So here's where we are at with the Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E. 13 keyboard. Turns out it is extremely hard to even buy, at least online. I had to rely on regional pricing, which I converted to the equivalent in USD, and even the company website does not list any retailers where you can buy it. Yet this is clearly a product that is available for retail purchase in different regions around the world, and even has had some media reviews last year too. A retail channel network is certainly not a problem here, with the newer Mad Catz mice definitely on online shelves around the world. I am awaiting clarification from the company on this. That having been said, no word has arrived yet to where it has been long enough for me to submit this review in its current state.

If you are unable to purchase the Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E. 13, it is not the end of the world, of course. There are plenty of excellent keyboards that can be had anywhere, but I dare say that you will likely miss out on the weird but to me very cool 96-key form factor it employs. By making the arrow keys and Ins-Pg Dn part of the numpad in a more logical way as opposed to the usual manner (yes, the numpad on an average keyboard typically supports most of these already), Mad Catz has implemented a compact, efficient design. The company then took it all away by putting it on a relatively huge frame with large bezels all around.. sigh. The frame in question is made out of aluminium alloy, and the keyboard as a whole is quite light while still sturdy. It is quiet, too, despite the aluminium frame and Cherry MX Red switches because of the thick foam between the PCB and plastic case underneath that dampens the typing sound if you bottom out with the switches in particular. The stabilizers are lightly lubed too, which further enhances the typing experience combined with the PBT keycaps, although you may prefer ABS keycaps, so that is a matter of contention.

However, that the legends on the stock keycaps are in some cases hilariously bad is not a point of contention. They are mostly doubleshot injected, with some that are laser etched much better applied, which lets the keyboard down. Some injection moldings are so bad and thin that the light barely passes through, which in turn makes the 16.8 M RGB colors on offer not as bright and appealing as they could be. Mad Catz has plenty of onboard controls for both lighting as well as some productivity options and recently released software drivers that work well enough to add positively to the experience. Indeed, the overall package is one that I can recommend—I now just want to see more widespread retail availability!