Closer Look
The Alloy Elite keyboard arrived in a retail package. We’ve received UK version which is slightly different than US version. Actually the only difference which I see are single keys in other places like #, ” or @. Maybe I’ve missed something. It doesn’t change the fact that changes are not significant and it still depends what keyboard layout is set in Windows.
Package already shows that inside is high quality product. HyperX Alloy Elite keyboard has similar package design as previously reviewed HyperX Pulsefire FPS mouse. Black and red colours dominate on the package and the product inside.
Exterior of the box is telling us what we can find inside. Except typical product description there are also logos of the gaming teams and certificates which are suggesting it’s a professional gaming gear.
In the package we will find the keyboard, wrist rest, short manual, additional keycaps and keycap removal tool. Simply all you may need to use the product.
The Alloy Elite keyboard is whole black. Every side of this keyboard is black but materials are changing. Because of steel frame, the keyboard is quite heavy. It’s good because won’t slide on the desk. There are also rubber pads which are helping in that too.
As most keyboards, also this one has two-level height. Depends on the desk and user preferences one or the other is more comfortable. The same usage of detachable wirst rest depends on user preferences. Personally I’m not using it but it can be helpful if you are playing games or simply typing for a long time. There is also one other reason why it’s good to use it – tall keys. Even tought keys are reacting quick and typing is really easy and fast, keys are quite high above the desk and wirst rest is helping so the wirsts won’t be in the air all the time.
Above you can see photos of the wirst rest. It’s whole made of plastic but is soft in touch.
Keyboard is connected via two USB 2.0 cables. On the back of the keyboard is pass-though USB port to which we can connect mouse or some other device. All cables are braided and are really solid. It’s really hard to damage them. Not only cabled but the whole keyboard was designed to last. Regardless if you hit it with something or drop on the ground, it should work without issues. Steel frame and all other features should keep it safe for years.
Keys are one of the most importing things in the Alloy Elite. All of them have LED lighting so it’s easier to play in a dark room. There are also couple of modes which are more or less usefull. Let’s say that pulsing mode won’t be the best option if you want to focus on the game but gives nice effect. We can enable or disable lighting anytime with single button. Simple and functional.
Installation is as simple as connect the keyboard to USB port and all is working. I don’t think anyone will have problems with that so I won’t spend more time on this topic. Or maybe I hope that our readers won’t have problems with something as simple.
Keys are also easy to remove with designed for that tool. On the photos you can see how LEDs look like after removing the WSAD and numeric keys which we replaced with additional set of keys. Really quick and easy.
On the last page you could see a video where are presented all lighting modes. On the photos you can also see various settings.
The only LEDs which are not red are caps lock, num lock and scroll lock. These small LEDs are white and you can see the on the right side of the keyboards.
Below are couple photos of the keys. Our keyboard has Cherry MX Red switches which are really quick. At first I wasn’t sure if I’m going to like it but I actually feel like I’m typing faster than on any standard keyboard. Keys are reacting even if you won’t push them till the end. Have to get use to it but for me it was about two days and now all is great.
I was playing on the Alloy Elite keyboard for couple of days. With each day I feel it’s better so I guess that professional gamers who are used to this keyboard have to love it. So far it’s the best keyboard on which I was playing. I’m not testing every available gaming gear but I’m demanding user so if the Alloy Elite made impression on me then it has to be good. Right now I’m using it to create this review and after that I will probably play some Black Desert Online.
The only thing I’m missing are programmable keys. To be honest, befofe this review I wasn’t even checking specification of the Alloy Elite keyboard so I was a bit surprised that gaming keyboard which clearly isn’t cheap, doesn’t have additional programmable keys. It’s not a must for most gamers but could be nice addition for some who are playing MMORPG or other games with many shortcuts. It’s maybe because I don’t really play FPS games and I focus more on RPG and strategy series.
One of the most handy features of the Alloy Elite is volume wheel and media buttons. We can find media buttons in other keyboards but not the wheel. Now when I’m using it I guess I will miss it on other keyboards.
This keyboard has really everything I need and I’m the user who hates where are too many buttons and too many features which I’m never using. Here are additional buttons but I’m using everything and everything works great.
Above are additional photos of the keyboard in dark. I guess that users are waiting on RGB version of this keyboard as not all are fans of the black/red theme. For me red looks great but it’s not hard to notice that most gaming products in last years were black/red what can be a bit boring already.
