For the rest we are dealing with a 60% compact keyboard model that has practically everything, because although it does without a large number of keys compared to conventional keyboards, we can access any function thanks to the Fn key, which in combination with many others it will make us not miss any function.
By the way, this keyboard does not have software and we can execute and modify each of its functions from the shortcuts on the keyboard itself, including in fact the possibility of recording and executing macros.
External analysis
The Sharkoon Skiller SGK50 S4 keyboard is available in several Kailh switches as we mentioned earlier, and the manufacturer sent us the most typical of them all, the one equipped with Kailh Red, with linear and quiet operation. Additionally, this keyboard is available in both black and white, and they sent us a model of each to show you both.
The outer packaging, in hard black cardboard, shows us an image of the keyboard on the main face, accompanied by the brand, model and its main characteristics summarized.
On the opposite side, what we have is a sketch of the keyboard with its main features in several languages.
We open the box, in the form of a trunk, and the first thing we come across is a complete and detailed user manual. Underneath we have a microfiber cloth like the one used to clean screens, but sized to be the same size as the keyboard.
In addition to the above, Sharkoon includes some stickers and a warning card so that we don’t make mistakes when changing the mechanical switches on the keyboard.
Also included is a small plastic bag with a pair of blue caps, a cap removal tool, and another to help us remove the switches.
Here you can see the two caps, which are included almost as an example of a store selling them, but with the Sharkoon logo, of course.
And, before seeing the keyboard, you have to see the cable. As we mentioned before, this cable has a spiral shape, at least in most of its extension, leaving us plenty of length to reach the PC and, instead of having a large amount of cable attached or in the way on the table we have in this elegant spiral. By the way, the cable connects to the keyboard via USB-C and via conventional USB-A to the PC.
After seeing all the accessories, now let’s see the keyboard. In the following image you can see the two models, the black on the right and the white on the left, although it is true that as you can see it actually has a handful of black keys that contrast a lot with white and personally we think it looks great.
We’ll use the white model to continue showing you what this keyboard looks like, as we think it’s the more striking of the two. As you can see in the following image, most of the keys have silkscreened in their lower area the secondary action that they will perform when we press them in combination with the Fn key. So if for example we want to use the DEL key, we will only have to press Fn + the delete key, or if we want to press F1 we will only have to press Fn + 1.
The font chosen by Sharkoon for this keyboard is quite standard, easy to see and with very understandable and elegant letters.
Here you can see a little more detail the right part of the keyboard, where we find several black keys.
On the back, we find nothing but the female USB-C connector for the cable, which would be on the left side of the keyboard. This will be fine for users who have the PC case placed on the left, to minimize the space the cable takes up on the table, but it will be the opposite for those who have it on the right. Right in the center would have been better from our point of view.
Nothing to emphasize on the sides, because they are completely empty. We must mention the fact that the plastic casing, in this case white, covers the switches, which are “sunken” instead of protruding as happens in many other keyboards.
Below, we find the usual identification sticker in the center, as well as four anti-slip rubber inserts at the four corners.
This keyboard has lifting feet at two different heights, and both are rubberized, an appreciated quality detail.
Finally, we need to show you the switches. As we mentioned at the beginning, Sharkoon sent us to show you the most common model, with Kailh Red. As you already know, these switches are aesthetically identical to the original Cherry MX and, therefore, are practically universal in compatibility. with different key caps.
After seeing the keyboard, it’s time to test it out to see how it works.
Probing the Sharkoon Skiller SGK50 S4
The first thing we’re going to try about this Sharkoon Skiller SGK50 S4 is this ability to change switches on the fly, without even having to disconnect the keyboard. Disassembling the switches is really very simple with the tweezers included in the accessories, and you just have to be careful to do it gently and vertically upwards so as not to damage the connectors.
Here you can see one of the Kailh Red switches we released.
The next thing to try on this SGK50 S4 is its lighting. In the following image, you can see the keyboard connected and turned on, with two 2200W white bulbs pointing directly at it. These are lighting conditions that, in reality, no one normally sees (we use them to take the photos), but it helps us to get an idea of the intensity of the keyboard lighting.
As you can see, you don’t really see the lighting, so it wouldn’t have hurt to have a little more intensity (with other keyboards it was clearly visible in these same conditions of lighting). However, with normal ambient lighting (in this case, with natural light coming indirectly from the window), it is perfectly visible.
Under normal lighting conditions, the truth is that the black color model stands out more than white, mainly because of the contrast (colored light on black is more visible than on white).
In use, if you are used to a standard-size keyboard, you should be warned that you will need some time to adapt, especially when you have to use the function keys or one of the other shortcuts, for example. keyboard ; And it is that, as we said at the beginning, this Sharkoon Skiller SGK50 S4 is basically a keyboard designed more for games, where you don’t normally use the function keys or the numeric keypad. Once in use, the keyboard responds perfectly to all keystrokes, without getting stuck at any time (it has Full N-Key Rollover) and responds instantly.
Overall the keyboard is quite comfortable, although as it’s quite tall it wouldn’t have hurt if a wrist rest had been included as it helps reduce fatigue when using the keyboard for several hours at a time. Even without this we repeat that it is quite comfortable, the keys are pressed softly and firmly and do not dance at all, a fact that ratifies the good build quality.
Although it doesn’t have any software, you won’t really need it since all the keyboard options can be configured directly on it. For example, configuring the lighting is very simple since you will only need two keys: one to switch between effects and another for colors, allowing you to configure the keyboard as you wish without practically any limits.
Speaking of lighting, it’s very nice and in normal lighting conditions, more than enough (that’s why we don’t consider this Sharkoon SGK50 S4 to have insufficient lighting at all, although it is less intense than in other keyboards).
conclusion
With the Skiller SGK50 S4, Sharkoon has managed to create one of the 60% most complete keyboards on the market today, and with almost limitless versatility and customization capacity: you can change the switches to whatever you want, as well as capitals, and you can configure everything from macros to lighting as far as your imagination goes without even needing any software. The only thing that cannot be done is to configure the lighting by independent key, for which it would be necessary to have software for it.
Details such as the hot-swap of the switches or its spiral cable make this keyboard one of the 60% most interesting models on the market, which is combined with its excellent quality of materials and construction, its reasonable price and its very good lighting.
For all these reasons, we think this Sharkoon Skiller SGK50 S4 deserves our gold medal, as well as our recommendation for performance and design.
