Asus’ new gaming keyboard is the sleeper hit of Computex 2024
I wasn’t anticipating a brand new model of Asus’ glorious ROG Azoth keyboard, however that’s precisely what I noticed at Computex 2024. The aptly named ROG Azoth Extreme is an upgraded model of the bottom mannequin, match with a set of modifications and efficiency enhancements worthy of the Extreme tag.
As an authorized keyboard snob that likes to mess with boards just like the Meletrix BOOG75 and Keychron Q1 HE, the Azoth Extreme presents an fascinating dilemma. It has all of the hallmarks of a mainstream gaming keyboard, however with loads of fanatic steering. In some methods, such because the adjustable gaskets, it even goes past what you’ll find within the DIY market.
An entire refresh
Let’s get acquainted first. The ROG Azoth Extreme makes use of the identical basis as the unique mannequin. You’re getting hot-swappable keys, a gasket mount, and pre-lubed ROG key switches, together with an OLED show. The basis is identical, however Asus is taking this mannequin a lot additional.
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One space the place that’s instantly obvious is the wi-fi functionality. You’re nonetheless getting a 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connection, however a brand new dongle from Asus permits the keyboard to run at an 8,000Hz polling charge wirelessly. It’s arduous sufficient to seek out an enthusiast-grade keyboard that does wi-fi, a lot much less one that may accomplish that at an 8,000Hz polling charge like competitive gaming mice.
Asus’ new adapter that permits the 8,000Hz polling charge really works with a ton of Asus peripherals, together with the unique ROG Azoth. Asus says it plans to launch the dongle by itself a while sooner or later.
In addition to a sooner polling charge, the Azoth Extreme comes with a brand new OLED show. It can now show colours — the unique mannequin was restricted to black-and-white — and it’s a touchscreen. You can swipe by way of your settings with ease, and Asus even added some new widgets. One that stands out is the keystrokes per second view, which reveals you how briskly you possibly can fly throughout the keyboard in rhythm video games or aggressive technique video games like Starcraft 2.
By far probably the most fascinating improve is the adjustable gasket, although. Under the keyboard, there’s a toggle for the gasket mount, which makes it tighter or looser. Asus tells me it adjusts the peak of the swap plate throughout the keyboard, altering the texture whereas typing.
It makes an enormous distinction. Asus says there’s a great purpose for the adjustable gasket, too. The firm pointed to the variability in DIY keyboards with a gasket mount, and the way you aren’t in a position to get a constant really feel even with similar parts. That’s why there’s a swap right here. It provides you adjustment factors so you will get the appropriate really feel.
The really feel
Let’s speak about that really feel. The ROG Azoth Extreme feels improbable, no less than nearly as good as the unique. It sounds nice, too — although, admittedly, it was troublesome to listen to clearly within the crowded demo room. Although Asus may’ve simply gotten away with the identical total construct as the bottom ROG Azoth, it redesigned the internals.
You’re now getting a carbon fiber swap plate, in addition to three totally different factors of sound absorption. The result’s a keyboard that actually feels fanatic grade. The gasket mount helps the texture, offering some bounce whereas typing, and the inner construction backs up the sound, eliminating the annoying pinging and clacking you discover with lesser mechanical keyboards.
That sound absorption is necessary, too. The ROG Azoth Extreme is constructed fully of aluminum, and it’s hefty. Although the unique had an aluminum high, it nonetheless had plastic on the backside of the board. This time round, Asus is utilizing aluminum all over the place.
That consists of the toes. Instead of low cost plastic toes, Asus consists of three pairs of metallic really feel that magnetically snap to the underside of the keyboard. They look improbable, and though they aren’t strictly obligatory, they positively assist the ROG Azoth Extreme really feel extra, nicely, excessive.
One query stays
I can’t wait to get the ROG Azoth Extreme in for testing. The unique mannequin stays one of the vital spectacular mainstream keyboards I’ve ever used, and this up to date Extreme model seems even higher. Still, one massive query stays.
We don’t have pricing or availability particulars for the ROG Azoth Extreme but. The base mannequin already got here in at $250, and I’ve to think about the Extreme model might be costlier. It is likely to be price that worth, however I hope the keyboard isn’t so costly that it’s out of the query even for high-end customers.
