Update, 4/27/16, 1:15pm PT: We have now learned that the key caps are ABS plastic with laser-engraved characters, and the MCU is the Holtek MT688FB560. It also has Cherry stabs. We also now know that although the chassis is aluminum, the backplate itself is actually steel.
For its price, we were sufficiently pleased with the Nixeus Moda V2 mechanical keyboard, but the company’s next offering, the Moda Pro, sports a more striking design aesthetic and a different form factor.
The Moda Pro is outfitted with white keys--a feature more commonly seen in the hardcore keyboard enthusiast community than in standard off-the-shelf gaming keyboards--and Nixeus stated that they’re MX-compatible, so you can swap them out for replacement caps if you so desire. It certainly helps that the layout is standard ANSI 104-key, as opposed to Nixeus’ two previous TKL-style Moda keyboards. The keyboard is also compatible with Macs and comes with Mac replacement caps.
Additionally, although it maintains the same austere look as it most recent predecessor (the Moda V2), the Moda Pro’s chassis is totally different.
If you look closely, you can see that the pieces of the chassis join together in different ways. The Moda V2 has a plastic silver top panel with a “lip” that extends over the front, whereas the Moda Pro has a simple aluminum backplate that appears to rest in a frame. The rest of the Moda Pro’s chassis isn’t especially svelte-looking; you can see screws around the sides and bumpers on all the edges, and one wonders how the colors of those materials will fade and change differently over time. (It looks like a mix of metal, plastic and rubber.)
In any case, it’s worth noting that Nixeus has abandoned the plastic (but really, really nice-looking plastic) top panel in favor of aluminum.
The Moda Pro comes with Kailh Brown or Blue switches. And no LED backlighting. This is a straightforward keyboard that relies on a simple silver design and striking white keycaps for its bling.
As the Moda Pro costs $74.99 (available on Amazon), it’s bumping the price tag of the Nixeus Moda V2 down to just $62.99 MSRP (from $70 or $80, depending on switch type).
| Make/Model | Nixeus Moda Pro |
|---|---|
| MCU | Holtek MT688FB560 |
| Model Type | ANSI 104-key |
| Switch Type | Kailh Brown or Blue switches |
| Key Caps | ABS plastic, laser-engraved |
| Backlighting | No |
| Additional Ports | N/A |
| Cable Type | 2 meter (approx.) rubber-shielded USB cable |
| Key Rollover | Nkey rollover (with on/off feature, Windows only) |
| Software | N/A |
| System Requirements | Windows XP/Vista/7/8/Mac OS |
| Accessories | Keycap puller |
| Misc | 3-year warranty |
| Price | $74.99 |
Seth Colaner is the News Director for Tom's Hardware. Follow him on Twitter @SethColaner. Follow us on Facebook, Google+, RSS, Twitter and YouTube.
