Matias Mini Quiet Pro

Matias mini quiet pro
Part number	FK303QPC
Branding	Matias mini quiet pro
Manufacturer	Matias/possibly Costar
Product family	75%
Layouts	75% ANSI
Keyswitches	Matias quiet click switches
Interface	USB
Years of production	current; in production
Price	~ $107-130

Introduction

The Matias mini quiet pro is a 75% computer keyboard, built primarily for the PC, made by Matias that uses Matias quiet click switches.

Description

The "mini quiet pro", is an all black, 75% keyboard that uses the plate-mounted tactile and heavily dampened (quiet) clicky Matias switches. While it's based on the [Matias Quiet Pro]], the "mini quiet pro" comes in a space-saving compact form.

Type feel

The keyboard is solidly made with an easily recognizable Alps SKBM white switches type feel to it but with significantly reduced auditory feedback/sound. This is achieved, as Matias explains, by sound dampening on the downstroke and upstroke. The sculpted ABS keytops make typing more precise by not easily losing the home row position.

Build

On the first look, maybe because of its glossy finish, the case/housing looks flimsier than it is -- actually, the material used is one of the sturdiest, very hard to break plastics. Surrounded by a tough plastic housing and being plate-mounted there is very little torque/twist flex and almost no board flex when the keys are pressed very hard. A weakness of a cosmetic nature is that the glossy finish "attracts" and displays fingerprints, dust, and other smudges.

Similar "mini" shape keyboards by Matias

Several Matias' mini keyboards look similar or identical, but they have either different switches (quiet or clicky), are primarily built for a specific OS (Mac or PC), or have a wireless or wired capabilities (in addition to other less prominent differences):

	PC:	Mac:
Wireless/quiet:	secure pro	laptop pro (bluetooth)
Wired/clicky:	n/a	mini tactile pro
Wired/quiet:	mini quiet pro (this page)	n/a

Conclusion

The Matias mini quiet pro is a well designed and well built keyboard that doesn't disappoint in any critical way. As in the case of Matias mini tactile pro, improvements can be made in some areas, for example, replacing the ABS keycaps with the sturdier PBT plastics, or having a matte case finish instead of glossy, but, overall, there is no serious negative side to this space-saving 75% keyboard. This keyboard is ideal for crowded cubicle-style offices, or offices where (thin) walls were put up as an afterthought, and in any home or office situation where the sound output needs to be low and/or controlled. The packaging is modern, professional, and tasteful. The 3 built-in USB ports offer lots of (portable) expandability, and the included USB cable for home/office (2 m / 6.5 feet) and one extra cable for travel ((1 m / 3.25 feet) is a classy touch.

Full specs

Model name:	Matias mini quiet pro
Model #:	FK303QPC
Switch name:	Matias Quiet Click
Switch Part #:	PG155B01
Tactile:	Yes
Clicky:	Yes, sound dampened
Stem colour:	Grey
Actuation force:	60 g (+/- 5 g)
Dimensions:	337 × 165 × 35 mm / 13.26 × 6.5 × 1.38 inches
Weight:	934 g / 2.06 lbs
Case/keycaps colour:	Black/black
Keycaps/legends:	ABS, laser-etched/foaming
Switches:	Matias switches
Switch mount type:	Plate mount
Keycap mount:	Alps mount
Contact mechanism:	Metal leaf and spring
NKRO:	Yes
Interface:	USB
Cable:	Detachable (2 USB cables included)
Buily-in USB ports:	3
Key travel distance:	3.5 mm
Actuation point:	2.2 mm (+/- 0.2 mm)
Audio control keys:	Yes
DIP switch:	No
Backlight:	No
Included:	2 USB cables, user guide
Full OS support:	Windows
Compatible with:	Linux, Mac