HyperX, Kingston’s former gaming division, has always offered some of the best mechanical gaming keyboards on the market. Recently, the company launched HyperX Alloy Origins 60 and below are reviews of it.
Design and Features
While most of the gaming keyboards on offer are full-sized, there are some that come in portable designs. The new HyperX Alloy Origins 60, as its name suggests, is a 60% portable keyboard, designed to give gamers more desk space to move their mouse. The keyboard is only 296mm long, 105.55mm deep and 36.9mm high.
Kingston says that the Alloy Origins 60 is made of a durable aircraft-grade aluminum body that remains structurally stable while gamers play their favorite action games. The weight of the keyboard is 781.5g so users will easily carry the keyboard when participating in online tournaments. When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the biggest selling point is obviously the mechanical key switches, and the HyperX Alloy Origins 60 features custom-designed HyperX switches.
And if you’re unfamiliar, there are several types of mechanical switches with different types of tapping feel, actuation points, and total travel distances. HyperX offers several key switches including HyperX Red for linear actions, HyerX Aqua switches for tactile feedback, HyperX Blue for a clicky typing experience, and more. The review sample we received came with HyperX Red key switches. HyperX Red is known for its quiet operations, where the sound of typing does not disturb others in the room.
Personally, I have another HyperX gaming keyboard with CherryMX Blue key switches (equivalent to HyperX Blue switches) that are clearer when typing. The HyperX Red switches on the Alloy Origins 60 have a total travel distance of 3.8mm and have an estimated lifespan of 80 million keystrokes. Another feature of the key switches is the inclusion of contact LEDs that provide bright and vivid RGB lighting to the entire keyboard.
RGB lighting can be customized using HyperX NGENUITY software, where you’ll be able to set up per-key lighting effects with up to 5 different brightness levels. You will be able to customize between 16,777,216 colors for RGB lighting. The keyboard is capable of storing up to three different profiles on its built-in memory.
The keycaps used on the Alloy Origins 60 are made of dual-shot PBT material that is durable enough to resist the wear and tear that can occur over time, friction, and solvents. And although the keyboard does have a few dedicated keys compared to other full-size HyperX mechanical keyboards, some keycaps come with extra functions and it’s printed on the side of the keycaps for quick identification. You will need to use the function Fn key to activate secondary functions.
The keyboard also has a Game mode that disables certain keys like the Windows key so you don’t accidentally touch it while playing an important moment. The keyboard is also 100% anti-ghosting, so you don’t need to worry about any keys not registering after multiple key presses, plus the N-Key rollover function ensures all key presses are detected.
HyperX has also included additional keycaps like the escape keycap with the HyperX logo and a special spacebar with a player-centric design that is sure to attract the attention of others. Yes, you also get a keycap puller to easily get the keys out. For better gaming and typing experience, Alloy Origins 60 comes with a 2-step keyboard leg setup that allows you to have three different tilt angles to suit your typing preferences. The keyboard also comes with a 1.8m detachable and braided USB-C cable.
We tried playing several games including DOOM: Eternal and Call of Duty: Warzone with the HyperX Alloy Origins 60 and the gaming experience was fantastic. Even with its smaller form factor, the keyboard is still an important essential for gaming. For those who type a lot, switching from a full-size gaming keyboard to the HyperX Alloy Origins 60 may take some getting used to.
Review
If you’re planning to buy a new mechanical keyboard with portable form factor features, the HyperX Alloy Origins 60 is the keyboard we’d recommend. The device offers 60% full-size mechanical keyboard so users will easily get used to the layout. The keyboard is also made of aircraft-grade aluminum material to ensure durability. It’s also lighter than most other full-size mechanical keyboards. HyperX Red mechanical switches provide linear and quiet operation for not only gamers but also those who type a lot.
The key switches also have exposed LEDs that provide excellent RGB lighting for the overall keyboard. And using HyperX NGENUITY allows gamers to customize RGB lighting for every key. The keyboard also features a Game Mode key, along with 100% anti-ghosting and N-Key travel that is essential for uninterrupted gameplay. The 2-step keyboard leg with 3 different angles allows users to play games with the Alloy Origins 60 keyboard comfortably.
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