Review: NOS K-600 Gaming Keyboard

Overview

Recently my second hand bought NOS K-200 Mini broke when I was vacuuming it and a key broke when I tried to remove it so I had to buy a new for my computer. 

First I went and got a NOS C-650W Compact it had smooth key presses and an option for wireless connection. However, it was missing easily accessed keys that I usually use when I play World of Warcraft, so I returned the keyboard and finally got myself a NOS K-600 Keyboard Core RGB. Which is also the keyboard I will review.

It uses a fixed cable to power itself which leads into a regular USB-connector, which I use connected to my Surface Dock 2. The response time is great and it's not excessively noisy when writing, but it is noisier than C-650W for sure and the key presses aren't as smooth. Compared to K-200 it is a bit smoother in both noise and key presses. Furthermore the keys are relatively elevated, compared to flatter keyboards.

The keyboard is pretty much a full size keyboard, it has a numpad, a media control and some quick access buttons top left. I saw a similar model where these hotkeys were too closely located to the "esc" button. Which can cause issues in gaming if you accidentally start up other programs.

A unique feature for this keyboard is the phone holder at the front, it can keep my Xiaomi Redmi 10C standing up right (but it seems to struggle a bit). I can unfortunately not have the phone sideways due to the case I use for the phone.

RGB light and functions

The keyboard also has a RGB backlight which both looks good and helps you to navigate when it's dark in the room. You can use the Fn combined with the following buttons to control the light.

M1 = constant or pulse light.

M2 = to choose either left or right moving waves of light.

M3 = toggle between fixed lights, such as cyan, violet, pink, white, red, yellow, greenish yellow ("chartreuse") and green.

M4 = change between different pulses of color.

Combine Fn with the arrow keys to control intensity of the light and the speed of the pulses.

The media center has the classic "stop", "previous track", "next track" and "play/pause" icons. It also has a scrolling wheel that allows you to increase and decrease the volume. I like that feature a lot, it's easier to use than repeatedly pressing a volume up/down button. 

There is also a way to program your own light setup using the G1 button (PgUp).

If you press Fn + Windows Key, you lock the key. Press the combination again to unlock it.

You can switch WASD for arrow keys using Fn + W, and once more to turn the function off.

Overall impression

The keyboard measures 45 cm wide and close to 18 cm long, including buttons its almost 4 cm tall on the tallest place. There is a lot of extra unused space on the keyboard and it could in my opinion be flatter.

It has a nice feel to it though, combining the classic "plastic" feel of office keyboards, with the functionality and looks of a gaming keyboard. From a writing point of view I transitioned to it easily, likewise with the gaming.

It costed roughly 500 SEK and you get what you pay for so to speak, overall a decent keyboard that performs well and takes up a bit of space.