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The HyperX Alloy FPS Pro Mechanical Keyboard Review

HyperX Alloy FPS Pro Mechanical TKL Keyboard Review!

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The HyperX Alloy FPS family of mechanical gaming keyboards is designed for FPS players. They even created a lean and mean Alloy FPS Pro model for the truly dedicated FPS player.

Join us for a close look at the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro (US | UK | AU | MY) keyboard and see if this is the gaming keyboard for you!

 

The HyperX Alloy FPS Family

The HyperX Alloy FPS family currently consists of two models – a full-sized Alloy FPS (US | UK | AU | MY) keyboard, and a tenkeyless (TKL) HyperX Alloy FPS Pro (US | UK | AU | MY).

They are both very similar in features, differing only in two aspects – the presence of the numeric keypad, and a second USB port. Here is a table comparing their specifications :

SpecificationsHyperX Alloy FPS ProHyperX Alloy FPS
ModelHX-KB4RD1 (Cherry MX Red)HX-KB1RD1 (Cherry MX Red)
HX-KB1BR1 (Cherry MX Brown)
HX-KB1BL1 (Cherry MX Blue)
DesignCompact tenkeyless mechanical keyboardCompact full-sized mechanical keyboard
BuildSolid Steel FrameSolid Steel Frame
Numeric KeypadNoYes
Switch TypeCherry MX Red linear switch (45 cN)Cherry MX Switches
- Red linear switch option (45 cN)
- Brown tactile switch option (45 cN)
- Blue click switch option (50 cN)
- Guaranteed for more than 50 million keystrokes
BacklightingYes, only Red LED lighting
5 built-in lighting modes
1 custom lighting mode		Yes, only Red LED lighting
5 built-in lighting modes
1 custom lighting mode
N-Key Rollover (NKRO) CapabilityYes, up to 6 keysYes, up to 6 keys
Connection TypeUSB 2.0 (one USB connection)USB 2.0 (two USB connections)
USB PassthroughNoYes, mobile phone charging only
USB CableDetachable, braided cable (1.8 m)Detachable, braided cable (1.8 m)
Dimensions358.14 mm wide
129.38 mm deep
35.59 mm high		441.65 mm wide
129.38 mm deep
35.59 mm high
Weight900 g1,049 g
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Unboxing The HyperX Alloy FPS Pro

The HyperX Alloy FPS Pro (US | UK | AU | MY) comes in a heavy but compact cardboard box. There is no doubt that this is the smaller, tenkeyless (TKL) Pro model. A sticker on the upper right corner makes sure you know what type of switch it uses – Cherry MX Red.

When you unbox the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro (US | UK | AU | MY), you will find the following items :

  • One HyperX Alloy FPS Pro mechanical gaming keyboard
  • One micro USB to USB Type A braided cable (1.8 m)
  • One set of HyperX welcome card and Quick Start Guide

In case you are wondering, no, it does not come with a key cap puller.

Next Page > HyperX Alloy FPS Pro Up Close + Key Features

 

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The HyperX Alloy FPS Pro Up Close!

The HyperX Alloy FPS Pro (US | UK | AU | MY) is a tenkeyless keyboard. That means it lacks the numeric keypad of a full-size keyboard.

The term is a misnomer because the there are really 17 keys in the numeric keypad. Let’s take a look at its key features in this video.

The HyperX Alloy FPS Pro is designed to be compact. To keep the base thin and yet rigid, it uses a solid steel frame, topped by a metal alloy plate. The thinner profile also means it does not need a wrist rest.

 

Tenkeyless Compact Design

Thanks to the removal of the numeric keypad, the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro (US | UK | AU | MY) is a really compact keyboard.

At less than 36 cm in width, it is only a tad wider than the Logitech K480 (Price Check) Bluetooth keyboard designed for tablets!

The compact design gives you a lot more space to use your mouse. It also makes it easy to pack for LAN parties. In fact, the Alloy FPS Pro (US | UK | AU | MY) was designed with travel in mind.

 

Alloy FPS Pro Keys & Switches

Like most mechanical keyboards, the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro (US | UK | AU | MY) comes with double-shot keycaps. Oddly, HyperX did not provide a keycap puller. But we have our own, so we pulled one out to take a look underneath…

While HyperX offers the full-sized Alloy FPS (US | UK | AU | MY) keyboard with Red, Blue and Brown switch options, the Alloy FPS Pro (US | UK | AU | MY) only comes with Cherry MX Red switches.

