Topre Realforce RGB Keyboard Review

Rating: 8.5.

While it is very possible you have never heard of Topre, the Japanese keyboard manufacturer has teamed-up with Seasonic to bring their Realforce RGB keyboard to market. The stand-out feature of the Realforce RGB is undoubtedly the Actuation Point Changer (APC) technology – this lets you adjust the actuation point of the keyboard's switches on a per-key basis, with a choice of 1.5mm, 2.2mm and 3mm actuation distances available.

While we were excited to get hands-on with the Topre Realforce RGB, it is worth mentioning the price straight-away: $279 in the US. In the UK, Topre distribute their keyboards through The Keyboard Company, and they currently have the Realforce RGB listed for £258.98. In any case, it is a lot of money for a keyboard, so let's get right to it and see if it's worth buying.

Specification

• Model name: AEAX01 (REALFORCE RGB)
• Weight: 1.4 kg (including packaging)
• Dimensions: 142 mm (W) x 455 mm (L) x 30 mm (H)
• Number of Keys: 108, ANSI Layout
• Length of cable: 1.5 m / 5 feet
• Switch: Electrostatic Capacitive & Non Contact Switch
• Key Life Time: 50 million times
• Key Weight: 45g ± 15 g
• Key Shapes: Ergonomic Step Sculpture
• N-Key Rollover: Full N key rollover
• Labelling of Keycaps: Double Shot ABS Keycaps
• Interface: USB
• Warranty: 3 year limited warranty

The Topre Realforce RGB ships in a slightly ‘dated' looking box, although we are far more concerned with what's inside.

Other than the keyboard itself, the only accessory is a large ‘manual' which just points out a few of the on-board functions (like changing the RGB lighting).

After that, we get our first look at the Realforce RGB itself. The keyboard definitely has a simple and understated design, although I do prefer this style of keyboard as it looks a lot less garish than some other ‘gaming' keyboards on the market.

Build quality is excellent, too, and while I could not find any information about the construction materials, I would guess Topre has fitted a metal frame inside the keyboard's chassis, while the outer-shell is plastic. In any case, this thing is rock-solid, with no flex to it at all.

However, eagle-eyed readers may have noticed the keyboard above uses the American, ANSI layout. Topre do not currently manufacture an ISO version of the Realforce RGB, so that is definitely something to be aware of.

Getting a closer look at some of the on-board features, in the top-right corner we find three dedicated volume controls, as well as an unusual key with 3 ‘steps' on it. This button is for the APC technology – pressing it changes the actuation point for all the keyboard's switches, and you can cycle through the 3 different options available (1.5mm, 2.2mm and 3mm). However, using the software, you can set the actuation distance on a per-key basis for ultimate control, something we demonstrate on the next page.

Elsewhere, there are also some play/pause/skip buttons available, but they are secondary functions assigned to the F-keys, rather than dedicated keys.

The switches are another area of interest, as they are Topre's own capacitive switch. Interestingly, they are not actually mechanical as they still use a rubber dome at the base of the switch (see above diagram, courtesy of Seasonic). However, the switches are compatible with most keycaps due to Topre's use of Cherry MX stems.

In regards to keycaps, it is also worth mentioning that the Realforce RGB uses double-shot ABS keycaps, so they should be extra-durable and the legends will not wear away (unlike keycaps with printed legends).

On the underside of the keyboard, we find four anti-slip rubber feet, as well as the usual height-adjustment stands. There are also two channels for cable-routing, so you can have the cable coming out from either the left or the right side of the board.

Speaking of the cable, the spec-sheet lists it as 1.5m long (though I measured it at closer to 1.8m), and sadly it is not braided. For a £260 keyboard, I would really expect a braided cable, even it is more about aesthetics than anything else.To test the Topre Realforce RGB, I used it as my daily driver for over a week. During this time, I used it while playing games and for general office work.

First of all, let's take a look at the included software. It is quite hard to find online, so if you are looking for the software, it is available HERE.

The APC control page is undoubtedly the best thing about the software. Here, users can first choose to set one single actuation distance for all of the switches. However, maybe you want extra control, and that is also supported as the actuation points are changeable on a per-key basis.

As you can see in the second screenshot, I set the keyboard to use all three actuation distances in different areas of the keyboard. Maybe you want to have the QWEASD keys at the fastest, 1.5mm distance, but the lighting controls at the slowest, 3mm distance – no problem. Things are also helped by the simple colour-coding system Topre have used – blue keys means they are set to 1.5mm actuation distance, green is 2.2mm and red is 3mm.

The RGB lighting control is also good, though perhaps not quite as polished as competing manufacturers' lighting options. You can choose from a number of preset options, such as a colour wave, random and reactive, or you can even create your own setting with per-key illumination.

That being said, the lighting lacks the absolute granularity offered by Corsair CUE or Razer Synapse – for example, users can only create custom colour layouts, meaning you cannot create custom effects, which is something CUE lets you do with ease.

