Key Points
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There are numerous types of keyboards meant for varying uses.
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The Ducky x Varmilo Miya Pro Koi Keyboard is an excellent keyboard for more than just gaming.
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This Ducky x Varmilo Miya Pro Koi Keyboard is compact, durable, and customizable.
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It's a wired keyboard with only one kickstand option.
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MechanicalKeyboards and Newegg are excellent places to purchase this keyboard from.
When you play video games, what's one of those extra things that bring you the most joy with your setup? Is it the lights you have arranged neatly? Maybe any desk decorations to complete the scene? While these are all equally important items to love in a setup, there's one other item that not only provides an aesthetic look but functionality to match. Can you guess what it is?
If you guessed a gaming keyboard, congratulations! You're correct. Gaming keyboards provide utility to numerous game types, whether you're playing a fast-paced racing game or your favorite cooking simulator. They also come in a variety of designs and colors, so it's easy to match whatever setup look you have in mind.
However, with all the different types of gaming keyboards out there, it's understandably difficult to make that final choice. Here is a great place to start in your search: the Ducky x Varmilo Miya Pro Koi Keyboard. It's tailored toward gamers and has many functional and aesthetic features that keyboard enthusiasts and game lovers rave about.
Get excited to learn all about the different aspects of this keyboard in a comprehensive review. First, learn about all its different technical specifications. Then, read about the different types of people that benefit from this specific keyboard model. You also get to dissect some of the pros and cons of using this keyboard, as well as where you can get your hands on one of your own.
Ducky x Varmilo Miya Pro Koi Keyboard Tech Specs
Jessica Lynt for Smart Screens
Between the vast variety of different keyboards, the different keyboard companies, and all the technical specs keyboards come with, it's easy to get confused about all the technical jargon surrounding them.
Type
The first thing to understand about this keyboard is that it is a mechanical keyboard. Mechanical keyboards use switches to activate each keystroke, as opposed to most office keyboards that use membranes for key activation.
What's a switch? Computer science writer for AndroidPolice Stephen Perkins explains that this spring-loaded mechanism "offers a typing feedback experience often described as a springiness." Furthermore, he says, "It's easy to identify by sight since the keycaps are raised from the board itself, making them look like they're floating in mid-air."
Switch Options
Jessica Lynt for Smart Screens
This keyboard allows users to select their favorite switch option from more than 10 different options. I personally selected the Cherry MX Red switch for my Miya Pro Koi Keyboard, as I prefer the light springiness and clicky sounds it offers.
Here are the other switch options available:
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Cherry MX Black
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Cherry MX Blue
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Cherry MX Brown
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Cherry MX Clear
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Cherry MX Silver
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Cherry MX Silent Red
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Varmilo EC Sakura
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Varmilo EC Rose
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Varmilo EC Ivy
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Varmilo EC Daisy
Size
This keyboard is a 65 percent keyboard. 65 percent keyboards only have 66-68 keys, as opposed to the 104 keys a traditional 100 percent keyboard has.
For me personally, it's not too big and not too small. It's just right!
Connectivity
This keyboard requires a wire for use. One end goes into the port on the right rear side of the keyboard, while the other end plugs into a traditional USB port in your computer or your gaming console.
Additionally, the wire is removable, so you don't have to worry about bending the wire or breaking it over time.
Design
This keyboard's design is unique and intricately constructed. Most keys have a white background with red lettering, while some keys have a red background with black lettering. Paying homage to Japanese Koi fish, a delicate scene of three koi swimming engulfs the spacebar.
Even the lettering font is different. It adapts a caligraphy-style font. With other details reminiscent of breathtaking Japanese culture, you have to see it for yourself and take it all in.
Who Benefits From This Keyboard
This keyboard doesn't work for gamers and gamers only. While it's certainly useful in the world of gaming, it's also useful in other capacities!
Office workers in need of a compact keyboard are more than welcome to snag this keyboard. Even if you're a keyboard collector or simply love Japanese styles, this keyboard is perfect for you.
