HyperX has just expanded their Alloy Origins Core line of Mechanical Gaming Keyboards with a new model featuring tactile HyperX Aqua switches. This latest offering is just a smaller, more compact version of its bigger brother Alloy Origins. It houses a tenkeyless layout and is competitively priced at $89. Let’s check out how these new Aqua switches compare to their more linear HyperX Red variant.
HyperX Aqua Tactile Switches
Since HyperX first debuted their line of mechanical keyboards, we have found them to be some of the best on the market, always exhibiting tremendous build quality, excellent feedback and impressive tech. The Alloy Origins Core model here today is no different. This tenkeyless model is however sporting something brand new, which are the latest HyperX Aqua Tactile Switches. For the past several weeks, I have properly broken in this Core model, using it for just about all daily tasks. Before we dive into my impressions, let’s cover everything that is included here and why it’s an immense bargain.
Each Alloy Origins Core Mechanical Gaming Keyboard features excellent HyperX mechanical switches with exposed LEDs that illuminate with 5 levels of vivid RGB intensity. The keyboard can be adjusted to 3 different angles and everything is once again encased within an aircraft-grade aluminum chassis. These are constructed like tanks, showcasing impressive weight, top shelf parts and some of the best build quality on the market. The board exhibits zero flex and is just rock solid as we have come to expect from this brand.
There is onboard memory for up to 3 separate profiles on the Core. This is extremely handy as you can customize the look and effects through the HyperX NGENUITY Software. It connects to your PC and is powered through the included Type-C braided USB cable.
The Alloy Origins Core is a tenkeyless keyboard built for gamers that prefer compact design, but at the same time want all the tech and features of the full sized original Alloy Origins. HyperX listened and the Core model comes packed with all your favorite features including Game Mode, 100% anti-ghosting and N-key rollover functionalities.
The new HyperX Aqua Tactile Switches provide a bit more resistance. It’s a slight difference in feel and responsiveness, but one I really enjoy. It provides just a tad more feedback with each input due to the higher resistance in place for these Aqua switches. Technical Specs include an actuation force of 45g, a traveling distance of 1.8mm and 3.8mm of total travel. Its more compact dimensions also allows it to come in lighter on the scale at 1.9 lbs versus the full size Alloy Origins at 2.4 lbs. These keys carry the same standard HyperX rating for 80 million keystrokes, so you can rest knowing this keyboard has been engineered for both optimum performance and extreme durability.
HyperX NGENUITY Software
The HyperX NGENUITY Software is compromised of some impressive tools for customizing your lighting, macros, effects, button bindings and even has the ability to enable or disable keys as you see fit. You can take your time and truly tailor this keyboard to your liking. It’s a ton of fun to play around with the different transitions, colors, opacity and speed settings. It continues to improve with every update as well.
Conclusion
The HyperX Alloy Origins Core with Aqua Tactile Switches proves to be an excellent option in their already outstanding lineup of Mechanical Gaming Keyboards. Its tenkeyless layout provides an extremely compact option for gamers looking to save some space on their desktop or for those looking for a quality keyboard that can easily be stowed away in a backpack while on the move. The Aqua Switches by HyperX provide outstanding feedback via the small tactic bump in place at the point of actuation, requiring a tad more pressure with each input than our full sized Alloy Origins with lighter linear based switches. It’s yet another home run in our books, where it all comes down to personal choice in preferred switches and desired keyboard layout. If your priorities are mobility and firm responsive feedback, this will fit the bill nicely.
