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Logitech POP Icon Keys review: Bursting with color
10:58 pm | October 23, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Keyboards Peripherals & Accessories | Comments: Off

Logitech POP Icon Keys: Two-minute review

The Logitech POP Icon Keys keyboard against a blue background.

(Image credit: Future / Alex Blake)

Most keyboards tend to be fairly sedate affairs – even the most brightly lit RGB-infused board typically comes with plain black keys – and those that sport interesting designs are often constrained to the costly realms of enthusiast DIY builders. The Logitech POP Icon Keys breaks that trend. It boasts a range of beautiful designs that will turn heads and catch the eye; if you’re tired of uninspired keyboards limiting your choices, it’s definitely worth a look.

In terms of typing feel, there are no mechanical switches here, but you still get a speedy, comfortable experience. The slightly dished keys are easy to find by touch and they’re mostly quiet, although the space bar can be annoyingly loud and rattly.

There are a few other notable drawbacks. You can’t adjust the typing angle as the included stand is fixed in place, andit also has some issues with ghosting, where keys aren’t always registered when you’re pressing several at once.

If you don’t mind those issues, though, the POP Icon Keys is fairly priced at $49.99 (£49.99 or $99.95 AUD) and, with its bold and bright looks, brings something a little different to the table.

Logitech POP Icon Keys: Price & availability

  • How much does it cost? $49.99 / £49.99 / $99.95 AUD
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

The Logitech POP Icon Keys costs $49.99 (£49.99 or $99.95 AUD). That feels very reasonable considering its unique looks and handy features. The POP Icon Keys is available at the Logitech official website or from third-party retailers such as Amazon and Best Buy.

Logitech POP Icon Keys: Design

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The Logitech POP Icon Keys keyboard against a blue background.

(Image credit: Future / Alex Blake)
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The Logitech POP Icon Keys keyboard against a blue background.

(Image credit: Future / Alex Blake)

Let’s be honest: a keyboard can look as pretty as a picture, but the way it feels will trump appearance any day of the week. So, what’s it like to actually use the POP Icon Keys?

More often than not, it’s a positive experience. The low-profile keycaps are concave and slightly textured, which makes them easy to feel by touch. The keys don’t use mechanical switches, but they’re comfortable to use and slightly soft on the way down, albeit without any hint of sponginess.

This keyboard is designed for the workplace, and that means you get a quiet typing experience – for the most part. While the majority of its keys are quietly audible without being distracting, the space bar is noticeably loud and slightly rattly. In terms of sound, it’s the only egregious part of this keyboard, but it’s worth noting.

When it comes to appearances, Logitech has knocked it out of the park. My review unit came in the “off white and orange” colorway, and it looks absolutely gorgeous. The orange legends stand out pleasingly well against the white keycaps, with the action buttons (I’ll come back to those in the Performance section) contrasting well with the surrounding keys. It’s a well thought out color scheme that will look great on your desk. Logitech also offers a few other color options, all of which look attractive.

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The Logitech POP Icon Keys keyboard against a blue background.

(Image credit: Future / Alex Blake)
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The Logitech POP Icon Keys keyboard against a blue background.

(Image credit: Future / Alex Blake)

The downside of the design is that the key legends are simply printed onto the keycaps. This means that they will start to rub off over time, especially if you use the POP Icon Keys a lot. It probably won’t happen right away, but it’s something to consider. The printed legends also mean there’s no backlighting, which makes the board a little harder to use in a dark room.

Unfortunately, you can’t adjust the typing angle. Logitech has put a bar on the underside of the keyboard that acts as a stand, but there’s no way to raise or lower it. The default angle is fairly comfortable, but I’d have liked to have been able to raise it a bit higher.

Logitech has used a compact layout for the POP Icon Keys, with the arrow keys smushed under the Enter button instead of off to the side. Finding the Home and End keys in their new location takes a little getting used to (my regular keyboard has a tenkeyless layout), but it’s otherwise a good way to save space on your desk.

I know it’s not designed for gaming, but it’s worth pointing out that the POP Icon Keys isn’t great here. The Option/Start and Command/Alt keys are very close together -- in fact, the former is positioned where you might normally expect to find the latter -- so you can end up accidentally opening the Start menu during games. You should disable this key in software before you start gaming (unfortunately, you can’t do this in Options+ so you will need a different app).

Logitech POP Icon Keys: Performance

The Logitech POP Icon Keys keyboard against a blue background.

(Image credit: Future / Alex Blake)

The Logi Options+ companion app gives you tons of control over setting up shortcuts and macros and then binding them to the keyboard’s buttons. You can assign shortcuts to the Home, End, Page Up and Page Down keys (known as the “action keys”), as well as the brightness controls and F4 to F12 in the function row. These shortcuts can be used to control system settings or launch combinations of actions, and there are even app-specific controls that will do different things depending on which app you’re using. It’s all very well done and pretty powerful.

The POP Icon Keys can switch between three different devices, and doing so is fast and simple thanks to the dedicated buttons in the function row. It works with Windows, macOS, iPadOS, iOS and Android. Helpfully, the keys are printed with legends for both Windows and macOS.

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Logi Options+ application showcasing the Logitech POP Icon Keys keyboard

(Image credit: Logitech)
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Logi Options+ application showcasing the Logitech POP Icon Keys keyboard

(Image credit: Logitech)

As for connectivity, you can hook the board up to your computer using Bluetooth. There’s no wired option or wired charging – it’s batteries only. Speaking of which, the POP Icon Keys uses two AAA batteries to keep it juiced up. These are included with the keyboard, and Logitech says you’ll get three years of life out of them.

After doing some testing, it became apparent that the keyboard has a few issues with ghosting. When holding down, say, four keys on one side of the keyboard, pressing buttons on the other side sometimes would not register. It’s probably fairly unlikely that you’ll be pressing any five keys at once, but ideally you want what’s called “n-key rollover,” which means you can press any number of keys at once and they’ll all register. Clearly that’s not the case here.

Should you buy the Logitech POP Icon Keys?

The Logitech POP Icon Keys keyboard against a blue background.

(Image credit: Future / Alex Blake)

Buy the Logitech POP Icon Keys if…

You want an eye-catching keyboard

Logitech has several attractive designs for the POP Icon Keys, and any one of them will look great on your desk.View Deal

You value long battery life

Instead of an internal rechargeable battery, the POP Icon Keys uses alkaline cells instead. That gives it extra-long battery life without needing to plug it in.View Deal

You like customizable buttons

Many of this device’s keys are customizable in the Logi Options+ app, giving you extra controls that can be tailored to your needs.View Deal

Don’t buy it if…

Ergonomics are important to you

The POP Icon Keys’ typing angle cannot be adjusted and felt a little low to me. If you don’t like it, there’s not a lot you can do to change it.View Deal

You’re a gamer

Let’s be honest, this is not a gaming keyboard, and you won’t find any gaming-specific features here.View Deal

You want n-key rollover

In my testing, I noticed some keys wouldn’t register when several others were pressed at the same time. If that’s a problem for you, look for keyboards that feature n-key rollover.View Deal

Logitech POP Icon Keys: Also consider

Razer Huntsman Mini

The Razer Huntsman Mini is definitely a more gaming-oriented keyboard, with its excellent optical switches and extra features like Razer’s Snap Tap. It’s also our pick for the best mini keyboard. You can pick one up for $69.99 (£119.99 or $219.95 AUD) on Razer’s website.

Read our full Razer Huntsman Mini reviewView Deal

Yunzii AL71

The Yunzii AL71 is another compact keyboard that’s wowed us. It lacks the POP Icon Keys’ programmable buttons, but in return you get a solid build, tons of customizability, and mechanical switches that make for a superb typing experience.

Read our full Yunzii AL71 reviewView Deal

How I tested the Logitech POP Icon Keys

I tested the Logitech POP Icon Keys by using it to type articles, play games and browse the internet. I tried it on both Windows and macOS and used its Logi Options+ app to create shortcuts and assign them to different keys.

First reviewed October 2024

Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% review: reaching customization Nirvana
2:54 am | September 25, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Keyboards Peripherals & Accessories | Comments: Off

Ahead of RazerCon 2024, I was able to try out several upcoming products from the manufacturer. While all of them were quite impressive, I'm most excited about its brand new gaming keyboard model, the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%.

I was able to briefly test out the standard keyboard model, hear from popular tech industry professionals about their own experiences with modding it, and try out those modded versions for myself. Judging from what I have seen so far, this will easily be one of the best gaming keyboards and the best keyboards in general.

Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%: Price & availability

The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% is $299.99 / £299.99 / AU$499.95 and has excellent availability as it's available in the US, UK, and Australia as well as several other regions.

It's pretty expensive compared to its competition, even one as high quality as this one. This is clearly a hobbyist's keyboard since the average user would balk at paying such a high entry price. In return, however, you get a fully moddable and hot-swappable keyboard with some of the latest tech built into it.

Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%: Design

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broken down gaming keyboard

(Image credit: Future)
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gaming keyboard

(Image credit: Future)
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side view of gaming keyboard

(Image credit: Future)
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closeup of LED screen

(Image credit: Future)
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customized gaming keyboards

(Image credit: Future)
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customized gaming keyboards

(Image credit: Future)

The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% is a sleek, heavy-set keyboard made of aluminum alloy. It sports Razer's trademark black color and extensive RGB lighting. The 75% size is a new addition to the lineup and was, according to the manufacturer, in high demand from its user base.

One of the most striking features of the V4 Pro 75% is its OLED display on the top right corner paired with the command dial to its side. The screen and command dial allow for quick setting configuration without needing to access the Razer Synapse software and for creating or downloading animations. It's a nifty feature that can be quite useful.

The other main draw to this keyboard is its high level of customizability due to the ease of disassembly (it only requires you to remove eight screws on the underside) and the several layers that it's composed of. These layers include the keycaps and switches, the aluminum alloy top case, a gasket-mounted white FR4 plate, plate foam, tape-enhanced PCB with hot-swap sockets, and bottom foam.

I was able to personally see the results of that, with several tech YouTubers displaying their creations during my time with the keyboard. When I asked about the customization, it was confirmed to me that due to how easily and quickly the keyboard can be taken apart and thanks to all the layers that make it up, it's much simpler to do so but has a real depth to it that allows for some truly unique works. Some of the keyboards, as pictured in the gallery above, are completely unrecognizable from the original model.

Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%: Performance

I only had a limited amount of time to play around with the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%, but my short stint with it has certainly piqued my interest. Like the Alienware line of gaming keyboards, the V4 Pro 75% uses Razer's in-house switches. From what I felt, the accusation point balances that trademark resistance mechanical switches are known for, while also not requiring too much force to push down keys.

One of the other most noticeable qualities of the switches during my test run was how clear and sharp the sound was. This is due to several factors, including the PCB with tape that helps absorb higher frequencies while boosting mid and low frequencies, the plate foam that helps remove unwanted resonance, and the bottom case foam that helps reduce hollowness. Clearly much thought and care had been put into this design, and it shows in every aspect.

According to Razer, this keyboard's battery life can last up to 2100 hours in power-saving mode, which is a staggeringly high number considering it accounts for the RGB lighting and OLED mini-screen.

gaming keyboard

(Image credit: Future)

Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%: Early verdict

The BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% looks to be one of the best gaming keyboards that Razer has ever produced. Not only is the construction of the keyboard itself made of a high-quality metal chassis, but it comes with an OLED screen that bypasses the software for simple specs configuration. Further, the customization options balance depth with accessibility in a way few gaming keyboards achieve.

What has me truly excited is seeing just how far you can push said customization. Seeing what capable tech pros could accomplish in a short period blew my expectations out of the water. It makes me giddy to get my hands on one myself and really see what I can do with it. 

Simply, it's the most I've been excited for a Razer keyboard in years.

Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro review: an analog keyboard that aims high but falls short
7:48 pm | September 24, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Keyboards Peripherals & Accessories | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro: one-minute review

It’s not often you see an analog keyboard come to market, but Turtle Beach is offering a new one in the form of its Vulcan 2 TKL Pro. It promises ultra-smooth and fast operation, aided by the in-depth actuation settings in its accompanying software, Swarm 2.

Since the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro doesn't have a top cover, the bare keycaps and switches are immediately apparent. This design choice is both aesthetically pleasing and convenient, as it makes cleaning and swapping out the keycaps easier. The overall form is compact and slender, yet the materials and construction feel premium.

Swarm 2 doesn’t put its best foot forward, with a jagged interface and a severe lack of explanations for the numerous settings available. Navigating it can also be a chore, and I was frequently met with dialog boxes telling me I had to go somewhere else or activate a certain parameter to achieve what I wanted. It also crashed on one occasion during my time using it. 

Beneath it all, though, there are some great customization options on offer, with a broad selection of hotkey functions – some quite advanced – and the actuation adjustments allow for a great deal of tinkering. Again, though, it can be hard to work out exactly what your tweaks are accomplishing, thanks to the lack of visual indicators and an impractical testing procedure.

Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro side view

(Image credit: Future)

In action, the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro performs competently, with the same satisfying keystrokes and comfortable feel as any of the best gaming keyboards, and the mixture of convex and concave keycaps pays dividends. However, typing isn’t the easiest, as the keys are quite narrow, and gliding around them isn’t as seamless as I’m used to.

The analog functionality is a mixed bag for gaming. There are plenty of adjustments in the actuation point, which let you dial in your preferred pressure. Rapid Trigger mode is also useful, allowing for fast yet controlled inputs, ideal for twitchy character movements. However, the multi-point actuation seems more like a gimmick than a useful tool, and Controller mode falls short of its emulation promises since the keys can’t match the precision of analog sticks and triggers. In practice, I doubt gamers will use it. 

All this isn’t to say the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro isn’t a competent gaming performer. It’s satisfying and solid to use, and its compact design makes it suitable for virtually any setup.

If you want a premium gaming keyboard with similar analog switches, the Razer Huntsman line includes models with them. If you can do without, there are plenty of keyboards out there that offer similar, if not better, performance than the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro for the same price or less, such as the Asus Rog Strix Scope II RX and the Roccat Magma.

Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro top corner

(Image credit: Future)

Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro review: price and availability

  • $149 (about £113 / AU$219)
  • Black and White colorways
  • Wired only

The Vulcan 2 TKL Pro is priced at $149 (about £113 / AU$219) and is available in two colorways: Black and White. It also comes with a wrist rest. UK and Australian markets are yet to receive it. 

For a tenkeyless board with analog switches, the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro is good value. Similar analog offerings from the likes of Razer and Corsair can set you back over $200.

If you’re not bothered about analog switches, your options open up considerably, but even when considered within the broader gaming keyboard market, the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro is still competitively priced. 

However, there are alternatives that undercut the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro: the Asus Rog Strix Scope II RX, for instance, is slightly cheaper, full-size, and has mechanical switches. There’s also the Roccat Magma, our current pick as the best gaming keyboard for those on a budget.

Value: 4 / 5

Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro review: specs

Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro back foot

(Image credit: Future)

Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro review: design and features

  • Light but sturdy
  • Satisfying floating keys
  • Software is so-so

The Vulcan 2 TKL Pro has a sleek, lightweight body, made from anodized aluminum with a plastic underside, resulting in a keyboard that feels hard-wearing. The keycaps' floating design helps to minimize its real estate even further. I found the chassis thin enough to use the board comfortably without needing the included wrist rest. The folding feet didn’t provide as steep an angle as I would’ve liked, but it was still within the bounds of acceptability.

Some might not like this exposed design, but I’m quite partial to it. If nothing else, it makes the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro easier to clean, as dust and other debris have no place to hide (I dread to think how many crumbs are lurking beneath the crevices of my other keyboards). It also makes removing the keycaps easier when you want to swap them out for third-party ones.

Despite their floating nature, the keycaps feel secure, firmly fixed in place with little play or wobble. They’re indented, save for those on the bottom row, which are convex instead – a smart design choice that makes them easier to press with your little finger and thumb.

There’s also a handy volume dial in the top-right corner, which has smooth notches and a solid button press for muting. However, neither the dial or the button can be remapped to perform other functions. 

To get the most out of the analog switches in the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro, you’ll need to acquaint yourself with Swarm 2, Turtle Beach’s peripheral software. Unfortunately, it fails to make a great first impression. The typeface is rendered poorly and the layout isn’t exactly intuitive. I frequently encountered dialog boxes telling me certain functions and features weren’t available without navigating to another tab, and many settings just aren’t explained well – or even at all. There’s also no way to see a quick overview of the rebind choices you’ve made – you have to click on each individual key to reveal them. 

Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro USB-C port close-up

(Image credit: Future)

I experienced one crash during my time with Swarm 2; a settings adjustment window failed to open and the app froze before shutting down altogether. A simple restart fixed the issue, though.

It contains many of the standard features you'd expect from peripheral software, including RGB adjustments, multiple profile slots (five), and a macro creator. It also offers different layers for customization, including a Game Mode (not to be confused with Windows’ own Game Mode), which is activated by pressing FN+Start (again: not made clear), and an Easy Shift mode that can be activated by holding caps lock. You can set it to toggle instead, but this option isn’t easy to find, buried in the hotkey rebind section. 

Speaking of which, there are plenty of hotkey options in Swarm 2. The selection is both broad and useful, including some pretty advanced functions that can be activated with a single keypress, such as opening a Direct X diagnostics tool and the Windows Registry Editor.

The real meat of Swarm 2, though, lies in the detailed actuation adjustments available. The Vulcan 2 TKL Pro has Hall-effect magnetic switches, with the actuation point of each adjustable from 0.1-4mm. You can also increase or decrease actuation via two hotkeys on the plus and minus keys. The number key LEDs light up to indicate your adjustments, but they aren’t clear enough to tell what setting you’re on.

There are also Rapid Trigger and Multi-input modes. The former lets you adjust the point at which the key resets to accept further inputs, independently from the actuation point. This allows for quick, controlled movements and key spamming. You can select individual keys to apply Rapid Trigger to, but Swarm 2 fails to mention that you can click and drag to select multiple keys instead. More obscurities can be found in the test mode for Rapid Trigger, as it fails to provide visual feedback for the adjustments you make, which would be extremely useful in helping you see the direct effect of your tweaks. 

Multi-input mode lets you create up to three different inputs for the same key, depending on how hard you press. With this setting, you can’t assign controller inputs, only keystrokes and mouse clicks are permitted.

One of the problems with both these modes is that you can’t adjust and test your settings in the same window, which would streamline the whole process. You can, however, do this in Controller mode. 

This mode allows you to assign keys to gamepad inputs. To achieve this in-game, the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro emulates a controller (I suspect it utilizes XInput, Microsoft’s protocol for using gamepads on PC). This includes the emulation of analog sticks and trigger buttons, letting you modulate the amount of input based on how far down you press the keys. In theory, this is useful for games requiring careful movement – there’s even a handy WASD-to-analog-stick quick-bind setting for this very purpose – and vehicle control. There’s also an angle-snapping option in this mode, offering 0-90 degrees of ‘snapping’; useful if you want to adjust the separation between the x and y axis.

Design & features: 3.5 / 5

Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro review: performance

  • Good for gaming
  • Adjustable actuation points
  • Controller mode impractical

Thanks to those floating keys, the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro has a typewriter-like feel, which creates a greater sense of feedback. Despite this, it isn’t a board I would recommend for frequent typing. 

The T-shaped ABS keycaps are narrower than those on most gaming keyboards, and I found they took some getting used to. Gliding over them isn’t seamless, due to the steep indentations on the keycaps, while the small enter key is hard to locate by feel. Having the ability to adjust the actuation point across a wide range certainly helps to prevent mispresses, but if you’re thinking of using your board for productivity as well as gaming, this likely won’t be for you.

If you’re only concerned with the latter, the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro acquits itself well. The switches are very clicky, with enough damping to feel pleasant to use, but if you really hammer down on them you’ll be met with a harsh thud. The aforementioned actuation adjustments make for quick responses, and those indented keycaps help secure your fingers in place.

The standard Actuation Point and Rapid Trigger modes generally live up to their promises. The former’s adjustment options result in meaningful changes to keystroke sensitivity, while the latter’s allow you to perform quick-twitch movements with greater speed and accuracy once set to your preferences.

Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro close-up of keys

(Image credit: Future)

However, the same can’t be said for Multi-input mode, as applying the exact amount of pressure to hit a certain actuation point for a certain input is difficult. I struggle to think of many gaming situations where this functionality would be useful. You also can’t assign controller functions in this mode, which seems like a missed opportunity; only keystrokes and mouse clicks are assignable.

And then there’s Controller mode. In theory, this is a nice idea, but, in practice, it fails to translate analog inputs from gamepads to keystrokes as smoothly as I would’ve liked. Changing the response curve to the precision setting did help to make movements somewhat more controlled, but still not enough. Maneuvering in-game vehicles was too jerky during my tests; the greater weight, size, and resistance of analog sticks and trigger buttons are much better suited to the task.

There’s also the issue of which games practically support Controller mode. In Grand Theft Auto 5, for instance, I found a clash between gamepad and keyboard control schemes. Naturally, moving a character forward and backward with a controller requires moving the analog stick. However, in vehicles, accelerate and brake/reverse are bound to R2 and L2, with no option in-game to alter this. 

This means that binding WASD to analog stick controls will let you move a character in all directions, but with vehicles, you’ll only be able to steer left and right. You could keep W and A bound as they are and sacrifice some of that nuanced control, or use the easy shift function on the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro as a workaround, but this will require you to press caps lock every time you switch between pedestrian and vehicular travel. In other words, it’s simply too impractical to be worth using.

Performance: 3.5 / 5

Should I buy the Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro?

Buy it if…

You want analog-style controls
It’s not every day you see a keyboard with pressure-sensitive switches. If you desperately want to emulate a controller, albeit not as precisely, this is for you.

You want floating keys
Personally, I’m a fan of the uncovered layout, for both aesthetic and practical reasons. If you feel the same way, this is a great example.

You want to save space
For a board so solidly made, it’s pleasantly surprising how light and compact the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro is, making it conducive to any desktop setup. 

Don’t buy it if…

You want to go wireless
Unfortunately, the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro doesn’t have a wireless option, despite having a detachable USB cable.

You want true analog precision
Despite the promises, the analog keys don’t offer the same smoothness as gamepads, and they just aren’t as useful in certain games as you might expect.

You want the best software
While it offers great functionality in some areas, Swarm 2 isn’t the easiest to navigate and several features aren’t explained clearly.

Also consider

How I tested the Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro

  • Tested for two weeks
  • Played multiple genres
  • 10+ years PC gaming experience

I tested the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro for around two weeks, during which time I used it for gaming, productivity, and general use.

I played Counter-Strike 2, the acid test for peripherals, as well as games involving vehicle control, such as Art of Rally and Grand Theft Auto 5.

I have been PC gaming for over 10 years – and many more than that on numerous other platforms – and during that time, I have used many different types of keyboards from a wide range of brands. 

  • First reviewed September 2024
Lofree Flow Lite review: A cheaper take on premium
3:34 pm | September 13, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Keyboards Peripherals & Accessories | Comments: Off

Lofree Flow Lite: Two-minute review

The Flow Lite is Lofree’s follow-up to its superb Flow keyboard, which combined a low-profile design with delightfully top-quality touches to make it a marvel of premium keyboard engineering, and (in my humble opinion) one of the best mechanical keyboards you can buy. Perhaps the only drawback of the Flow was its fairly costly $159 asking price, and it’s that that has prompted the creation of the Lofree Flow Lite.

This keyboard takes the best parts of the Flow – its quiet, comfortable typing and compact design – and fits it into a more affordable form, cutting a few features here and there to bring the price down to $99 for the 84-key version (which I reviewed) and $109 for the 100-key edition. The key question is whether Lofree has been able to do all that without losing what makes its devices so appealing.

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The Lofree Flow Lite mechanical keyboard against a blue background.

(Image credit: Future)
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The Lofree Flow Lite mechanical keyboard against a blue background.

(Image credit: Future)

Typing on the Flow Lite feels good – for the most part. While the Flow offered both tactile and linear switches, you only get the linear option with the Flow Lite. That’s not a massive problem since the linears are very fast and comfortable to use – this coming from a man who normally steers well clear of any switch that’s not loud and clicky – and if you like smooth key switches, the Flow Lite’s custom Kailhs will be very pleasing to use. That said, my fingers did start to feel a little sore after a few hours of usage due to a fair amount of bottoming out (I find this is common whenever I use linear switches), so that’s something to be aware of if you find yourself pressing a little too hard when you type.

Everything is tied together in the Lofree Key Mapper app, which is used to create macros, change lighting effects, remap keys, and more. It’s admittedly a bit less intuitive than some rival keyboards’ apps, but it gets the job done.

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The Lofree Flow Lite mechanical keyboard against a blue background.

(Image credit: Future)
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The Lofree Flow Lite mechanical keyboard against a blue background.

(Image credit: Future)

Lofree has cut a few corners in order to lower the price, but they don’t feel like a massive step down. The aluminum chassis is gone, replaced by an ABS plastic one instead, while the PBT keycaps are now a combination of PBT and polycarbonate plastic. The USB-C to USB-A cable is also now of the standard plastic, non-braided variety. Finally, Lofree has cut the number of lighting effects from 16 to 8 compared to the Flow.

Interestingly, Lofree has actually added a few features to the Flow Lite that the regular Flow lacks. The most noticeable example is the copper-toned volume roller in the top-right corner. This is tactile and metallic, and you can press it in to mute your audio completely. It is a little stiff, but it’s a useful extra regardless.

Other new additions include 2.4GHz connectivity in addition to the wired and Bluetooth modes (the latter of which can connect to three devices); feet to adjust the angle of the keyboard; and a doubled polling rate, going from the Flow’s 500Hz to 1,000Hz in the Flow Lite. I’m particularly happy about the keyboard feet, as it was always a shame you couldn’t change the Flow’s angle. The rubber on the Flow Lite’s feet is a little thin and bendy in places, but I can forgive that if it means I can raise the keyboard to a (slightly) higher angle.

The Lofree Flow Lite mechanical keyboard against a blue background.

(Image credit: Future)

That makes choosing between the Flow Lite and the Flow more complex than simply wanting to save money. While on the one hand the Flow Lite feels like a step below the Flow, on the other it also represents an evolution of sorts. Hopefully, Lofree will work these advancements into a successor to the Flow, if or when that arrives.

I’m left feeling fairly impressed that Lofree has managed to make the Flow Lite still feel like a premium offering, even without many of the things that made me love the original Flow. It’s a more affordable way into the world of mechanical keyboards without feeling like you’re rummaging through the bargain bin. I still prefer the Flow overall – it’s just so good – and I really wish Lofree offered tactile or clicky switches for the Flow Lite. But there’s still a lot to like about this keyboard, especially if you’re in the market for a quality low-profile device that’s still enjoyable to use.

Lofree Flow Lite: Price & availability

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The Lofree Flow Lite mechanical keyboard against a blue background.

(Image credit: Future)
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The Lofree Flow Lite mechanical keyboard against a blue background.

(Image credit: Future)
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The Lofree Flow Lite mechanical keyboard against a blue background.

(Image credit: Future)

The Lofree Flow Lite costs $99 or $109 (depending on the size you get), knocking $50 to $60 off the price of the $159 Lofree Flow. Whether you decide the trade-offs are worth it for the price cut will come down to your personal taste. Right now, it’s available on Kickstarter, and will be sold on Lofree’s website and on the company’s Amazon store.

Should you buy the Lofree Flow Lite?

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The Lofree Flow Lite mechanical keyboard against a blue background.

(Image credit: Future)
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The Lofree Flow Lite mechanical keyboard against a blue background.

(Image credit: Future)

Buy the Lofree Flow Lite if…

You want quality at a lower price

Lofree has cut the price with the Flow Lite, but it still packs in a good overall typing experience, especially if you like linear switches.

You like having lots of connectivity options

The Flow Lite lets you connect via USB-C cable, Bluetooth, and 2.4GHz, and it also works with up to three different devices.

You use both Windows and macOS

The Flow Lite comes with keycaps showing both Windows and macOS symbols. It also lets you switch between the two systems’ respective keyboard layouts with a quick key combination.

Don't buy it if...

You prefer tactile switches

You’ll only get linear switches here, which in my experience can lead to tired fingers if you bottom out too much. Lofree sells a different switch option that you can swap in, but it’s also linear.

You want the most premium experience

There’s no doubt that the regular Flow feels more premium than the Flow Lite. The latter ditches the metal body, braided cable, and more in order to bring the price down.

You don’t like compact layouts

Not only does the Flow Lite use low-profile keycaps, but its layout is also very compact, with the arrow keys squeezed in close to the main body of buttons. That doesn’t work for everyone.

Lofree Flow Lite: Also consider

Logitech G515 Lightspeed TKL

A compact keyboard that we rated just as highly as the Lofree Flow Lite in our review, the G151 Lightspeed TKL from Logitech is a keyboard that can easily pull double duty for both work and gaming, with a clean design and quiet, comfortable keystrokes perfect for an office environment as much as a home gaming setup.

Read our full Logitech G515 Lightspeed TKL review

Corsair K65 Plus Wireless

Although it's a bit on the pricey side, there are few  compact keyboards that offer the same build quality and functionality as the Corsair K65 Plus Wireless. With swappable switches, a media control dial, and strong customizability thanks to Corsair's software, this is a great choice of 75% keyboard - perfect for anyone who wants an even smaller board than the Flow Lite.

Read our full Corsair K65 Plus Wireless review

How I tested the Lofree Flow Lite

I spent time using the Lofree Flow Lite day-to-day at my desk. That included writing articles, gaming, and generally using my computer throughout the day. I tried it on both Windows and macOS, and also put its Lofree Key Mapper companion app through its paces.

Logitech G515 Lightspeed TKL review: gaming performance in a keyboard chassis fit for the office
3:50 am | August 29, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Keyboards Peripherals & Accessories | Comments: Off

Logitech G515 Lightspeed TKL: two-minute review

The Logitech G515 sits on the cheaper end of the brand’s wireless keyboard range, but it is no cheap device. And why would it be? It’s a brilliant gaming keyboard with great-feeling keystrokes and a lovely layout, underpinned by Logitech’s brilliant wireless technology and class-leading software for programming and rebinding keys.

