With a steel plate on top, it looks sturdy, although the ABS keycaps seem to be of inferior quality. It has dedicated multimedia keys, which is great if you like to listen to music while playing games, and a USB passthrough for charging your phone or connecting your mouse. Unfortunately, it does not come with a wrist rest, so typing for long periods of time may tire you out. HyperX began producing its own high-quality mechanical switches last year. With this adjustment, the Kingston subsidiary chose to rethink its first gaming keyboard, the HyperX Alloy Elite, modernizing the design and replacing its switches with Cherry MX switches from the original model. The name Alloy Elite 2 ($129.99) is rather misleading, because there are not many differences from the Alloy Elite RGB. However, the changes do improve the look and feel of the keyboard in a generally modest but noticeable way. Thanks to these changes and a $40 price cut, the Alloy Elite 2 is now a more impressive specimen, even if it lacks some features that other top gaming boards offer.
Design
The Alloy Elite 2 is a solid tool. Literally. A solid steel frame ensures that this full-size keyboard weighs just over 1.5 kilograms, so it won’t budge an inch even during the most concussive Valheim sessions. Visually, the large, two-tone keys are reminiscent of an old-school word processor, but the comfortable top bar with rounded media keys provides an elegant balance. At the bottom of the bar is also a thin line of LEDs that illuminate the way. At the top left of the keyboard is an RGB brightness switch, a profile button, and an option to turn on game mode, so you have everything under control. To set it up, simply plug in the thick braided cable and go. There is also a handy USB 2.0 pass-through cable. That way, if you have a free USB port on your PC, the charging port is well hidden at the top of the keyboard. To customize the keyboard, you need to download HyperX’s Ngenuity software from the Microsoft Store. This did not happen automatically for us, so we had to visit the HyperX Web site to find the download link. A simple software update and we were ready to go with flames under our fingers.
HyperX Alloy Elite 2 review: Features
These internal switches clearly differ from the Cherry MX found in earlier Alloy Elite 2 models. The quickness of a much more sensitive bridge and the breath that many appreciate in a red switch are both provided by significantly shorter travel times for each key pressed. Despite the fact that only red switches are currently available in Alloy Elite 2, it should be noted that you still get great comfort and responsiveness for both typing and faster gaming. Therefore, even though this switch offers faster and smoother response than the upper Cherry red switches, without the jarring sound of a speed-focused blue switch, for example, people who rely on tic reflex implementation bumps might still feel a bit slower. Along the top row, additional functionality is provided by separate media buttons, each of which has a satisfying click, and a less tactile volume scroll wheel. Since the first Alloy Elite, the feature set has not changed much, but it has never been disrupted. Although it does make prolonged periods of time more difficult, it dispenses with the wrist support provided with the previous model.
Keys
It is incredibly comfortable to type on these keys. The internal HyperX Red switches have a slightly softer tone than typical mechanical switches, making them less annoying than other keyboards if you are not the one typing. Although it takes some getting used to, the keys have a wonderful weight to them-they are tactile, if you will. When we first started using the HyperX Alloy Elite 2, our fingers were tripping over each other like a spider on roller skates, but once we got used to it, we found how incredibly easy and satisfying it was to use. This translated into an extremely rewarding gaming experience. You will enjoy using the keyboard to play anything you want because of its convenience. When throwing sticky grenades in Halo 3, the responsiveness and satisfying noise of each key press only enhances the gaming experience. read our HyperX Alloy Elite 2 review article.
RGB lighting
HyperX’s translucent keycaps enable eye-catching lighting effects. Users can admire the full splendor thanks to the redesigned key installation and 16,777,216 RGB/LED lightbar color options. NGENUITY software can be downloaded on the HyperX website to manage all this power. Users can adjust the speed, angle and opacity of the lighting effects for each individual button. Playing around with the various functions, we were fascinated. The internal memory of Alloy Elite 2 supports 3 different profiles, and the brightness presets have 5 levels: 0-25-50-75-100%.
HyperX Alloy Elite 2 review: Software
The HyperX NGenuity beta software should allow you to adjust the Alloy Elite 2’s RGB lighting for each key. However, the software was not yet available because we received this keyboard before its official release. The keyboard’s internal memory can hold up to three custom profiles thanks to the software. The dedicated button on the keyboard makes it easy to change profiles.
Performance
The HyperX Alloy Elite 2 performs well in everyday use as well as in the middle of the battlefield. The speed and feel of typing are still incredibly smooth, while supporting the sensitivity required in the most demanding gaming moments. The reduced travel time means that only a small actuation force is needed to register the keys, but the linear switch design ensures that the keys are still solid. This way you still get the speed you need to compete without having to quickly learn your board to avoid accidental actuation. Everything is smooth and precise, even during Fall Guys’ most eventful runs and Rocket League’s most desperate goal attempts. And with a full-size deck and three built-in profiles to save your own macro customizations, there is plenty of overall deck flexibility. Longer gaming sessions were somewhat hampered by the lack of a wrist rest, although the deck is not too tall, meaning you don’t have to angle your wrists too much to get through it comfortably.
HyperX Alloy Elite 2 review: Conclusion
Due to the consistently high quality of its peripherals, HyperX is well known in the gaming industry. The HyperX Alloy Elite Gaming Keyboard was introduced. There are two versions: the first contains RGB LEDs, while the second has only static red LEDs. The Cherry MX blue, brown, and red switches are still used on the keyboard. However, in this section of our review of the HyperX Alloy Elite 2 we will focus on the new features added by HyperX. The HyperX Alloy Elite 2 now uses HyperX switches, released last year, unlike its predecessor. The HyperX Alloy Elite RGB keyboard, which was Kingston’s previous model, has received an update. New sturdy keycaps have replaced the Cherry MX switches, and the LEDs are now brighter.
