When comparing Azio Backlit Mechanical Gaming Keyboard vs MechanicalEagle Z77, the Slant community recommends Azio Backlit Mechanical Gaming Keyboard for most people. In the question“What are the best computer keyboards under $100?” Azio Backlit Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is ranked 6th while MechanicalEagle Z77 is ranked 8th. The most important reason people chose Azio Backlit Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is:
While the [RGB model costs $80](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010M53SLU/), it provides full per-key RGB lighting complete with different effects. While this doesn't offer any extra functionality, it adds some flashiness to your build.
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Pros
Pro RGB model available under $100 as well
While the RGB model costs $80, it provides full per-key RGB lighting complete with different effects. While this doesn't offer any extra functionality, it adds some flashiness to your build.
Pro White backlight has adjustable brightness levels
The base model of the keyboard offers a white backlight (no RGB), and the brightness of the backlight can be adjusted to suit the ambient lighting.
Pro Choice of brown or blue switches
There are two switches to choose from: Kailh blue or Kailh brown. The blue switches offer a bump at the activation point as well as a click, while the brown switches offer a bump without the click. These switches are slightly heavier than the corresponding Cherry MX switches, but are similar in the way they act.
Pro Minimal, sleek looking design
The bezels of the keyboard are small, and the design of the board is minimal instead of gaudy gamer-focused designs. It has a volume roller in the top right accompanied by the mute button which makes the board feel more premium than it's price point would suggest.
The keys also appear to be floating - while most keyboards have their keys recessed behind the casing, these ones aren't. this leaves their side exposed, and makes for a more unique design than other boards.
Pro Coloured lighting (not RGB)
This keyboard offers colourful lighting, and a number of lighting modes from reactive (which lights up the buttons you press) to pinwheel or linear movement. You can also program which keys you want to light up, and create your own custom lighting mode.
Pro Real mechanical switches provide comfortable typing
While the keyswitches aren't the popular Cherry MX switches, they are still mechanical switches: more specifically Outemu blue switches. These switches are made in China, and work similarly to the Cherry MX blue switches. They offer a tactile bump and a click at the activation point (about half way down) which is not only satisfying to hear and feel, but also provides more accurate and comfortable typing.
Cons
Con Uses knockoff switches
This keyboard uses the Kailh switches instead of the more common Cherry MX switches. Kailh switches are made in China instead of Germany where the Cherry MX switches are made. The Kailh switches don't last as long, and the quality testing isn't as vigorous as Cherry's. The switch naming scheme is very similar, however Kailh switches are typically heavier than the comparable Cherry switches.
Con Not adjustable/programmable, and no macro support
Other than brightness levels (and lighting modes for the RGB model), this is a basic board. It doesn't support macros, and there are no profiles you can adjust. This will be fine for most users, however heavy users will miss these features.
Con Uses knockoff mechanical switches
This keyboard uses the Outemu blue switches which are clones of the massively popular Cherry MX blue switches. There isn't much information available on these Outemu switches, but they are made in China and likely aren't help up to the same standard that the German made Cherry switches are.
Con Per-row lighting only (not RGB)
Each key only has a single LED beneath it, and can only illuminate a single colour. When all lit up, it looks colourful however the QWERTYUIOP (top row) keys will always be green, and the ZXCVBNM (bottom row) keys will always be purple.