The most impressive thing about the Logitech G515 isn’t what it can do; it’s what it isn’t. While Logitech tends to stick to a less aggressive aesthetic with its gaming range of peripherals, the G515 takes things a step further… to the point where it looks more like a workplace keyboard than one fit for gaming. 

That’s a fairly defining trait of many low-profile keyboards (that and the smaller keycaps), but it bleeds through to the rest of the G515 – the keys aren’t very loud and there’s no space for any spare buttons, such as Logitech’s G-Keys (unless you program them in yourself with the G Hub app). There’s not even any dedicated media controls apart from doubled-up keys accessible with the function keys.

The Logitech G515 keyboard on a table

(Image credit: Techradar / Zachariah Kelly)

Available in black and white colorways (with ‘tactile’ and ‘linear’ key types available depending on the market), the Logitech G515 only weighs 880 grams (just under 2 lb). It comes with an included USB-A to USB-C cable for charging and wired use, with a rated battery life of up to 36 hours. It’s quite small, at 368mm long, 150mm wide and 22mm high (14.49 x 5.91 x 0.87 inches) – a size far below many of its counterparts in the Logitech G range.

It comes with Bluetooth support (though it doesn’t list what version), but you’ll likely be using the integrated USB-A wireless dongle more as it’s faster and much more reliable. 

Ergonomically the G515 commits no sins. Each key is easy to access, with the CTRL key easily pressed with a pinky or a nimble thumb and the space bar producing as satisfying a press as any other key on the board – no inconsistencies here.

If I could change any one thing about this keyboard, it’s that I’d like a volume wheel fitted to it somewhere here. Logitech’s much smaller TKL 60 keyboard had one off to the side, so I’m not sure why it’s absent here. Considering this keyboard’s bigger size in comparison to the TKL 60, there’s also room for dedicated pause, mute, back and forward buttons, which are also conspicuously missing. The absence of a wrist wrest – integrated or detachable – may also get on some people’s nerves.

Logitech G515 Lightspeed TKL review: price and availability

  • List price of $139.99 / £139.99 / AU$269.95
  • Tactile/linear keypress options available in some markets
  • Black and white colorways available

At $139.99 / £139.99 / AU$269.95 apiece, the Logitech G515 is priced well above most other low-profile keyboards, with its closest competitor being the Corsair K70 RGB MK2. The ‘low-profile’ category, which represents keyboards that don’t raise high off of the desk and are made up of thin and short keys. These still aren’t very common for gaming, but obviously the G515 is seeking to change that.

Unfortunately for some buyers, the keyboard doesn’t come with a wrist rest in the box. In some markets, buyers will be limited to the ‘tactile’ key switch option, while in the UK and the US, linear keys are also available at no extra charge (this review is based on the tactile switches, which is the only version available in Australia where I am located).

The side profile of the Logitech G515 keyboard

(Image credit: Techradar / Zachariah Kelly)

Again, unfortunately, there’s no cheaper option. I personally like having the choice of a wired option as it means you don’t have to worry about charging, but Logitech hasn’t provided such an option in any market. You can, however, keep it constantly plugged in using the included USB-A to USB-C cable. 

Value: 3 / 5

Logitech G515 Lightspeed TKL review: specs

A closeup of the keys on the Logitech G515 keyboard

(Image credit: Techradar / Zachariah Kelly)

Logitech G515 Lightspeed TKL review: design and features

  • Neutral aesthetic 
  • Default lighting profile may annoy users
  • No wrist support or dedicated media controls

Just because a keyboard is meant for gaming doesn’t mean it needs to look like the quintessential gaming keyboard, and the Logitech G515 epitomizes that ethos. The way this board feels, it seems more intended for somebody who likes tactile, responsive feedback when playing games, but also wants a sensible keyboard for typing away at their job. It feels like the perfect ‘working from home’ gadget – a nice compromise between a gaming accessory and something that might boost your productivity.

The thinner design of the G515 gives it an unassuming feel, more akin to a laptop keyboard than anything else. It’s lightweight but robust, with the keys easily removable for cleaning. Its design is so neutral that Logitech could sell this keyboard alongside its standard range of peripherals without the gaming badge attached – though the signature Gaming Mode button in the top left reminds the user that this is for play as much as it is for work. It sits right beside a button that switches to the dongle and another to switch to Bluetooth.

More on the ‘play’ side of things, every key on this board is backed by a fully customizable RGB light, with the default lighting profile being a breathing blue color, where the keys pulse in brightness on a loop (the WASD keys maintain a solid candy pink). The lights can be turned off by pressing FN + F8 and can be fully customized in the Logitech G app. The default lighting profile can also be changed through the app, so that when you plug this keyboard in, it starts with a different color profile to the usual blue and pink scheme. Changing the color profile would be a good idea if you want to maintain a less gamer-y aesthetic, but I personally found the default color profile to be inoffensive. 

Four keys removed from the Logitech G G515

(Image credit: Techradar / Zachariah Kelly)

It’s a shame, however, that this keyboard doesn’t come with included wrist support. Logitech sells such wrist supports separately if you really want one, but considering how expensive this keyboard is on its own, it could become a hefty investment if you’re kitting out your gaming setup anew. 

Even the lack of dedicated media controls feels like a missed opportunity. Instead, the usual pause/play, stop, back, forward, mute, volume down and volume up actions are bound to FN + F9, F10, F11, F12, PRNT, LOCK and P/B respectively. Dedicated media controls are one of the things that I love the most about the brand’s staple G Pro keyboard and it’s a shame that they’re not on this more palatable option. 

The keyboard feels brilliant in use, though. The model I was sent for this review features tactile keys, which press just as smoothly as any other Logitech G board of the same style. That’s underselling it from me actually – Logitech’s GX Brown tactile keys (which is what is used here) are by far my favorite from any peripheral manufacturer. They’re perfectly weighted to give you an affirmative response while not requiring too much effort from your fingertips to press in, all the while ensuring each keypress is deliberate. Unfortunately I can’t speak for Logitech’s linear key style, which is also available on this keyboard, but not in Australia (where I am).

The front of the Logitech G G515 keyboard showing the on/off button and USB-C port

(Image credit: Techradar / Zachariah Kelly)

There’s not really much to say about the layout of the keyboard apart from that it’s mastercrafted. There’s a formula that Logitech’s G division follows that doesn’t need to be broken and this is as good an example as ever. The Numpad often gets disregarded in favor of having a smaller board, which I personally prefer and so can’t complain that it’s not available here. Keys feel close enough together to avoid reaching for some, and yet accidental presses of surrounding keys is minimal. Moreover the function row is easily accessible by stationary hands even if you have small mitts. 

The shorter key caps that come with the low-profile design may irk some gamers however. It caught me off guard at first just how short these keys were when playing games, but I quickly got used to them and, after a short while, didn’t mind them at all. Some gamers like their keyboards to feel big and robust like props on a sci-fi spaceship, but this keyboard is going for a broader design than that. 

Finally on the software, the Logitech G peripheral app is brilliant for allowing you to customize both the lighting of the keyboard’s RGB and keybindings across the board. As already mentioned, RGB profiles can be saved to the board’s memory, however keybindings cannot. There’s nothing out of the ordinary here from Logitech, though the Logitech G app can be a bit daunting for a first-time user. I’d recommend having a good play with it at your leisure. 

A closeup of the battery life and caps lock buttons on the Logitech G515

(Image credit: Techradar / Zachariah Kelly)

Design & Features: 4 / 5

Logitech G515 Lightspeed TKL review: performance

  • Fast, affirmative keys
  • Brilliant layout
  • Keys may not be large enough for some gamers

The Logitech G515 is made up of plastic keys covered in a gentle coarse paint that keeps fingertips well positioned for affirmative presses while not being abrasive at all. The tactile Logitech Brown GX keys click in without making too much noise for an office setting, while being firm enough to avoid a mispress. 

Pressing the keys feels satisfying and guaranteed – you know you just clicked the button and a light press from a fat thumb or hanging finger won’t be enough. This goes for every key on the board and it feels brilliant. 

The Logitech G515 keyboard on a standing desk converter

(Image credit: Techradar / Zachariah Kelly)

The Game Mode button definitely offers a subtle boost in performance in that you won’t fat-finger the Windows key with it's pressed. Switching between the dongle and the Bluetooth module is also quick and is perfect for if you want to use this keyboard with two devices. 

The level of programming that you can do with the G515 through G Hub is also pretty great, allowing the user to create whatever keybinds they want (and remove them at any time). 

Performance: 5 / 5

Should I buy the Logitech G515 Lightspeed TKL?

Buy it if…

You want a good keyboard for work and games

As far as premium gaming keyboards go, the G515 is best suited as something that can go from writing documents to playing online games quickly.

You want brilliant-feeling keys

Logitech’s Brown GX switches are brilliant – they’re not too firm and they feel satisfying to press without too much effort.

You want a slimline keyboard

The main draw of the G515 is that it’s a low-profile keyboard, which means it has much thinner keys and a much thinner body.

Don’t buy it if…

Money is tight

The G515 is not a cheap keyboard and you may find a better, more affordable option that suits your needs.

You suffer from wrist pain

Logitech doesn’t include a wrist support with the G515, which means you’d have to buy one separately.

You desire dedicated media controls

The G515 doesn’t have a dedicated media control row of buttons or volume slider, instead putting them as function keys in the corner.

Also consider

How I tested the Logitech G515

  • Used daily for 1 week
  • Used for gaming and productivity, both in office and at home

From the moment I received the Logitech G515, I started using it in the office, with my testing period lasting about a week. To test in different environments, I even took it home, where I used it to play games such as Alan Wake II, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023), Team Fortress II, Dress To Impress and Concord. For work, I used it for several productivity apps, including typing out this entire review. I also used the Logitech G Hub app to fiddle around with the customizations, changing the colors and setting up my own lighting profiles.

I’ve been a PC gamer for almost my entire life, and have reviewed quite a few peripherals, including different types of keyboards and mice, over the last few years. Several of these have been Logitech products, which has allowed me to compare the G515 to other keyboards from the brand and its competitors as objectively as possible. 

