Cougar has announced the Vantar AX. It is a low-profile gaming keyboard with flat keycaps and "sleek scissor switches," encased in a CNC-machined solid aluminum alloy frame.

The scissor switch gets its name from the interlocking plastic arms that make it up. The entire mechanism wraps around a rubber dome, providing stability in a thin form factor, whereas traditional key assemblies are much taller. For this reason, it is popular in some notebook computers.

While I myself prefer both larger and mechanical keys, the Vantar AX aims to provide a suitable alternative if you enjoy typing on a laptop.

In addition, Cougar has included translucent keycaps on the Vantar AX. And of course, it has RGB lighting with eight backlight effects. The aluminum frame is sandblasted for a "modern, concise look" and a "textured finish."

I have only seen a press rendering, but it looks reasonably attractive for a keyboard. Functionally, though, there are no dedicated game/macro keys. The same goes for the media controls. But at least there is a Windows lock key and 19-key rollover anti-ghosting.

Cougar did not say when the Vantar AX would be available or how much it would cost.

TechPowerUp