If you had $250 to spend on PC-related stuff, what would you purchase? Used RTX 2060? High refresh price 1440p monitor? How in regards to the Intel Core i7-12700KF? Or, you may go huge on Asus’ ROG Azoth, a 75 p.c wi-fi keyboard.
That’s a fairly hefty price ticket for any keyboard, however the Azoth is not simply any keyboard.
ASUS ROG Azoth has many options that make it stand out within the aggressive market: silicon spacer bracket, tri-mode connection, hot-swap swap and lube package. But for a lot of, the spotlight may be the tiny OLED show within the nook, and the truth that it is a kind of uncommon keyboards that is nice for typing and gaming.
I owned a tenkeyless keyboard for some time earlier than shopping for my beloved Razer Huntsman Elite, so I’ve gotten used to the small type issue. But to my shock, the Azoth is even smaller than I anticipated (12.83 inches lengthy), squeezing 4 dual-function navigation keys right into a column on the appropriate, with the arrow keys under.
From the second you open the field, all the pieces in regards to the ROG Azoth exudes luxurious, from the Apple-inspired packaging to the gentle cotton that covers the keyboard itself. The very first thing you are more likely to discover is how heavy and well-made the keyboard is. It weighs 2.6 kilos, nearly the identical because the Huntsman Elite.
That’s not a foul factor, as a result of this numpad is so sturdy you should use it as a weapon. It options top-notch construct high quality, enhanced by a cool metallic prime plate and sturdy two-tone PBT keycaps.
Charging the Asus Azoth is finished through the included 6.5-foot braided USB-C to USB-A cable. Once juiced, it connects to a PC through Bluetooth or 2.4GHz wirelessly by eradicating the tiny receiver nestled neatly contained in the keyboard and plugging it right into a spare USB-A port. Of course, you too can use a wired connection.
There are loads of options within the Azoth that make it compelling, although the 2-inch OLED panel within the nook may wow associates. Using Asus’ Armory Crate software program – the worst a part of this expertise – it may be programmed to show preset or uploaded customized animations/GIFs, banners with customized messages in varied kinds and fonts , spectral equalizer, when enjoying music, or system data, that is my favourite.
Select System Information to decide on to show frequency, voltage, temperature, or GPU, CPU, or DRAM utilization, relying on the chosen metric.
Checking a few of these statistics in opposition to GPU Tweak Monitor and HWInfo64 exhibits that they’re largely correct.
Next to the OLED display screen is a small three-way management knob that makes a satisfying click on when activated. Likewise, its operate might be chosen from an inventory: system quantity, media playback management, keyboard brightness, OLED show brightness, toggle lighting results, or motherboard fan management. It may also be personalized with a sixth possibility for launching apps and web sites, working macros, and extra.
Asus says the Azoth presents an unequalled typing expertise, and there isn’t any denying that. Its silicone stand design makes use of three layers of dampening foam and silicone to cushion key presses.
It sounds and feels beautiful – nearly gentle, however in a great way, like petting a Shiba Inu – they usually’re nice for quick and/or clumsy typists and anybody inside earshot It’s extremely satisfying to say the least. Check out a comparability with Razer’s clicky optical switches within the video under. The area bar is especially spectacular irrespective of the place you press it. Even with out the wrist relaxation, it is a typist’s dream.
Asus makes use of its personal proprietary key swap resolution within the Azoth as a substitute of the standard Cherry MX switches, however for those who do not just like the switches, you may substitute them. The evaluation mannequin options ROG NX Red switches with 40g of actuation drive and a 1.8mm actuation level. They are easy and linear with no bumps or clicks. You may also purchase keyboards with tactile NX Brown and/or clicky NX Blue switches.
Azoth switches are naturally pre-lubricated, however Asus offers all of the instruments wanted to disassemble and lubricate its personal NX and Cherry switches: a grease station, swap opener, brushes, and a bucket of Krytox lubricant. There’s even a how-to video.
The Azoth is undoubtedly nice for typing, however how does it fare in relation to gaming? After all, this can be a wi-fi keyboard. ASUS guarantees low-latency, dependable connectivity with its SpeedNova wi-fi expertise in 2.4 GHz mode, and it delivers on that promise. Cyberpunk 2077, Atomic Heart, and different FPS video games had been responsive, with no noticeable lag or lag.
Also, whereas this works for all small wi-fi keyboards, I used to be completely happy to have the ability to simply transfer the Azoth into the right place, permitting my palms to relaxation on the WASD with out fuss or tangling wires.
While I used to be in a position to join immediately utilizing Bluetooth through the motherboard’s receiver, it did not really feel as quick as the two.4 GHz mode, and the OLED’s performance was restricted to displaying pictures and animations.
Battery life is one other unbelievable component of the Azoth. Asus guarantees 2,000 hours utilizing a 2.4GHz reference to the OLED display screen and lighting. I charged the keyboard about two weeks in the past and use it about 10 hours a day with the lights on the OLED and {hardware} information activated, however I nonetheless have 40% battery life left.
Ultimately, Azoth has few downsides. The solely downsides are the excessive value, although it isn’t the one keyboard this costly (the same SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless can also be $250), and the Armory Crate software program, which might be buggy, sluggish, and troublesome to make use of.
So, is the Asus ROG Azoth value $250? It is dependent upon the individual. Assuming you need the perfect 75% keyboard that is luxurious, nice for gaming and typing, sturdy, wi-fi, extremely customizable, and has a very cool OLED display screen, then sure, it is well worth the cash.
