Brand | Drop |
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Series | ALT Mechanical Keyboard |
Item model number | MDX-31827-8 |
Hardware Platform | PC |
Operating System | Windows NT, DOS, Windows 2000, Linux, Windows Vista, Windows ME, Windows XP, Windows 8, Windows 7, MacOS, Windows 95, Windows 10, Windows 98 |
Item Weight | 1.53 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 12.7 x 4.4 x 1.25 inches |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 12.7 x 4.4 x 1.25 inches |
Color | Black |
Manufacturer | Drop |
ASIN | B089KW62V5 |
Country of Origin | China |
Date First Available | June 2, 2020 |
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81% positive over last 12 months
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Drop ALT Mechanical Keyboard — 65% (67 Key) Gaming Keyboard, Hot-Swap Switches, Programmable Macros, RGB LED Backlighting, USB-C, Doubleshot PBT, Aluminum Frame (Halo Clear, Black)
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Return this item for free
Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges
Learn more about free returns.- Go to your orders and start the return
- Select the return method
- Ship it!
Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | Drop |
Compatible Devices | PC |
Connectivity Technology | USB, USB-C |
Keyboard Description | Mechanical |
Recommended Uses For Product | Gaming |
Special Feature | Lighting |
Color | Black |
Number of Keys | 67 |
Keyboard backlighting color support | RGB |
Style | Halo Clear |
About this item
- A COMPACT LAYOUT: The ALT mechanical keyboard is a smaller take on Drop’s CTRL model. It features 67 keys instead of 87. Absent of function keys, it wastes no space—but it still has a full set of arrows and numerals.
- A SOLID BUILD: Constructed with a solid aluminum frame with a built-in switch plate and magnetic legs, the ALT is rock-solid and ready for any setup.
- HALO CLEAR SWITCHES: This ALT model comes equipped with Halo Clear switches, which have a slight preload and a light-yet-sharp tactile bump. Primarily used for typing, Halo Clear switches gently discourage bottoming out with each keystroke.
- HOT-SWAPPABLE SWITCH FUNCTIONALITY: Want to switch your switches? Customize the ALT with ease thanks to hot-swappable switch sockets, which allow you to swap switches in seconds—no soldering required.
- OPTIMIZED PER-KEY LIGHTING WITH MILLIONS OF COLORS: The ALT is illuminated with fully customizable RGB backlighting and under-lighting. Set your millions of LEDs to a single color or light them up with custom rainbow wave patterns.
Save on Quality Tripod by AmazonBasics |
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This Item Drop ALT Mechanical Keyboard — 65% (67 Key) Gaming Keyboard, Hot-Swap Switches, Programmable Macros, RGB LED Backlighting, USB-C, Doubleshot PBT, Aluminum Frame (Halo Clear, Black) | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | |
Price | $199.28$199.28 | -10% $170.56$170.56 Typical: $190.25 | $169.99$169.99 | $200.00$200.00 | $178.03$178.03 | $229.99$229.99 |
Delivery | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Apr 3 | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Quality of material | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 3.9 |
For gaming | 3.9 | 3.9 | 4.3 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 3.9 |
Value for money | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.8 |
Brightness | 4.3 | 4.3 | — | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.1 |
Sturdiness | 3.8 | 3.8 | 4.4 | 3.8 | 3.8 | — |
Sold By | Omega Distributions Co | Amazon.com | Glorious PC Gaming | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com |
connectivity tech | USB-C, USB | USB-C, USB | USB-C | USB-C, USB | USB-C, USB | USB-C, USB-A |
number of keys | 67 | 67 | 83 | 67 | 67 | 104 |
compatible devices | PC | PC | PC, Mac, Xbox, PS4, PS5 | PC | PC | Gaming Console |
keyboard description | Mechanical | Mechanical | Mechanical, Gaming | Mechanical | Mechanical | Mechanical |
operating system | Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows 98, Windows 95, DOS, MacOS, Linux | Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows 98, Windows 95, DOS, MacOS, Linux | Windows 10, Windows 11, Mac OS 9, Linux, Supported Gaming Console | Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows 98, Windows 95, DOS, MacOS, Linux | Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows 98, Windows 95, DOS, MacOS, Linux | Mac OS |
Videos
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Hands On: Drop ALT Mechanical Keyboard
Kaviso, LLC
What's in the box
Product Description
COMPACT LAYOUT, COMPREHENSIVE FEATURES
The Drop ALT mechanical keyboard is just like the CTRL, but with 67 keys instead of 87. Absent of function keys, it wastes no space—but it still has a full set of arrows and numerals. Constructed with a solid aluminum frame with a built-in switch plate, the ALT is rock solid. And thanks to the hot-swap switch sockets, it allows you to swap switches whenever you want with no soldering required.
