Tecware Phantom 87 RGB Keyboard Review: Is It Worth It?
The Tecware Phantom 87 is a mechanical keyboard with 87 keys, i.e. has no number pad, and has RGB backlighting. It retails for $46 and $35 when on sale.
| Purchase Details | |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Tecware Phantom 87 RGB Keyboard |
| Date Purchased | July 2020 |
| Purchase Price | $45.99 |
| Time Used | 2 months |
| Keyboard Features | |
|---|---|
| Number of Keys | 87 keys (no number pad) |
| Switch Brand | Outemu |
| Switch Options | Brown, Red, and Blue (more info below) |
| Backlight | RGB lighting with 18 lighting modes |
| Connection | Wired (USB) |
I got the Tecware Phantom 87 RGB Keyboard with Brown switches and after using this keyboard for two months, I think it’s a great beginner mechanical keyboard.
The switches are good (not the best), but they will still feel so much better than any plastic “mushier” keyboards.
Tecware Phantom 87 is compatible with Windows. There are minor issues I’ve encountered on Mac, such as unused function keys and buggy sleep behavior, but they weren’t major enough for me to buy another keyboard.
How does Outemu compare to Cherry MX
Tecware Phantom keyboards use Outemu switches, which are less expensive clones of Cherry MX switches. The three switch options available for the keyboard are: Blue, Brown and Red.
| Switch | Actuation Force | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Outemu Blue | 60cN | Clicky |
| Outemu Brown | 55cN | Tactile |
| Outemu Red | 50cN | Linear |
I got Outemu Brown switches. Compared to Cherry MX they have less of a tactile bump and feels similar to using linear switches. I would’ve preferred more tactile feedback because I pressed the keys way too hard in the beginning.
Outemu Brown also sounds slightly different from Cherry MX Brown. To me Outemu sounds smoother and Cherry MX sounds sharper. I don’t have a preference for either — they both sound pleasant to me.
How good is the RGB lighting
One of the main reasons I bought this keyboard was for the RGB backlighting. This is my first keyboard with lighting and it’s so fun to switch up the colors. This keyboard has 18 lighting modes, ranging from wave effects to ripple patterns, and more. You can also toggle between solid or rainbow colors.
Some reviews for the keyboard stated the lighting was uneven across the board. Fortunately I haven’t experienced that myself. The brightness and intensity of the lights are the same for all the keys.
Since this is my first keyboard with lighting I can’t say if it’s the best, but I’ve had consistent, bright, and sharp lighting.
How Mac-compatible is the keyboard
The Tecware Phantom keyboards are compatible with Windows so not all of the features would work on Mac. Read more about the features and functions in the Tecware manual
Function keys
The top row include F1 - F12 function keys and PrtSc, ScrLk, and Pause. This isn’t a Mac keyboard so not all keys will work. However, most of the keys work as intended.
F1 - F4andPrtScdo nothing on Mac.ScrLkandPausecontrol screen brightness.
| Key | Purpose | Works on Mac? |
|---|---|---|
| F1 | My Computer | |
| F2 | Internet Explorer | |
| F3 | Calculator | |
| F4 | Media Player | |
| F5 | Reverse | ✓ |
| F6 | Forward | ✓ |
| F7 | Play/Pause | ✓ |
| F8 | Stop | ✓ |
| F9 | Volume Mute | ✓ |
| F10 | Volume Decrease | ✓ |
| F11 | Volume Increase | ✓ |
| F12 | Customizable | Opens Developer Tools |
| PrtSc | Print screen | |
| ScrLk | Scroll Lock | Decreases screen brightness |
| Pause | Pause | Increases screen brightness |
Customization software
There is software available to customize key function and lighting. It’s available only in .rar format so on Mac you’d need another program to unzip and open it.
I ended up downloading the Tecware software on my Windows computer. It worked without any issues. You can make customizations to the keyboard, but I didn’t spend too much time playing with it. My keyboard has all the default settings.
Troubleshooting sleep issues
I experienced a bug in which my MacBook Pro would be asleep but the keyboard would wake it up every minute. It was annoying to have to unplug the keyboard every night.
I installed the Tecware software and reset the keyboard, which fixed the bug. The keyboard no longer wakes up the computer, but it sometimes doesn’t sleep and the lights stay on. When that happens, unplugging and plugging keyboard back in helps.
Tecware Phantom 87: recommended or not?
I’ve used the keyboard for two months and overall I like it. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a budget mechanical keyboard.
Pros:
- Inexpensive but still feels sturdy
- Three options for keyboard switches
- Bright and colorful RGB backlighting
Cons:
- Some function keys don’t work on Mac
- Minor issue but the keycaps’ font is not pretty
- Occasional bug where computer and/or keyboard won’t sleep
There are negligible improvements to my typing speed but I’m much happier typing. I enjoy the clicking sound and also getting to play with the lights. I’m happy with the keyboard and would recommend it to both Windows and Mac users. I’ve also replaced my old mouse recently with a gaming mouse. Check out my review for the Razer Basilisk Ultimate. I love how colorful my desk is now!