HYPERX ALLOY ORIGINS 65 KEYBOARD REVIEW FOR PC AND MAC.
With the Alloy Origins 65 keyboard, HyperX is combining arguably the best form factor, fantastic gaming features, and solid construction. Not only that but it’s being sold for under $100. It all sounds promising on paper and, I’m happy to say, it delivers! This is my HyperX Alloy Origins 65 review.
Fun extras
Knowing the price tag, I was expecting only the barebones to be included with the Alloy Origin 65. However, HyperX has added some bonus goodies in the form of an additional stylized ESC keycap and an impressive-looking space bar. These join the detachable USB-C cable, keycap puller, and quick start guide.
Ready to go
Setting up the keyboard is as easy as plugging it in. My PC immediately recognized it and I could begin typing. However, there’s also the optional NGenuity software which can be used to further customize functions, RGB, and other settings. This is a relatively lightweight app that I’ve had no issues with keeping installed.
PBT is a win!
With it fully set up, it was time to get to testing. As I started typing, I immediately felt the familiar texture of the PBT keycaps, which are always nice to see. Like with all good smaller keyboards, the Alloy Origins 65 has the secondary functions printed on the keycaps in addition to the usual letters, numbers, etc., so it’s easy to double-check them before you activate them.
Buy the HyperX Alloy Origins 65 on Amazon.com
These keycaps let a generous amount of RGB lighting through, especially when the additional space bar is attached. NGenuity can once again be used to customize the RGB lighting beyond what’s possible on the keyboard itself, but I mostly stuck to a standard stationary lighting mode.
Aqua or Red?: No wrong answers
Beneath the keycaps are either Aqua tactile or Red linear switches. At this point, I’ve used both of HyperX’s key switches and I’m a big fan of both. The Red option is great for those who are spending most of their time gaming and can appreciate how easy they are to actuate, with very little fatigue during long gaming sessions.
I prefer Aqua for when I’m typing up reviews and scripts or for general PC use. The tactile bump makes for a more interesting typing experience, though it could get a little fatiguing during games where WASD are being spammed.
Nice and heavy
These switches sit within an aluminum body which is hefty and feels like quality. You don’t need to worry about this keyboard accidentally sliding across the desk or anything like that.
Go 65% or go home
We’re seeing more and more mainstream brands lead towards the 65% form factor, and it’s with good reason. For me, it falls perfectly between the compact 60%, which cuts away unnecessary keys to leave more room to swing a mouse, and the TKL/tenkeyless, which chops the number pad but keeps the important F-row and arrow keys.
As you can guess from the name, the Alloy Origins 65 adopts the 65% form factor to keep it compact without forgoing the dedicated arrow, Page Up/Down, Home, and Delete keys. It’s my favorite layout for getting work and play done.
No hot-swap, but that’s it
The only thing I’m really missing when using the Alloy Origins 65 is hot-swap support. Being able to swap out the stock key switches for something else is the latest must-have feature that keyboard enthusiasts look for. Having a hot-swap board makes it easy to refresh the typing experience with a new feel, not to mention the simplicity of repairs as you swap out one defective key switch for another that works.
HyperX Alloy Origins 65 Review: The final verdict
Coming in at just $99.99 (Edit: It’s currently $69.99 here at the time of writing!), the HyperX Alloy Origins 65 is a fantastic deal that undercuts much of the mainstream competition without sacrificing any major features. The one thing it’s missing is hot-swappable switch support, but for those who can live without it, HyperX’s latest keyboard release is well worth upgrading to.
Alloy Origins 65 review unit was provided by HyperX.
