Today, keyboards with magnetic switches are extremely popular among gamers, and NZXT has entered the fray with its Function Elite MiniTKL model. As the name implies, this design offers an optimal layout for gaming, providing ample room on the desk for mouse movement. The Function Elite MiniTKL keyboard can be considered as a companion piece to their existing Lift Elite wireless gaming mouse within NZXT’s product lineup. Additionally, it complements the company’s already available Function 2 series of optical gaming keyboards.
In the year 2022, NZXT introduced their first gaming keyboard, which was the mechanical keyboard featuring Gateron switches, known as the Function keyboard. Since then, the company has progressed, introducing magnetic switches in the Function 2 series and now offering the Function Elite. I had the pleasure of using the Function Elite MiniTKL (Black) for more than a week, and I can confidently say it’s a top-tier choice for dedicated and competitive gamers.
What’s in the Box?
- Function Elite MiniTKL keyboard
- USB-C to USB-A keyboard data cable
- 2-in-1 switch & keycap puller tool
- Replacement switches x3
As soon as you unbox the Function Elite MiniTKL keyboard, its weight and high-quality craftsmanship are obvious. Heavier keyboards often symbolize robust construction and stability, and this one certainly delivers in those aspects. Since it’s a wired keyboard, there’s no dongle included, but don’t let that fool you – the performance of this keyboard is not compromised in the slightest. I’ll elaborate on its performance shortly.
Specifications
As a passionate gaming enthusiast, I’ve always been intrigued by keyboards that promise top-notch performance. The NZXT Function Elite MiniTKL, in my perspective, stands shoulder to shoulder with the SteelSeries Apex Pro, Razer Huntsman V3 Pro, and Wooting 60 HE. What sets the NZXT keyboard apart is its unique magnetic switches, equipped with hall effect sensors, ensuring a smooth, linear travel. Gamers will appreciate these features for their role in delivering quick, responsive gameplay.
What truly makes this keyboard shine is the magnetic nature of the switches, allowing you to adjust the actuation point among 40 different options ranging from 0.6mm to 4mm. This flexibility allows you to tailor the keyboard to the specific demands of various games. The switches are also rated for a whopping 150 million clicks, ensuring durability even with regular use.
This NZXT Function Elite MiniTKL also boasts an exceptionally fast 8000 Hz polling rate. In theory, games running at this rapid speed will seem more reactive, but in practice, the distinction might be negligible for most gamers. High-tier competitive players are typically the ones who would benefit from such quick peripherals, but bear in mind that this comes with a slight trade-off in CPU performance.
The Function Elite MiniTKL keyboard offers all the cutting-edge functions that the gaming community is excitedly discussing, including Instant Reset (Rapid Trigger), Priority Shift (Snap Overrides), and Dual Function Keys (Dual Actions). Instant Reset quickly resets keys for swifter inputs. Priority Shift allows the keyboard to prioritize the most recent input when two keys are pressed at once, but only with the A and D keys. Lastly, Dual Function Keys let you program a single key to perform two in-game actions; for example, pressing the W key halfway can make your character walk, while fully pressing it will make them run.
Absolutely, much like high-end keyboards, this one offers full customization of RGB lighting. In addition to individual per-key illumination, the NZXT Function Elite MiniTKL boasts edge lighting with about 45 RGB LEDs. Using the NZXT CAM software, you can pick from a range of predefined effects or even create your own light show. Normally, I set the lighting to a solid white to complement my black-and-white setup, and at maximum brightness, it’s adequately illuminated. However, there’s often a slight bluish tint to the white light, which doesn’t always accurately represent true colors.
Design and Build Quality
For this NZXT keyboard, its tenkeyless (TKL) design measures nearly 14 inches, providing ample space for a mouse. Transitioning from the Womier K87 TKL keyboard, the Function Elite MiniTKL offers even more room for broad mouse movements and swift actions in first-person shooter games like Splitgate and PUBG (first-person mode). Despite its compact size, it takes some time to adapt due to minimal space between keys and the navigation keys being arranged in a single column instead of a separate section. Notably, there is no numpad or dedicated media keys included as well.
This keyboard boasts double-shot PBT shine-through keycaps, where the function keys serve a dual purpose as profile keys, brightness controls, media buttons, and more. However, these secondary functions lack shine-through properties, so using the keyboard in dark environments may require closer inspection. The ambient light from the keys offers some assistance.
Key features of this Function Elite MiniTKL model include a robust dual-rail switch structure for stable keystrokes, pre-lubed switches and sound-dampening foam for quiet and vibration-minimized inputs, and screw-in stabilizers for larger keys that ensure consistent keypresses.
The keyboard in question is a wireless one, with its USB Type-C connection positioned at the upper left corner. This placement does make cable management slightly tricky, and it would have been convenient if an additional USB Type-C port were on the opposite side as well. Regrettably, there’s also no USB Type-A pass-through port available, which seems like a missed chance for added functionality.
At its base, there are rubberized grips for easy handling when transporting the keyboard. The sturdy CNC aluminum body rests on four non-slip pads to ensure stability. Additionally, adjustable feet can be extended from the bottom, offering two different height settings for user comfort.
Everything about the NZXT Function Elite MiniTKL feels premium, and so does the typing experience.
Performance
As a gamer who enjoys a more laid-back style yet boasts a solid FPS background, the Function Elite MiniTKL keyboard truly shines in delivering top-tier performance. The Snap Overrides feature is particularly useful when going head-to-head against friends and relatives in competitive settings. With the flexibility to customize actuation distance along with Dual-Action, I found a more controller-esque feel in narrative games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Ghost of Tsushima, all while maintaining the precision offered by using a mouse. After two weeks of use, I haven’t encountered any missed or delayed inputs.
In terms of regular typing, I’ve enjoyed using the Function Elite MiniTKL keyboard greatly. It offers a delightful mix of ‘smooth’ and ‘clicky’ keypresses that are easy to activate. Adapting to its compact design took about two days, but it was a refreshing shift. The larger keys, particularly the spacebar, have no wobble due to the screw-in stabilizers and dual-rail switch design.
Software
In essence, NZXT CAM serves as a central hub for managing all your NZXT-branded accessories. The keyboard interface is intuitive and user-friendly. Any adjustments made to advanced features such as Rapid Trigger or Snap Overrides are immediately reflected, just like changes in the lighting customization. To sum up, NZXT CAM stands out as one of the top monitoring and personalization software, particularly when compared to other brands that necessitate separate applications for each peripheral.
Pricing and Final Thoughts
Priced at $200, this keyboard is considered a premium choice due to its high-quality construction and comprehensive feature set. However, it’s on the pricier side when compared to similar offerings such as the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Wireless ($190), Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini ($180), and Wooting 60 HE+ ($175). While these alternatives are also premium keyboards, they lack some features, like the latest OmniPoint 3.0 switches found only in the Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 for $220. Additionally, the Razer and Wooting models are more compact, meaning they don’t have dedicated arrow keys which might not suit those who need their keyboards for tasks beyond gaming.
As a seasoned movie buff, let me share my take on the NZXT Function Elite MiniTKL keyboard: While it may carry a hefty price tag, this device undeniably justifies its cost with its exceptional performance, boasting a host of gamer-centric features and an unparalleled build quality that truly sets it apart.
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2025-01-30 03:18