Ever since the release of the Cooler Master MK750 early last year, we concluded by saying one thing – the keyboard is great on its own, but we wish there is a tenkeyless version. A year after that, Cooler Master released the TKL version of that keyboard – and it is called the MK730.

Thanks a bunch to Cooler Master Malaysia for this keyboard and also for releasing this highly-sought TKL version of an already-great mechanical keyboard.

We reviewed the original Cooler Master MK750 last year and this keyboard is pretty much the same thing – just without the number pad. Check out our video review of that keyboard too.

Unboxing

Cooler Master MK730

The box itself is pretty much the same as before. Black and purple with white text all over the place, and some feature highlights of the product itself.

We also realized that Cooler Master has removed the moniker “MasterKeys” entirely. It seems like Cooler Master has renamed all of the product categories as there are no more Master-something in the market.

Cooler Master MK730

At the back of the keyboard we can see more product highlights.

Cooler Master MK730

It also comes with the fabric bag as well. This enables you to protect your keyboard before keeping it somewhere. Still, would wish to see a hard shell protective cover so that I can put the keyboard into a backpack instead.

Accessories

The Cooler Master MK730 comes with the same packaging design and also the same contents. There is still the same pack of vacuum-sealed purple keycaps alongside with a wire keycap puller.

Cooler Master MasterKeys MK750

Just like its elder brother, the MK730 is using USB-C as well – hence the inclusion of a USB-C cable. This is a nylon braided USB-C cable with a velcro to keep everything tied up nice and tidy.

Cooler Master MK730

Also there is an included wrist rest is made specifically for the MK730 only. It has a magnet that snaps onto the keyboard. This time around, the wrist rest does not have the traditional Cooler Master logo, but instead only has the CM logo on it. I guess many things do change over the course of a year.

The Cooler Master MK730 itself

Cooler Master MK730

As mentioned earlier, this keyboard is actually just the same as the MK750 but without the number pad. The build quality is also the same – which we think is a bit lacking. Because of how the MK730 is shaped and having a plastic back, you can knock on the plastic and it just sounds rather hollow inside.

Cooler Master MK730

Like many other TKL version of a full sized keyboard, the removal of the number pad also meant the sacrificial of the dedicated multimedia keys above the number pad. To make up for that, Cooler Master moved them to the navigation cluster, accessible via the function key.

Cooler Master MK730

The Cooler Master MK730 is also equipped with genuine Cherry MX keys – and the one we have here is the Cherry MX RGB Red key switches. Though, Cooler Master still included the same ABS keycaps that are found in the budget-friendly CK550.

Cooler Master MK730

Though Cooler Master has once again got a brilliant design to route the cables through the angled trough. Obviously, this is how the cables are naturally channeled from the keyboard to have proper cable management – not sticking out perpendicularly at the side.

My only problem with this is that the cable will fall off pretty easily. Though, that means the cable won’t be damaged when fitted in the trough.

Cooler Master MK730

Looking at the back, the keyboard feet is sturdy and has a big anti-slip pad too. Though, I do wish that there are 3 angles of inclination to choose from – flat, medium, and high. Currently with the MK730, I feel like the inclination is either too flat or too high.

Once again, the selling point of the Cooler Master MK730 is clearly on the RGB lighting itself as the keyboard itself has light strips on both sides and the front, which has multiple lighting zones per strip. All of them are up to you to control.

Cooler Master MK730

Cooler Master Portal v1.01

Speaking of control, the Cooler Master Portal that they are using here is the older version. That’s because the MK730 is essentially, still the same as the MK750 from a year ago in terms of hardware.

With that said, the Cooler Master MK730 still has the same level of control and customization as the MK750 from a year ago. The Cooler Master Portal can change the LEDs individually, record and play macros, remap the entire keyboard to whatever you like, and also to toggle between 4 different profiles.

The most notable thing here is the number of LED strips on the MK730 itself. Not only that it comes with a per-key RGB lighting – the side LED strips are also customizable.

The left and right side has a total of 4 zones each, and the front side has 12 customizable zones. The CM logo is also customizable, totaling it to 13 LEDs.

User Experience

Honestly, the MK750 is already quite a good keyboard to type. I overall like the keyboard from start to finish. Cooler Master did a great job of keeping the keyboard in place even though it sounded hollow and rather lightweight.

I oftentimes use the keyboard in an inclined angle, and I do think that the kickstand is a little too high for my personal preference. Though the wrist rest does help a lot at easing in on the angle.

Cooler Master MK730

The wrist rest still blocks the entire front of the light bar. Though through my usage of the MK730, I find that the wrist rest to be too short and I put the wrist rest about 5cm away from the keyboard since the included wrist rest is not that wide.

Just be careful of the wrist rest as it is wrapped with some sort of PU leather which will get punctured easily by any sharp object.

Cooler Master MK730

As for the keycap, I had a hard time getting used to it as it felt like it needed some polishing from the fingertips before it is comfortable to be used. Still, I’d suggest you to change it to PBT keycaps for a more enjoyable user experience.

Final Thoughts

In its core, the Cooler Master MK730 is still the same as the MK750 from a year ago but with the number pad and dedicated multimedia keys removed. I’ve been a big fan of TKL keyboard since the first day I used them, so I might be a little biased here.

Cooler Master MK730

The Cooler Master MK730 is priced at RM479, it might be a little steep. However, comparing other keyboards with the same quality and hardware, the Cooler Master MK730 is actually quite affordable.

Pros

  • Tenkeyless version to an already-great keyboard
  • Cooler Master Portal software is powerful and has fully customizable RGB lights, including the zoned side light strips
  • Comes with a wire keycap puller
  • Uses USB-C
  • A wrist rest tailor-made for the MK730 is included
  • Has genuine Cherry MX switches, available in Red, Blue, and Brown

Cons

  • Included keycaps could be better
  • Wrist rest blocks the front lightbar

Tech Critter GoldWhere to buy:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest

Related Posts

Subscribe via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to Tech-Critter and receive notifications of new posts by email.