Review: Func KB 460 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

Mechanical keyboards are continuing to enjoy a nice little niche of success. While a good deal of people like slim style, quick keys and keyboards, there’s something about the meatier, heavier, clicky keyboards such as Func’s KB 460 that are continuing to make people join the mechanical gaming scene. That said, mechanical keyboards come in various designs, shapes and sizes. Everything from bare bones, simple options to more complex, feature loaded ones that approach or meet that of traditional non-gaming keyboards exist. Is Func’s KB 460 worth the $119.99 asking price?

Hardware & Specs

If you like the black and red color scheme that many a gaming companies use, you’re going to feel at home with the KB 460 by Func. The keyboard itself is clad in all black plastic with red full-key backlighting. Being a mechanical and all, switches are the core feature that differentiates these from non-mechanical keyboards. And because there are different types of switches, variances in pressure, tactile response and sound create small but noticeable differences from mechanical keyboard to mechanical keyboard even. For the KB 460, Func went with Cerry MX Red linear switches. TL;DR version of the Cherry Red switch – it’s a mechanical key but one of the lightest in terms of force needed to activate and doesn’t have a heavy click like, say, the heaviest Cherry Black switches.

Switch talk aside, the Func 460 features a nice and quick plug-and-play setup meaning you can use it on pretty much any system without having to worry about drivers or software support. That said, if you’d like to enjoy some of the more advanced features (basically re-mapping keys) you’re going to need to install the software which then requires some basic requirements such as a more modern OS. Most people should be fine and only run into an issue if you’re trying to game on an old Windows 2000 box that was sitting in your great uncle’s basement for the last 10 years.

One cool thing worth pointing out with the KB 460 is the red coloring, specifically the painted steel plate that supports the keys. In the day time when the red LED lighting is more muted, one can look and see the painted steel plate below peeking out. It’s minor, sure, but goes a long way into making the KB 460 feel different and unique.

Finally, there’s full N-key rollover and a decent amount of media functions via the standard function keys, two USB ports on the back right of the keyboard and a braided USB cable.

Like many mechanical keyboards, black and brick-like is the name of the game. Not necessarily a bad thing mind you. But if you want something a bit…louder in appearance this probably isn’t what you’re after.

Software

This section will be shorter than most. And if you glance at the image above you can see why. There’s but one page you have to mess with in the Func software for the keyboard. As touched on above, the only thing you really have to deal with is profiles for key mappings.

Besides the basic functionality, we’ll point out that unlike many other keyboard software packages, Func’s seems to be a bit excessive in the length department. But really, such quibbles are minor. You’re going to open this a few times when you first get the keyboard to configure things and then probably never touch it again or at least very rarely.

Performance

In all honesty, looks take a backseat in the keyboard world. Performance is what matters most, features very close second.

Over the last couple of weeks the KB 460 has found itself as a decent competitor and replacement to the Coolermaster QuickFire XT. The keys aren’t quite as loud or “clicky” on the Func. That said, the full-key backlighting is a nice step up over the CM XT’s partial backlighting.

With or without the software, the KB 460 was enjoyable to use. Both gaming and typing felt right at home on the 460 and more spirited adventures into the Func software are rewarded with a simple, pleasant interface. The quick nature of the Cherry MX switches made both gaming and typing easy and quick – just what we like.

Really, the KB 460 is a more simple keyboard that’s geared towards those more worried about getting into the game rather than managing a gigantic 130 key macro dictionary.

A solid mechanical keyboard for the price…

Prices range from $99-$119 depending on where you find the KB 460. Currently, it’s on sale for $99 most places but we’ve been told it won’t stay there forever. So if the simplicity and black/red color scheme is tickling your fancy you’re best bet is to act sooner rather than later. Speaking of which, even though it has been out for several months it’s still pretty difficult to find one to buy. But if you manage to find an outlet, know that your money won’t go to waste. At the price spread listed above, you’re getting a solid, well built keyboard that should last you an easy 5 years and during that time, provide you with countless hours of enjoyable gaming. Overall a solid mechanical keyboard for the money.