It’s also fully programmable via QMK, meaning you can assign macros or custom keybinds to every key. With dual USB-C connectors, the ALT is outfitted with the latest connections. What’s more, it has customizable RGB backlighting and underlighting. Set it to a single color or light it up with a rainbow wave pattern. To enhance the backlighting, there are shine-through doubleshot PBT keycaps, too. Grab it with your choice of switches to get just the feel you want.
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STREAMLINED ALUMINUM BUILDHeavy enough to stay put no matter how hard you type, the ALT features a solid aluminum frame with a low profile for a streamlined look that complements any setup. |
RGB BACKLIGHTINGBring a colorful lightshow straight to your fingertips with customizable RGB backlighting and shine-through PBT keycaps. |
DOUBLESHOT SHINE-THROUGH PBT KEYCAPSKnown for their durability, PBT keycaps are built for the long haul—and because the legends are shine-through, not printed, they never fade. |
REMOVABLE MAGNETIC FEETType at an ergonomic angle or lay your keyboard flat. Fitted with removable magnetic feet, the ALT seamlessly adjusts to fit your needs. |
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HOT-SWAPPABLE SWITCHESReady to switch up your switches? Thanks to the ALT’s hot-swappable PCBA, you can swap in new switches on the fly—no soldering required. |
CUSTOMIZABLE LED LIGHTINGKeep the lights off, dial in one of our presets, or customize each key color for a spectacular light show. Our keyboard case features a built-in diffuser to spread light evenly across the board. |
PROGRAM WITH QMK FIRMWAREProgramming our keyboards is easy with QMK firmware. Whether you’re creating macros or altering the keymap, use the Drop online configurator to fine-tune your board for gaming, work, or play. |
FIND YOUR TYPEEach keyboard comes with your choice of switches, so you can get just the feel you like—whether you prefer something heavy and tactile, or lightweight and linear. |
FULLY PROGRAMMABLE VIA QMK
Customizing your keyboard is a lot of fun. That’s why the ALT features a fully programmable layout, designed for modification. Using QMK firmware, you have total control over every key. Plus, the configurator allows you to program macros and customized keymapping so you can easily fine-tune your keyboard for gaming, work, or play. It’s also outfitted with two USB type-C connectors (one on each side), allowing you to use the spare connector to transfer data and charge devices at USB 2.0 speeds.
OPTIMIZED PER-KEY LIGHTING WITH MILLIONS OF COLORS
The ALT features light pipes built into the switches that are optimized to deliver the most light possible through the keycaps. You’ll also have your choice from millions of different colors for every single key. So if you want the lighting to cycle through the entire spectrum, you’ve got it; if you prefer a two-toned look to match your setup, consider it done. There’s also a built-in translucent LED diffuser to minimize hotspots found in many other keyboards. Worried about flickering? Don’t be. The LEDs operate at a frequency of 100 Hz, so there won't be any visible flicker.
HEFTY ALUMINUM FRAME & HOT-SWAPPABLE SWITCHES
The ALT is made from a solid block of anodized aluminum, which is known for its toughness and ability to hold a quality surface finish. Heavy enough to stay put when you're locked into an intense FPS match or hammering out an essay, the frame also has a low profile to complement your desktop. Thanks to the built-in switch plate and hot-swappable PCB, the ALT gives you the freedom to change out your switches whenever you like. Best of all? You don’t need to solder each switch. Just pop them in and they’re ready to go.
