The Azio Retro Classic is an excellent keyboard. This is my first mechanical keyboard, so I cannot compare it to others, but the fit, finish, feel, and sound all met my expectations. I first began to see similar retro or Steampunk keyboards about eight to ten years ago, when I hardly knew what Steampunk was. As a lover of Victorian literature, I have long been an admirer of Victorian aesthetics, and while this is hardly Victorian, it definitely has that “vibe” of something that could have been. On that score, I have no complaints about the appearance of the Retro Classic, which I purchased in the Elwood version. It certainly feels like real wood, and looks wonderful.
The tactile experience is wonderful, and it is certainly more clicky than your average keyboard. I love typing on this thing, and it feels quite nice. I read many of the reviews before purchasing, and noticed that some complained of wrist pain. I am not an expert typist by any means, but if you are experiencing pain while using this or any other keyboard, it could very well be poor typing habits. Wrist-pads or wrist-rests are not necessary, as your wrists should be elevated to roughly the same height as your fingertips while you are typing. So please do yourselves a favour and learn good typing habits! It may well prevent early development of carpal-tunnel syndrome.
I am not a gamer, so I cannot comment on its use in that manner, but as a writer, it is really something special, especially compared to the typical rubber-dome type keyboards that are so common these days. There really is no comparison between a mechanical keyboard and a rubber dome keyboard; it is superior in every way, excepting, perhaps, cost. But if you type a lot, it is a worthy investment. Indeed, the cost is what held me back from mechanical keyboards for so long. I have been eyeing the buckling spring, IBM Model M style keyboards from Unicomp for years, but could never really justify the cost. When Datamancer began to produce retro-inspired keyboards about a decade ago, it became something of a dream to own one, but they cost hundreds of dollars, and as beautiful as they are, I simply could not justify spending that kind of money on a keyboard, regardless of beauty and quality. When I saw the Azio Retro Classic, I balked at the price; let’s face it: 189.99 for a keyboard is pretty pricey. But I decided to shell out the cash and give it a try. And I am glad I did!
A word about Azio’s customer service. As a longtime Linux user, I rather dislike having the Microsoft Windows logo on my keyboard. After reading reviews and watching several video reviews—many of the latter for the Bluetooth version—I was rather expecting the USB version I bought to come with the alternative Mac key caps; it did not. I had hoped to swap out the Windows hotkey for the Mac CMD key cap. So I e-mailed Azio Customer Support and expressed my disappointment as a Linux user to not have another option for the Windows logo on the hotkey and asked if they would be willing to send me a set of the Mac key caps included with the USB version. Firstly, I am not fond of wireless keyboards for security reasons, one of the very reasons I use Linux to begin with. A few days after writing them, they responded that they were happy to help and would try to get this request approved for me, and would send me a tracking number when they shipped. In addition, they asked which distribution of Linux I am using so they can attempt to offer support for Linux in the future. True to their word, four days later they sent me a tracking number and I received them the following Monday. They sent a whole set of Mac key caps, and I happily swapped out the Windows logo key for the Mac key. Not being a Mac user, I can’t say if the USB version, even with the Mac key caps, would work as well as the Bluetooth version which has a switch for Windows or Mac. True, the Bluetooth version can be used wired, but unless you wish to use it with Bluetooth, it is an added expense. But then, Mac products have always been more expensive than PC products.
I would suggest to Azio that they offer these with a more generic hotkey key cap to begin with. For one thing, the “retro vibe” of these keyboards almost demands something more generic than a Windows logo; this could be something as simple as a large asterisk. I daresay both Mac and Windows users could easily determine what it is they are looking at. Personally, I think some kind of a sprocket or wheel logo would be a good option for the hotkey.
All of that said, this is an excellent keyboard, and I imagine that both those experienced with mechanical keyboards and those who are not would be more than pleased with this, if you are looking for a keyboard that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. I will also add that if you are at all worried about the round keys, don’t be. I had no trouble adjusting straight off and honestly cannot tell a difference. If anything, I seem to type better, though that could admittedly just be my imagination and admiration for a superior keyboard, which this definitely is.
| Brand | Azio |
|---|---|
| Series | MK-RETRO-L-03-US |
| Item model number | MK-RETRO-L-03-US |
| Hardware Platform | PC |
| Operating System | Chrome |
| Item Weight | 4 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 18 x 6 x 1 inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 18 x 6 x 1 inches |
| Color | Artisan |
| Manufacturer | Azio |
| Language | English |
| ASIN | B0752X3X5K |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Date First Available | September 5, 2017 |
