Welcome to my noob review of my 1st mechanical keyboard, a Thunderobot K104S.


This is a full sized 104 keys type of keyboard, not usually associated with mech keebs, but I wanted a size that Im used to and I still have usage for the num keypad.

Just to note that it would be a full review of my brief intro here https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...ost&p=111709374

So lets get into it.
It is budget mechanical keeb with very basic features that is more thoroughly listed here https://www.lazada.com.my/products/delivery...5462428034.html

Yes it cost less than RM 100 and for a full sized mechanical keeb plus hotswappable feature, I feel it is very worth the money. But it does make do without many keeb features, it isnt a tri connect device only via USB and also it doesnt come with built in battery so its not portable. For my PC use case which is deskbound I dont see this problem but it may be a dealbreaker for others. It also doesnt have a rotary dial switch that many more pricier keebs seems to come as standard these days and it comes with ABS keycaps not the usual PBT.

Whatmore this is an ARGB keeb with both RGB on the keys backlit and RGB light bar at the front foot of the keeb


The ARGB however is only limited to the settings in the board. AFAIK this isnt software programmable but I havent tried to find out yet. Being this cheap I can understand this limitation.

Since this being backlit with shine thru keycaps, one thing I didnt like is the fonts on darker keys will 'disappear' if not lit (its difficult to catch on camera but the view of CapsLock key is typical of darker keys IRL)

I think this is the only downside on my brief usage. I guess I need to get used to it.

Flipping the board over, the base is basic with just the product label to show. On top it has 2 dual height adjustable kickstands, while at the bottom has 3 rubber feets.


As mentioned this isnt a wireless function keeb so I have no idea why it comes with its wired detachable (it uses USB Type C interface)

It makes taking the board out for cleaning much easier tho...

This post has been edited by babylon52281: Sep 27 2025, 01:04 AM

For switches it uses Thunderobot own TR branded Red switches. The stems are also excessively prelubed.


It comes with a small manual very useful as it shows the RGB option functions. For accessories it comes with a Type C USB cable (yup, its detachable), keycap & switch puller, and 2 spare Red switches.


To open up this keeb, its actually quite simple and easy. Just 4 screws to remove, 2 of which is under the corner bottom rubber feets.


Once the screws are out, just apply some force on the keys while holding the top case to push it out from the plastic clips along the edges. Because these clips holds the case quite firmly in place, Im leaving out the screws so its easier to mod later.

This is what it looks like with the top case removed. As expected its not gasket mounted, but it does have a plate between the switches & PCB.


Sorry if I dont have a sound test to share but its similar to what I had tested on other mech keebs with Red switches, basically it has a deep 'tack' sound except spacebar has a hollower 'thock' sound which I dont like atm. I know some keebs has some springy action when typing but this keeb doesnt flex at all, which is quite similar to my HP OEM keyboard so I can appreciate its familiarities.

I know decent keebs goes into the hundreds RM even just for 75% ones but as a beginner I think starting on a basic budget model suits my needs and allows me to explore more. Right now I have a few mods in my head that I will share later.

I might also add more thoughts here but thats it for now. I hope those who read all the way will find this noob beginner review useful if your wanting to get into this hobby. If your like me and dont really know what you want, start from a basic keeb with potential for modding (such as hotswappable).

Indeed just about any decent keeb is hotswappable. There really isnt any reason for soldered switches other than even cheaper boards (yes the soldered version of this keeb comes in only RM 80+).

However if your getting into this hobby, I feel its better to have this flexibility to mod to ones liking even on a budget keeb.

Ahaha, the USB looks like that cuz I took off the top case at the time. Here is what the backend looks like with the case fitted. Its meant for USB Type C ya


Also the LED is shine at the top so its north facing


As for whether its 3pin or 5pin switch. I see the TR Red switches is use 3pin, so I guess the PCB is also 3pin? I understand that usually more expensive keebs uses 5pin config.

After measure its about 1.2 mtr length

This post has been edited by babylon52281: Oct 25 2025, 10:20 PM

Heeeyyyy guys! Here are my first mods for this keeb and it was such a roller coaster experience!

After a few months of usage I still could not get used to the Thunderobot OEM linear switches. I keep making mistakes like double press as due to the linear downward movement, I cant tell wheres the actuation point. I wanted a 'bump' feel just before it registers a key press similar to membrane office keyboard bcoz thats what I used all these while. And thanks to its N keyroll over 'feature' I found that in long FPS games I tend to rest fingers on the keys which sometimes accidentally presses other keys due to linear action thereby moving in direction I wasnt intending. That was it.

