In Use:

For the most part, the HyperX Alloy will work just like any other keyboard. Their implementation of some of the gaming features requires keyboard shortcuts, since there is no software to install. We'll cover some of these settings, and how you implement them before taking a look at the keyboard all lit up in use.

For example, their "game mode" basically just disables the Windows key so you never pop out of a fullscreen game by accidentally pressing that key. To enter/exit game mode, press the FN + F12 keys simultaneously, a game mode LED in the upper right corner will let you know what your current status is. By default, the keyboard features 6-key rollover, but you can change this to N-key rollover so that every key you press at once will be registered properly. N-key mode is activated by pressing FN + Delete, and you can go back to 6-key mode by pressing FN + Insert. If you want to completely reset the keyboard to default settings, press the FN + ESC keys.

The other item you may want to control is the LED backlighting for the keys. There are five intensity levels and six modes. To raise/lower intensity you use the FN key and the up/down arrows between the main keys and the numerical keys. To change lighting mode, you use the FN key and the left/right arrows in the same bank. Your choices for lighting modes include some standard offerings, including: solid, breathing, trigger, explosion, wave, and a custom mode. The image below shows the keyboard lit up ina fairly low light setting, and the illumination is very obvious. The design of the keys allows the light to wash out underneath each one, creating a nice visual effect, and helping to separate the keys better from a quick glance.



The next image zooms in on one side, where we see the lighting control arrows lit up, as well as the way the light comes out from underneath each key.



The last two images take a look at the keyboard from the other side - revealing plenty of light from the keys, and that the numlock/capslock/game mode indicators are also lit in red when activated.



Overall, the lighting looks great. You can customize the intensity and mode to suit your needs, and while it does not offer the full palette of RGB colors, the red looks very nice.

In use, I really enjoy using this keyboard. In general I prefer less 'clickety clackety' keys than the MX blue switches offer, but the response is very smooth, consistent, and it feels great. I thought the compact layout of the keyboard might take some getting used to, but it really must not be that different, as my hands seem to fit just fine after using a Tesoro Excalibur Spectrum regularly for the past year. Gaming or not, this is a very nice keyboard.