SPECIFICATIONS
- 67 keys
- Anodized CNC machined aluminum frame
- Custom PCB
- Hot-swap switch sockets
- QMK firmware & Keyboard Configurator
- Plate-mounted Cherry-style stabilizers
- Cherry MX, Kaihua, or Halo switches
- Doubleshot PBT shine-through keycaps
- Floating key design
- Dual USB-C connectors
- PCB compatible with plate-mount switches only
- Weight: 24.5 oz (696 g)
- Dimensions: 12.7 x 4.4 x 1.25 in (32.2 x 11.2 x 3.2 cm)
INCLUDED
- 56-inch USB cable and Keycap puller and Switch
Cherry MX Blue RGB | Cherry MX Brown RGB | Drop Halo Clear | Drop Halo True | Kaihua Speed Silver | Kaihua Box White | |
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Customer Reviews |
4.5 out of 5 stars
800
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4.5 out of 5 stars
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Switch Behavior: | Tactile & Clicky (Provide feedback in the form of a tactile “bump” and audible “click” each time a switch is actuated.) | Tactile (Provide tactile feedback without the "Clicky" noise) | Tactile (Provide tactile feedback without the "Clicky" noise) | Tactile (Provide tactile feedback without the "Clicky" noise) | Linear (Quiet and smooth free of any tactility) | Clicky (Provides an audible “click” each time a switch is actuated.) |
Switch Feel / Actuation: | Medium / 50g | Medium / 45g | Medium-Heavy / 65g | Medium-Heavy / 60g | Extremely Light / 40g | Medium / 55g |
Actuation Point / Total Travel Distance: | 2.2mm / 4mm | 2mm / 4mm | 1.9mm / 4mm | 1.9mm / 4mm | 1.3mm / 3.5mm | 1.8mm / 3.6mm |
Keystroke Lifespan: | 50 Million | 50 Million | 80 Million | 80 Million | 70 Million | 80 Million |
Switch Recommendation: | Primarily typing. The Cherry MX Blue has a distinct “click” sound when depressed beyond the tactile point, making it the loudest switch in the Cherry MX family. The separated slider construction also provides the highest tactile feedback. | A good blend of typing and gaming. Cherry MX Brown is widely considered to be the best “middle-ground” switch. Its tactile bump, silent travel, and medium actuation force makes it a versatile switch. | Primarily typing. The Halo Clear being with a slight preload and a lighter, sharper tactile bump than the Halo True. Halo Clears discourage bottom out, but not as strongly as the Halo True. | A good blend of typing and gaming. Medium weight, smooth tactile action, and a purposefully light preload are intended to reduce jarring fingertip impacts during rapid typing. Moderately heavy spring to discourage bottom out. | Intended for gaming. Essentially a shortened version of existing MX-style switches allowing for faster actuation. | A good blend of typing and gaming. Kaihua Box White switches are IP56 waterproof and dust resistant switches. |
Drop ALT Mechanical Keyboard | Drop ALT High-Profile Mechanical Keyboard | Drop CTRL Mechanical Keyboard | Drop CTRL High-Profile Mechanical Keyboard | Drop ENTR Mechanical Keyboard | Drop SHIFT Mechanical Keyboard | |
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Customer Reviews |
4.5 out of 5 stars
800
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4.3 out of 5 stars
350
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4.5 out of 5 stars
627
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4.3 out of 5 stars
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Keys | 67 Keys / PBT Doubleshot Shine-through | 67 Keys / PBT Doubleshot Shine-through | 87 Keys / PBT Doubleshot Shine-through | 87 Keys / PBT Doubleshot Shine-through | 87 Keys / PBT Doubleshot Shine-through | 99 Keys / PBT Doubleshot Shine-through |
Dimensions / Weight | 12.7 x 4.4 x 1.25" / 24.5 oz (696 g) | 12.6 x 4.4 x 1.7" / 43 oz (1,219 g) | 14.5 x 5.5 x 1.4" / 34 oz (964 g) | 14.5 x 5.5 x 1.75" / 68 oz (1,928 g) | 14.2 x 5 x 1.25" / 32.8 oz (929 g) | 5.2 x 5.5 x 1.7" / 34.2 oz (970g) |
