While the KiiBoom Cybrix 29 is essentially half a keyboard, it’s still very useful for Mac owners as a macropad for shortcuts – or for gaming.
In the world of third-party keyboards, it can be easy to get lost in the ocean of options, designs, and layouts. Every manufacturer is fighting tooth and nail to get your attention and your dollars with their next big thing.
It’s a consumer market and we’ve never been more spoiled for choice. But in the wave of products and noise, some manufacturers are choosing to go beyond the norm and deliver products that appeal specifically to gamers and consumers with limited needs.
KiiBoom is a large multi-country manufacturer with an extensive catalog of mechanical keyboards and keyboards. They also make custom headphones, audio equipment, table mats and everything in between for the modern gamer or keyboard enthusiast.
One of KiiBoom’s newest products is macOS and Windows. I always breathe a sigh of relief when I unbox a product with such claims and see alternative Mac keys staring back at me.
It’s a good sign, and with the Cybrix 29 KiiBoom lives up to its claim.
KiiBoom Cybrix 29 Review: Specs
- Layout: 29 keys and 3 buttons
- Connectivity: USB
- Case material: CNC aluminum and acrylic
- Plate material: FR4
- PCB Type: Hall effect
- Hot swap: Yes
- Polling Rate: Up to 8000 Hz
- Keychain material: Dye-Sub PBT
- Key profile: Cherry
- Anti-ghosting: NKRO
- Compatible OS: Windows/MacOS
- Backlight: RGB
- LED direction: South
- Dimensions: 150mm x 34mm x 30mm
- Weight: 0.42 kg
KiiBoom Cybrix 29 Review: Quality and Features
The Cybrix 29 feels incredibly solid, and nothing about the build or components feels flimsy or cheap. The CNC aluminum case gives the Cybrix 29 an incredibly clean aesthetic design that complements both Mac and Windows focused desktop spaces.
KiiBoom Cybrix 29 Review: Shown in Silver.
KiiBoom sells the Cybrix 29 in three color configurations:
- Black (with white/orange/black keys)
- Silver (with gray and blue keys)
- Pink (with light pink keys)
I like the variety of colors. For a company that clearly focuses on design in everything they make, I’m not surprised.
This trio of options covers the spectrum for most desktop aesthetics. Hot-swappable custom keys ensure that deep visual customizations are always possible.
The Cybrix 29 includes rubber grip pads on the underside to reduce slippage and increase stability. It’s a small detail, but since this keyboard is controlled by the player, I like the thought that went into the design.
There is one USB-C port on the back of the keyboard for use with a keyboard.
The RGB lighting in the Cybrix 29 is bright and colorful, with south-facing LEDs under the keycaps. There’s also a row of LEDs on the underside of the keyboard for added mood lighting, providing unique or dynamic RGB colors.
KiiBoom Cybrix 29 Review: Customization
KiiBoom ships the Cybrix 29 with proprietary KiiBoom Duskrise hot-swappable switches as standard, along with Cherry profile keys.
KiiBoom offers macOS software for the Cybrix 29, which works great and allows for a ridiculously deep level of customization. The controller software allows users to change each key, knob function, assign macros, adjust RGB lighting and set functions.
KiiBoom Cybrix 29 Review: Keyboard Configuration.
If the software is unavailable or you’re not comfortable adding another application to your computer, the Cybrix 29 also has built-in controls for basic functions with a function key and companion keys.
KiiBoom Cybrix 29 Review: Used
It took a while to connect the Cybrix 29 via USB cable to my Mac Studio. After a quick download of the KiiBoom Cybrix 29 driver, I dived into the keyboard features and made adjustments.
The only problem I had was that the driver was set to Chinese at startup. A quick use of Translator on my iPhone revealed that the button next to the globe at the top of the app window changes the language to English.
The Cybrix 29 provided an excellent gaming experience when I put it through a few quick games. Dead by Daylight.
KiiBoom Cybrix 29 review: RGB on full show.
It’s responsive, stable, and amazing for basic game control. I have no doubt that I could easily adapt the controls to suit any first person shooter, RPG and fast paced game with easy controller customization options.
Duskrise’s keys and switches feel good, and the “Thok” sound when typing and playing is very satisfying.
In addition to gaming, I profiled the Cybrix 29 to suit my key commands and drawing workflow with the Xencelabs 24 tablet.
I normally have a small Magic Keyboard for my left hand so that I can use key commands in my workflow while I draw with my right hand. In this context, the Cybrix 29 worked perfectly for my basic keyboard command needs.
A full keyboard for email and larger tasks was still needed, but the Cybrix 29 handled my workflow needs very well.
Cybrix 29 has only two disadvantages.
First, there is no wireless option. The Cybrix 29 is USB-C to USB-A only, and that adds an extra cable and input to workspaces.
KiiBoom Cybrix 29 review: Fewer keys than normal, but three buttons.
Second, KiiBoom only sells the right-hand dominant version of the Cybrix 29. It would be nice to see a manufacturer step up and make such a version of the gaming keyboard for left-hand dominant users.
Aside from these two issues, the Cybrix 29 is an excellent gaming keyboard with a great macOS driver and deep customization. At $89, it’s affordable without feeling cheap.
KiiBoom Cybrix 29 Pros
- Amazing build quality
- Optional keys for Mac and Windows
- Good driver and software compatibility with macOS
- Small desktop dimensions
KiiBoom Cybrix 29 Cons
- USB cable connection only
Rating: 4 out of 5
Where to buy KiiBoom Cybrix 29
The Cybrix 29 is available at KiiBoom’s online store for $89.99. It is also available from Amazon for $89.99.