Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.Some parts of NGenuity feel like a work in progress, however. The display of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of PCMag.
It’s lighting is excellent and simple to customize, and its gaming performance is the equal of almost all of its contemporaries. )If premium features aren't what you're after, HyperX's Alloy Origins may be the nicest no-nonsense midrange mechanical keyboard around.
But, the star of the show it HyperX’s new key switch, which is a linear type similar to the ever-popular Cherry MX Red.
It's a small thing, but one among a handful of quirks that could use a little more TLC.The Alloy Origins uses HyperX's still-in-beta configuration software, NGenuity, for resetting keys, creating macros, and customizing the keyboard's RGB lighting. If you click an affiliate link and buy a product or service, we may be paid a fee by that merchant.Like most HyperX gear, the Alloy Origins has a subtle, understated quality to it.
(Full disclosure: That may be because, lately, I've been using a lot of keyboard and mouse hardware designed for esports, and that stuff is built to be extra light. While I personally find linear, red-style switches unfavorable for typing, they are easier to love when my fingers are at home on WASD. You can store as many profiles as you like on your PC, so your ability to create lots of game-specific profiles doesn't get crimped if you'll keep this keyboard parked on one system.Sure, this sounds like a minuscule difference, but that's a good thing—it's just enough distance to notice a change, to make your keystrokes feel a bit quicker, without losing the comfort of long or "high-profile" key travel.
Note: This review is part of our best gaming keyboards roundup. You can preview, for example, on the onscreen display just how lighting changes will look.PCMag.com is a leading authority on technology, delivering Labs-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services. HyperX keeps on showing its strength in the PC gaming peripheral market, with the HyperX Alloy Origins gaming keyboard as the latest example (See it …
PCMag Digital GroupEnough about how it looks; let's talk about how it types. It feels like the best of both worlds.Its compact frame—1.4 by 17.4 by 5.2 inches—and metal-coated base make it look dense, and at 2.3 pounds it feels slightly heavy for its size.
Meet the HyperX Alloy Origins, twin to the HyperX Alloy FPS—at least on the surface. )PCMag, PCMag.com and PC Magazine are among the federally registered trademarks of Ziff Davis, LLC and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. And, because of the 3.8mm total travel distance, when I bottom out a key, it can pop back up to its starting position that much quicker. As I write this, new lighting patterns have appeared following new patches over the last couple of weeks.
Its actuation point and total key travel are just slightly less than Cherry's: The HyperX keys actuate at 1.8mm versus 2mm for Cherry Reds and bottom out at 3.8mm versus 4mm. But HyperX has these rated for a great lifespan at 80 million clicks per key.Performance is a strong point for the Alloy Origins. The HyperX Alloy Origins is a compact, sturdy keyboard featuring custom HyperX mechanical switches designed to give gamers the best blend of style, performance, and reliability.
Quick peeks side to side in PUBG are that much more reliable.
NGenuity's approach makes it harder to figure out how to make and use macros unless you think about them in a specific way. I did note some less-than-stellar UI decisions. HyperX Alloy Origins Review This many features in a keyboard that costs just over $100 is enticing By Marshall Honorof 04 November 2019 HyperX’s custom key switches for the Alloy Origins are as good as any Cherry MX Red switches I’ve used, and in some ways they may be even better. These key switches have exposed LEDs for stunning lighting with an actuation force and travel distance elegantly balanced for responsiveness and accuracy. Like the Alloy Origins, NGenuity looks quite sleek, and the UI is mostly clear on how to change functions. If premium features aren't what you're after, HyperX's Alloy Origins may be the nicest no-nonsense midrange mechanical keyboard around. )© 1996-2020 Ziff Davis, LLC. Meanwhile, two pairs of fold-out legs allow the keyboard to sit at three different angles.The HyperX Alloy Origins takes all the fundamentals of a gaming keyboard — mechanical switches and RGB lighting — and nails them, though it doesn’t go above and beyond. It also has a thin LED display at top right, which shows which keyboard profile you're using. Naturally, it delivers the full anti-ghosting and N-key rollover gamers require.
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