Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the HyperX Alloy Origins Core Black, a mechanical keyboard that has been making waves in the gaming community. If you're on the hunt for a reliable, responsive, and sleek-looking keyboard without the number pad, then this review is just for you. We'll explore everything from its design and build quality to its performance and features, so you can make an informed decision. Let's get started!

Design and Build Quality

The HyperX Alloy Origins Core Black keyboard boasts a minimalist and modern design that's sure to catch your eye. The first thing you'll notice is its tenkeyless (TKL) layout, which means it doesn't have the numeric keypad on the right side. This makes it more compact, saving precious desk space and allowing for a more ergonomic setup, especially if you're someone who needs extra room for mouse movements during intense gaming sessions. The keyboard's frame is constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum, giving it a premium feel and ensuring durability. This robust build quality means the keyboard can withstand the rigors of daily use and travel without bending or flexing. The black finish adds to its sleek appearance, making it a stylish addition to any gaming setup or workspace. The keycaps are made from ABS plastic with a soft-touch coating, providing a comfortable typing experience. The keycaps have a standard layout, making them easy to replace if you ever want to customize your keyboard with different keycap sets. The floating key design not only looks great but also makes it easier to clean, as you can easily brush away dust and debris from between the keys. The keyboard features adjustable feet, allowing you to tilt it to your preferred angle for optimal comfort. Overall, the design and build quality of the HyperX Alloy Origins Core Black are top-notch, offering a blend of aesthetics, durability, and ergonomics.

Performance and Features

When it comes to performance, the HyperX Alloy Origins Core Black truly shines, thanks to its custom HyperX mechanical switches. These switches are designed to offer a balance of speed, accuracy, and responsiveness, making them ideal for both gaming and typing. The keyboard is available with three different switch options: HyperX Red (linear), HyperX Aqua (tactile), and HyperX Blue (clicky). Each switch type provides a unique typing experience, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your preferences. The HyperX Red switches are linear switches with a light actuation force, providing smooth and fast key presses. They are perfect for gamers who need quick reactions and rapid-fire inputs. The HyperX Aqua switches are tactile switches with a noticeable bump when the key is pressed, providing tactile feedback without the audible click. They offer a satisfying typing experience and are suitable for both gaming and typing. The HyperX Blue switches are clicky switches with a distinct click sound and tactile bump, providing a classic mechanical keyboard feel. They are ideal for typists who enjoy the auditory feedback of each key press. The keyboard features full N-key rollover (NKRO) and anti-ghosting technology, ensuring that every key press is registered accurately, even when multiple keys are pressed simultaneously. This is crucial for fast-paced gaming scenarios where complex key combinations are required. The HyperX Alloy Origins Core Black also offers customizable RGB lighting, allowing you to personalize the keyboard's appearance to match your gaming setup or personal style. You can use the HyperX NGENUITY software to customize the lighting effects, create custom profiles, and assign macros to specific keys. The keyboard has onboard memory, allowing you to save your custom settings and profiles directly to the keyboard, so you can use them on different computers without having to reconfigure everything. The USB Type-C cable is detachable, making it easy to replace if it gets damaged and also allowing you to use a custom cable if you prefer. The keyboard is compatible with both Windows and macOS, making it a versatile option for gamers and professionals alike. Overall, the performance and features of the HyperX Alloy Origins Core Black make it a standout choice in the mechanical keyboard market.

HyperX NGENUITY Software

The HyperX NGENUITY software is a powerful tool that allows you to customize and enhance your HyperX Alloy Origins Core Black keyboard experience. This software provides a user-friendly interface for creating custom lighting effects, assigning macros, and configuring various keyboard settings. With the NGENUITY software, you can choose from a wide range of pre-set lighting effects, such as wave, breathing, and color cycle, or create your own custom lighting schemes to match your gaming setup or personal style. You can also adjust the brightness and speed of the lighting effects to your liking. The software allows you to assign macros to any key on the keyboard, enabling you to execute complex commands or keystrokes with a single key press. This can be especially useful for gamers who need to perform repetitive actions or execute complex combos. You can create multiple profiles with different lighting effects, macros, and key assignments, allowing you to quickly switch between different configurations for different games or applications. The keyboard has onboard memory, which allows you to save your custom profiles directly to the keyboard, so you can use them on different computers without having to reconfigure everything. The NGENUITY software also allows you to update the keyboard's firmware, ensuring that you always have the latest features and bug fixes. The software is compatible with other HyperX products, allowing you to synchronize the lighting effects across your entire HyperX ecosystem. The NGENUITY software is constantly being updated with new features and improvements, ensuring that you always have the best possible experience with your HyperX Alloy Origins Core Black keyboard. Overall, the HyperX NGENUITY software is an essential tool for anyone who wants to get the most out of their HyperX Alloy Origins Core Black keyboard.

Pros and Cons

To give you a balanced view, let's break down the pros and cons of the HyperX Alloy Origins Core Black:

Pros:

• Compact TKL Design: Saves desk space and provides a more ergonomic setup.
• Durable Build Quality: Aircraft-grade aluminum frame ensures longevity.
• Custom HyperX Switches: Offers a choice of Red, Aqua, and Blue switches to suit different preferences.
• Customizable RGB Lighting: Allows you to personalize the keyboard's appearance.
• N-Key Rollover and Anti-Ghosting: Ensures accurate keypress registration.
• Detachable USB Type-C Cable: Makes it easy to replace the cable.
• Onboard Memory: Saves custom profiles directly to the keyboard.
• HyperX NGENUITY Software: Provides a user-friendly interface for customization.

Cons:

• ABS Keycaps: May wear down over time compared to PBT keycaps.
• No Dedicated Media Controls: Requires using function keys for media controls.
• Software Required for Full Customization: Some features require the HyperX NGENUITY software.

Alternatives to the HyperX Alloy Origins Core Black

If the HyperX Alloy Origins Core Black isn't quite what you're looking for, here are a few alternatives to consider:

1. Corsair K65 RGB Mini: This keyboard features a 60% layout, making it even more compact than the HyperX Alloy Origins Core Black. It offers Cherry MX switches, customizable RGB lighting, and a detachable USB Type-C cable.
2. Razer BlackWidow V3 Tenkeyless: This keyboard features Razer mechanical switches, customizable RGB lighting, and a durable aluminum construction. It also has dedicated media controls, which the HyperX Alloy Origins Core Black lacks.
3. Ducky One 2 Mini: This keyboard is a popular choice among enthusiasts due to its high-quality PBT keycaps, Cherry MX switches, and customizable RGB lighting. It also has a compact 60% layout and a detachable USB Type-C cable.
4. Logitech G Pro X: Featuring a tenkeyless design, the Logitech G Pro X stands out with its swappable pro-grade GX mechanical switches, allowing you to personalize your typing feel. Compact and built for performance, it also offers customizable LIGHTSYNC RGB lighting and onboard memory for saving lighting configurations. The detachable micro USB cable enhances portability.

Final Verdict

In conclusion, the HyperX Alloy Origins Core Black is a fantastic mechanical keyboard that offers a blend of style, performance, and features. Its compact TKL design, durable build quality, custom HyperX switches, and customizable RGB lighting make it a great choice for gamers and typists alike. While it does have a few minor drawbacks, such as the ABS keycaps and lack of dedicated media controls, its pros far outweigh its cons. If you're looking for a reliable and responsive mechanical keyboard that won't break the bank, the HyperX Alloy Origins Core Black is definitely worth considering. So, if you're in the market for a new keyboard, give the HyperX Alloy Origins Core Black a try – you won't be disappointed!