Azio MGK1 Backlit Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Review

It’s no secret around the Lab that I love me some peripherals. A good mouse and a quality headset can make the difference between scoring and respawning.  The same can be said for a quality keyboard.  That’s why I am thrilled to get a chance to put the Azio MGK1 Backlit Mechanical Gaming Keyboard to the test.

The MGK1 Backlit Mechanical Gaming Keyboard offers a no frills performance setup in a compact surface mounted design with none of the clutter of extra keys and wonky drivers found in most gaming keyboards.

Azio offers the MGK1 Backlit Mechanical Gaming Keyboard in two variations.  The model we will be reviewing is the single color white LED model MGK1-K.  Kailh Brown switches are surface mounted on a beautiful gunmetal brushed aluminum surface.  The base can be ordered in matching black plastic or in a sportier red accent color if all black is not your thing. The MGK1 is also offered with Kailh Blue switches if you prefer as model MGK without the –K.

• Model: MGK 1-K
• Interface: USB
• Switch Type: Kailh Brown
• Switch Life Span: Up to 50 Million keystrokes
• Actuation Point: 1.9 mm +/- 0.4 mm
• Reset Point Distance: 0.4 mm
• Actuation Force: 50g
• Backlight: White LED
• N-Key Rollover: Full NKRO (WIN)
• Cable: 6 FT. Braided
• OS Support: WINDOWS XP, VISTA, 7, 8, 10 /  MAC OS X

Dimensions:

• Keyboard / 445 MM x 35 MM x 137 MM
• Palm Rest / 445 MM x 18 MM x 64 MM
• Weight: 1060 G / 2.3 Lbs.
• Box Content: MGK 1 Keyboard / Key Puller / Thank You Card
• Warranty: 3 Years Standard

Azio bucks the current trend by using Kailh Switches instead of the Cherry MX switches we have grown used to.  Kailhua Electronics Co, LTD (originally LongHua) was formed in 1990 and manufactures a variety of Kailh switch types widely used in brands like Logitech, Razor, ThermalTake and Lenovo. Although Kailh switches are widely viewed as a low cost Chinese clone of the Cherry MX switches they have a reputation for being slightly heavier in their actuation.  According to the Kailh website there are currently several major types of keyboard switches available: Kailh Red switches have a smooth 50g linear actuation.  The Kailh Blacks have stiffer linear actuation with a 60g rating. Kailh Browns have a pressure point ergonomic actuation at 60g.  And the Blues have a pressure point clicky actuation design at 50g.  All four can be pretty closely compared to their color coded Cherry MX counterparts.  With reports of Cherry MX shortages creating production delays up to a year I expect to see a lot more competition in the mechanical switch arena.

The name may be new to most but Azio is an industry leader in large font specialty keyboards. Founded in 2005, Azio is an acronym for "A to Z, Input-Output". Azio’s Elegantly Fierce vision is to provide cutting edge products that are intuitively easy to use, provide maximum comfort and leave a minimal environmental footprint.