So I had been trying various types of Outemu switches...


Leaning towards clicky types but I hated the loud chatter and higher keypress pressure to actuate Outemu Blues until I stumbled (by luck!) onto Kailh Box Whites. I like its less gamery clicks, not too loud like mouse clicks, and it only takes moderate actuation force quite similar to keypress pressure for office keyboard. I found what I liked.

Which I then bought a lotttt...


With Shopee vouchers and smart buying methods I managed to get 110+ switches for the price of RM 30+. Yup about 30 sen per switch.

Removing the top cover and all the keycaps revealed the PCB and TR Red linear switches it came with


Removing the switches I found a pleasant surprise that the PCB actually supports 5pin switch types, usually a feature for higher end keebs. Thats nice if I ever wanna move up to better switches!


Replacing all the switches to the Kailhs, it was until I reach the numpad switches that I faced connection issues, so I took out some of the Kailh switches and I found this


Apparently nearly all have the same issue, the rear pin is bent or otherwise unable to slot into the connection hole unlike the frontal pin which all are still okay.

Investigating further I found theres a width difference between these pins. The frontal (OK) pin is about 0.6~0.7mm wide while the width of rear pin is about 0.8~0.9mm.



Real paiseh if majority of the keys I done have this problem. Measuring my TR Red switch pins and both these came at 0.7mm wide. So the root cause was Kailh had oversized the Box Whites rear pin a bit too wide so it unable to go into the connector hole. Ouch!

I didnt realise mechanical keeb isnt as universal one size fits all coz I never heard of such an issue beforehand, reading & going thru video reviews.

With that I stopped replacing the switches at the numpad and ended with a hybrid mix and left it at that:


Recapping the keys I also took the opportunity to mark similar keys to their positions (ie left & right ALT keys, both CTRL keys too, etc) so that if I even disassemble the keeb I know which goes where


This post has been edited by babylon52281: Sep 19 2025, 12:14 AM

Next mod I did was to add EVA foam to the bottom case. I found that EcoShop was selling 2mm thick A2 sized EVA foam material sheets for only RM2.40.

Taking out the whole thing, then realised the case had ribbing to give it reinforcement.


No matter, I cut a sized sheet and then cut out slots for the raised rib portions, hopping that the EVA can compress onto the lower ribbings once I close the cover.


With the switch change and foam mod, I found a brand new appreciation for my keeb. The keytypes have much better feel that I like and have been expecting after trialing Kailh Box White. The sound became less reverberation from the case and more solid but dampened, as if all the sounds are now just coming from the switches itself.

For those interested, my K104S unit is using BYK 916-00997A MCU controller

After a week the mix & match of switches kinda bugs me so I bought replacement Box Whites and replace the numpad switches



Now my keeb is finally finished the mod, fully satisfied with the soft clicky switches and from the get go I found my typing accuracy is better with the more feedback I get than the OEM linear Reds.

Im no enthusiast so this might just be my end game keyboard moving forward. I hope this share can/have help new beginners. Peace out guys!

Just be careful when modding around the switches.

Also please share any mods that you think is worthwhile. Thanks.

Yeah I do appreciate its usefulness, makes easier to unplug and clean my keeb without going around my PC to remove the wire. But I guess thats the only benefit as its not battery wireless.

Gotta get the same or similar for both otherwise the other will complain of unker favouritism.

This post has been edited by babylon52281: Oct 27 2025, 08:28 AM

Thats true even for this super budget keeb, I wasnt quite happy with the switches so I made the switch to Box Whites which is so many levels better typing experience for me. However the replacing of switches wasnt as smooth like I mentioned above.

Switches is personal preference. After using for few months I wasnt liking OEM Red switches so I changed.

Budget 100% size I can recall is Aula F108/Pro. Your F99 is 98% size.

For Pro version its self justify if the extras are worth the higher pricetag or not. I remember a lady (or hippotech?) review done on it and it highlights the Pro(haha) vs Cons.

I got that same K104S config so it was worth to me, and then comparing that F108 @ RM262 which 3X the price of K104S you start to wonder if those wireless portability and extra features are worth 3x pricing.
I believe its a solid budget keeb for a beginner and the switches are the most direct game changing typing experience which can be upgraded with a switch change so imho that K104S should be a good starter for ur nephew.

The problem with siblings are not so much whats suited for their use but they will start comparing what they have nots anyways. Still I dont know them as much as you but if it were me, I would be happy to receive such a nice present.