an ANSI (American Nationwide Requirements Institute) key configuration, most acquainted to US customers, however isn’t capable of accommodate the ISO format extra widespread in Europe and different areas.
Akko contains swappable keycaps and 3-pin switches, and to me, that is an odd alternative on condition that 5-pin switches are considered as a extra steady possibility and higher suited to hot-swapping. That is stranger nonetheless when contemplating the Akko MMOD007B is gasket mounted, which additionally favors the 5-pin design.
The MOD007B makes use of a gasket-mount design, which is the place the mounting plate for the switches is suspended on rubber dampeners. This provides a really slight cushioning and noise-dampening impact to the board, which many customers favor. It additionally leads to the very clear look of this type of board, in comparison with keyboards the place the keys sit proud on the highest floor of the keyboard.
Due to its use of a gasket mount, the MOD007B makes use of commonplace 3-pin switches, reasonably than the 5-pin switches used on keyboards the place the switches mount straight to the PCB and want the additional assist. You solely get one alternative of swap, although, which is a 50g actuation power linear swap. Nonetheless, whereas restricted in switch-feel choices, these switches additionally present the key weapon to this keyboard’s gaming efficiency: its adjustable actuation.
Utilizing the Akko software program, you may alter the actuation and return factors for each key. There are presets out there, however the per-key possibility is nice ought to you will have particular recreation presets you would favor to run, however there’s just one customized profile slot to make use of which is limiting. Likewise, the MOD007B RGB is totally customizable within the Akko cloud software program or you may run one in all 24 presets.
Akko MOD007B design
Akko goes all out on the 2 major designs of the MOD 007B. We reviewed the Tokyo mannequin, which is a surprising pink, white, and blue mix that pairs extremely properly with the scenic area bar design exhibiting a snow-capped mountain, cherry blossoms, and different Japanese iconography.
The keyboard has the normal English typing keys and US format whereas additionally together with Japanese textual content in barely smaller print. This typically tricked my eyes once I wanted to reset my positioning, however all-in-all I believe it provides to the design. I additionally just like the added contact of 4 of the operate keys being inscribed with the title of a well-liked Tokyo district resembling Akihabara or Shinjuku.
The dial within the high right-hand nook of the keyboard acts as each a quantity management and may be pressed to modify to a brightness management for the keyboard LEDs. There may be sadly no technique to inform which setting it’s on, however hardly ever is that this a problem because it’s simple to differentiate when you begin adjusting it.
The MOD007 is kind of a tall keyboard with a steeper typing angle than some keyboards, so I’d suggest getting a high quality ergonomic wrist relaxation – one isn’t included within the field. You may improve the typing angle additional because of flip down toes on the underside. There are two ranges of stands to decide on between, with the biggest stand creating what I discover to be the right typing and gaming angle the place my arms, wrists, and forearms are all strain-free.
Lastly, I discovered the Akko MOD007B to be fairly heavy, coming in at 1.12kg. This initially led me to consider we had been despatched one of many wi-fi fashions able to Bluetooth and a pair of.4GHz connections, however no, it’s simply packing some weighty insides. That’s not fairly as heavy because the all-aluminum model of the Akko MOD007 made by Monsgeek – the M1W SP – but it surely’s nonetheless a reassuringly hefty board for its dimension. The casing is comprised of a clean matte plastic and the load feels very balanced, so that you received’t be unintentionally pushing it round your desktop whereas typing or gaming, although nor will it’s a really perfect journey companion.
Akko MOD007B efficiency
Efficiency is the place the Akko MOD007 stunned me. As soon as achieved admiring the visible design, I anticipated nothing particular by way of gaming efficiency, however regardless of having no pre-conception of what to anticipate from the magnetic Cream Yellow switches, I used to be left somewhat awe-struck.
The customizable actuation and return factors, made attainable because of the inclusion of Corridor Impact switches, is such a game-changer, even when it’s changing into a extra widespread characteristic seen on the likes of the SteelSeries Apex Professional Mini, the Razer Huntsman V3 Professional, and Wooting One. This implies it’s attainable to set an actuation level anyplace between 0.2mm and three.8mm of key press distance. Furthermore, the speedy response characteristic means you may have the important thing primed for reactivation with out having it return to its start line. As quickly as you carry somewhat bit, you may press once more, permitting for very speedy key presses.
When you’re used to extra conventional mechanical switches, your mind is prone to take a while to regulate to the texture of any such swap however it will probably pay dividends in sure kinds of video games. Speedy actuation is nothing new, however discovering it packed right into a $150 keyboard that doesn’t overtly goal players is, spectacular.
In twitch shooters like Counter-Strike 2, MOBAs like League of Legends, and ARPGs like Diablo 4, this speedy response and reactivation instances supply a bonus over a normal mechanical keyboard. Be cautious, nevertheless, as should you set your sensitivity too low, you’ll be activating keys with simply your pure relaxation positioning, and it might then turn out to be an adversarial characteristic. Fortunately, the Akko cloud software program has a real-time testing space the place you may tailor the sensitivity to your wants.
On typing efficiency, the Typing Take a look at benchmark returned an preliminary rating of 52 WPM (phrases per minute) once I first began utilizing the Akko MOD007B. This elevated to 58 WPM after a month however nonetheless falls wanting the efficiency I get with the Drop CSTM80 which was 79 WPM however on par with the SteelSeries Apex Professional Mini which was 59 WPM.
Must you purchase the Akko MOD077B?
I can simply suggest the Akko MOD007B to anybody in search of a classy keyboard that additionally brings nice gaming efficiency. Whereas the model title may not carry the identical weight as a Razer, Logitech, or SteelSeries, all the things from efficiency to construct high quality is greater than commendable within the Akko MOD007B.
Whereas I can recognize the subtler fantastic thing about the Santorini design, I’d additionally suggest the Tokyo design above it for its brighter colours and fewer dated textual content design, though that is solely going by the pictures of the Santorini posted to the Akko retailer. Regardless of this, each are positive to be dialog starters, and rightfully so.
Options to the Akko MOD007B
When you don’t fancy spending $150 on the Akko MOD007B however are nonetheless in search of an ideal gaming keyboard, I’d suggest the Corsair K70 Core. This can be a mid-tier design that focuses on uncooked gaming efficiency however nonetheless throws within the anticipated RGB and even an ergonomic wrist relaxation.
In case you are chasing typing efficiency, whereas the MOD007B is spectacular, the Drop CSTM80 is my go-to advice for its clean, smooth, and quiet typing returns. It’s additionally extremely customizable, so should you’re liable to becoming bored with how your setup appears, the CSTM80 is a good way to fight staleness.