Read more about how we test

[First reviewed August 2024]

HyperX Alloy Rise review: a lightning performance keyboard with weak software
12:08 pm | August 1, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Keyboards Peripherals & Accessories | Tags: , | Comments: Off

HyperX Alloy Rise: one-minute review

The HyperX Alloy Rise sits at the top end of the brand’s gaming keyboard range, claiming to be a strong and fast mechanical board for ultimate performance. 

At first glance, the Alloy Rise doesn’t look much like a gaming-oriented peripheral, especially compared to some of the best gaming keyboards around. It only comes in one color, black, and the stylings typical of this market are largely absent. There are a few nods to its target audience, such as RGB backlighting and personalization opportunities, but on the whole, the design of the Alloy Rise is fairly anonymous, which isn’t usually a charge one can level at gaming gear.

It’s also a very substantial piece of hardware, weighing in at 1.3kg. Although the key layout is compact, the chassis is quite thick, which reveals one of the worst design flaws of the Alloy Rise: its lack of wrist support. The elevated height forced my wrists to bend upwards at an uncomfortable angle and put too much pressure on the heels of my palms. Propping up the back feet did help somewhat, but not enough to alleviate the discomfort altogether. What’s really needed here is a wrist rest but, unfortunately, the Alloy Rise doesn’t come with one.

As you would expect from a premium gaming keyboard, the keycaps are made from PBT. They are mildly textured, offering enough grip while still retaining a smooth feel. The default switches underlying them are HyperX’s Red Linear variety, which actuate very quickly with light touches, making them great for fast-paced gaming sessions. However, I found that misinputs were an issue for me, especially when typing. I did acclimatize eventually, but if you’re used to traditional mechanical boards, this might not be an issue for you.

The compact layout makes adopting the WASD position comfortable, with all the important keys easily accessible. The always-awkward Ctrl key is much easier to reach for compared to other boards I’ve used, and the weight and thock of the space bar is a real highlight (although my thumb did tend to hit the back edge of the bar if I didn’t use a wrist rest).

close up of RGB backlighting on HyperX Alloy Rise

(Image credit: Future)

Less of a highlight is HyperX’s take on peripheral software. Ngenuity, as it’s called, lets you rebind every key, offering options for primary and secondary functions, but there are far fewer system-level shortcuts available compared to other manufacturers’ software. It does feature a macro recorder, though. You can also customize the backlighting with different colors and effects, and even sync them with other HyperX devices you have.

Considering where the Alloy Rise stands in its lineup, HyperX seems keen to pitch it as a top-tier gaming keyboard. Based on its feel and performance, it’s nailed that aspect, but the lack of wrist support, in-depth customization software, and wireless capabilities prevent it from being a true standout. 

This is a hotly contested market, and there are equally capable boards out there for a similar price or less, including plenty of offerings from big hitters such as Razer, Logitech, and the like.

HyperX Alloy Rise review: price and availability

  • $199 / £169 / AU$308
  • 75% model available for less
  • One colorway

The Alloy Rise is priced more or less in line with other premium wired gaming keyboards. There are certainly costlier options out there, such as the Razer Huntsman v2 Analog, but there are also plenty at a similar if not cheaper price point.

HyperX offers some optional extras for the Alloy Rise, including a variety of keycaps, switches, top plates, side badges, and wrist rests. There’s also a 75% variant available, which costs $169 / £149 / AU$277. 

If you’re after a full-size board, then the Asus Rog Strix Scope II RX is another option for a cheaper price ($139 / £149 / about AU$210). It uses optical mechanical switches that are also quick and precise. However, the Asus Armory software isn’t up to the same standards as its competitors. It does come with a wrist rest, though.

There are some wireless options available for a similar price, too. The Corsair K65 Wireless is a similar gaming keyboard with a price of $159 / £149 / about AU$250, but it's 75% rather than full size.  

Value: 3 / 5

HyperX Alloy Rise review: specs

close up of HyperX Alloy Rise numpad

(Image credit: Future)

HyperX Alloy Rise review: design and features

  • Solid construction
  • Nondescript looks
  • Uncomfortable on wrists

The HyperX Alloy Rise is fairly restrained and understated, as far as gaming peripherals go. Naturally, there’s some RGB lighting to liven up proceedings, but branding is kept to a minimum. The company logo only appears in the faint indentation above the arrow keys and on a small side badge; the latter is attached magnetically and can be swapped out for others sold by HyperX. 

Aside from these accouterments, there’s very little to distinguish the Alloy Rise from any other workaday keyboard. Some may prefer this level of anonymity, and to my mind, it certainly beats the garish designs many brands adopt in their bid to appeal to gamers.

That said, there are some aesthetic customization options for the Alloy Rise. Like the aforementioned side badge, the top cover is also magnetically attached and can be swapped out for another design made by HyperX. The keycaps can be replaced too (as well as the underlying switches), and while HyperX claims the same is true of the rotary knob, I couldn’t find any replacement examples on its website.

As for the form factor, the Alloy Rise has a substantial depth, but the full-size version has a surprisingly compact layout. One of the major drawbacks of this board, though, is the lack of wrist support. Due to the thick chassis, the keys sit high above the surface, which forced my wrists to bend to an uncomfortable degree and placed too much pressure on the heels of my palms. The back feet help to alleviate the problem somewhat, but not enough to solve the issue completely.

The full-size model I was given to test comes replete with three extra media keys, nestled in the top-right corner above the number pad. Disappointingly, they feel cheap and out of place compared to the rest of the board. However, the rotary knob, which is available on both keyboard size variants and controls the volume, feels nicely notched for smooth yet precise dials. Pressing it also mutes the audio.

close up of rotary knob on HyperX Alloy Rise

(Image credit: Future)

Ngenuity, the peripheral software HyperX provides, has some customization options, including the ability to set primary functions for every key on the board (and secondary ones for most of them too). It even includes a macro recorder. However, there is a distinct lack of media and system-level operations to choose from, and, disappointingly, you can’t change the function of the rotary knob, which could’ve potentially been useful for making other scrolling-based adjustments, such as switching tabs in a browser and the like.

Setting up the RGB backlighting in Ngenuity is a modular process, giving you the ability to add effects from a predefined list, with several to choose from. You can also sync your lighting preferences between compatible HyperX devices. How much mileage you’ll get out of this depends on how you feel about RGB light shows, but the range of options should satisfy those who are keen on them.

Design & features: 3 / 5

HyperX Alloy Rise review: performance

  • Super-fast keys
  • Great for WASD position
  • Easy to mispress

The Alloy Rise features lightly textured PBT keycaps, making for a smooth feel with sufficient tactility. The stock switches on the Alloy Rise are HyperX’s own Red Linear switches, which actuate with the lightest of touches and rebound very quickly. 

This helps to make typing sharper, but I found them to be a double-edged sword: presses are instantaneous, but misfires are all too easy. For those who are used to this level of sensitivity, though, it might not be a problem at all, and I found that I did acclimatize fairly quickly. Another aspect that makes typing a little trickier is that the bumps on the F and J keys aren’t very pronounced, so locating them when touch typing isn’t always easy.

The stock keys aren’t as deep as those on other mechanical boards, which aligns with my preference for shallower keys I can glide over. While they aren’t what you’d call low profile, their short actuation means you don’t have to press very far at all, making typing easier for me compared to other mechanical keyboards I’ve used.

bottom right corner of HyperX Alloy Rise

(Image credit: Future)

Key presses emit the typical mechanical thock, if sounding a little hollower than usual. Coupled with the generous lubrication, this helps to make the Alloy Rise quieter than many of its peers, while still providing enough gratifying feedback.

For gaming, the short travel and sensitive keys are great, although as with typing, I found that I had to be mindful of accidental presses, so this may take some getting used to if you’re coming from less sensitive switch types. 

Adopting the WASD position is comfortable, with all the essential gaming keys within easy reach, particularly the Ctrl key, which I often find uncomfortable to hit. The space bar is a joy to mash with your thumb, but only when used with a wrist rest and the back feet raised, otherwise you’re more likely to hit the back edge rather than the top.

Performance: 4 / 5

Should I buy the HyperX Alloy Rise?

Buy it if…

You want to be fast
The proprietary Red Linear switches made by HyperX are very fast and easy to actuate, making for quickfire strokes.

You want to customize your hardware
The keys and switches can be swapped out on the Alloy Rise, as can the magnetic face plate and side badge for added personalization, although this is quite limited. 

You want to use it with consoles
In addition to Windows PCs, the Alloy Rise is compatible with PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One. Unfortunately, there is no macOS support.

Don’t buy it if…

You have wrist pain
There is no wrist rest with the Alloy Rise, and it sorely needs one, as the thick chassis creates an uncomfortable angle, and the fold-out feet aren’t enough to resolve the issue.

You want the best peripheral software
Although HyperX has its own peripheral software, Ngenuity, it doesn’t offer much in the way of customization, with limited functionality compared to some of its rivals.

You want to go wireless
The Alloy Rise isn’t wireless, which is a shame considering there are now plenty of great wireless gaming boards out there for the same price or even less. 

Also consider

How I tested the HyperX Alloy Rise

  • Tested for two weeks
  • Used for gaming and productivity
  • 10+ years of PC gaming experience

I tested the Alloy Rise for around two weeks. I used it for gaming, playing fast-paced FPS games such as Selaco and others. I also used it for work and general productivity, which included plenty of typing.

I have been PC gaming for over 10 years and have experience with a wide range of keyboards, including mechanical and membrane, wired and wireless, all with varying switch types and keycaps.

Read more about how we test

  • First reviewed July 2024
Lofree Edge review: on a mission for thin and light
12:00 am | July 27, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Keyboards Peripherals & Accessories | Comments: Off

Lofree Edge: Two-minute review

The Edge is Lofree’s attempt to make a mechanical keyboard as thin and as light as possible, and in that respect, it largely succeeds. But when you set aside this stated goal, is it actually a keyboard you’ll want to use?

