ASUS has expanded its ProArt range with the introduction of the ProArt KD300 keyboard and ProArt MD301 mouse, designed to enhance the productivity and creativity of professionals in creative fields. These devices are part of a broader ecosystem that includes color-accurate monitors and powerful laptops, catering to content creators, graphic designers, and photographers.
The ProArt KD300 keyboard stands out for its compact 65% form factor, which eliminates the traditional numeric keypad and a dedicated row of function keys, making it a space-saving solution for desks. Despite its small size, the keyboard boasts robust tri-mode connectivity, allowing it to pair with up to five devices simultaneously via a low-latency 2.4GHz wireless USB dongle, Bluetooth, and a traditional USB-C cable. This feature is particularly useful for professionals who need to switch between a studio desktop and a mobile laptop.
One of the key features of the KD300 is its low-profile optical switches, which offer a smooth and linear travel with real precision. These switches have a super-fast 1.0mm actuation point and a feather-light initial force of 40-55g, ensuring a responsive and accurate typing experience. Additionally, the keyboard is equipped with dual layers of integrated silicone dampening foam, which effectively eliminates hollow pinging noises and dampens echoes, making it suitable for use in quiet communal studios.
Customization is a strong suit of the ProArt KD300. The Gear Link platform, accessible via a web browser, allows users to customize key mappings, record custom macros, and program up to 10 preset "showcards" with shortcuts for third-party software packages like Adobe's Creative Suite. The keyboard also features a real-time battery gauge, which is displayed on the numerical top row of keys, providing users with an easy way to monitor battery life.
The ProArt MD301 mouse complements the KD300 keyboard, offering a lightweight and ergonomically sculpted design that weighs less than 100g. It features a high-performance 8,000 DPI optical sensor, capable of tracking flawlessly on glass studio desks, and supports tri-mode connectivity with a 1,000Hz polling rate over a 2.4GHz wireless dongle and USB. The mouse also boasts six fully programmable buttons, including forward and backward buttons, a horizontal thumb wheel, and left/right buttons, all of which can be programmed using the Gear Link browser tool.
Both the ProArt KD300 keyboard and ProArt MD301 mouse are available now via the ASUS website. The KD300 is priced at $164.99, while the MD301 sells for $99.99. These devices represent a significant step forward in the ProArt ecosystem, offering professionals in creative fields a range of tools that enhance productivity and creativity without compromising on aesthetics and performance.
