[Product name]: Two-minute review
The Alienware AW420K gaming keyboard and the Alienware AW720M gaming mouse have been launched by Aurora R15, the former of which is a mechanical keyboard equipped with Cherry MX red switches. And as with other Alienware keyboards, this one screams premium with its build quality, programmable hot keys, RGB lighting, and more. Not to mention the always great Alienware Command Center software, which is easy to use and allows you to customize your keyboard in almost any way. If you ask best game developersA hot competitor.
Keys feature all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a developer the best mechanical keyboard. That includes anti-spirit and N-key rollover, the industry standard cherry MX red switches from Dell boast of having an actuation life cycle of 100 million (which means that even the heaviest typings-heavy user will burn through this keyboard for years), and PBT keycaps with double shooters that wear and They can handle broken keys. Per-key RGB backlighting is also fully customizable through Alienware software. Finally, the rods mount directly to a lightweight metal plate, which makes cleaning and maintenance a breeze.
Because of the red rods, each key has a beautiful, tactile feel lighter than the Black Cherry. If you want something extra clicky and loud, then you’ll have to look elsewhere, but in my opinion, these relics offer a great balance, offering more than enough feedback mechanically, while not stripping away the sense of touch beyond. rods The keys are a little on the narrow side, and if you don’t have piano fingers, then you’ll feel like you’re dealing with a mistype at times. I was able to adjust after a while, but it would interfere with my typing and gambling until I could. I also wish that you could customize the switches either through Dell’s boards or by yourself, as one of the joys of having a mechanical keyboard is to create a property that works perfectly for you.
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The Alienware AW420K comes in two gorgeous color palettes that match the Alienware AW720M gaming mouse and the Alienware Aurora R15 gaming PC, Dark Side of the Moon and Light of the Moon. Although they are all black, the chassis has a unique and stunning design that is complemented by RGB lights. This is also a gorgeous white color that is sure to get some attention from anyone who has your look. It’s refreshing to have such a distinct design and color choice considering how common the game’s aesthetic is.
Due to its tenkeyless design, it takes up less space than a normal keyboard with a lock pad. A balance between full keyboards and 60/65% versions that throw the arrow keys together. Although I’m not a personal fan of this format, it’s useful for those who don’t need a coin lock, allowing them to keep real estate in the box that can get something valuable. It’s also light enough, weighing less than two pounds, to make it easier to carry around, although it can’t beat the portability of one of the best mini keyboards.
The Alienware AW420K keyboard cable includes a USB-C to USB-A keyboard conversion cable. On the other hand, this means that the latency is non-flowing, which is one of the main factors for dedicated gaming keyboards, especially for hardcore and professional gamers who cannot afford a single delay between a key press and an onscreen action. For those looking for extra portability, however, a wired keyboard may be a bit of a tougher sell.
Alienware AW420K: Price & Availability
- How much does it cost? $149.99 / £145 VAT / AU$238.70
- Where is it available? now available
- Where did you get it? Dell’s online store in the US, UK and Australia
Despite the premium price on the Alienware AW420K, it’s actually a bit more affordable than comparable tenkeyless keyboards on the market. For example, Apex Pro TKL sits at $189.99 / £189.99 / AU$219.99 while Logitech G915 TKL Lightspeed Retails for $230 / £199 / AU$380. Only Roccat Vulkan TKL It’s much cheaper at $129/£119/AU$209.
As with many other Dell products, including the Alienware brand, the Alienware AW420K is available in the US, UK and Australia for $149.99 (£145 including VAT / AU$238.70). With a premium brand and build quality, the pricing shows what could turn it away from dedicated mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Only the US has both the Dark Side of the Moon and Light Moon colors, the latter costing more than $10. In the UK and Australia it only has a dark version of the moon, which is a little disappointing for those who have a more visible color than black.
Alienware AW420K: Specs
| Layout: | tenkeyless |
| will pass | Cherry Red MX |
| Programmable keys: | forks |
| Dimensions: | 14.5 x 5.8 x 2.2 inches (32.2 x 11.2 x 4cm) |
| RGB or backlighting: | rgb * |
Should you buy the Alienware AW420K?
| value | The quality of TKL is great with the lovely design of the developers, although the price is a bit high. | Four. five |
| design | It’s nice and well built with great software support, but you can’t switch switches or keycaps. | Four. five |
| performance | He does not act in any secret at all. | 5 / 5 |
| average rating | Row 3 – Cell 1 | Four. five |
Buy if…
Do not buy if…
Alienware AW420K: Also consider
| Alienware AW420K | Apex Pro TKL SteelSeries (2023) | Logitech G915 TKL Lightspeed | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prices: | $149.99 / £145 VAT / AU$238.70 | $189.99 / £189.99 / AU$219.99 | $230 / £199 / AU$380 |
| Layout: | TKL | TKL | TKL |
| will pass | Cherry Red MX | OmniPoint Product Mechanical SWITCH PB | GL mechanical switches |
| Programmable keys: | forks | forks | partial |
| Dimensions: | 14.5 x 5.8 x 2.2 inches (32.2 x 11.2 x 4cm) | 355.44 x 139.26 x 40.44mm | 5.91 x 14.49 x 0.87 inches (150 x 368 x 22mm) |
| RGB or backlighting: | rgb * | rgb * | rgb * |
How I tested the Alienware AW420K
- I spent about two weeks testing the keyboard
- I tested its portability, typing sensitivity and gaming performance, among other things.
- I have used this keyboard as both a gaming and productivity device, connected to my personal computer.
Once I got the Alienware AW420K, I connected it to my personal gaming PC and started testing the switches for touch response, stability and ease of typing. After that, I played various PC games to test game performance and latency.
This keyboard is primarily suited for gaming, as it uses the switches that are common to those you ordered. It’s also wired, which completely eliminates latency issues, something that hardcore and professional gamers can’t deal with.
Having experienced many gaming peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and headsets, I am more than qualified to understand how to properly test these devices to see how well they work in their intended application.
We pride ourselves on our independence and rigorous review testing process, providing long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained – regardless of the release of the device, if you can still buy it; It’s a radar for us.
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First reviewed April 2023
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