Well, the most important metric – the typing feel – gets the Edge off to a positive start. Lofree has used custom Kailh POM linear switches underneath its low-profile keycaps, resulting in a soft, smooth action. It’s fast and comfortable, and we very rarely “bottomed out” when typing, meaning no sore fingers at the end of the day. It results in a quiet, satisfying typing sound that Lofree describes as “library-friendly.” We wouldn’t argue with that.

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The Lofree Edge keyboard and MacBook Air laptop against a blue background.

(Image credit: Future)
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The Lofree Edge keyboard and MacBook Air laptop against a blue background.

(Image credit: Future)

The Lofree Edge uses a compact 84-key layout that pushes the arrow keys close to the main body of the keys. That can make finding the right key a little tricky if you’re not used to this layout. It wasn’t a massive problem in games, though – the keys have enough of a raised bump to make finding them by touch simple enough, and games that extensively use the arrow keys are fairly rare.

Lofree has made the Edge as slimline as possible, cutting out extra weight and bulk so that it’s almost as thin as a MacBook Air. You get a magnesium chassis with many holes punched out of the back, low-profile keycaps, and cut-down key switches. Its chassis (excluding the keys) measures 31.9x15.5x1.3cm at its widest (or 1.8cm thick, including the keys). That makes it a dash thicker than the MacBook Air, but it’s close. And at 481g, it’s exceptionally lightweight.

The Lofree Edge keyboard against a blue background.

(Image credit: Future)

However, a byproduct of this process is that the Edge doesn’t feel as high-end as Lofree’s superb Flow keyboard. Yet, at the same time, it is priced much higher, which doesn’t sit well. At the time of writing, the Edge was undergoing crowdfunding on Kickstarter, where it was priced at $129. Yet its regular price will be $249, much higher than the $159 Lofree Flow. Given that state of affairs, we’d pick the Flow every time.

The Edge’s keycaps are made from PBT plastic rather than the more standard ABS, which gives them a slightly textured feel and should help them ward off key shine. It adds to the premium feel of the keyboard, but there is a very noticeable drawback: it’s rare to find PBT keycaps that let backlighting shine through. In the Edge’s case, it’s difficult to see the key legends in dim lighting, a problem exacerbated by Lofree’s decision to use razor-thin lettering on each key. This is much less of a problem on the Flow as it uses thicker key lettering.

The keys’ font choice contributes to the “edgy” aesthetic of the keyboard (perhaps inspiring – or inspired by – the Edge name), which is added to by the exposed screws and carbon fiber top surface. It feels like something out of the late 1990s or early 2000s, like Neo used it to jack into the Matrix. It’s not exactly to my taste, and I’d much rather take legible lettering over this look.

The Lofree Edge keyboard against a blue background.

(Image credit: Future)

One thing I do appreciate, though, is the Edge’s ability to switch between up to three connected devices via Bluetooth on the fly. It can also flip between macOS and Windows layouts with a quick key press. That flexibility means key mappings are always where you expect them to be, no matter which operating system you use.

Lofree also offers a free Configurator app alongside the keyboard. When I tested it (before the Kickstarter campaign had finished), it was extremely rudimentary. Some features didn’t seem to work at all, while others were hard to use due to a confusing workflow and poorly translated text. This is definitely a weak spot for the Edge.

On the back of the device is a toggle that lets you switch between Bluetooth and wired modes, and there’s also a USB-C port for the wired connection. You get two flip-up feet that let you adjust the angle from flat to slightly raised, although the difference between the two is not huge.

If portability is your first priority for a keyboard, the Lofree Edge is a contender. But it’s not just about compactness, as it offers a surprisingly pleasing typing experience for its slender key profile. However, its high price is hard to justify, and its stylized design will cause opinions to split.

Lofree Edge: Price & availability

The Lofree Edge keyboard against a blue background.

(Image credit: Future)

The Lofree Edge is currently available on Kickstarter, where the price is listed as $129. That translates to about £102/$195 AUD. The Kickstarter page indicates that the regular price will be $249 (about £198/$376 AUD) once crowdfunding is over.

That regular price will make it expensive, even for normally pricey mechanical keyboards, and much costlier than the $159 Lofree Flow. The reduced crowdfunding price is more reasonable.

Should you buy the Lofree Edge?

The Lofree Edge keyboard against a blue background.

(Image credit: Future)

Buy the Lofree Edge if...

Don't buy it if...

Lofree Edge: Also consider

How I tested the Lofree Edge

I tested the Lofree Edge over the course of about a week. This included writing articles, browsing the web, and playing games. I used the keyboard on both Windows and macOS and tried switching between different devices and layouts on the go.

Corsair K65 Plus Wireless Keyboard: a responsive, well-featured gaming keyboard that’s great for typing too
4:41 pm | June 13, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Keyboards Peripherals & Accessories | Tags: | Comments: Off

Corsair K65 Plus Wireless Keyboard: one-minute review

Let’s cut to the chase – the Corsair K65 Plus Wireless Keyboard is a fantastic wireless RGB gaming peripheral. Really, the only reasons to stay away are if you need a different form factor, whether it’s a full-size model or something in a more diminutive package, or if you find the price a bit too much to stomach. While plenty of premium gaming keyboards go for a similar price, you can certainly find decent models for much less.

That said, I will say I was essentially smitten the first time I typed on the Corsair K65 Plus Wireless. For me personally, it’s certainly among the best wireless keyboards and best mechanical keyboards out there. Whether it’s one of the best keyboards for you will depend on what you’re looking for, of course.

Outside of the main downsides I already mentioned, the only other reason someone might avoid this keyboard is if they want something that looks a little less like a gaming keyboard. As good as I think this keyboard looks, it still feels more appropriate for a gaming setting than a professional one.

Corsair K65 Plus Wireless Keyboard: price and availability

Connectivity options of the Corsair K65 Plus Wireless

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)
  • How much does it cost? $159.99 / £149.99 (about AU$250)
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it? On sale in the US and UK

Paying $159.99 / £149.99 (about AU$250) for a gaming keyboard is a lot for most people, especially as everything else in life seems to cost a little more these days. For better or worse, though, spending that much on a premium gaming keyboard with wireless connectivity is par for the course.

The Razer BlackWidow V4 75% I reviewed last year, which not only shares the same size, but also allows you to replace keycaps and switches to your heart’s content (in fact, you can use both three- and five-pin switches) goes for $189.99 / £189.99 / AU$349.95. And, since it’s aimed at modders, any first-party additions like different keycaps only adds to that price tag.

Or, take a look at the Yunzii AL71. It costs almost the same depending on where you are ($159.99 / £129 / AU$245), and offers a lot of the same features regarding customization, connectivity, and even being able to switch between Windows and Mac connectivity. It is a slightly smaller form factor and you won’t get the control dial seen on this Corsair keyboard (more on that in a moment).

Value: 4 / 5

Corsair K65 Plus Wireless Keyboard: design and features

Corsair K65 Plus Wireless keycaps

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

As far as the design of the Corsair K65 Plus Wireless goes, let’s start with the basics. This is a 75% sized model, meaning that you forgo a number pad and extra dedicated macro keys as you would see on full-sized options, but you still have the arrow keys as well as Page Up, Page Down, and Home (that you would miss out on with even smaller form factors). Plus, you still have a media key in the form of the control dial in the upper-right corner of the keyboard.

The keycaps have a soft feel with a concave shape to them that makes for easy, comfortable presses. And, since Corsair uses a top mount plate and stabilizers, not to mention pre-lubed switches, every press feels almost like pressing into a firm pillow (that might be a bit hyperbolic, but you get the idea). Each press is stable as the switches and keycaps have no wiggle to them – just a proper up and down motion.

There are also two layers of sound dampening built into the Corsair K65 Plus Wireless, and the Corsair MLX Red switches are designed for quiet operation as well. That makes this among the quieter mechanical keyboards I’ve used.

Corsair K65 Plus Wireless Keyboard Specs

Layout: 75%
Switch: Corsair MLX Red
Programmable keys: Yes
Dimensions: 12.59 x 5.35 x 1.37-inches (LxWxH)
RGB or backlighting: Yes (customizable)

Moving on to connectivity, the Corsair K65 Plus Wireless has just about everything you could ask for. There’s the wireless dongle, of course, for 2.4GHz operation, as well as USB connectivity for wired use and charging. Furthermore, there’s also Bluetooth on hand. Plus, you can pair this keyboard with three different devices and use hotkeys (mapped to Home, Page Up, and Page Down) to switch between each Bluetooth connection.

The controls for switching connectivity, excluding the different Bluetooth sources, are on the back of the keyboard along with another little switch that lets you flip between the Windows and Mac layout, a feature I really appreciate.

Since this is a gaming keyboard, RGB lighting is on hand and it’s quite colorful. You can customize to your heart’s content, even on a per-key basis, in the iCue software. Using that you can also remap all the keys along with some limited but useful customizations for the control dial, which controls the volume by default.

If there’s a missing piece of the puzzle here, for me it’s a nice wrist rest, especially considering the price. However, Corsair does include a keycap puller to remove both the keycaps and switches, which are hot-swappable.

Design: 4.5 / 5

Corsair K65 Plus Wireless Keyboard: performance

Corsair K65 Plus Wireless gaming

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

All this attention to detail spills over to the way the Corsair K65 Plus Wireless performs. Thanks to a polling rate of 1,000Hz and switches that have an actuation point of 1.9mm, not to mention require just 45g of actuation force, this keyboard is as quick as most people will need.

While there are a few keyboards with a higher polling rate or lower actuation point, I would say that pretty much nobody but the most competitive gamers will notice any kind of difference. Even then, I have my doubts.

Whether it’s keeping up with the action in Battlefield 2042, Rocket League, Cyberpunk 2077 (the games I like to use for testing), or any other fast-paced title, there’s no question that this keyboard is up to the task.

I was even able to get the desired results with very light presses, so there’s no need for a heavy hand. Of course, if you are heavy-handed, the switches are rated to last 70 million keystrokes. Since Corsair employs N-key rollover, I never experienced any missed presses either.

More broadly, thanks to all the factors incorporated in its construction that I mentioned before, as well as the fact that the switches are pre-lubed, typing on this keyboard is a dream. In fact, I find that most decent gaming keyboards can keep up with general typing needs. 

