Usage & Final Thoughts
I have been using the Mountain Everest Max as my main keyboard for the past few weeks now and I do actually enjoy it a lot. Whenever I would see keyboards with display keys or screens I would always say to myself that is cool, but I would never use that. After spending time with the Everest Max I actually use both the display keys and the display dial quite a lot. For the display keys I have those set to applications I use the most: Lightroom, Photoshop, Premiere, and Apex Legends (need some gaming in there right!). Then for the display dial it is good to be able to monitor system stats or even see what my APM is when I am gaming / writing a review.
Our sample came with Cherry MX Brown mechanical key switches. If you are not familiar these are more of a typing switch with a tactile feel. With a 55 cN operating force, 2.0 mm pre-travel, and 4.0 mm total travel. They do not have distinct click like you would find on something like a Cherry MX Blue. Overall my experience with these switches on the Mountain Everest has been really good. I always talk about getting “in the groove” when typing and I was easily able to get in the groove when using this keyboard. For those wondering how the keyboard sounds here is a typing test.
One thing that is great about this keyboard is that the switches themselves are hot swappable, so down the line if you wanted to change the switches you could. Customization is pretty paramount on this keyboard, not only with the display keys, but also the fact you can mount the number pad on either side of the keyboard, move the display dial to the top-left or top-right, and even use the smaller USB cable to set the number pad off to the side. On top of that Mountain does offer three different version of this keyboard, first is the Everest Max which is what we reviewed today. It comes with everything, the TKL keyboard, number pad, media dock, and palm rest. This will set you back $249.99 with normal Cherry MX switches and $259.99 if you want the speed or silent switches. Then you have the Everest Core, which is simply the keyboard TKL keyboard itself for $149.99 / $159.99 (speed/silent option). Finally there is the Everest Core Barebone, which is the TKL keyboard without switches or keycaps for $129.99. So if you had or wanted to buy your own switches and keycaps this is a great option. All of the accessories (number pad, media dock & wrist rest) can be purchased separately as well.
While this keyboard has a lot of great features it is quite expensive. For $249.99 there are a lot of options out there that will give you more switch options as well as PBT keycaps. I really like the idea of this keyboard, but it only makes sense if you are fully going to make use of all of the different parts. Overall ThinkComputers gives the Mountain Everest Max Gaming Keyboard a 9 out of 10 score.
Pros:
– Solid construction
– 5 different Cherry MX switch options
– Modularity of accessories
– USB pass-through port
– Customizable display keys
– Good and easy to use software
– Magnetic feet
Cons:
– Expensive
– Display dial experience would have been better if it was actually a button itself
– ABS keycaps
