Closer Examination

The biggest takeaway here with the Mad Catz STRIKE 13 for me is the form factor. I can't think of another keyboard I have had my hands on that is like it. You guys know how a TKL keyboard omits the numpad from a full-size keyboard to make for a smaller keyboard that still retains most of the functionality people will ever need? The Mad Catz STRIKE 13 instead omits the arrow-key column and retains the numpad. What's more, the 0 of the numpad is split into two smaller 1u keys. The Ins-Pg Dn keys are gone too, but we still get the Print Screen, Scroll Lock, and Pause/Break keys in addition to an extra key next to these in the top-right corner that toggles the numpad, allowing for a third set of functions beyond those usually associated with them. This is where we get arrow keys and the Ins-Pg Dn functions in what effectively ends up being a compact 90% form factor, or a larger 75% keyboard if you want to think of it that way.

This results in a keyboard that could have been smaller than the average full-size keyboard, but then Mad Catz added a relatively massive aluminium alloy frame because retaining an aggressive design clearly is part of the company's mantra even after the re-launch. The frame results in larger bezels than usual, with cutouts and bevels along the edges to go with that large Mad Catz lettering in the bottom-left corner to leave no doubt about who made this, just in case the scratch logo on some of the keycaps isn't enough. The frame is a gunmetal gray and contrasts with the black on the keycaps and shades of white for the legends. The indicator LEDs are between Esc and F1 in the top-left corner, and the legends are really a bit all over the place. Look at the numpad, for example, where 2 is under the arrow key in a clear move that makes it a secondary legend, but then 7, 8, and 9 are primary legends. There's a bit more to talk about here, but let's save that for just a little bit later.


Flipping the keyboard around, we see the usual certification sticker in the middle. Four rectangular rubber pads on the corners help keep the keyboard from sliding around on the desk, and the two feet at the top can be raised for a further elevation option if preferred. The feet have a rubber bottom as well, although I would have liked larger feet as there is plenty of room here and the keyboard is larger than usual. It is also lighter than average, so it's not like there is a lower center of gravity to keep it grounded. There are some cutouts in the plastic casing for any spilled liquids to flow out of these, so there may be some spill resistance on the keyboard.


Aha, Mad Catz decided more accessories need to be thrown in with the STRIKE 13 after all. We get a plastic ring-style keycap puller and a replacement keycap, both of which are found on the bottom of the keyboard and contained snugly as seen above. If anything, I would say the keycap is too snug in there—you would need to pry it out of the cross-point stem in the case that keeps the keycap in place. I would have of course preferred a metal wire keycap puller, especially since the plastic ring puller can scratch the sides of keycaps in use, which it did. The keycap itself is thin ABS with a laser-etched scratch logo that is backlighting compatible.


There are also three cable-routing channels on the back, with the integrated cable coming out of a recess in the middle to allow for further placement out of the left, right, or middle of the keyboard. The cable channels have plastic nibs jutting out to help keep the cable in place tightly, and you can thus direct the cable away from other nearby cables. The provided cable, also in black, fits in well and is braided. It is slightly shorter than the usual 1.8 m/6', coming in at 1.6 m long, which is fitting considering the keyboard itself is also slightly shorter than the usual full-size keyboard. The cable terminates in a male USB Type-A connector and needs a compatible port on your computer, where USB 3.2 Gen 1 is recommended. The connector is gold-plated for oxidation resistance, and in practice, USB 2.0 suffices for power and data alike.


The keycaps have an OEM profile, and the various rows are sculpted accordingly. They are of the floating type because the ABS plastic bottom panel has been paired with nothing but the aluminium frame, and the included keycap puller is among the worst to use here. The arms on the puller are barely wide enough to fit around most keycaps and definitely scratched a couple of them to where I quickly switched to my own metal wire puller for further testing. The stock keycaps are built better than usual with a thick PBT plastic composition and doubleshot injected primary and general secondary legends. The keyboard-specific legends, which are pretty much underneath the rest, are laser-etched and not backlighting compatible, which will have these wear out sooner rather than later. But hang on, what's going on with that Pause/Break keycap?


Man, I am usually easy going on legends and typefaces, but boy, Mad Catz really has made some terrible choices here. Making it worse is that the actual injection and etching job is one of the worst too, with just some examples of how bad it is seen in a close-up macro shot above. Yes, that is the 6 and not the G key at the end, with the actual G key looking so similar that I initially thought the same keycap was used twice. Be it poor QC, a budget to work around that forced the use of a less-than-optimal factory, or even a deliberately chosen Gamery McGamer font, these unfortunately are not pleasant to look at. Too bad that the form factor makes it hard to replace them easily, at least until you are comfortable enough with the built-in layers and functions.


There is a single switch option with the Mad Catz STRIKE 13, with the company opting for the popular Cherry MX Red switches. These are the RGB version too, with the clear top and SMD LEDs underneath that shine through for what is no doubt a lot of color options and lighting effects. The stem is red, and these are the newer 100 M rated actuation lifetime switches built using an updated mold that promises to be smoother than before. The LEDs are north facing, meaning legends at the bottom will typically not be backlit as much, although these legends are completely opaque, making it a moot point. The larger keycaps use Cherry stabilizers, and there is actually some lubrication here, which is nice to see. It will help mitigate some of the rattly sounds and mushy feedback of these, especially for the larger space bar key.