It's been a while since we last reviewed a Vortexgear keyboard so I wasn't surprised to see a brand new keyboard line from the brand. While the TKL Multix keyboards in its various colorways were new to me, they weren't new launches necessarily. Instead, Vortex used its presence at Computex to show off the new PC66 QMK, which is also available as a barebones kit. This uses a thick ABS plastic chassis and a gasket mount structure to put out a vintage aesthetic-inspired 65% keyboard that uses external batteries for wireless connectivity as well. We also saw the M0110 that comes as a wired open-source firmware keyboard or triple-mode wireless keyboard and uses either an HHKB-style layout or a more traditional 60% layout with a 6.25u space bar. There was also the Vortex x KBtalKing (a Chinese keyboard community) collab keyboard called the One 4 which is a full-size wireless keyboard up for pre-order now.

Intriguing also were new keyboard kits from Vortex that shifted away from plastic in favor of thick CNC-machined aluminium. The M0110A is an 1800 form factor keyboard kit that uses the smaller M0110 as the base for the feature set whereas the Model M and Model F77/F62 go more daring with the designs that are reminiscent of other popular keyboards on the market. I especially liked the Model M SSK with its curved top frame that makes for a visually different keyboard from the norm and Vortex says these kits will follow the pre-order/group buy purchase scheme soon, if not already by the time this news post is up.

Vortexgear, which is more commonly referred to simply as Vortex, has a close collaboration with iKBC when it comes to their product line and this year at Computex was no different. Indeed, it was evident that Vortex were joining in the fray of making 2018 the year of wireless mechanical keyboards now that RGB is a done deal, with every single new product having that option.

We began our look at the Vortex section of the giant Mistel/iKBC/Vortex booth with the new members to their popular Poker series of keyboards- a 60% form factor keyboard that offered onboard layers and programmability at a time when this was just a dream for even keyboard enthusiasts. The Poker IV is scheduled to work with their new software driver, thus finally allowing end users the freedom to customize layers and keys to a larger and easier extent than before. The two-tone keycap color scheme we saw with their recent keyboards carries over here, as does a thick plastic case to hit a wallet-friendly price point. On the back is a toggle for the power alongside a battery tray for two AAA batteries. New this year to the Poker series is also the so-called Poker Vol. 2 that trades in for a thick metal case and a split space bar. Images for the new Poker keyboards are seen below, and there is more to go after the break.