HyperX HX-KB1SS2-UK Alloy FPS RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, Kailh Silver Speed Switches (UK Layout)

Product Information

I pictured the keyboard with its default multi-color “wave” pattern, but each key can be set to any color – or turned off completely. The Origins provides a better typing experience, thanks to its well-spaced and stable keys and proprietary linear HyperX Red switches that feel light and responsive.

It also features a convenient USB charging port and a braided, detachable cable that is resistant to wear and allows for easy portability. Overall this is another well-constructed option from HyperX, and adds diversity to their growing mechanical keyboard offering as the first with Kailh switches. In as many configurations, this being the fifth now, as HyperX has offered in the Alloy mechanical keyboards series, we have seen many attempts to put forth the perfect device. Again, it takes very little effort to actuate a key, and If you are an accurate typist this could improve your speed.The software isn’t great, with an interface that is simultaneously feature-light and over-complicated, but it gets the job done. It’s only available with linear Kailh Silver Speed switches, which don’t give any feedback at all but feel very light and responsive. There's also no software on macOS, and the Print Screen button acts as F13 while the Scroll Lock and Pause/Break keys adjust screen brightness if you're using an Apple display. The back of the box highlight four things in images, as well as text, explain the dynamic RGB backlit keys and the effects, solid steel frame, onboard memory to cover three profiles, and an informative diagram of what the Silver Speed switches are capable of.

The ABS keycaps feel a little slippery, and all the alphanumerical keys have a slight wobble to them, but there aren't any noticeable loose parts. Next to it is the card for those that may run into an issue, where the support address is offered, and on the back, this message is repeated in sixteen languages. meters of black braided cable, with none of the three connectors getting any special gold plated treatment.There are hotkeys for media control and a Game Mode that acts as a Windows Key lock, which prevents you from accidentally minimizing your game.

The ARM Cortex-M0 processor is a 32-bit, LPC11U35F/410, which is more than capable of handling what the Alloy FPS RGB offers in features and software options. However, when playing PUBG, we also noticed the ugly side of having a keyboard with soft springs and short throw.Much of what the Alloy FPS RGB offers, we have seen in some form or fashion from HyperX in the past, however, this is the first from them to support Silver Speed switches from Kailh.

The keyboard also has onboard memory with space for up to three profiles, and you can easily carry those to another device that doesn't have access to the software, like a macOS computer.With all of our knowledge at hand, the experience we had with it, and what we ran into, in the end, it is your decision to make. The FPS RGB has a detachable cable, though it can only be used wired, and uses linear switches with a much lower pre-travel that results in a very responsive feel, which is great for gaming. The switches require so little force and the actuation is so close to the top, it’s easy to brush keys and make mistakes.