The Cherry MX Red is a linear switch without tactile feedback. The popular perception is that gamers favour this switch for its lighter, faster actuation. It is also a quiet switch, which is great for LAN parties.

The Alloy FPS Pro (US | UK | AU | MY) does not have RGB backlighting, but the keycaps are individually back-lit. In the picture above, you can see the LED light embedded just above the switch.

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N-Key Rollover (NKRO)

Like many gaming keyboards, the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro (US | UK | AU | MY) has N-Key Rollover (NKRO) capability. HyperX also states that it is ”anti-ghosting”, which is basically the same thing.

They did not reveal just how many simultaneous keys it can register. But we tested and confirmed that it can register up to 6 simultaneous keys, making it a 6-KRO keyboard.

 

LED Backlight Modes

All of the keys on the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro (US | UK | AU | MY) have LED backlighting in a single solid colour – red. Each key has an individual LED light, which allows for some interesting backlight modes.

There are five built-in LED backlight modes, as well as a custom option :

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  • Solid : Constant lighting (default)
  • Breathing : Slow blinking that mimics breathing
  • Trigger : Individual keys will light up when pressed, and slowly fade after one second
  • Explosion : A lighting effect will radiate from individual keys when pressed
  • Wave : Keys will light up from left to right in a wave pattern
  • Custom : You can choose which keys to backlight – usually the WASD keys

Don’t worry if you screw up the custom option. If you need to reset the keyboard for whatever reason, just press the Function + Escape keys together for 3 seconds to perform a factory reset. You will know you succeeded if the keyboard backlights blink.

Next Page > More Features, Our Verdict, Price + Availability

 

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Detachable USB Cable

Unlike many mechanical keyboards, the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro (US | UK | AU | MY) has a detachable USB cable.

The 1.8 m long cable plugs into a micro USB port located behind the last row of keys. The connectors are not gold-plated, but the cable is braided for strength and durability.

Removing the cable during transportation makes for easier packing, and will help prevent damage to the cable joint, or scratches to neighbouring items, that could occur when you carry it in a bag.

On the other hand, you could misplace the cable… and the micro USB interface could possibly loosen after repeated insertions and disconnections.

 

Rubber Feet & Stand

The HyperX Alloy FPS Pro (US | UK | AU | MY) has four small rubber feet to reduce movement even during the most frenetic action. It also has two small flip stands at the back, with their own rubber feet. They raise the back of the keyboard by an additional 8 mm.

That may not be a lot, but the good news is – these flip stands are quite solidly-built, and should take a lot of wear and tear without breaking.

 

Our Verdict On The HyperX Alloy FPS Pro

The tenkeyless design is really nice, if you don’t use the numeric keypad. It allows you to place your mouse closer, and a lot more real estate to use your mouse. Its slim profile also allows for a more comfortable typing experience without a wrist rest.

Because the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro (US | UK | AU | MY) is compact, and lighter than many other gaming keyboards, it is easy to slide it into a bag. The detachable cable helps too, although one must be careful not to lose it.

 

Unlike the larger Alloy FPS (US | UK | AU | MY) model, which comes with Blue and Brown switch choices, the Alloy FPS Pro only comes with the Cherry MX Red linear switch, which lacks tactile feedback. The popular perception is that gamers favour this switch for its lighter, faster actuation. However, if you prefer tactile feedback when you type, then this keyboard is not for you.

The HyperX Alloy FPS Pro (US | UK | AU | MY) does not come with fancy RGB backlighting, but that’s not a deal killer. The red backlights are just great in the dark, and you can customise the keyboard to only turn on backlights for certain keys.

The only downsides of the Alloy FPS Pro? If you are hoping for a software utility to configure the backlights, it doesn’t come with one. And for some reason, HyperX did not provide a keycap puller.

Otherwise, this is a really nice compact mechanical keyboard. If you are gamer who don’t need the numeric keypad, this would be a great choice, especially if you intend to bring it to LAN parties. Just make sure you like the feel of the Red linear switch!

 

Where To Buy HyperX Alloy FPS Keyboards

Here are some online purchase options for the Pro ten keyless model, and its full-size brother.

 

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