Compact keyboards are often seen as a compromise, but the iRocks K103R proves otherwise.

With its 75% layout, tri-mode connectivity, and enthusiast-level build, it manages to shrink desk space without cutting productivity. It’s designed for users who want portability and flexibility without losing the essentials.

First Look

The K103R comes with 81 keys in a compact 75% layout. This design keeps the all-important function row and navigation column, while trimming down unused space to free up more of your desk.

It’s the sweet spot for those who want something smaller than a full-size keyboard but aren’t ready to give up the keys they use daily.

At under a kilogram, it’s light enough to carry around, making it a practical companion for people who split their time between home, office, and café setups.

Its tri-mode connectivity — USB-C cable, Bluetooth, and 2.4 GHz dongle — gives you flexibility to connect however you prefer, whether that’s wired for gaming sessions, wireless for presentations, or Bluetooth for working on multiple devices.

And with a high-capacity 3,750mAh battery, the K103R is built to keep up with long hours. It lasts more than four workdays on a single charge, giving you 36 hours of use with the RGB lights on, or a whopping 160 hours with the lights off.

That’s the kind of endurance that lets you forget where you left the charging cable.

First Date

Typing on the K103R feels refined, thanks to its gasket mount construction. The added cushioning between plate and case softens each keystroke, delivering a smoother and more responsive feel compared to tray-mount boards.

It also comes hot-swappable, meaning you can swap out switches without soldering, which is ideal for enthusiasts who like experimenting, or for anyone who wants peace of mind when it comes to repair and longevity.

Out of the box, you can choose between three of iRocks’ in-house switches: the Silent Bubble Switch for a tactile yet quiet feel, the Bubble Switch for a more classic tactile bump, or the Berry Switch if you prefer a smooth linear press.

Our Silent Bubble Switch unit provided a balance that made sense for both quiet offices and noisy cafés: tactile enough to stay satisfying, but muted enough to stay considerate.

Then there’s the lighting. Per-key RGB lets you customize every key to match your workspace mood or game aesthetic.

The solid 0.78kg chassis resists flex, keeping the board planted during long typing or gaming sessions, while the customizable lighting adds that hint of personality without going over the top.

First Impressions

The iRocks K103R doesn’t feel like a “downsized” keyboard. Instead, it feels like a complete package that just happens to take up less space.

Its thoughtful layout, reliable tri-mode connectivity, and enthusiast-friendly touches like hot-swap support and gasket mounting make it a strong option whether you’re working, studying, or gaming.

What makes it stand out is how it manages to balance professional practicality with enthusiast-grade features, all in a portable size.

It’s compact without compromise, making it not just a smart purchase but a smart investment if you’re looking for a long-term daily driver.

Keyboards can make or break how productive you feel.

The iRocks K85R steps up as a full-size mechanical board that doesn’t drown in gimmicks.

Instead, it brings together thoughtful design, practical features, and a solid typing experience that strikes the right balance for both work and play.

Build, design

The iRocks K85R is a full-sized wireless mechanical keyboard built with productivity in mind.  One standout feature is its dedicated control knob and screen, which enable on-the-fly setting adjustments.

And with onboard memory, you don’t have to load up their software to make these changes.

The knob feels sturdy and smooth to use, while the screen adds practicality by giving you instant feedback.

This combo brings a thoughtful touch that puts the K85R a step above more basic entry-level boards.

The K85R’s metal top plate and sturdy plastic case work together to deliver a rigid, durable build.

The polished metal accents, including the knob, add a clean and professional touch that leans more towards a minimalist office aesthetic than a flashy gaming board. This balance makes it versatile for both work setups and casual play.

Features, functionality

The K85R offers practical features that make it easy to live with daily.

It supports both wired USB-C and wireless 2.4 GHz connectivity, with a polling rate of up to 1000Hz in either mode. So, whether you’re gaming or working, responsiveness won’t be an issue.

With a dedicated control knob, you can manage key functions on the fly. Adjust volume, switch between tasks, or adjust screen brightness without opening any software.

Plus, with onboard memory, your custom lighting profiles and macros stay saved directly on the keyboard, so your setup goes wherever you do.

The only caveat is software support: while the keyboard works fine on macOS, iRocks’ configuration software is Windows-only. Mac users can still use the K85R without trouble, but customization options might be limited.

Switch and typing experience

You can choose from three of iRocks’ in-house switches for this keyboard: Silent Bubble Switch (tactile, quiet), Bubble Switch (tactile, louder), and Berry Switch (linear).

Our unit came with the Silent Bubble Switches, and here are the key specs: Actuation force: 45 ± 10gf,  Pre-travel: 2.5 ± 0.5mm, Total travel: 3.7 ± 0.5mm.

Typing on these feels slightly stiffer than mainstream tactiles, due to the longer pre-travel and medium-to-heavy actuation force. The good thing about this is there’ll be minimal to no accidental presses.

Despite the tad stiffer feeling, the shorter overall travel balances things out, providing a soft feeling before bottoming out. The shorter travel distance also makes bottoming out feel snappier and more deliberate.