Additional Features | Anodized CNC machined aluminum frame, Hot-Swappable plate-mount switches, QMK Programming, Dual USB-C, Plate-mounted Cherry-style stabilizers, N-key rollover, and light customization. | Anodized CNC machined aluminum frame, Hot-Swappable plate-mount switches, QMK Programming, Dual USB-C, Plate-mounted Cherry-style stabilizers, N-key rollover, and light customization. | Anodized CNC machined aluminum frame, Hot-Swappable plate-mount switches, QMK Programming, Dual USB-C, Plate-mounted Cherry-style stabilizers, N-key rollover, and light customization. | Anodized CNC machined aluminum frame, Hot-Swappable plate-mount switches, QMK Programming, Dual USB-C, Plate-mounted Cherry-style stabilizers, N-key rollover, and light customization. | Anodized Aluminum case, Plate-mounted Cherry-style stabilizers, N-key rollover, USB-C, White LED Backlit keys, and Adjustable legs. | Anodized CNC machined aluminum frame, Hot-Swappable plate-mount switches, QMK Programming, Dual USB-C, Plate-mounted Cherry-style stabilizers, N-key rollover, and light customization. |
Switch Options: | Barebones, Cherry MX Brown or Blue RGB, Halo True or Clear, and Kaihua Speed Silver or Box White | Barebones, Cherry MX Brown or Blue RGB, Halo True or Clear, and Kaihua Speed Silver or Box White | Barebones, Cherry MX Brown or Blue RGB, Halo True or Clear, and Kaihua Speed Silver or Box White | Barebones, Cherry MX Brown or Blue RGB, Halo True or Clear, and Kaihua Speed Silver or Box White | Halo True or Gateron Yellow | Barebones, Cherry MX Brown or Blue RGB, Halo True or Clear, and Kaihua Speed Silver or Box White |
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Product information
Technical Details
Additional Information
Customer Reviews |
4.5 out of 5 stars |
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Best Sellers Rank | #79,463 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games) #5,574 in PC Gaming Keyboards |
Warranty & Support
Feedback
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the build quality, comfort, appearance and switches of the keyboard. For example, they mention that it's sturdy, built like a tank, feels great and that the pbt keycaps feel nice. They appreciate the hot swappable switches, which slide in and out easily. That said, opinions are mixed on the sound quality and performance.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the build quality of the keyboard. They say it's sturdy, built like a tank, and solid at a desk. The Drop ALT exudes quality with a premium aluminum chassis and premium switches. Overall, customers are satisfied with the build and design of the product.
"...DIY boards, trying to find something that looked great, had solid construction, and had the potential for customization...." Read more
"...The construction and build quality is superb and has significant weight to it.-Hotswappable plate switches...." Read more
"...sort of worried they’d come out or wobble, but they are surprisingly rock solid. You will want a wrist wrest though!..." Read more
"...I love it. It's sleek, sturdy, and well-built. The Drop ALT exudes quality with a premium aluminum chassis and premium-feeling keys...." Read more
Customers like the comfort of the keyboard. They say the aluminum frame, pbt keycaps, and switches feel great. They also say it's a wonderful and amazing keyboard to play on and to type with, making typing more satisfying. Customers also mention that the materials look great and feel premium.
"...The switches feel great, and while I’ve already swapped out some keycaps for a few fun things, I haven’t tried hot swapping switches yet, but I’m..." Read more
"...Second, the switches sound awesome and feel great to use. My boyfriend is jealous and will constantly just start clicking the keys for fun...." Read more
"I got the barebones Alt. It’s a really nice keyboard...." Read more
"...FEELS GREAT: I got the "kaihua box white" (these are also known as "kaihl box white", it's the same thing) switches and they are incredible...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the appearance of the keyboard. They mention that it looks really good, has beautiful and vibrant solid colors, and has an excellent layout. The keycaps are by default beautiful and are simple to replace if you want a different design. Overall, customers are happy with the quality and construction of the product.
