The Riotoro Prism Gaming Mechanical Keyboard Review: Making A Strong Debut

Per-Key Quality Testing

In order to test the quality and consistency of a keyboard, we are using a texture analyser that is programmed to measure and display the actuation force of the standard keyboard keys. By measuring the actuation force of every key, the quality and consistency of the keyboard can be quantified. It can also reveal design issues, such as the larger keys being far softer to press than the main keys of the keyboard. The actuation force is measured in Centinewton (cN). Some companies use another figure, gram-force (gf). The conversion formula is 1 cN = 1.02 gf (i.e. they are about the same). A high quality keyboard should be as consistent as possible, with an average actuation force as near to the manufacturer's specs as possible and a disparity of less than ±10%. Greater differences are likely to be perceptible by users. It is worth noting that there is typically variance among keyboards, although most keyboard companies will try and maintain consistency - as with other reviews, we're testing our sample only.

The machine we use for our testing is accurate enough to provide readings with a resolution of 0.1 cN. For wider keys (e.g. Enter, Space Bar, etc.), the measurement is taking place at the center of the key, right above the switch. Note that large keys generally have a lower actuation force even if the actuation point is at the dead center of the key. This is natural, as the size and weight of the keycap reduces the required actuation force. For this reason, we do display the force required to actuate every key but we only use the results of the typical sized keys for our consistency calculations. Still, very low figures on medium sized keys, such as the Shift and Enter keys reveal design issues and can easily be perceptible by the user.

Cherry's MX switches always produce very consistent results. The MX Brown RGB switch has a 4 mm travel and is rated at 45 cN, with a small tactile bump about halfway through their travel. The 45 cN rating may sound like too soft but that is the actuation force rating, which is lower than the maximum force required to overcome the bump. The operating force of the Cherry MX Brown switch actually is 55 cN, higher than that of similar linear switches.

The switches on the Ghostwriter Prism gave us very consistent results, with the disparity across the main keys of the keyboard at just ± 2.6%. This figure is definitely imperceptible by even the most sensitive human fingers. The average actuation force is 45.5 cN, very close to the specified rating.

Hands-on Testing

I always try to use every keyboard that we review as my personal keyboard for at least a week. My typical weekly usage includes a lot of typing (about 100-150 pages), a few hours of gaming and some casual usage, such as internet browsing and messaging. I personally prefer Cherry MX Brown or similar (tactile) switches for such tasks. As such, the Ghostwriter Prism should, in theory, be an almost perfect match to my needs. True enough, the Ghostwriter Prism was a marvelous keyboard to work with. I have zero complaints about the keyboard or its switches. The extra sound volume control wheel and mute button are very convenient, especially when plugging in headsets without their own volume control. The simple palm rest also was very comfortable, more than one would initially expect from a plain plastic rest.

For gaming, the Ghostwriter Prism does not disappoint as a keyboard, but the current software version is probably not as sophisticated as an advanced gamer would like. The keyboard is very comfortable and ideal for long gaming sessions, as well as perfectly responsible. Advanced gamers however will probably want to program highly advanced macros and the Ghostwriter Prism cannot currently support even simple keystroke combinations beyond a few keys. Gamers who rely on advanced macro commands with delays and mouse movements programmed into them will have to use a third-party software.