Overall, this quiet but tactile typing experience is ideal for shared spaces, like offices or cafes. And if the Silent Bubbles aren’t your thing, the K85R’s hot-swappable sockets let you swap to your preference.

Is this your GadgetMatch?

The iRocks K85R strikes an excellent balance of functionality, build quality, and clean design. It’s great for productivity-first users who want a full-size keyboard with a genuinely useful control knob.

Starting at US$ 99, it stands as a strong mid-range option. The K85R is a well-rounded keyboard and a worthy addition to any enthusiast’s arsenal.

If you’re looking for a professional, versatile mechanical keyboard with hot-swap flexibility and thoughtful features, the K85R is well worth considering — and for us, it’s a Swipe Right.

As far as monitors go, there are plenty of options coming in different sizes, features, and materials. If you’re planning on upgrading or simply getting started for your endeavors, Samsung has just released its latest monitors.

They come with impressive gaming features, Knox Security, and other nifty additions like Samsung OLED Safeguard+ for burn-in protection. In case you don’t know where to look and how to get going, here’s a quick buyer’s guide.

For those looking for lifelike visuals on a larger scale: 37″ ViewFinity S7

The 37-inch ViewFinity S7 displays unmatched color accuracy on Samsung’s largest 16:9 4K monitor yet.

It features 99% sRGB color gamut, 1.07 billion colors, and HDR10 for true-to-life visuals. Faithfully representing colors as seen by the naked eye makes this model ideal for creatives.

This monitor also has a built-in LAN port for seamless Ethernet connectivity, and a DisplayPort.

And for those having to work tirelessly for projects, the ViewFinity S8 is also TÜV-certified Intelligent Eye Care. It is also Flicker-Free and has an Eye Saver Mode.

Regardless of content, be it exhilarating live sports or gut-wrenching movies and series, as well as the popping colors of your favorite girl group’s music videos, the ViewFinity S8 delivers an unmatched spectrum of shades.

It’s a good step up from inferior monitors, and one that still has an accessible asking price of just below US$ 600.

For those looking for a smart and powerful 4K display: Smart Monitor M9

Price: PhP 80,100

Meanwhile, if you want to jump further from your current display to one that can carry its own weight exceptionally well, the Smart Monitor M9 is the ideal offering.

The Vision AI-powered monitor uses 4K AI Upscaling Pro technology to enhance lower-resolution content to 4K quality on a QD-OLED display.

It is one of the first Samsung monitors to incorporate OLED technology in the screens, providing viewers with deep blacks, rich color contrast, and a Glare-Free experience.

Gamers can also take advantage of the 165Hz refresh rate and low 0.03ms response time. Furthermore, the monitor easily recognizes the genre of the game being played using AI Picture Optimizer, subsequently fine-tuning the picture settings.

Talk about a smart monitor that delivers an optimal and immersive gaming experience suited to your liking.

Elsewhere, this monitor even has Click to Search and Copilot, for whatever scenarios you might need them.

For gamers who want the best picture quality and performance: 32″ Odyssey OLED G8

Price: PhP 73,099

Furthermore, the 32″ Odyssey OLED G8 takes detail and picture quality to the next level. It packs a 166 pixels-per-inch pixel density in a QD-OLED screen.

The Glare-Free monitor is VESA Display HDR TrueBlack 400 certified for true and rich blacks. But quality is just half of the equation.

This monitor also delivers on performance with an impressive 240Hz refresh rate and a response time of as low as just 0.03ms.

Pair this screen with an equally-capable system and you’ll prevent screen tearing, ghosting, and other gaming-related graphics problems.

It also comes with Samsung OLED Safeguard+ to protect the display from burn-ins, ensuring the display lasts long even when it is pushed to the limit each time.

For those wanting a new dimension of immersion: Odyssey 3D 27″ monitor

Price: PhP 130,999

If you want an entirely new level of immersion, there’s the Odyssey 3D 27″ monitor. It uses advanced eye-tracking technology and a proprietary lenticular lens to deliver a natural-looking, high-definition 3D image.

There’s no need for specialized glasses. The visuals will just pull you in as the action jumps out of the 4K screen.

This monitor can even unlock possibilities with a 3D AI Video Conversion feature that adds depth and realism to your content.

Of course, as it also caters to gaming, players can leverage its 165Hz refresh rate, 1ms GtG response time, and support for advanced graphics features with the proper accompanying systems.

For the ultimate gamer wanting to be transported: 49″ Odyssey OLED G9

Price: PhP 111,399

Lastly, if your space permits and you want to take the immersion further up a notch, nothing beats the Odyssey OLED G9.

With a 32:9 aspect ratio and a 1800R curvature, this 49-inch behemoth will transport you from your seat to what’s in front of you.

The screen provides wide QHD visuals with excellent contrast, color gamut, and dynamic range. It supports 240Hz refresh rate, 0.03ms response time, and HDR10+ Gaming.

And like the other Samsung offerings above, the Odyssey OLED G9 has advanced features for eye care and protection, in case you’re going to be in front of it for countless hours.

These latest Samsung monitors are now available for purchase at www.samsung.com/ph or at any of Samsung’s authorized dealers nationwide.