Where this keyboard really sets itself apart is with its feel, as I was able to do quite a bit of typing without putting too much pressure on my fingers. Plus, it feels really nice to type on. If you’re willing to splurge, I definitely think the Corsair K65 Plus Wireless is a worthy recommendation.

Performance: 5 / 5

Should I buy the Corsair K65 Plus Wireless Keyboard?

RGB lighting of the Corsair K65 Plus Wireless

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

Buy it if…

You want a lot of features
From being able to hot-swap the switches to changing between a Windows and Mac layout, not to mention all the connectivity options, the Corsair K65 Plus Wireless is about as fully loaded as they come.

You want an accurate, fast, and comfortable typing experience
It’s not only fast and accurate for just about any gaming needs, the K65’s quiet, soft operation makes for a very comfortable typing experience.

Don’t buy it if…

You need to save some money
Let’s be clear: the Corsair K65 Plus Wireless is worth its price. But if you’re on a budget, you can sacrifice some of its quality-of-life features for a cheaper keyboard that will still provide the performance you need.

You need a wrist rest
As comfortable as this keyboard is to use, I’m surprised it didn’t come with its own wrist rest. You can buy a third-party one, but for the price, you would think it would come included.

Also consider

How I tested the Corsair K65 Plus Wireless

  • Used regularly for a couple of weeks
  • Tested with typing as well as gaming
  • Tested all included features

I used the Corsair K65 Plus Wireless Keyboard regularly for a couple of weeks, typing quite a bit on it, as well as playing games. Specifically, I tried fast-paced gaming like Battlefield 2042, Cyberpunk 2077 and Rocket League as well as more sedate games like Starfield. I even tried it with some RTS titles like Iron Harvest.

I looked at other aspects beyond performance, of course. I played with the K65’s programmable features, whether remapping or adjusting RGB, and the various connectivity options.

I’ve tested a lot of tech gear over the years from laptops to keyboards and mice, and so have been able to use my expertise towards giving an honest and fair opinion, not to mention a critical eye, to any product I test.

  • First reviewed June 2024
Logitech Signature Slim K950 review: a great keyboard that’s ideal for Mac, Windows… or both
4:44 pm | May 23, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Keyboards Peripherals & Accessories | Tags: | Comments: Off

Logitech Signature Slim K950: Two-minute review

The Logitech Signature Slim K950 is billed as a keyboard that’s equally comfortable at work or at home, with sensible looks, some advanced functionality and plentiful customization options.

Typing is satisfying on the Logitech Signature Slim K950, thanks to the feel of the keys. At first touch, they feel light and tappy due to the plastic material, but the subtle dampening helps to provide more depth to presses. Logitech claims that this is a quiet keyboard, but as the clashing of the plastics generate a high-pitched sound, I would be reluctant to point this out as a highlight, even if it’s still definitely quieter than a mechanical keyboard. Similar to a laptop keyboard, the profile of the keys is low, although the spacing between them is greater – a combination I personally prefer among the many options in the best keyboards.

The default shortcuts that occupy the function keys are well chosen, too. They’re aimed at the modern worker, with hotkeys for muting a microphone or activating a dictation package, as well as for bringing up a calculator app, screenshot tool, and even an emoji menu. 

These hotkeys can be modified using the Options Plus software, downloadable from Logitech’s website for free. It’s well designed and easy to use, and while it’s stable enough, I did encounter a few minor glitches and a crash on install, although this was easy to rectify.

Options Plus offers a set list of Windows and macOS system-level functions to choose from when customizing the hotkeys, which include actions such as putting your device to sleep and opening a certain app or file, to name a few. You can also create macros, which Logitech calls Smart Actions. The company provides 30 templates to choose from across a range of scenarios, which can be used as they are or edited to meet your specific requirements. Overall, many of these are well considered, although I did find that some of them failed to work as intended.

One of the new standout features in the Options Plus software is the ability to call up an AI Prompt builder, which essentially opens ChatGPT in a popup window at the press of a hotkey of your choosing. It comes with four default prompt templates for productivity purposes, but you can also create your own.

Depending on how much you use the AI chatbot in the course of your work, this is either a very useful tool or merely a gimmick to have fun with. Still, the integration works well enough, barring a few minor niggles.

There’s very little that the Logitech Signature Slim K950 doesn’t do well when it comes to being a tool for most users. The lack of rechargeable batteries, backlit keys and a few minor bugs are the only real issues with the product itself. The greater concern, though, is the cost: it’s hard to see why it’s almost double the price of its predecessor, the Logitech Signature K650, considering that the K650 offers nearly all the same functions and features, save for easy switching.

Close-up of Logitech Signature Slim K950 keys

(Image credit: Future)

Logitech Signature Slim K950 review: Price & Availability

  • $79 / £79 (about AU$120)
  • Graphite and Off-white color schemes
  • K650 is cheaper and almost as good

The Signature Slim K950 is available now for $79 / £79 (about AU$120). It comes in two colorways: Graphite and Off-white.

If you’re looking for a cheaper option, the Signature K650 is another Logitech keyboard aimed at productivity, but has a larger form factor and includes a built-in wrist pad (although in our review, we noted this as an irrelevance). However, the K650 is currently available for $49 / £49 (about AU$75), which offers a considerable saving over the K950. It doesn’t support easy-device switching, but apart from that, it offers virtually everything else the K950 does. 

Although the K950 is a pleasure to use for the most part, if you’re after a supreme typing experience, the Cherry Stream Desktop is a standout choice. Although it lacks many of the advanced features of the K950, the comfort and performance levels elevate it among our best keyboard picks.

  • Value score: 3 / 5

Close-up of Logitech Signature Slim K950 logo

(Image credit: Future)

Logitech Signature Slim K950 review: Design

  • Slender profile
  • Forgettable appearance
  • No rechargeable battery or USB ports

The K950 doesn’t exactly scream style: the Graphite finish I was given to test was quite austere, and the matte plastic made it look rather anonymous. A simple and small ‘logi’ logo is the only branding that adorns the K950, which at least keeps its aesthetic minimal. The slim profile helps to impart some elegance too.

The entire construction is plastic, with no metal in sight. It feels robust enough, as do the keys themselves. They’re tightly fitted with very little play, and the lettering is ever-so slightly embossed, which I could feel under my fingertips. 

The fold-out feet can raise the K950 to an 8-degree incline, which isn’t as steep as other keyboards, and there are no gradients in between. For me, this wasn’t a problem, but if you’re someone who likes a steep typing angle, then this likely won’t be enough for you.

The power switch is located on the top edge of the keyboard and hidden from view, meaning I had to feel for it every time I wanted to turn the K950 on or off. There’s a small LED in the top-right corner to indicate battery level, which flicks on momentarily when you power up the K950 – otherwise, it stays off. 

There’s no backlighting for the keys, which is a shame, but does at least save on battery power. The only lights available are one on Caps Lock and three on the easy switching keys, which again only light momentarily when connecting to devices, or blink rapidly when in pairing mode.

Another small gripe I had with the K950 is the lack of LED indication for the FN lock. If you have the optional Options Plus software installed, it will display an on-screen prompt, but only when the lock is toggled. This meant I had no way of knowing if I had it activated or not without having to toggle it again. This is a small point, but one that, if you plan on using this keyboard to streamline your productivity as much as possible, may become a real thorn in your side over time.

Another notable absence is the lack of a rechargeable battery and ports. Instead, the K950 runs on two AAA batteries. Some may consider this to be an advantage, as it keeps costs down. However, it does mean that you’ll need to change the batteries once flat, and you won’t be able to charge and continue typing, as you can on keyboards with inbuilt batteries. 

  • Design score: 3.5 / 5

Hands typing on the Logitech Signature Slim K950

(Image credit: Future)

Logitech Signature Slim K950 review: Performance

  • Satisfying typing experience
  • Nice hotkey selection
  • Options Plus software is great

Typing on the K950 felt great to me. The keys are clacky and light, but they are also slightly dampened when you press a little firmer, making them suitable for both soft and hard typers alike. Their profile is low, so those who prefer typing on laptops will be right at home here, although the spacing between them is generally bigger compared to most laptop keyboards in my experience – something I personally consider a positive.

Logitech claims that this is a quiet keyboard to type with, but in my experience, I don’t think it’s necessarily quieter than other keyboards in its class. The plastic keys generate a higher-pitched sound, which isn’t exactly loud, but I wouldn’t say they’re dampened enough to eliminate most of the impact; they’re just ‘quiet’ compared to the best mechanical keyboards.

The easy-switching functionality between three devices worked well in my tests, whether it was between macOS, Windows, or Chromebook laptops, or whether they were connected via Bluetooth or the included Logi Bolt USB wireless receiver. I did encounter a hiccup on one occasion, however, when after switching between macOS and Windows devices the hotkeys stopped working on the latter machine. A quick on/off restart of the keyboard fixed the problem, but it’s worth mentioning.

The hotkeys along the top row feature a good selection of productivity-enhancing shortcuts, including window switching, search, mute mic, as well as keys for opening the calculator app, screenshot tool, and a dictation package you have installed. There’s even an emoji menu shortcut – handy for workplace chats.  

They can all be customized in the Options Plus software, which is free to download and provides plenty of additional features and functions for the K950. It displays the battery life as a percentage, and has a support menu where you can rate your experience with the app or inform Logitech of any connectivity issues you might be experiencing.

I did experience a few minor glitches with the software. It crashed on first launch after I installed it on Windows 11, but a relaunch fixed the problem. And every time I put my device to sleep, on both Windows and macOS machines, the application would close by itself. 

Options Plus also launches in a window which isn’t full size, and it can’t be adjusted, which could be an issue for those who like to have their windows larger for the sake of clarity. 

The hotkeys – which occupy the function and navigation keys – can be customized in the software, allowing you to choose what shortcuts they activate from a predefined list. These include simple actions, such as putting your device to sleep, as well as the ability to record keyboard shortcuts. These can be assigned globally or on an app-by-app basis, effectively letting you create profiles for every app you have installed on your device. 

You can also record macros via Logitech’s Smart Actions, which again can be assigned to any of the hotkeys. These allow you to create a series of automated actions to perform certain tasks, including opening apps and recording keystrokes. Anyone who has used Apple's Shortcuts app will be in familiar territory here, as it looks and works very similarly. 