There's truly no limit to the people that benefit from this keyboard. If you want it, go get it!
Ducky x Varmilo Miya Pro Koi Keyboard Strong Points
Now we come to the point in this review where we talk about more nitty-gritty details. Here, discover all the strong points this keyboard offers its buyers.
Customizability
The first very positive aspect of this keyboard is how many customizable options it has. Before you even purchase the keyboard, you have the option of choosing your favorite switch kind from numerous choices.
After the keyboard arrives, if you decide to change the look of some of its keys, easily remove the keycaps with the tool that comes in the box. Leave this keyboard as is, or make it your own.
Compact Size
Another pro is this keyboard's compact size. Because it's a 65 percent keyboard, it's easy to pack it up and take it on the go if need be.
It only takes me maybe a minute to deconstruct my keyboard setup and place it in its box. Then I fit it in my backpack, and I'm ready to hit the road!
No Need For Charging
Another one of my favorite parts about this keyboard is that I don't need to charge it. Since I hardwire it into my keyboard, I let it sit on my desk, plugged in, 24/7. There's not even a need to unplug it when not in use.
When you want to use it for the day, simply turn on your computer and start typing.
Durability
The Ducky x Varmilo Miya Pro Koi Keyboard didn't skimp out on quality. Its hard, plastic shell comes fully ready to work with rubber kickstand feet.
Although I don't recommend dropping any keyboard on purpose, this option easily withstands short-distance drops. The keys also stick on nicely, so there's no need to worry about them popping off.
Potential Koi Keyboard Shortcomings
Nothing in life is perfect. While this keyboard has some great positive aspects, it also has room for improvement. Let's take a look.
No RGB Lighting
If lighting on a keyboard is a priority to you, you might want to look elsewhere. Unfortunately, this keyboard model doesn't have any RGB lighting. The only lighting it has is white backlighting behind the four keys in the upper right-hand corner of the keyboard.
No Wireless Use
While not having to charge this keyboard is a plus, some users don't like that it doesn't have Bluetooth or other wireless connectivity options. The ability to use Bluetooth gives devices a range of more uses with different devices.
To me, not having Bluetooth isn't a complete deal breaker. It is a nice option to have, but not crucial to my daily keyboard use.
Only One Elevation Option
Some people don't like that this keyboard only has one elevation option. It's either propped up on its feet or it lays flat on your desk. Some people benefit immensely from different kickstand options. If this sounds like you, you might want to look elsewhere for a keyboard.
Where To Grab This Gaming Accessory
You're probably dying to know where to get this icon. There are a few different places to buy the Ducky x Varmilo Miya Pro Koi Keyboard.
The first location, and where I bought it, is mechanicalkeyboards.com. I selected my switch from the different options and even got to select a little bonus gift to arrive with the keyboard. With free shipping, I couldn't pass up the offer.
Another place to buy this keyboard is from Newegg. Although you don't have as many switch options, you get free shipping and get to view other keyboards similar to this model for easy comparison.
What's Your Type?
The Ducky x Varmilo Miya Pro Koi Keyboard is a great fit for gamers, keyboard enthusiasts, koi lovers, and even general office workers.
It's smaller in size, making it easily transportable. The different switch options provide several clicking sounds that are pleasing to hear while typing. Additionally, the keycaps are fully customizable to your liking.
However, there are a few places where this keyboard benefits from updates. It doesn't have RGB lighting that other gaming keyboards have and isn't useable wirelessly.
Hopefully, you have a better understanding of the construction of gaming keyboards as well as your personal preferences for a keyboard like this.
Additionally, it's safe to assume that keyboard variability isn't going away anytime soon. For example, in July of 2023, gaming giant Corsair announced its acquisition of keyboard creator Drop. The more online humans get, the more keyboards are necessary to navigate through the internet and all your favorite game worlds. What's your type?
For more useful tech information and product recommendations like these, pop on over to SmartScreens!
