Deal Alert: CM Storm QuickFire Rapid Mechanical Keyboard for $52

This is an amazing deal.

OfficeMax currently has the CM Storm QuickFire Rapid mechanical keyboard on sale for $65 (regularly $75). Promo code BIGDEALS takes the price down to $52, and OfficeMax is offering free shipping today on orders over $20. It's important to note that this keyboard is fully mechanical--some more expensive "gaming" keyboards only use mechanical switches for half of the keys (Corsair Vengeance) or forgo mechanical switches completely (Logitech, Mad Catz, etc).

The product page states that this is a QuickFire Pro, but the product picture and product code both indicate that it's a QuickFire Rapid. OfficeMax also has the more-expensive QuickFire Pro available for $85, which should come down to $68 with the promo code applied. The Pro version takes the features of the Rapid keyboard and adds a numpad, N-key rollover over USB, and partial backlighting around the WASD area of the keyboard.

Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E. 7 Gaming Keyboard

Mad Catz unveiled the S.T.R.I.K.E. 7 Gaming Keyboard today. The thing looks like a behemoth. With multiple wrist rests, macro keys, a thumb wheel, a numpad, and a giant LCD screen, it seems like they tried to Frankenstein together everything possible to create the "ultimate" customizable gaming keyboard. Unfortunately, it'll set you back $300, and the most important part - the keyboard itself - is run-of-the-mill rubber dome.

The S.T.R.I.K.E. 7 has a total of five modules that can be swapped around - the keyboard itself, the numpad, a removable "function strip" with macro buttons, a wrist rest with scroll wheel and "action button," and a "control module" with V.E.N.O.M. touchscreen. Apparently Mad Catz doesn't fully understand how an acronym works and just wants to make the names of their products really annoying to type. Maybe V.E.N.O.M. stands for "Very Enormous Needless Optical Module" and S.T.R.I.K.E. "Self-Tailored Really Incredible Keyboard that's Expensive." I don't get it.

The lack of mechanical keys in a $300 keyboard makes me a sad panda. According to the product page, the keyboard has a "specially engineered membrane which mimics the tactile feel generated by the mechanical keys often preferred by gamers - without the resultant excessive noise." They admit that mechanical is the way to go on their own page. Yes, mechanical keys can be noisy - my keyboard has Cherry MX Blues that can be heard across town - but there are quieter options like MX Blacks available in addition to O-ring dampeners that reduce the sound made by a switch bottoming out.

Sound Cards, Headphones and Mics, Oh My

Sennheiser HD555 Headphones by gcg2009, on Flickr

Throughout my illustrious career as a PC gamer I've gone through countless headsets. For a while I would pick up a $10-15 Walmart special and use it for a year or so, usually up until the mic or one side of the headphones would die. I quickly learned how to twist the cord into just the right place to fix a loose connection and patch things up with electrical tape to keep my budget masterpiece going. Eventually I'd give up and trash the thing, find another cheap headset for less than 20 bucks and begin the cycle anew.

At some point I got fed up and thought, "maybe if I actually put some money into these I'll get better sound/mic quality and a better product that lasts for more than 12 months." I found a USB "gaming" headset, an AudioFX Pro 5+1 by Ben Heck, and paid about $65 for it. It was bulkier than the cheap behind-the-head headsets I had been buying, had some interesting styling, flashing lights on the earpieces that indicated listening volume, and best of all (or so I thought), it had a USB connection. This headset died on me after about 9 months and left me a bitter and angry individual. I begrudgingly went back to my $20 headset ways.

Last year, I decided to switch things up a bit. My Logitech G330 was being held together by tape after yet another 12-18 month performance - it was a decent headset that I had bought on sale, and Logitech is usually pretty good for peripherals on the cheap. Rather than checking Newegg or Amazon for my next victim, I decided to do some research and find a solid budget setup that would hopefully last me for a while.

Razer Ouroboros Mouse

As I was meandering around the net today I came across the announcement of Razer's upcoming Ouroboros mouse. According to Tom's Hardware, the Ouroboros will set you back a whopping $130.

I can understand wanting to spend good money for quality peripherals - but 130 bucks? Granted, this mouse looks ridiculously customizable, with interchangeable "wings" plus length and angle adjustment... but the R.A.T. 7 and 9 already did all that a year or two ago.