If my time with the K70E and K76M keyboards have taught me anything, it is that there are still things new to the market even from companies nowhere near the size of the usual suspects. i-Rocks deserves credit for coming out with keyboards that have not one but two inspired switch designs that are different enough to be their own and not a copy or clone. With the K70E, we saw their take on capacitive keyboards and here, with the K76M, we get switches based on the old Alps switches. Others, including Matias, have improved upon the old design as well and continue to offer keyboards with these switches for typing enthusiasts. The i-Rocks K76M "Fun" illuminated keyboard is a wholly different animal, however.

The LEGO bricks compatible top plate is the strongest indication of where the fun lies in this aptly named keyboard. This is a feature that will not be universally appreciated, but I am still glad i-Rocks dared to go for it. For those wanting something more subtle, the keyboard has a version available with a more standard black (or white, depending on the color scheme) plate. At the same time, more customization is added via the optional accessories which include the acrylic top plate and paper skin set, which could make this here keyboard look different for every single day of the week, or more. The available four switches to choose from and multiple language support, in addition to the two color options, just add to the various combinations possible here.

At an MSRP of $140, or even the $129 from third-party retailers, the K76M finds itself in a tough spot at launch in North America and other regions where i-Rocks just does not have the brand presence yet and customers have been convinced that keyboards in this price range need to have a certain number of features, such as a software driver, 16.8 M RGB backlighting, and a longer warranty period. The last of these is the only point I agree with wholeheartedly, but the current lack of focus when it comes to marketing targets for this keyboard will not help either. At the $110 it can be found at from other retailers now, things look a lot better, and perhaps i-Rocks will consider a price cut to bring what is an already released keyboard (in other regions) to market at a lower price here.