Keyboards and mice are a bit of a touchy subject in the gaming world. These two peripherals remain the most subjective weapons in a gamer’s arsenal. While many prefer a high-end mechanical keyboard with aluminum alloy finish, others make do with a regular budget keyboard and mouse. Vertux, Promate’s gaming line, aims to bring a bit of high-end gaming down to the modest prices, but does it compare to the big boys in the club?
DESIGN: 4/5
The Vertux Tantalum is a mechanical keyboard. I know mechanical keyboards aren’t for everyone because of their mostly clicky sound and sometimes resistant keys. I prefer mechanical keys if given a chance.
Before going to the keyboard, I wanted to give props to Vertux for having decent packaging. The trial hole on the arrow keys allows customers to try the keyboard out without fully shelling out; not a lot of manufacturers do this.
On to the keyboard itself, the Tantalum is a full-sized mechanical keyboard. The majority of the keyboard’s body is made out of hard plastic with only the top part sporting a metal plate which has the brand’s logo. The rest of the keyboard is made out of hard plastic. Still, the keyboard felt sturdy, except for a soft spot above the arrow keys.
Another thing to note is the lack of dedicated media keys. While I usually don’t use them that much, it would have been great if it was there at least. The keyboard does have a braided USB cable, which is pretty sweet.
HARDWARE: 4/5
The Tantalum keyboard has RGB lighting, alluring most gamers (yes, even me initially). The keyboard’s RGB is per key; while this may be great in theory for personalization, the lack of software prevents you from doing so. The keyboard does already have preset RGB lighting options, and there are quite a few of them.
Vertux has equipped the Tantalum with Outemu Blue switches. If I’m honest, Outemu switches aren’t the greatest out there, but they are pretty decent if you want a budget tactile switch. Additionally, the Tantalum has anti-ghosting at 104-key rollover, which works.
If you’re the type to want to change your keyboard switches, then you might want to look elsewhere, as the Tantalum does not have swappable keys. You can do it if you’re handy with a soldering iron, but it’s not recommended.
USER EXPERIENCE: 4/5
The Tantalum is one of the two flagship keyboards from Vertux (the other being the Tungsten), and it feels pretty premium despite being in the budget to the mid-range price point. The keyboard has a pretty solid built, and the braided cables added to the whole feel of the keyboard.
The Tantalum is a full keyboard setup; while the keys are standard, it was a shame that there were no dedicated media keys like on the Tungsten. Anti-ghosting works as advertised, and I found no keyboard ghosting as I switch every so often from typing and a myriad of games.
Blue switches are not for everyone, I for one, am a fan of tactile keys. As an avid gamer and writer, blues are usually a pretty good balance for typing and still provide fast response in gaming. The Outemu switches that come with the Vertux Tantalum are pretty decent, sure it’s not Cherry MX levels, but it does the job done. However, it must be noted that Blue switches also have a pretty heavy actuation point and might cause hand strain when used for a long time.
As someone who now works remotely from home due to the pandemic, I have found myself spending more and more time typing and writing. Using the Tantalum has been a treat, the keyboard was ready and waiting as I burst through my daily workloads. While RGB lighting is mainly used for aesthetic purposes, as someone who now works in a dark bedroom office, these found a new purpose.
Speaking of RGB lighting, the Vertux Tantalum does have a RGB lighting, meaning that each key has its own RGB light, ideally, you could use this to customize the keyboard lighting in whatever way you want, but the lack of dedicated software prevents you from doing this. The keyboard does have some built-in RGB patterns, but it’s kinda hard to use for first-time users due to the not-so-helpful manual. But if you do figure it out it does have some decent patterns and animation which you can enjoy.
VALUE: 4/5
The Vertux Tantalum comes in at PHP 3995, while it does offer good value it sits at a crossroads between getting a much premium mechanical keyboard from a reputable brand. If you’re not sensitive to keyboards and by all means, the Tantalum might be the keyboard for you.
Specifications:
- Switches: Outemu Blue
- Rating: 5V, 0.33A
- Frequency: 125Hz
- Keystroke life: 50 million
- Anti-ghosting: 100%
- Other features: RGB Lighting, Braided Cable
What’s Hot:
- Blue Keys
- Great keyboard
- Premium feel
What’s Not:
- Limited RGB options
- No dedicated media keys
- No Software integration
- Instructions need some work
- Non-swappable keys
Bottomline:
A great mechanical keyboard for those on a budget.
Reviewed by Gabriel Pe
Also published in Gadgets Magazine September 2020