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Mechanical keyboards used to be rare and exotic beasts reserved primarily for top-of-the-line PC builds or folks whose job it is to spend all day behind a computer mashing out thousands of words at a furious clip. Now, though, the appeal of clacking mechanical switches has spread among the greater computer-using population, giving rise to cheaper and more diverse keyboards suitable for both the enthusiast crowd and the more casual audience.
With so many options on the market, it's tough for any one to stand out. HyperX's solution to this problem is to create a keyboard that subverts one of the most iconic aspects of mechanical design: that stiff, typewriter-esque resistance you feel every time you hit a key. By incorporating Kailh Silver Speed switches into its new Alloy FPS RGB keyboard rather than the typical Cherry MX variety, HyperX pairs the sturdiness and reliability of mechanical technology with the soft feel of a regular membrane keyboard.
It's a curious approach, one that's likely to be just as divisive as the punchy feedback of a standard mechanical board. But how does it fare in action? Let's take a look.
I can't fault HyperX's approach with the Alloy FPS RGB, but neither can I really get behind it. On paper, ultra-responsive keys would seem to be an easy win, but in practice I found them too responsive for their own good. Folks with a lighter touch may find that hyper sensitivity quite attractive, but even after a week of heavy use I couldn't get a handle on those Kailh Silver Speed switches.
That said, if the prospect of excess noise or calloused fingers has kept you on the fence about buying a mechanical keyboard, the HyperX Alloy FPS RGB might just be the board to tip you over.
The HyperX Alloy FPS RGB is available now and retails for $189 at retailers like Amazon, JB Hi-Fi and Mwave.
With its ultra-sensitive Kailh Silver Speed switches, the HyperX Alloy FPS RGB is designed for those who want a softer, quieter take on a mechanical keyboard.
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