For many, many years now, I have been writing my longer or shorter experience reports, tests, and reviews here, and of course I try to serve the readers who are thirsty for news every day. During this time, I always did the work on my current laptop. This is how I get used to using a flat keyboard. This habit has now become so ingrained that even though I don’t find it difficult to type on a traditional keyboard, I don’t like it, I find it uncomfortable. Nowadays, I really only use gamer keyboards strictly for gaming, if there is anything to write, I do it on the laptop. How does this come here when this is basically a keyboard review? Well, the matter is opened by the subject of this article, the Genesis Thor 400 RGB keyboard.
This is not the first gamer keyboard that has come under my hands over the years. But the first is one that is “flat”. And here now the cat’s nails have an important task, because the flat one is not flat at all this time. But let’s start at the beginning! The Thor 400 RGB is a mechanical gamer keyboard available in two versions. I got the 400 model equipped with Kailh Red switches, but there is also a version with Kailh Brown switches, but it was named Thor 401 RGB. That’s really the only difference between the two.
The quiet operation of the Kailh Red switches makes them a much friendlier companion, since neither we nor our surroundings have to get used to loud clicking. Of course, many people like this typewriter feeling, but this is a matter of taste. By the way, the switches yield from 45 grams, the actuation point is at 1.8 mm. The keyboard, as its name suggests, also has RGB lighting, which can be controlled with the separately downloadable software. Here we can also set the macros and create several profiles.
Keycaps with a flat profile sit on the switches. At first glance, these can fool the uninitiated eye into thinking that this is indeed a flat keyboard. But this is only the appearance, in use it is clearly closer to traditional mechanical keyboards. On the other hand, the switches are more visible, the RGB lighting is also more prominent, which gives the Thor 400 RGB a rather unique look.
Which, by the way, holds its own in terms of functionality. I already mentioned macros above, but there are also multimedia controls that can be pre-conjured with the FN key. This is interesting if only because there are also dedicated controls on the right side, above the numeric keypad. What’s more, there is even a volume control wheel here, which gives the design a little boost. In addition to these, Thor 400 has the usual capabilities, such as full anti-ghosting or the windows-lock function.
The Thor 400 promises to be a long-lasting keyboard, as evidenced by the double shot keycaps and the aluminum housing. The switches are certified for 50 million keystrokes, and comfort is ensured by a magnetically connected wrist rest. Although the latter is pure plastic, i.e. hard, it is comfortable, but if you move the keyboard a lot (I always push it to the back of the table after use), it can easily come off, which can be fiddly.
I’ve always loved Genesis keyboards. They are significantly cheaper compared to the devices of many other manufacturers, but both in terms of appearance, use of materials and especially use, they absolutely compete with the big ones. Of course, it could be encrypted and equipped with additional functions, but for those who do not need such things, the Thor 400 RGB, which costs 82.99 euros, can be a great choice.