Any gamer who loves PC gaming knows how challenging it can be to find a keyboard that fits your computer configuration. This can be a complicated decision, especially when looking at all the different types, whether it’s full size, no number keys, 60%, there’s a whole minefield of all kinds of situations where you’re going to spend It took a while to find the one that worked. And that’s not even taking into account the fact that many of the peripherals and hardware can be quite expensive, which makes Trust’s latest series ideal. The GXT series is designed to deliver strong performance and quality at an affordable price, and for testing I’ve been playing around with new keyboards, mice, and headphones to see if they live up to that promise. While I’ll be reviewing the mouse and headset soon, this time around, I’ll just focus on the keyboard, the Trust GXT 834 Callaz.
First, let’s talk about what this keyboard looks like and some of the technology behind it. It’s a numpad-less device, which means it’s smaller than a full-size keyboard, but loses extra area by ditching the so-called numpad. You still have arrow keys, a row of function keys at the top, and a few other inputs like scroll lock, all of which make this keyboard noticeably larger than the tiny 60 percent keyboard. Other than that, the Callaz comes in solid black, the keys and base are made of high-quality plastic, and the top plate is made of metal. It doesn’t feel really premium, but considering its affordable £44.99 price tag, the texture quality isn’t bad at all.
Key quality, on the other hand, is a similar story, even if they’re a little too loud. I say this because the Callaz is a mechanical keyboard, and when you press the Outemu mechanical switches, you do hear the signature click, and the tone is brisk, if anything. Needless to say, it’s not exactly quiet or stealthy when in use.
However, the keys work well, are responsive (8ms response time to be exact), and require very little pressure to type. This is thanks to the inclusion of an n key rollover, which can be used to combat key collision issues, making the Callaz an ideal gaming keyboard because it doesn’t forget any input you ask for, even when many keys are pressed at the same time. However, the tiny left shift button does take some getting used to and mastering, especially if you’re used to using the full-size left shift key. The keys even promise a lifespan of 50 million presses, which means the Callaz should last a long time.
Also, another major feature of the Callaz to note is its backlighting. This keyboard offers several unique color combinations that can be changed simply by pressing the Scroll Lock button. It’s a system that revolves around a multicolor pattern of rainbow waves, with about 20 variations that can change its speed and brightness to suit your needs. The lighting is good, but it does lack a dedicated software that lets the user choose how to customize it, as a lot of the color modes can be distracting in my opinion, especially the rainbow wave mode, which brings out white through purple. I can’t help wishing that it would be nice if there was an option to make the keys only light up in one color sometimes.
But lighting is at best a little inconvenience, that’s all. The GXT 834 Callaz is easy to set up (just connect its installed wired cable to one of your PC’s USB ports and you’re ready to go), light, lightweight and sturdy. This is the ideal keyboard for those looking for an affordable, or even a first mechanical keyboard. Is it comparable to more expensive premium devices? No, but that’s not what this device is for anyway. It’s an affordable, high-quality keyboard that meets the most basic requirements of today’s keyboards.
