The on-the-fly controls allow you to control the Cooler Master SK620’s lighting, record macros, use those macros, and switch between Windows and macOS-specific inputs, among other things. The Fn key also pulls double-duty by enabling the use of common functions such as “Home” and “PGDN” as well as multimedia controls. As I’ve mentioned, these combos can be hard to remember, but at least they make these functions available in this form factor. The SK620 is compatible across virtually every modern OS and Windows PC. So whether you're a PC enthusiast or diehard Mac user, however you play or work, we got you covered. Aug 10th 2023 Corsair Launches the K70 MAX with Corsair MGX Hall Effect Switches, HS80 MAX Headset (33) More granular control is afforded by the Cooler Master MasterPlus+ software whose name amuses and annoys me in roughly equal measure. The common features are present: You can use the app to choose from and customize preset lighting effects; assign different functions, secondary functions, multimedia controls, and macros to different keys, record macros and switch among different profiles that contain the previously mentioned settings. The SK620 employs rollover technologies that result in the most efficient, accurate anti-ghosting technology yet. N-key rollover ensures that every single keypress is correctly detected, even during your most heated, button-mashiest moments - or your chaotic crunch-time coding situations. Rest easy knowing no matter how fast and furious it gets, your keyboard can handle it.

The other aspects of the Cooler Master SK620 add up to a fairly standard experience. Its switches are reliable and the 1,000 Hz response rate is exactly as performant as you’d expect. I haven’t quite gotten used to either of the keyboard’s available angles — although I’ve come to prefer having the feet extended — and have noticed slight cramping after longer sessions. But those are personal issues; everyone’s tolerance for a particular setup is going to vary.It’s worth noting the Cooler Master SK622’s polling rate is set to 1,000Hz in wired mode, but switching to wireless drops that polling rate to 125Hz, so it’s not ideal for fast-paced games where input lag matters. This is likely a battery-saving measure, and it works. Cooler Master doesn’t offer an official battery-length estimate, but I used the SK622 wirelessly for a week without any issue. The Cooler Master SK620’s settings can be controlled both on-keyboard and within the MasterPlus+ software on Windows. (Mac users are limited to the hardware-based customizations.) Both of these settings types can be saved to the keyboard’s onboard storage, which means one could theoretically forgo Cooler Master’s configuration software entirely, assuming they’re willing to be limited to the firmware that shipped with the device. Being smaller (and therefore shifting the position of many keys) also matters less when most people’s main concern is the WASD cluster. Although I’ve spent a lot of time hunting for keys on the Cooler Master SK620 during everyday use, the only keys I couldn’t locate 100% of the time while gaming were the number keys, and even those are easier to find now. This form factor certainly isn’t exclusive to gaming keyboards, but I’m happiest using them while I game. The Cooler Master SK622 can be used with a wire or without one. The wired connection is enabled by a high quality, 1.8-meter-long, braided USB Type-A-to-Type-C cable that can be detached for easy transport. The wireless connection is enabled via Bluetooth 4.0; there’s no 2.4GHz option for people whose systems don’t offer Bluetooth connectivity. The complexity is reduced if you use the keyboard with a single operating system (although that means the additional symbols printed on the bottom row are more of a distraction than anything else) or if you only try to learn it on one at a time. This form factor is fundamentally different from full-size or even tenkeyless keyboards; having to wrap your head around the idea of multiple input layers is probably going to take a while. That struggle can pay off, however, as long as you’re willing to approach the Cooler Master SK622 on its own terms.

Every key on the Cooler Master SK622 serves more than one function. The number row is also the Function row, for example, and several of those keys are also tied to multimedia controls. A single key is assigned to the equals, plus-sign, F12, and Volume Up functions by default. Other keys are assigned system functions—the “U” key is also the Print Screen key, for example, and the “P” key is also the Insert key—and still others are used in conjunction with what Cooler Master calls the On-the-fly System. On-the-Fly controls everything from the board’s RGB lighting to recording macros. Brushed Aluminum Design - Flat brushed aluminum top plate, floating keycaps, and slim, minimalist design built with both functionality and aesthetics in mind. The Cooler Master SK620 is the wired version of SK622, taking a modern approach to the classic mechanical keyboard with low profile switches housed in a sleek chassis for a drool-worthy aesthetic. The 60% keyboard layout is outfitted with low profile mechanical RGB switches with upgraded ergonomic keycaps from the previous version for a typing experience that feels as good as the keyboard looks. The keyboard supports both Mac and Windows devices, and you have the ultimate on-the-go keyboard for both work and play. Those stately keycaps are lit by per-key RGB lighting that supports 16.8 million colors. The lighting is bright enough, and it looks good reflected off the aluminum top plate, at least on the space gray model. Unfortunately this is where the keycaps end up negatively affecting the experience. They don’t let the light through evenly, and the decision to illuminate each key’s secondary function means the bottom half of most characters is better-lit than the top half.Portable 60% Layout - Compact layout and design, perfect for on-the-go use with mobile devices and laptops. Adding complexity, the SK622 is also compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, which means the functions of several critical keys change based on what device the keyboard is paired with. It’s not enough to learn that the key featuring Cooler Master’s logo allows you to take advantage of another key’s secondary functions; you also have to remember in which mode the keyboard is set to take advantage of common keyboard shortcuts across those operating systems. This can be overwhelming at first.

Low Profile Mechanical Switches - Reduced travel distance and actuation point with the same signature durability, feel, and precision. The Cooler Master SK620 also features ergonomic keycaps adorned with more legends than a Grecian vase. This is partly a consequence of the 60% form factor, which all but requires manufacturers to print the pre-programmed secondary functions performed by each key, but also the result of supporting both Windows and macOS. Shout out to Cooler Master for handling all that complexity without making the SK620’s keycaps a cluttered mess.

This Layout Isn’t Quite Played Out (Yet)

Cooler Master built two feet into the bottom of the SK622, so people who prefer typing at an angle have a more ergonomic option available to them, but it’s disappointing that the keyboard offers only two angles now that a fair number of its competitors have started to offer two.