The breadth of the Mars Gaming catalog of specialized peripherals for gamers is vast, and increasingly extensive, so it's rare that you can't find a keyboard that suits you. Has it happened that you need a compact keyboard because you need space on your table, or to take it along with your laptop or a mini PC like an Intel NUC or any other equivalent, and wireless to be able to use it with your mobile? It is a very demanding combination, we know, and this Mars Gaming MKCloud model is how a keyboard with very advanced features is presented at a very affordable price.
We thank Mars Gaming for giving us the material for this review
Table of Contents
Unboxing
In the box you can already see the design of this MKCloud from Mars Gaming. It appears to have a 75% form factor keyboard layout, with a little extra for battery, wireless network cards, and certain quick control buttons.
So that you can get an idea of what a 75% form factor is, take a keyboard, which very possibly you have a normal one, with its numeric keypad. This is a complete form factor, and the most used and widespread, because it is one that people have been used to, derived from the need for business use of computers originally designed to help with accounting. Therefore the number pad on keyboards has a number layout identical to that on calculators, so that the muscle memory between the calculator and the keyboard is transferred comfortably.
Now, visualize that you remove all the numeric keypad from your full keyboard, and then the special keys like the Print Screen, and those for page navigation and word processors, you put them vertically attached to the right of the main body, and join the button row F. Here's how a keyboard with a small form factor saves space. This is the format of the Mars Gaming MKCloud, which not 60% complete, as a notice to those who highly value the space that piode
On the back you can already see some factors that make it a keyboard to consider. Double injection keys, Bluetooth 5.0 connection and 2,4GBPro wireless. The connection cable is USB-C, so, thanks to the fact that they are becoming more common and highly standardized, in a hurry you can directly use the mobile cable to connect it to a laptop, or to charge it.
Inside the package we find a series of accessories that we consider basic. The accessory to remove the keys for cleaning, the instruction and installation manual, a long-length USB-C cable, and the wireless connection USB.
Designer
The most remarkable thing about the design of the Mars Gamig MKCloud in terms of design is that there is a huge predominance of the presence of RGB. it is usually limited to the switches themselves and the light is limited to the letters on the keys.
But this time the RGB goes further and is on the sides of the keys. This gives the RGB a greater presence, which at some point can be a bit annoying if you are somewhat photosensitive, or distracting.
The model in question has Outemu PRO Red switches, but it is possible to have them in Blue or Brown. What is the difference? Well mostly, differs in the noise that the switches themselves make natively, not the keys when they hit the switch mechanism.
Outemu are known for being generic and cheap in the realm of gaming keyboards. This makes a huge difference in sensations when typing compared to others, unless they are brands that have proprietary switches. It's not bad, but it makes the feel indistinguishable from other keyboards, for those looking for a slightly different experience.
Some additional features that the Mars Gaming MK Cloud has are customizable multimedia keys through proprietary Mars Gaming software, and a sound roller to control volume of the system in a simple way.
Having the edges of the keys and the background in a translucent white, we find two problems. The first, as we said a few paragraphs ago, is that they make the RGB stand out too much. For someone who finds RGB useful to improve visibility in less favorable environments, it may be somewhat annoying to have so much light. In this way, it is clear that it is a somewhat "to stream"and it looks nice, plus it will consume more battery.
It would not be a problem with a wired keyboard, but we are talking about a keyboard with wireless capabilities, so reserving the battery is imperative. Another problem is that is going to make it a keyboard that makes dirt very visible. Dust and sand, if we don't live on a high floor, will accumulate, along with the inevitable hair and dandruff, which, no matter how much you take care of yourself, will end up with dirt. It is inevitable to think that you will have to clean it often because it will be very noticeable on the sides of the keys of the Mars Gaming MKCloud.
Mars Gaming MKCloud Specifications
- 2.4GPRO and BT5.0 wireless connections
- Connection via USB-C
- Compact form factor 75%
- Double Injection Pudding PBT Keycaps
- Dustproof switches OUTEMU SQ
Gallery
Is a small form factor keyboard worth it?
It started a few years ago with the TKL, and continues today with those that increasingly reduce keyboards to their smallest factor. There are only the letters, numbers, and the minimum special keys without redundancy, with many special keys being less used, relegated to combinations with the function keys. Now is it necessary?
From our experience with many small form factor keyboards, our wildcard answer is that it depends a lot on how much you need the extra space that the smaller form factor offers. Just a TKL keyboard, offers four fingers across space in the case of right-handed users and with it more movement surface for the mouse so that it can move without problems. This is most appreciated in tight cubicles, in setups with busy tables such as a streamer's, or for many students in shared rental apartments. Now, think that with this we remove the numeric keypad and we have to get used to using the upper numeric keys and the rest of the functions. At first, for a normal person, it is not a problem, but then it comes when it is time to fill in numerous forms or an extensive numerical Excel. These programs benefit from a direct access with a familiar and fast positioning are no longer there. We cannot recommend a TKL or anything less than an accountant who is constantly using the number pad and calculation symbols, but that's the good thing about having a variety of keyboards, that there is one for each person.
Now, for a gamer who has elements such as the controller, a water bottle and headphones in his setup, reducing the space occupied will always be appreciated, even only with the TKL format. This 75% format of Mars Gaming's MKCloud helps further reduce the footprint. In the case of gamers, for those who opt for games like MMORPGs or complex RPGs that use keys and shortcuts a lot, it may not be a good option either, because we are reducing the number of keys and making complex keyboard shortcuts, which in high level, they can be decisive. But a gamer who mostly plays Call of Duty or games that don't require a lot of keystrokes will have a much smaller selection of buttons used, in a more convenient and concentrated form factor.
For nomadic writers, saving space is very grateful, since it is a weight that is removed from their shoulders on each trip, be it a domestic one or a move. There are cases where we can easily recommend a form factor, but the bottom line is, if you can afford not to have number keys handy, and you don't have to use special features, it's a good idea. because having more space at the table is what will always be most appreciated.
Experience with MKCLoud and conclusions
We have already discussed many of the standard features. And all of them work as expected for a keyboard of this price. It should be said that a large part of its entry price is that it is wireless and has additional keys, so if we are mainly on a tower PC without more and we do not move, we will feel that we pay a little more than normal for these types of keyboards. It is understood that the price comes because of the form factor, in which many special keys are kept, instead of going directly to the more popular 60% format, which can start to offer handling problems for the less skilled.
We have also tested using wireless modes in games. Not surprisingly, in precise games, lag is much more noticeable when using Bluetooth. But the feeling with the wireless is somewhat better. We can't classify it as a competitive way to play, but at least it doesn't introduce too much handicap as standard, and it's even possible to adapt to it if the game isn't particularly demanding. Clearly, it changes a lot with the cable that comes standard, and the lag from wireless causes disappears. In games, it feels very light and not heavy, which will be a feel that many gamers will prefer, while others will prefer a keyboard that feels firmer due to its weight.
Regarding the battery, we have noticed that It has lasted us without a problem for more than two business days without the need to charge it. Sure, we've done away with RGB lighting to get the most out of a battery charge.
For fans of RGB customization, there is no complaint, since it has its compatible software to customize effects. This is very convenient, since by design itself, the RGB is very visible, and the ability to customize it wins.
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- Being a rare compact form factor keyboard, with RGB and wireless capabilities, it comes at a fairly reasonable price.
- Lots of high quality features in this price range.
- Various wireless options.
- Good control via function keys.
- Connection via USB-C.
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- RGB becomes too bright.
- The compact 75% form factor takes a lot to get used to, especially if you haven't been through a TKL before.
- With the translucent white keys, dirt is going to be very noticeable.
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