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Alienware is dipping a mechanical digit into the world of minimalist gaming keyboards with the AW420K, a $149.99 keyboard with a tenkeyless form factor. Commonly called “TKL” models, tenkeyless boards jettison the numeric keypad to reduce a keyboard’s desk footprint. Though it isn’t as small as the truly truncated 60 percent and 65 percent keyboards increasingly coveted by enthusiasts, the Alienware’s thin, compact design makes it feel more compact on your desk. The smaller size pairs well with Alienware’s distinctive keyboard style, so the AW420K is a great fashion piece that works well for both gaming and typing. That said, it lacks any standout quality-of-life features, or options for switches other than Cherry MX Reds, so it’s merely one of many good TKL choices for gamers, instead of a clear champion.
A TKL From Another Planet
The Alienware AW420K is the very epitome of a TKL keyboard. Its 87-key design features the same layout as a full-size keyboard minus everything to the right of the cursor arrow and navigation keys. That means no number pad or Num Lock key. There’s one small wrinkle, layout-wise: The three keys on the far right of the top function row, normally Print Screen, Screen Lock, and Pause, are turned into audio volume controls, with their traditional tasks relegated to secondary status (toggled via the Fn key). For most people, including me, that’s a useful swap; Print Screen, Screen Lock, and Pause rarely come into play in everyday typing, but I’m fiddling with the volume all the time.
(Credit: Kyle Cobian)
The primary selling point for the AW420K is its smaller, slimmer body. Until now, Alienware has made only full-size gaming keyboards, and hasn’t been shy about making them very large. The chassis of many of the company’s most recent keyboards extend well past the edges of the keys, giving the bodies a distinctive elongated-hexagonal shape. The AW420K drops all that cosmetic mass, as well as the numeric keypad, for a smaller, tighter profile. Measuring 1.6 by 14.4 by 5.8 inches (HWD), the keyboard is of average size for a TKL, but the dense block of keys and thin, rounded base make it appear small and sleek.
Though it’s more subdued than most Alienware products, the AW420K features just enough flair to make it stand out in a lineup. Like the last few Alienware keyboards, including the low-profile AW510K, the TKL’s black, plastic-coated base features a stretched-out elliptical shape. It’s round on the sides, and the front and rear feature a small lip to highlight the shape. It’s actually more noticeable with the AW420K, I think, since there’s less going on with the design.
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(Credit: Kyle Cobian)
As for the keys, the AW420K features Cherry MX Red switches exclusively beneath black PBT keycaps. Cherry Reds, a typical go-to for gaming keyboards, are linear-style switches that require less force to actuate than other styles. A lighter touch is great for competitive games where you need to act fast, but may also lead to more typing mistakes since it’s easier to accidentally press a key with the side of a finger. In fairness, I’ve been using the AW420K for about a week and I haven’t made an especially large number of errors, so these are subtle nuances.Â
While Cherry MX Reds are excellent switches, they’re not for everyone; since I spend as much time writing reviews as I do gaming, I tend to prefer tactile switches like Cherry MX Browns. It’s common for manufacturers to offer multiple versions of a keyboard with different mechanical switches, but Alienware here locks you into a single choice, which may put off keyboard aficionados or gamers with specific switch-feel tastes. (See our guide to mechanical switch types.)
(Credit: Kyle Cobian)
Last, but not least, there’s connectivity. In keeping with modern keyboard trends, the AW420K features a detachable USB Type-C-to-A cable, which is removable for easy storage and transportation. If you like to take a keyboard with you when you travel, this will make your life a little easier. The underside of the board offers routing for the cable in either direction, so you can run the cord smoothly whether your PC sits on the left or right side of your desk.
Taking Command: The Software
You can create custom keymaps and customize the RGB lighting via Alienware Command Center, the company’s hybrid configuration app and game launcher. Through the app, you can change each key to a custom macro or shortcut, and either adjust the backlighting under each key or select a prefab lighting pattern.
Alienware Command Center can store as many keyboard profiles as you like and map them to specific games or apps, making it easy to summon and use game-specific configurations. The keyboard also lets you store up to five profiles on board and carry them between devices, like most premium gaming keyboards do.
(Credit: Alienware)
While the utility is generally simple and straightforward, I’ve found myself butting heads with Alienware Command Center a time or two. Unlike many configuration apps, it doesn’t let you simply click on a key to change it; instead, you must go to a macro menu, which includes many types of alternative inputs. That’s not difficult once you know what to do, but it isn’t an intuitive workflow. It’s an acceptable option for macro lovers, but some other brands have better configuration software.
A Down-to-Earth Keyboard
Overall, the Alienware AW420K is a very solid TKL keyboard, and the best Alienware keyboard I’ve tried. Its compact size gives you extra desk space without compromising the typing experience. It looks sharp, too, in a subtle way that may appeal to you even if Alienware’s over-the-top aesthetic normally doesn’t.
(Credit: Kyle Cobian)
That said, at $149.99, it costs more than many of our favorite TKLs, including the Corsair K70 TKL Championship Edition and the SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL. Most TKLs run from around $99 to $120, which makes sense given that they are smaller with fewer keys than full-size boards and rarely offer quality-of-life frills such as volume rollers or USB pass-through ports. Given the price, I’d have liked to see something that makes the AW420K more useful than a basic TKL keyboard. That said, if you like the Alienware look and don’t mind paying a premium for style, you won’t be disappointed by this board’s performance.
3.5
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The Alienware AW420K Tenkeyless is a solid and serviceable midsize gaming keyboard, though little about it sets it apart from the TKL pack.
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Source link : https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/alienware-aw420k-tenkeyless-gaming-keyboard
