HyperX Alloy Core RGB membrane gaming keyboard review / Overclockers.ua

The HyperX Alloy series of gaming keyboards has been replenished – Kingston Technology has released a new Alloy Core RGB model. True, unlike the mechanical HyperX Alloy FPS and Alloy Elite, the novelty turned out to be membrane, while it supports the Anti-Ghosting / Key Rollover functions that mechanical models are equipped with. Let’s see how the fresh keyboard turned out, reveal its advantages and disadvantages.

Specifications

Contents of delivery

HyperX Alloy Core RGB comes in a compact red and white box. The front shows the keyboard itself and indicates the presence of RGB backlighting. On the back, the manufacturer posted photos of the main features of the novelty.

Inside the box, in addition to the keyboard itself, there is a pack of waste paper.

Appearance

The HyperX Alloy Core RGB model has a minimalistic design with a branded RGB strip along the entire length of the case, a beveled and stylized front, as well as an abundance of multimedia keys. At the top and in the middle is a plastic HyperX logo made to look like metal.

The keyboard is equipped with a standard type block with long Shift and single-line Enter. F1 is located exactly above the “2” button, and the only function key Fn is located to the right of the space bar.

The laser engraving is neat, the letters are thick in both layouts, but the Latin is thicker than the Cyrillic. There is no Ukrainian layout on our copy, and typical serifs for the convenience of touch typing on the “F” and “J” keys are shifted down the buttons. The concave caps are soft to the touch and smooth, and if you shake them with your finger, they barely move or make any extra sounds.

In the upper left corner of the HyperX Alloy Core RGB are three multimedia keys: changing the brightness of the RGB backlight, switching its modes, and a button to enable the function, in which the keyboard blocks the Windows key.

In the upper right corner there are seven more multimedia keys and three LED indicators. Directly above the digital block are buttons for turning on / off tracks, as well as their rewind or switch. Above them are volume switches, and to the left of them are three indicators.

The HyperX Alloy Core RGB membrane keyboard received silent keys with a tactile response, like in gaming models, as well as an Anti-Ghosting function.

The body of the novelty is tilted forward. The top three rows of keys are beveled to the front, and the bottom three are beveled to the opposite side. Retractable legs raise the keyboard by 1.5 cm, and on the side faces there are stylized corrugated cutouts that smoothly transition to the back panel.

A non-detachable 1.8m braided cable is secured to the middle back of the keyboard.

On the underside of the HyperX Alloy Core RGB are two flip-out feet and four serrated silicone inserts that prevent the keyboard from moving freely around the table.

A sticker with useful information for the user was placed in the center.

The model in question was equipped with RGB backlighting with three brightness levels and six effect modes (iridescent colors, spectral wave, intermittent, constant, 5 zones and dawn). The glow is bright and even, all the keys glow the same, no dark zones were noticed.

Functionality

HyperX Alloy Core RGB does not support the HyperX NGenuity proprietary program, and all available functions are launched using the Fn key combination and seven multimedia buttons.

Ergonomics and testing

With its relatively small design, really quiet keys, and the ability to turn off the RGB backlighting, the Alloy Core RGB keyboard is suitable for both long gaming sessions and office work.

The buttons are soft and very responsive. With them it is convenient to type large texts or play action games and FPS. You won’t achieve complete silence when typing or running wild in the same shooter, but this is the quietest keyboard I’ve ever seen or tested. Perhaps there are quieter models, but I don’t know about them. If you know such “quiet”, write models in the comments.

With a weight of 1121 grams, the novelty stands confidently on any surface, does not slip and does not “move out” to the sides during games or printing. The keyboard is hard to move, even if you want to.

The keyboard has a reinforced frame made of reinforced plastic and according to the creators, it was equipped with a waterproof design that can withstand up to 120 ml of spilled liquid. I did not test the last feature, but the HyperX Alloy Core RGB case is really durable, does not bend by hand at all, does not crack or hold together. Dark matte plastic collects dust well, but the fingers on it are almost invisible.

Results

HyperX Alloy Core RGB is a stylish membrane keyboard with HyperX’s signature bright light bar, soft and quiet keys, and reinforced plastic housing. Its small size allows you to install the novelty on any table, and with switchable RGB lighting, this model can be used both for gaming at home and in the office. There is no wrist rest here, but the average height of the keys allows you to type for a long time without discomfort or discomfort. The keyboard does not support the proprietary HyperX NGenuity application, however, all available functions and backlight modes are quickly and without problems launched from a couple of buttons on the panel. Alloy Core RGB is suitable for all lovers of membrane models or those owners of mechanics who are looking for something in between the lightning-fast tactile feedback of mechanical keyboards and quiet elastic membrane keys.