"...What sold me on this keyboard is the aesthetic, construction, and customization...." Read more
"...-RGB is vibrant and downright beautiful to look at, especially the LED ring around the board...." Read more
"...First off, I love the way this keyboard looks and feels. It’s a really nice design, super clean, and it feels so well built...." Read more
"...In terms of style. I love it. It's sleek, sturdy, and well-built...." Read more
Customers like the switches on the keyboard. They say the hot swapping ability is perfect, the switches slide in and out easily, and fluently. They also appreciate the top of the line switches and removable switches, which allow them to change the feel completely. Overall, customers are satisfied with the quality and functionality of the switches.
"...RGB backlight and border, aluminum (I bought the black) case, hot-swappable switches (if I ever decide I'm being too noisy with the blues), and..." Read more
"...-Hotswappable plate switches. Nice feature to have, but at $200+ it better be hotswappable...." Read more
"...customizability due to being able to configure the LEDs, the hotswappable switches, and keycaps...." Read more
"...Quality construction, nice hefty aluminum chassis, hot swap sockets, and RGB are all pretty desirable features for a build your own...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the sound quality of the keyboard. Some mention that the switches sound awesome and feel great to use, while others say that it makes a terrible noise. Some say that even the quieter keys are loud and produce quite a bit of sound.
"...The sound was also very springy and I hated that.The Worst - by far the worst part of this keyboard were the stabilizers...." Read more
"...Second, the switches sound awesome and feel great to use. My boyfriend is jealous and will constantly just start clicking the keys for fun...." Read more
"...The stock switches I got were Halo Trues which have a terrible ping sound that reverberates throughout the entire board...." Read more
"...the brown switches I got are as smooth as butter, and they have a beautiful sound...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the performance of the keyboard. Some mention that it works wonderfully, while others say that it doesn't work for that purpose. The USB C pass through works well with multiple Mac desktops and laptops. However, some customers report issues with the RGB LEDs not working.
"...The LEDs are bright and it works well on both my Mac and Windows computers...." Read more
"...But when it comes to doing what keyboards are supposed to do, it fails. 3 star average feels fair...." Read more
"...It worked great for me and they even support macOS, which I wasn't expecting...." Read more
"...Unfortunately it didn't work for that purpose...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the keycaps. Some like the remappable function keys on the right, and the fact that most of the keys are replaceable. They also appreciate the discrete arrow keys and delete key. However, some customers report issues with broken keys and key sockets.
"...into this, I have to mention that the first ALT I received had a broken stabilizer...." Read more
"...The stock stabilizers are kind of awful, but you can find Cherry OEM stabs all over the place that you can swap in instead...." Read more
"...This keyboard checks all the boxes. Aluminum frame, double-shot PBT keycaps, excessive amount of RGB, and comes with decent switches stock...." Read more
"...It started with oft used keys (W/Tab/etc), but now it randomly affects every key...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the value of the keyboard. Some mention it's a solid buy, worth the price, and a great investment. Others say that it'd be a good idea to check the quality of the product before making a purchase.
"...The board is solid and looks great. The price is worth the function you get short of a full custom...." Read more
"...-Expensive (high in price for what it is, even if it is one of the higher-end quality boards).****..." Read more
"Hefty, weighty, built like a tank, but when I lower the brightness of the lighting, I'm unable to increase it, even after resetting the keyboard...." Read more
"...ALT is a great keyboard but with a few faults that make the price point questionable...." Read more
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Top reviews from the United States
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I've used quite a few mechanical keyboards, but this is only the second one that I've owned. My first was a Cooler Master MasterKeys Pro S RGB. I love that keyboard. I went with blue switches, and my year with it has convinced me to never use a non-mechanical keyboard ever again. I began looking for a new one. Not that the Cooler Master needs to be replaced (honestly, I have had zero issues with it, and I'm sure I'll have it around for many years), I just wanted a better-looking keyboard.
