Closer Examination

As the name suggests, the DeepCool KG722 65% is indeed a 65% form factor keyboard as it takes your typical tenkeyless (TKL) keyboard, removes the function key row, and just compresses everything else into a single bank of keys. So there are 68 keys on this US ANSI layout, which I understand is one of many languages and layouts the KG722 will be offered in. This smaller form factor keyboard allows for dedicated arrow keys, yet takes up a lot less room on your desk than the typical keyboard. The flip side is of course the fewer keys, with some simply not featured by default and many others shortened—take the right Shift key, for example. But if you are familiar with a 65% keyboard, this one will seem no different.

The design scheme is again predominantly clean, with a black color scheme throughout for all but the Esc key in the same blue color DeepCool clearly loves. The front-on view also shows very little, and it is from a regular viewing angle that we see front-facing legends instead, including with the DeepCool logo on the Esc key. As there is less room, secondary legends are placed alongside primary ones, with everything centrally placed, as are single legends throughout. Modifier keys use a mix of letters and symbols, with some even incomplete (Caps), but I get the constraints and subsequent choices on this keycap set. Bezels are tiny throughout as well, and this is a keyboard I can see being used at work just as much as at home.


Turning the keyboard around, we see multiple certification and QC stickers in the middle of the ABS plastic case. There are four long rubber pads at the corners to prevent the KG722 from sliding around on your desk, and in the absence of any actual keyboard feet, these also act as de-facto feet. This means the integrated elevation courtesy the case is all you get. Curious is also the cutout at the bottom with a cover, removing which shows the case supports keyboards with a switch on the PCB for presumably wireless connectivity.


But only wired connectivity is offered, with the expected Type-C port on the left corner facing away form the user. It is slightly inset into the case for good compatibility with aftermarket cables should you prefer to get a coiled and/or split cable, for example. The stock cable is otherwise plenty functional in all black, neatly sleeved, and the usual 6' long. You will need an available Type-A port on your PC for the keyboard, and USB 2.0 will suffice for power and data alike.


A look from the side shows the built-in keyboard elevation, which is all you get. It is a medium to high profile and can benefit from a wrist rest as the keyboard is 39 mm tall at the top and ~20 mm tall at the bottom. This side view also shows the typical OEM profile is used, with the five rows contoured accordingly. These are non-floating in design courtesy the thicker case design, and the provided keycap puller works well and doesn't scratch the sides of keycaps as with the likes of plastic ring-style keycap pullers. Removing some keycaps shows these are thin ABS plastic (average wall thickness 0.91 mm) with laser etched legends, which I have not seen in a while as most keyboards are going the doubleshot PBT route these days. The ABS part is going to be an issue sooner rather than later with shine because of finger oils, although the front-facing legends will not wear out with use given there is no physical contact for obvious reasons. As seen above, they are backlighting compatible.


The DeepCool KG722 is currently available with Gateron Red RGB switches, although the packaging seems to indicate other switches are a possibility after all. I was also pleased to see south-facing switches with the LEDs now shining closer to the front-facing legends after all, which will help with the RGB backlighting. The switches are soldered in place, and the keyboard uses lightly lubed plate-mounted stabilizers on the larger keycaps. So far these are all things I'd expect to see on a more budget-oriented keyboard.