Logitech has 30 templates to choose from to meet the needs of various users. There are those made for productivity and leisure, and those for developers and designers. There are also others specific to meetings and for using popular AI tools. 

Although some of the templates worked well, others that I tested didn’t. For instance, one template is meant to use ChatGPT to reply to an email, by copying text you’ve selected, opening ChatGPT in Chrome, and asking it to draft a reply based on the copied text. The problem I found is that it failed to type in ChatGPT’s prompt box, as it wasn’t automatically selected after opening the page. Since Smart Actions are essentially macros, they can’t account for subtleties such as a dialog box not being selected in a home page, for instance.  

Speaking of ChatGPT, one of the new headline features of the Options Plus software is the AI prompt builder. When assigned to a hotkey of your choice, this displays a small window that connects you to ChatGPT, with a selection of ready-made prompt templates (which Logitech calls “recipes”) to query it. These default recipes include drafting emails and rephrasing text. In order to make it work, you need a user account with OpenAI.

You can also create your own recipes, which involves writing a prompt and choosing two parameters from a possible four that modify the output. The four available are: word length, tone, complexity and style.

Your mileage may vary with this feature, depending on how much you employ the AI tool in the course of your work, but I found the integration to be responsive, and it functioned well for the most part, aside from a few small annoyances. 

When submitting a prompt, you can’t go back to submit another via the recipes list without first closing and reopening the prompt builder menu (if you’d rather not use ChatGPT without going through the prompt builder window, then you can choose to open a window that takes you straight to the main ChatGPT prompt page instead). The prompt window remains on top of all other windows you have open, too, even when not selected. 

  • Performance score: 4.5 / 5

Logitech Signature Slim K950 battery compartment

(Image credit: Future)

Should you buy the Logitech Signature Slim K950?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Logitech Signature Slim K950 review: Also consider

How I tested the Logitech Signature Slim K950

I tested the Signature Slim K950 on Windows, macOS and Chromebook devices for around two weeks. I used it for work, leisure and general productivity, both in the office and at home. 

I tried out all the functions and features it had to offer, including the hotkeys and the customization options in the Options Plus software, to see how well it performed on these fronts.

Asus ROG Strix Scope II RX review: a keyboard for the sophisticated gamer
7:17 pm | April 23, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Keyboards Peripherals & Accessories | Tags: | Comments: Off

Asus ROG Strix Scope II RX: One-minute review

Asus’ ROG Strix Scope II RX is nothing short of impressive. It’s the perfect culmination of clever design decisions and the latest precision switches, and is arguably one of the best-looking keyboards on the market right now. All the bells and whistles are there that you’d expect, and it doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to performance either, with impeccably accurate and rapid linear optical switches.

It’s not flawless, however. It lacks the 8,000 Hz hyperpolling that we’ve seen across a number of competing keyboards, even at this price point, and the fact that the majority of its configuration options are still tied to Asus’ Armory software is a detriment.

Don’t get us wrong, it works - you can tweak things there, but it’s very much a one-and-done experience. Armory still lacks the finer software polish of some of its rivals from the likes of Razer, Steelseries, Corsair, and Logitech. Despite this, it's still a truly stellar piece of hardware that is difficult not to recommend.

The Asus ROG Strix Scope II RX gaming keyboard photographed on a wooden desk.

(Image credit: Future)

Asus ROG Strix Scope II RX: Price & Availability

  • How much does it cost? $140 / £150 (around $210 AUD)
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK and Australia

Asus’s ROG Strix Scope II RX comes in at just shy of $140 / £150 (around $210 AUD) at retail, although you can find it for less than that, particularly around Prime Day and Black Friday. The cheapest we’ve seen so far is around $110 in the US. In the UK it typically hovers around the £150 mark or so. 

That’s a pretty sweet investment for what you’re getting. There are very few keyboards that match it on price, spec-for-spec, with NZXT’s Function 2 and Razer’s Huntsman V2 and V2 Analog being the only boards that come to mind.

Corsair has its K70 RGB Pro as well, priced similarly, which does feature some more advanced hyperpolling features, but it lacks optical switches, giving the ASUS Rog Strix Scope II RX a significant edge in that arena.

  • Value: 4.5
Image 1 of 5

The Asus ROG Strix II RX gaming keyboard photographed on a wooden desk.

(Image credit: Future)
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The Asus ROG Strix II RX gaming keyboard photographed on a wooden desk.

(Image credit: Future)
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The Asus ROG Strix II RX gaming keyboard photographed on a wooden desk.

(Image credit: Future)
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The Asus ROG Strix II RX gaming keyboard photographed on a wooden desk.

(Image credit: Future)
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The Asus ROG Strix II RX gaming keyboard photographed on a wooden desk.

(Image credit: Future)

Asus ROG Strix Scope II RX: Design

  • Incredible aesthetic style
  • Full-sized keyboard
  • Sound-dampened optical switches

The Asus ROG Strix Scope II RX is something else. This is one clean-looking board. Composed of a mix of sandblasted aluminum and plastics, the overall design is stunning. Each key switch is an optical RX linear variant of Asus’ own design, complete with a square-mount design, central RGB LEDs, and an incredible amount of sound dampening thrown in the mix.

It’s those RX switches that are the real stars of the show though. With a 1ms response, and a 100 million key switch life cycle, the top-line stats are impressive enough, but the stability provided is second to none. These are clean, quiet, and incredibly reactive to your touch. In use, it’s unlike anything we’ve tested to date. That’s no doubt thanks to Asus pre-lubing each and every switch on the board. Combine that with the in-built sound-dampening foam as well, and you’re very quickly on to a winning combo here.

Each switch itself has a transparent housing, with a small red accented scissor mechanism inside. The RGB LED sits in the middle, giving it a very unique look. When in use, and set to white, there’s a fleck of red that sparks out at you, providing a very unique look to the overall feel of the board.

The Asus ROG Strix Scope II RX gaming keyboard photographed on a wooden desk.

(Image credit: Future)

Outside of the switches, there’s an integrated media scroll wheel, along with a dedicated “multi-function” button as well, that swaps the scroll wheel’s control between the different modes. You can control volume, media playback, keyboard brightness, and a third option configurable in Asus’ Armoury software. All of which are clearly highlighted in the small LED illumination above the arrow keys. There’s a number of function keys built into the board as well. Although they’re not exactly out of the ordinary.

All the keycaps are PBT double-shot by design, and Asus also includes an additional ROG-style spacebar for you to swap out instead (if you don’t like the stock standard one). Connectivity is handled by a single USB C to USB A cable, and there’s multi-point adjustable feet in the back of the board, to help elevate the unit as well, if you need to.

  • Design: 4.5

Asus ROG Strix Scope II RX: Performance

  • USB connection only
  • Incredibly smooth RX switches
  • Hamstrung by software

We’ve already waxed lyrical about just how good these switches are to use. The RX switches come pre-lubed, and feature an impressive 1ms response time as well. Asus is keeping fairly tight-lipped on all the details here, but they feel about as easy to actuate as a Cherry MX Red, but far quicker on the press. Travel distance seems to be somewhat shallower too, similar to a low-profile switch, but with far less tactile response.

Stability is impressive, and the sound-dampening removes practically every errant ping or mechanical sound you’d otherwise expect to hear. We’re using the RX Linear variant here, so there’s far less audible feedback than with the Tactile version, but there’s still that tell-tale feedback you’d expect to hear if you bottom the key switch out, however, it’s a far softer, far more muted affair than what you’d see from some other competing boards on the market.

For the price, this board is stunning - and it easily keeps up with and often surpasses the likes of Corsair’s K70 and K100 boards, even giving Razer’s excellent Huntsman V2 a run for its money. Just bear in mind that it's not wireless, so you'll need a free USB port to connect it.

The Asus ROG Strix Scope II RX gaming keyboard photographed on a wooden desk.

(Image credit: Future)

The one area that does let it down somewhat however is software configuration. Armory Crate is just incredibly clunky to use. Even a basic install or update takes far too long to get on your machine, never mind navigating to the keyboard options in the app itself. It’s incredibly tedious, and a bit of a shame, particularly given how smooth Asus's own AI Suite is by comparison.

Combine that with the constant barrage of Asus Wallpaper, and login requests to access all the features, and it’s considerably off-putting as an end user. That said, although less sophisticated than its rivals, it’s still plenty usable. With lighting, multi-wheel control, and macros all easily configurable once you’re in the right place, and once you’re done with your initial setup, you can close down the program and head on out of there. There are no hardcore device settings or game-by-game auto-switching profiles to think about (although Asus does include up to 6 profile configurations if you include the default one).

  • Performance: 4

The Asus ROG Strix Scope II RX gaming keyboard photographed on a wooden desk.

(Image credit: Future)

Should You Buy the Asus ROG Strix Scope II RX?

Buy it if...

You want an incredible typing and gaming experience
The RX linear switches are phenomenal. Combine them with an impressive sound-dampening design and you’re on to a winning combo.

You love that ROG design language
The ROG Strix Scope II’s aesthetic is nothing short of awesome. The mix of metals, plastic, and impeccable RGB lighting really makes it stand out from the crowd.

Don't buy it if...

You need wireless connectivity
The ROG Strix Scope II RX features USB wired connectivity only. If you need Bluetooth or Wireless you’re better off looking elsewhere.

You want a TKL-style board
The Scope II RX is a full-size board only, although Asus does have a similar Scope II 96 wireless that’s a touch smaller - though without those RX switches.

You need 8,000 Hz Hyperpolling
Unfortunately, the Strix Scope II is limited to the standard 1,000 Hz hyperpolling. So if you’re a serious competitive gamer, this might not be the board for you.

Asus ROG Strix Scope II RX: Also consider

If our Asus ROG Strix Scope II RX review has you looking for other options, here are two more keyboards to consider...

How I tested the Asus ROG Strix Scope II RX

I used the Asus ROG Strix Scope II RX for several days, replacing my usual at-home desktop keyboards (and now I'm a bit reluctant to let it go). I used it for everything I would normally do: typing documents and responding to emails, with some gaming sprinkled in there to get the full experience.

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed April 2024

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