Earlier this year, we took a look at the smallest keyboard reviewed on TechPowerUp, the Vortex CORE, a 40% form factor keyboard. The size meant that a lot of keys were not present, and this was to many simply not practical enough to justify the space savings. These people were also those who felt a larger 60% keyboard is too small for them, including Vortexgear's own Poker line of keyboards, since they at the very least didn't want to compromise on the functionality offered by a TKL keyboard. A 75% keyboard is thus something that should interest them and possibly many others who were until now unaware of such options, and today, we take a look at the latest keyboard from Vortexgear, whom we will henceforth only refer to as Vortex in this review, the Vortex Race 3. Thanks to Vortex for providing us with a review sample.
The Race 3 is, as the name would suggest, the third iteration in their Race line of keyboards - all of which are 75% keyboards. This form factor can fit in everything a TKL keyboard can, and this particular version from Vortex has slightly longer Esc and Del keys at the expense of a dedicated Ins key and the Print Screen key cluster. However, you do get a full space bar, full set of modifier keys, the function key row, and arrow keys, all in a really small package. Let us see how this keyboard and its layout end up in practice, beginning with a look at the specifications below.
Specifications
Vortex Race 3
Layout:
83 keys (75% keyboard)
Material:
Aluminium case, steel plate and PBT plastic keycaps
Macro Support:
Yes
Weight:
0.80 kg / 1.75 lbs.
Wrist Rest:
No
Anti-Ghosting:
Full N-key-rollover
Media Keys:
Available as a secondary function
Dimensions:
108 (L) x 305 (W) x 31.8 (H) mm
Cable Length:
1.8 M
Software:
No
Switch Type:
Choice of Cherry MX Red, Brown, Blue, Speed (Silver), Red, and Black mechanical switches