The RGB lighting is pretty good, with accurate colours and a decent variety of presets available. However, there are only 3 levels of brightness, and I do think the LEDs could do with being a bit brighter as they currently lack the ‘pop' and vibrancy of keyboards like the Razer BlackWidow Chroma V2.

That being said, Topre have used a white baseplate underneath the keycaps, and this is a feature I love to see as it allows the RGB lighting to spread out and create a lovely underglow.

Moving on to the physical testing, and I must say that the Realforce RGB is one beast of a keyboard.

I will start with the APC technology, as that is definitely the highlight feature of the board. You have already seen how comprehensive the software control is, but I want to talk about using it in-practice. In my experience, this feature is actually most useful while gaming. This is because, using the software, I was able to set all the keys I regularly use (QWEASD, shift, space bar etc) to the fastest, 1.5mm actuation distance. However, I also set keys I do not want to press (Windows key, arrow keys etc) to the slowest, 3mm distance. I found that, even if I did accidentally hit one of these keys, the longer actuation distance meant I did not actuate actuate the key, and saved myself from a gaming disaster.

There are also plenty of gaming features to compliment the APC tech, too. For starters, there is a keylock function, so you can choose which keys you want to disable using the software. The Realforce RGB also features NKRO (N-key rollover), so Topre has you covered in that regard.

However, the one downside to gaming performance could be the switches. I say ‘could be', as this is a very subjective matter. Essentially, Topre capacitive switches are very tactile, meaning there is quite a lot of resistance from each switch as you press down. The actuation force is still 45g, give or take 15g (which seems like a lot of fluctuation, if you ask me) but the heavy tactility may not appeal to some gamers who prefer a linear action (like Cherry MX Reds, for example.)

Topre capacitive switch sound test.

That being said, these switches are a joy to type on – in this scenario, I really appreciate the tactility, and the rubber dome at the bottom of the switch helps keep things slightly quieter than if you were using Cherry MX switches. Incidentally, you can listen to a sound test of the switches above.

So, on a day-to-day basis, I very much enjoyed using the Realforce RGB. However, there are just a couple of issues I want to raise, the most significant being the lack of wrist rest. I do think it is slightly hard-to-take that Topre would have you spend £260-odd on a high-end keyboard that does not come with a wrist rest of any sort.

The lack of braided cable is also a slight sore point for me, while you would also expect dedicated multi-media keys (not just volume keys) for the amount you are spending. Maybe I am being picky, but I think these criticisms are valid considering the high price of the keyboard.The Topre Realforce RGB is definitely a game-changer, though it is not quite perfect.

To start, though, it has a simple design – which I like – and it is also built like a tank. Combine that with the double-shot ABS keycaps, and this thing will last you a long time.

There are a few exclusions that bother me, though – the Realforce RGB lacks a braided cable, any sort of wrist rest and dedicated multi-media keys. I just feel that if you are spending over £250 on a keyboard, these are features that simply must included.

When it comes to the software, things are not quite as polished as we would expect if this was a Razer or Corsair keyboard, too. This is most evident with the lack of control when it comes to the RGB lighting, as users cannot create their own effects or get too hands-on in this department.

Clearly, Topre are charging you for the APC technology, and this is very successful. You can use the software to set different actuation distances on a per-key basis, while there is also an on-board key which changes the switch actuation point for the whole keyboard. This is a hugely innovative idea which gives users a great amount of control – the switches really become ‘all things to all men' thanks to their added versatility.

On that last point, though, some gamers may be put off by the heavily-tactile switches. There is a lot of resistance to each keystroke, and this is definitely a personal thing – I love it, but I know many of our readers would prefer a linear switch. After all, Cherry MX Reds are a very popular switch type for gamers thanks to their light and linear action.

The Topre Realforce RGB is certainly ground-breaking and hugely innovative thanks to its APC technology. However, it does lack the polish we would expect from a keyboard made by the likes of Corsair and Razer, and this is only amplified by the fact that the keyboard is so expensive. Still, it is one of the best I have used, and I can definitely recommend it for anyone who wants the control APC offers. That being said, hardcore gamers may find all the features they need in a cheaper and more polished package than this.

You can buy one for £258.95 inc. VAT from The Keyboard Company HERE.

Discuss on our Facebook page, over HERE.

Pros

• APC technology is a game-changer.
• Rock-solid build quality.
• White baseplate creates a lovely underglow when the  RGB lighting is on.
• Software lets you change the actuation distance on a per-key basis.
• Switches are great for typists.
• Double-shot ABS keycaps.
• Switches use Cherry MX stems for keycap compatibility.

Cons

• Very expensive.
• ANSI layout only.
• Software is not as comprehensive as CUE or Synapse.
• The heavy, tactile switches may not be for everyone.
• RGB lighting lacks a bit of vibrancy.
• Lacks a few features we would expect considering the price.

KitGuru says: The Realforce RGB is definitely a class-leading product in some areas. It is very expensive, though, and lacks some features we would expect considering its price. That being said, I cannot help but be amazed by the APC technology.

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