How Much Does it Cost?
The AOC AGK700 Red Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is available now, and amazingly, it’s only listed on Amazon with an MSRP of £69.09 but is currently on sale for just £66.40. I was going to pick at a few minor issues with the keyboard, but given that it’s cheaper than most other brands’ flagships, it’s hard to really be mad, this keyboard is quite a bargain and I suggest you snap one up immediately.
Overview
AOC may be new to the peripheral market, but they’re clearly moving in the right direction. There are a few small quirks with this keyboard that could be improved though. Firstly, it’s a little old-fashioned. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it does look like a keyboard that came out quite a few years ago, and perhaps could be refined a little more in that respect. Also, I love the black and red, I really do, but in some settings that colour could clash, especially depending on how you configure your RGB. I like the custom round buttons they’ve used too, but their usage is quite erratic. Some on the side, some at the top, one on the top right. AOC is offering media controls on the dial, some on the round buttons, and then on traditional caps above the number pad, and having something that is more unified and less scattered would be even cooler.
Overall though, there’s nothing really wrong with the keyboard. I may be a little random-looking, but it seems to embrace that and run with the theme. The cable is hard-wired, which I’m not a fan of, but it’s extra thick and durable, with a quality braiding that should ensure a long lifespan. The switches are Cherry MX, some of the best-known and much-loved switches on the market for many decades, so you’ve absolutely zero concerns about quality there. Plus, it’s all housed in a stunning brushed metal frame and it feels plenty robust for a keyboard in this price range.
The ergonomics are great, and the inclusion of a detachable leather wrist rest is certainly a welcome one. Plus, it’s magnetically mounted, so just drop it in place or pull it away, and you’re rocking. Having those macros on hand is nice too. I do a lot of repetitive typing (addresses, small HTML blocks, etc) so having those on-tap is welcome. Plus, I do a lot of trading in Elder Scrolls Online, and the macros are great for posting WTS and WTB notifications into zone chat.
Should I Buy One?
This is a fun keyboard, and while I listed a few things that can be improved in future models, I frankly do not care about them. I thought this keyboard was closer to £100, I really did. So imagine my surprise when I found out it was just £66. I’d happily own it despite its quirky nature. It’s loaded with every feature you would expect on a keyboard that costs twice as much, and it is built to the high standards we’ve come to expect from a premium mechanical keyboard, so you can’t really say fairer than that.
