I finally got my hands on the jamesdonkey rs2, and honestly, the name still makes me chuckle every time I see it sitting on my desk. If you're not familiar with the brand, they've been making waves in the mechanical keyboard community for a while now by offering features that usually cost double the price. But name aside, this keyboard is a bit of a dark horse in the mid-range market. It's not just another plastic slab; it's got a specific personality that caters to people who want a blend of old-school aesthetics and modern-day performance.
After spending a couple of weeks using it for everything from frantic email replies to late-night gaming sessions, I've got some thoughts. It's not perfect, but it's easily one of the most interesting boards I've tested this year.
That Classic Retro Aesthetic
The first thing you notice about the jamesdonkey rs2 is the look. It screams "90s office computer," but in a way that feels intentional and cool rather than dated. The colorway I have is that classic mix of beige, off-white, and a slightly darker grey. It reminds me of the old IBM Model M boards, but without the massive footprint that takes up half your desk.
It's built using a high-quality polycarbonate shell. Now, some people prefer aluminum for that heavy, premium feel, but there's something to be said for high-grade plastic. It doesn't feel hollow or cheap. It has a solid weight to it, and the texture of the plastic is slightly matte, so it doesn't pick up fingerprints the second you touch it.
The 99-Key Layout Magic
I've always been a fan of the 1800 layout, and that's exactly what the jamesdonkey rs2 brings to the table. For those who aren't keyboard nerds, this basically means you get almost every key from a full-sized keyboard, including the number pad, but they've squished it all together to save space.
If you're someone like me who does a lot of data entry or just likes having a numpad for macros, but you also don't want your mouse hitting the side of your keyboard while gaming, this layout is the sweet spot. It takes about a day to get used to the slightly shifted arrow keys, but once your muscle memory kicks in, it's hard to go back to a standard TKL or a full-sized board.
The Gasket Mount Feel
One of the big selling points here is the gasket mount design. In the world of mechanical keyboards, "gasket mount" is a bit of a buzzword, but it actually serves a purpose. Instead of the internal plate being screwed directly into the case, it's cushioned by little rubber or silicone gaskets.
When you're typing on the jamesdonkey rs2, you can actually feel a bit of "give" or bounce. It's subtle, but it makes a world of difference for long typing sessions. It reduces that harsh bottom-out feeling you get on stiffer boards, which means less fatigue for your fingers. It also helps dampen the sound, giving it a deeper, more muted "thud" rather than a high-pitched "clack."
The Volume Knob
Can we talk about the knob for a second? I know it sounds like a small detail, but I've become addicted to having a dedicated physical volume knob. The one on the jamesdonkey rs2 is located in the top right corner, and it has a nice, tactile click to it. You can spin it to adjust volume or press it down to mute instantly. It's one of those quality-of-life features that you don't think you need until you have it, and then you can't live without it.
Typing Experience and Switches
The unit I'm using came with Gateron G Pro switches, and let me tell you, they are smooth right out of the box. One of the biggest pains with budget or mid-range boards is that the switches can feel scratchy, but these are pre-lubed from the factory.
Hot-Swappability
If you don't like the switches it comes with, the jamesdonkey rs2 is fully hot-swappable. This is a massive win. It means you can just pop the switches out with a simple tool and snap in new ones without having to learn how to solder. If you want to try out some heavy tactile switches or super-light linears, you can swap the whole board out in about 20 minutes. It makes the board "future-proof" in a way because you can change its entire personality whenever you feel like it.
Keycaps and Feel
The keycaps are PBT, which is exactly what you want. Cheap ABS plastic keycaps tend to get shiny and greasy over time, but PBT stays matte and durable. The font on the keys is clean and professional—nothing "gamer-y" or over-the-top. The legends are crisp, though they aren't "shine-through," so the RGB lighting glows around the keys rather than through the letters. If you do a lot of typing in total darkness, that might be a dealbreaker, but for most people, it's just a stylistic choice.
Connectivity and Battery Life
The jamesdonkey rs2 is a "tri-mode" keyboard, which is fancy talk for saying it connects in three ways: USB-C wired, 2.4GHz wireless (via a little dongle), and Bluetooth.
I mostly use the 2.4GHz wireless mode because I hate cables cluttering my desk. The latency is nonexistent as far as I can tell—I've used it for some fast-paced shooters and never felt like there was a delay. The Bluetooth mode is great if you want to switch between your PC and a tablet or phone. You can pair it with up to three devices and toggle between them with a shortcut.
Battery-wise, it's got a 3000mAh battery. If you leave the RGB lights off, the battery lasts for weeks. With the lights on at full brightness, you'll probably be charging it once a week. It's pretty standard for boards in this category, and since it charges via a regular USB-C cable, it's not really an inconvenience.
Is There Anything Not to Like?
I try to be honest about these things, and the jamesdonkey rs2 isn't without its quirks. First, the software. It's okay. It does the job for remapping keys and changing lighting patterns, but the user interface feels a little bit like a throwback to 2010. It's not as polished as something from Razer or Logitech, but then again, you probably won't be opening it more than once or twice anyway.
Also, because it's a 99-key layout, finding aftermarket keycap sets can be a tiny bit tricky. You have to make sure the set includes the shorter "1.75u" shift key and the specific numpad keys. Most enthusiast sets include these nowadays, but if you're buying a super cheap set off a random site, you might run into issues.
Finally, the height. The board sits a bit tall, so if you're used to very flat laptop-style keyboards, you might want to pair this with a wrist rest. I personally find it comfortable without one, but it's something to keep in mind if you have sensitive wrists.
The Final Verdict
So, who is the jamesdonkey rs2 for? If you're someone who works all day and games all night, this is a fantastic "do-it-all" board. It has that professional-yet-cool retro look that fits in an office, but the performance and customization options satisfy the hardcore hobbyist.
It's built like a tank, sounds great right out of the box, and offers a typing experience that punches way above its price point. You're getting a gasket-mount, hot-swappable, wireless board with a volume knob and a numpad—all wrapped in a chassis that looks like a love letter to the early days of computing.
If you can get past the slightly goofy brand name, the jamesdonkey rs2 is a serious contender for one of the best value keyboards on the market right now. It's a solid reminder that you don't always have to spend $300 to get a premium typing experience. Sometimes, a "donkey" can actually be a thoroughbred.