Software

With all functionality hardware based, there are no software drivers for the Mistel X-VIII. As such, I have chosen to combine this section with the performance section below. The company hosts firmware updates on the the support page with instructions on how to update, although as expected, my unit was already on the latest firmware since the X-VIII is a recent release.

Performance

There are two connectivity options for the keyboard depending on which version you get, and my unit is wired only. The Mistel X-VIII gets the expected full N-key rollover USB. Switch Hitter confirmed no chatter with these keys, and we actually retain the right Win key.


There are a good number of pre-programmed functions on top of the standard 104 keys US ANSI layout. The most obvious come in the form of the four dedicated keys with dedicated volume control and the calculator shortcut. Mistel has also added media playback and more shortcuts in addition to some redundant volume controls on the Fn key row. There is also dual OS support, with the dip switches allowing further customization and macOS having its own separate extra functions. Two of the dip switches also swap functions for specific keys, which allows for some specific user preferences based on typing preferences.


On-the-fly macro programming is also built into the X-VIII, with the manual covering the process well enough. There are four layers on the keyboard, with the base layer hosting the pre-programmed functions. The other three layers are used for macros, although you can do a keyboard reset in case things go wrong. You can do rudimentary key remapping to use typing layouts other than QWERTY, although it is far more involved than what even basic software drivers provide. I did not notice any delay recording here, so be aware of that.


I mentioned before how there are five Cherry MX switch options with the Mistel X-VIII, and my sample has the non-RGB MX Brown switches, all the way down to the older mold with the 50 M lifetime keystrokes. The MX Silent Red and MX Speed (Silver) might be the newer RGB variant only since they don't come in the original mold based on the Cherry website. Either way, this switch is rated at 2.0 mm actuation with 45 cN and 4.00 mm total travel, with a tactile bump right before actuation at 50 cN and a peak force of 60 cN when bottoming out. It's one of the most popular switches today in terms of companies utilizing it, although I personally prefer a more tactile bump and smoother travel. The MX Brown is not my favorite switch, and yet the average end user should have no issues, especially considering this is the only tactile switch option as the other four are all linear.


As always, the sound of a keyboard is based on more than just the switch type. So when comparing sound clips, consider the keyboard as a whole. In this case, I have provided above an example sound clip of me typing on the provided Mistel X-VIII keyboard sample at ~110 WPM as it comes out of the box with the Cherry MX Brown switches. For context, you can find sound clips from other keyboards here, including those with tactile switches. I did bottom out more often than not, especially with the relatively lighter switches, and notice that there is not much ping from the steel plate. I do wish Mistel would have added sound-absorbing foam, at least on the wired model, where no space is taken up by the battery, to make this a nice and quiet keyboard.