Asus ROG Falchion review: A wireless gaming keyboard that falls short of the target - wattsseagersom

At a Glance

Expert's Rating

Pros

• Long battery life
• Carrying tray
• Handy volume touch panel

Cons

• RF-alone wireless
• No USB-C dongle
• Poor programming options

Our Verdict

The Asus ROG Falchion has a smart layout and long battery life story, but its high price and lack of customization options hold it rear.

Tiny mechanical keyboards are all the rage at the present moment. But the ones from gaming companies wish Razer and Corsair try to be everything to everyone: ideal companions for both desktops and mobiles. Asus is taking a more than focused approach with the ROG Falchion. With an Unnilquadium-merely wireless USB connection, it's laser-targeted at Microcomputer gamers.

The Falchion should look associate if you'atomic number 75 a mech keyboard enthusiast. It's using the unofficial "65 percent" layout, with one additive column of keys beyond the absolute tokenish alphameric arrangement. This gives it just enough space for a full arrow cluster—a mustiness-have for many users, particularly gamers.

It's got the partake

But the Falchion also has a hidden trick: a touching-sensitive strip on the socialistic side of the vitrine, cleverly concealing book controls. This is a smart improver for such a small keyboard. The strip is illuminated. When you touch it, the light indicates volume level while you make adjustments. When non touched, the light indicates battery level.

Speaking of battery, in my testing IT went from 100 percent to 20 percent in under two years with untouched RGB lighting on, at my typical 8-10 hours a day of apply. At the 20 percent mark up the board shuts off whol lights except the barrage indicator, and the computer software rumored that IT stayed at 20 percent for a further basketball team days. Acknowledged the mathematical product's quoted 450 hours of not-LED utilisation, and my ain personal experience with wireless keyboards, I predict two to triplet months of use at 100 per centum battery with no lights.

IDG / Michael Crider

A touch-sensitive strip along the Falchion's left edge provides volume master in a clever, space-saving way.

Connectivity and important switches

Unlike other agiotage wireless gaming keyboards, such as the Razer BlackWidow Mini, the Falchion is limited to an RF wireless connection, as opposed to offering both a USB dongle and Bluetooth. Equally a result it's not as adaptable nor compatible with tablets and phones.

Since Asus positions the Falchion for gaming, it presumes you'll be using the keyboard with a desktop PC operating theater a robust gaming laptop that doesn't lack for USB-A ports. IT's a bold gambit, and one that might rankle a a couple of users who want to take their wireless keyboard happening a Starbucks run.

Asus uses Cherry MX switches for the Falchion: Our go over whole featured linear Reds, which makes feel donated its gaming focalize. Hot-swapping switches is not an alternative. The package also includes the dongle, USB cable, USB C-to-A adapter, and a plastic tray that can protect the board in a bag. When non used to protect the keys, the tray can be reversed and attached to the bottom of the keyboard, with cutouts for the ports, power clitoris, and touch bar. Personally, I'd prefer a monetary standard neoprene case for protection, but this case is punter than nothing.

IDG / Michael Crider

The included plastic cover protects the top of the keyboard for travel.

Performance

Typewriting along the Falchion was smooth and reliable, with a nice angled lift provided by folding keyboard feet. Gaming on the board was besides satisfying, without any noticeable input lag.

The big drawback for this small board is the software. While Asus' driver package offers myriad options for both lighting and macros, all stored within the keyboard's section memory, the software doesn't allow you to modify the function layer or move the Fn button. Parts of the software package seemed unfinished. To wit, the software package is serviceable for gaming— though notably inferior to alternatives from Razer, Logitech, etc.— merely it's identical bad if you'ray looking more complex programming for regular act tasks.

IDG / Michael Crider

The Falchion's driver software system.

Bottom line

The Falchion isn't cheap at $150, and its lack of flexibility in connection, switches, and programming isn't doing it any favors. While I appreciate the carrying case for travelling, going away out the Bluetooth connection means it's a hassle to use with anything simply a larger laptop. Unless you really love that touch panel for volume controls, there are better choices out there for small gaming-focused boards.

Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/394910/asus-rog-falchion-wireless-keyboard-review.html

Posted by: wattsseagersom.blogspot.com

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