I spent a lot of time researching DIY boards, trying to find something that looked great, had solid construction, and had the potential for customization. I kept coming across this keyboard as a good balance between hobby and consumer. I knew I wanted blue switches again, so the typing experience itself wasn't something I was worried about, as I already know I love these switches.
What sold me on this keyboard is the aesthetic, construction, and customization. Low-profile, RGB backlight and border, aluminum (I bought the black) case, hot-swappable switches (if I ever decide I'm being too noisy with the blues), and FULLY programmable via QMK.
I've been using this keyboard for less than a full day and it's basically the perfect mechanical keyboard (probably way too early to say this, but I can also edit this review later). I flashed my customizations. LED colors, added a few key changes (like swapping esc with fn+esc, for easier access to ` and ~). I really like the textured keycaps, which I've read that some people consider "cheap feeling". I disagree.
A few more things:
Anyone hesitating because of the duplicate keystroke issue should stay away from the cheaper switches. This issue is almost certainly caused by the switches, not the board. I haven't read of anyone having this issue with the MX switches. That's what I wanted anyway, so, yeah, it hasn't been an issue for me. I believe the Halo switches are the ones that this is happening with. If you already own this board and you're having this issue, CHANGE YOUR SWITCHES.
Anyone worried about any of the scary information online about having to learn to code to use QMK for this board, ignore it. I am a programmer, so I kept seeing those comments in reviews and forums and didn't think anything of it, just figuring I'd have to read some documentation to do what I wanted. Not at all. It's very simple. If you can follow about 4 instructions, you'll be fine. You use the configurator on Drop's website to customize, you download the configuration file, you download the 2 or 3 other files the site tells you to, and then you have to type a command or two in a terminal or CMD, but there is no actual programming required. This might be a small challenge for people that have absolutely NO experience with computers, but I'm confident that basically anyone capable of reading and copying/pasting can figure it out.
That's it. If it's not the aesthetic, construction, or customization you're looking for, you probably don't need this keyboard. If you're just looking for a decent mechanical keyboard, you can get some great boards under $100 (or a Cooler Master for a little over $100) with the same switches, and some with RGB. For me, this purchase is more than worth it for what it offers.
Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2020
I've used quite a few mechanical keyboards, but this is only the second one that I've owned. My first was a Cooler Master MasterKeys Pro S RGB. I love that keyboard. I went with blue switches, and my year with it has convinced me to never use a non-mechanical keyboard ever again. I began looking for a new one. Not that the Cooler Master needs to be replaced (honestly, I have had zero issues with it, and I'm sure I'll have it around for many years), I just wanted a better-looking keyboard.
I spent a lot of time researching DIY boards, trying to find something that looked great, had solid construction, and had the potential for customization. I kept coming across this keyboard as a good balance between hobby and consumer. I knew I wanted blue switches again, so the typing experience itself wasn't something I was worried about, as I already know I love these switches.
What sold me on this keyboard is the aesthetic, construction, and customization. Low-profile, RGB backlight and border, aluminum (I bought the black) case, hot-swappable switches (if I ever decide I'm being too noisy with the blues), and FULLY programmable via QMK.
I've been using this keyboard for less than a full day and it's basically the perfect mechanical keyboard (probably way too early to say this, but I can also edit this review later). I flashed my customizations. LED colors, added a few key changes (like swapping esc with fn+esc, for easier access to ` and ~). I really like the textured keycaps, which I've read that some people consider "cheap feeling". I disagree.
A few more things:
Anyone hesitating because of the duplicate keystroke issue should stay away from the cheaper switches. This issue is almost certainly caused by the switches, not the board. I haven't read of anyone having this issue with the MX switches. That's what I wanted anyway, so, yeah, it hasn't been an issue for me. I believe the Halo switches are the ones that this is happening with. If you already own this board and you're having this issue, CHANGE YOUR SWITCHES.
