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The Attack Shark M87 is one of those keyboards where the spec sheet keeps surprising you for the price. PBT keycaps, dual-mode wireless, TKL layout, all under $25. Here’s the breakdown of what you’re actually getting.
Quick Specs Overview
| Layout | 80% TKL (87 keys, no numpad) |
| Switch Type | Linear mechanical (red-style) |
| Keycap Material | PBT |
| Keycap Profile | SA (sculpted, taller cap) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz wireless, USB-C wired |
| Multi-device pairing | Up to 3 via Bluetooth |
| Battery | ~7 days mixed use |
| Charging port | USB-C |
| Backlight | None on base M87 (other M87 variants have RGB) |
| Body material | ABS plastic |
| OS support | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Polling rate | 1000Hz wired, ~125Hz wireless |
The Layout Explained
The 80% tenkeyless layout is the sweet spot for people who want a mostly-full keyboard without the numpad eating desk real estate. You keep the function row, arrow keys, and the navigation cluster (insert, home, page up/down, end, delete). What you drop is the numpad on the right side, which usually nobody needs unless you do data entry or run a spreadsheet job.
The reduced footprint is great for travel and for desks where you want your mouse closer to home position. The M87 measures roughly 360mm wide instead of the 450mm+ a full size board would.
PBT Keycaps at This Price
This is the single biggest “wait, really?” feature on the M87. Most boards under $50 ship with ABS keycaps that shine up, develop greasy patches, and eventually start to look gross within a few months of regular use. PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) is the upgrade material — it resists shine, has more texture, and lasts years without degrading.
The SA profile means the keycaps are sculpted and taller than standard OEM caps. That looks great and feels premium, but if you’ve been typing on flat or short caps, there’s an adjustment period of a day or two. Once your muscle memory catches up, the sculpted profile actually guides your fingers to home position more accurately.
Connectivity Details
You get three modes. Bluetooth 5.0 pairs with up to three devices — phones, tablets, laptops — and swaps via a Fn combo. 2.4GHz wireless uses a USB-A dongle that lives in a slot under the keyboard. The 2.4GHz mode is lower latency than Bluetooth, recommended for any gaming. Wired USB-C mode lets you use it as a normal cabled keyboard when you don’t care about wireless or the battery is dead.
Bluetooth mode caps polling rate around 125Hz, which is invisible for typing but noticeable for competitive gaming. The 2.4GHz dongle is the move if you’re playing anything reflex-based.
Battery
Battery life is rated around 7 days mixed use, which I’d call honest. Heavy gaming with constant input drains it faster, occasional use stretches it longer. There’s no proper battery percentage display — just a low-battery LED that comes on when you’ve got maybe a day left. Charge via USB-C; full charge takes about 2-3 hours.
Compared to More Expensive Boards
Compared to a flagship like the Logitech MX Mechanical, you’re giving up: build quality, multi-device polish, software, smart backlight, and overall premium feel. You’re keeping: TKL layout, dual-mode wireless, PBT caps, and an extra $137 in your pocket.
Bottom Line on the Specs
This is a no-frills budget wireless mech with a couple of surprise upgrades (PBT keycaps, 2.4GHz dongle) that you’d expect to find on boards twice the price. There are real corners cut — software, backlight, premium build — but for $23 the spec-to-price ratio is unmatched.
