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Note: This keyboard is no longer available, but you can check out other awesome gear from ProtoArc here.
I think I might be turning into a keyboard person—and if you know me, you know that’s a bit dangerous. Let me walk you through the keyboard that pulled me down the rabbit hole: the Royal Kludge RK100 mechanical keyboard, co-branded by ProtoArc.
The Keyboard That Started It All
This all began with my review of the ProtoArc Mech K100 full QWERTY keyboard. That keyboard uses slim Gateron yellow switches and was my first step into the world of mechanical keys. Coming from a background of Apple and low-profile membrane keyboards, the Mech K100 felt like a dream to type on—responsive, quiet, and comfortable.
Then Came the RK100 and the Retro Vibes
When ProtoArc asked if I wanted to try anything else, I saw this thing—the RK100 in a retro-style off-white and brown color scheme. I get it, some of you might hate the aesthetic, but personally, I was totally hooked. It screams vintage charm with modern guts.
Switches, Swapping, and Customization
Out of the box, you can choose between Gateron GR Pro Yellow, Brown, Red, or Blue switches. I went with the GR Pro Yellow—a linear switch that’s great for typing and won’t make your coworkers throw things at you. But the real kicker? It’s hot-swappable. The keyboard even comes with a keycap and switch removal tool, so if I want to try tactile switches later (and I will), it’s totally doable.
Wired, Wireless, and Bluetooth Options Galore
Connectivity is solid. You’ve got three ways to hook this thing up:
- Wired via USB-C
- Wireless via 2.4 GHz dongle (USB-A, sadly)
- Bluetooth (connect up to 3 devices)
Bluetooth pairing is super simple—just hold Function + Q, W, or E, and you’re good to go. It also has a switch to toggle between Windows and Mac layouts, which is a feature I wish more keyboards had.
Key Layout Quirks
Here’s where things got a little funky for me. The RK100 compresses the full-sized layout into a smaller footprint, which moves around a few key groups. For example, Home, Page Up, and Page Down are above the number pad. And the 0 key? It’s shortened and awkwardly placed. As someone who uses the numpad frequently, this threw me off. I’m considering trying the RK L75 next or switching to a full-size board for comfort.
Unboxing Extras and Build Quality
You get some nice touches in the box: a white braided USB-C cable and four extra yellow switches. Build-wise, this thing is chunky. It’s got some serious weight and almost no flex. I would’ve guessed this keyboard costs $130+, but nope—it retailed for just $89, including switches and keycaps. That’s wild for this level of quality.
RGB Lighting and Battery Life
Lighting lovers, rejoice. The RK100 has an absurd number of RGB modes—solid colors, rainbow waves, breathing effects, you name it. And it’s smart too: when using the keyboard wirelessly, the backlight shuts off to conserve the 3,000 mAh battery. I’ve been using it for a week without recharging (though I had the lights off). Plugged in, you get constant RGB glow, which—let’s be honest—looks awesome in any setup.
Minor Gripes and Function Keys
If I had to nitpick, I’d say the function-layer media controls are a pain to see and memorize. The tiny blue icons below the keys are hard to read, and you have to hold Fn to access them. It’s a small usability thing, but it matters.
There is a driver available for both Mac and Windows, though I didn’t feel the need to install it. Out of the box, the keyboard handles the essentials just fine.
Final Thoughts: Worth It?
Absolutely. For someone new to mechanical keyboards, this was a fantastic intro. It feels premium, types like a dream, and costs way less than the competition. Sure, it has some layout quirks, but nothing that’s a dealbreaker—especially for the price.
If you’ve used this keyboard or have suggestions for which switches I should try next, drop a comment! And again, while this particular model is no longer available, you can check out more from ProtoArc here—and by using my link, you help support the site!