Anyone worried about any of the scary information online about having to learn to code to use QMK for this board, ignore it. I am a programmer, so I kept seeing those comments in reviews and forums and didn't think anything of it, just figuring I'd have to read some documentation to do what I wanted. Not at all. It's very simple. If you can follow about 4 instructions, you'll be fine. You use the configurator on Drop's website to customize, you download the configuration file, you download the 2 or 3 other files the site tells you to, and then you have to type a command or two in a terminal or CMD, but there is no actual programming required. This might be a small challenge for people that have absolutely NO experience with computers, but I'm confident that basically anyone capable of reading and copying/pasting can figure it out.
That's it. If it's not the aesthetic, construction, or customization you're looking for, you probably don't need this keyboard. If you're just looking for a decent mechanical keyboard, you can get some great boards under $100 (or a Cooler Master for a little over $100) with the same switches, and some with RGB. For me, this purchase is more than worth it for what it offers.
PROS:
-This keyboard is literally and figuratively very solid. The construction and build quality is superb and has significant weight to it.
-Hotswappable plate switches. Nice feature to have, but at $200+ it better be hotswappable. I bought the Cherry-MX Browns but plan on switching to Aqua Zilents in the near future. The switches themselves are good. Not gonna really comment on them cause we all know switch feel is subjective and you either you know what you want or you don't.
-RGB is vibrant and downright beautiful to look at, especially the LED ring around the board.
-Connects via USB-C (USB-A to USB-C) and has 2 ports so you can connect to either side of the board OR connect another device at the same time but at USB-2 speeds.
-Includes keycap puller, switch remover, and adjustable feet that are magnetic.
-65% keyboard so dedicated arrow keys.
-Can fully program this board via QMK software.
-Comes with a piece of paper that explains basic functions
INBETWEENS:
-Stabilizers are meh
-Keycaps have a grainy/rough texture to them. While I love the feel of them, it may be off putting to some.
-Magnetic adjustable feet positions may not be steep enough for some.
-You can clearly make out distinct LED diodes around the board, so if you care about extreme uniformity in your RGB this won't be the board for you.
CONS:
-Lackluster amount of RGB profiles/effects straight out of the box.
-Using and flashing QMK software to change minor things (like say the color of just one key) can become annoying very quickly.
-Expensive (high in price for what it is, even if it is one of the higher-end quality boards).
****Please note if you want to get it as cheap as possible you can buy it on Drop at for ($180 + price of specific switches + price of shipping). Buying it here on amazon is essentially just paying for quick shipping on Drop.****
Top reviews from other countries
However after just over a year of normal office use, 2 keys suddenly stopped working. The "1" and the "Q". It's not an issue of the cherry MX switches having a problem since swapping them out with known working switches still makes the keyboard fail to register those keys when pressed.
I contacted their support team which were unhelpful since I was outside my warranty Period.
This is usually fine but to be told that I CANNOT get my keyboard repaired at all even at a cost of a repair service is infuriating. This means this expensive Keyboard can NEVER be fixed and I'm left with it not knowing what to do.
Please consider this when buying this keyboard. If it breaks or fails outside your warranty period you have ZERO options
Apple who are notoriously shady with their repair service at least ALLOWS you to repair your devices even if a tad bid expensive, at least you are not left with a brick.
Good Job DROP
Reviewed in Canada on April 15, 2021
Reviewed in Canada on February 27, 2021
It looks really good (I like it better than the high profile ... and in terms of sound, once you add the foam, it sounds just as good). The LED's are not as bright as any of my other LED backlit keyboards. The firmware customization is very easy and versatile. The magnetic feet are amazing ... allows for a great negative tilt (which I now wish I could do with all of my other keyboards). The negative tilt does worsen the sound profile but it feels much better when typing.
One negative to the board is the ping. You pretty much have to lube your switches (springs) to get rid of it. Adding foam does reduce it but nowhere to where is needed. Once you lube your swithces, the problem goes away. Another minor gripe ... the included switch puller ... ugh! You have to buy a separate one because its garbage. Does not catch the switch the way a puller is supposed to. Requires excessive force because the angle of the end isn't sharp enough.