INTRODUCTION

   Due to its massive size the PC gaming market may be the most influential one currently when it comes to keyboards, mice, headsets and many other peripherals but gamers don't represent the entire consumer base and that's something most manufacturers know all too well. Of course some choose to cater to the needs of gamers mostly because let's face it that's where the big profits are but many still try their best to have variety in their product lines in order to cover every consumer out there. Now as most of you know the market is currently overflowing with RGB mechanical gaming keyboards aimed towards demanding gamers but for people who're not really interested in RGB lighting and are instead looking for an elegant mechanical keyboard designed specifically for their office desk AZIO has them covered with their latest RETRO Classic Typewriter Backlit Models.

   Azio Corp. is a manufacturer dedicated to providing innovative tech gear to make everyday life more engaging and fun. We believe that design has the power to alter not only perceptions, but also emotions. Through superior design, we are driven to provide a better experience for people of all ages from all walks of life, no matter what your hobby, profession, or need may be. Technology can simplify complicated things, or complicate simple things. Our design goal is to create cutting-edge products that are intuitively easy to use, provide maximum comfort, and leave a minimal environmental footprint. Through the use of color, material, and finish, we strive to design our products with the perfect blend of elegance and ferocity. Our brand, Azio®, is an acronym for "A to Z, Input-Output". This reflects the core of our business as a manufacturer of computer and electronic peripherals. The Azio brand logo employs a simple, geometric typeface to resemble solidity, efficiency and forwardness. This simplicity and cleanliness avoids all decorative and nonessential elements to demonstrate that Azio aims to only offer succinct products that have the optimum balance between aesthetics and functionality.

   The RETRO Classic line of Typewriter Backlit Mechanical Keyboards by AZIO includes a total of three models which are available both in wired and wireless versions (wireless Bluetooth model review soon). With us today we have the ARTISAN model which features a zinc alloy copper matte frame with a genuine black leather top but AZIO also makes the ONYX (black chrome frame with black leather top), POSH (copper mate frame with white leather top) and ELWOOD (gunmetal matte frame with walnut wood top) models. All four models feature KAILH Typelit mechanical switches (backlit - white for all models aside the POSH which comes with orange - tactile and clicky switches with an endurance of up to 50 million clicks), 2 lighting modes (reactive/breathing), N-Key Rollover via USB, shared media keys, 6 feet braided cable, rear pillar-style adjustable feet (just rotate to adjust the height of the keyboard) and round keycaps very similar in design to the keys of vintage typewriters (made out of plastic unfortunately).

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

The box has a very large product picture at the front right next to the manufacturer logo and above its model name.

A small sticker placed at the base of the box contains the product specifications.

At the rear of the box we see a partial product picture right next to a detailed features list.

As expected the keyboard is placed between two foam spacers and one cardboard spacer and underneath a clear plastic cover.

AZIO bundles a cleaning cloth, the serial number warranty card and the user guide with the RETRO Classic.

THE RETRO CLASSIC ARTISAN

With a size of 455mm in length, 147mm in width and 40mm in height the 1587g heavy RETRO Classic by AZIO is a medium sized keyboard.

Just like with most keyboards coming out now the RETRO Classic features a floating keys design.

Even the lock LEDs are retro (also do notice the detail of the genuine leather used).

AZIO has also placed a small aluminum plate over the arrow keys with the date they were established and the model name.

Via the function key F1 through F4 can also be used to launch your web browser, file explorer, email and media player.

F5 through F8 can also be used as media keys (back/next track, play/pause and stop).

Finally you can decrease/increase/mute audio and launch the calculator with the F9, F10, F11 and F12 keys.

The two available lighting modes (reactive and breathing) can be turned on/off from the HOME and DELETE keys (backlight can be turned off from the END key and on from the INSERT key).

You can adjust the brightness levels via the up/down arrow keys.

Here we see the typelit mechanical switches by Kailh (the LED is placed at the center of each key allowing for a more even illumination).

Turning the keyboard over we see 4 large round rubber feet.

You can adjust the height of the two rear ones just by rotating them clockwise.

The pillar-style adjustable feet raise the rear end of the keyboard 5mm from your desk.

The RETRO Classic features a 1.8 meter long braided cable with a gold plated USB plug at the end.

Here you can see the min and max brightness levels of the RETRO Classic ARTISAN.

AUDIBLE FEEDBACK

Many people ask my opinion on what keyboard they should get for their needs. Some want a “silent” model for use in their living room or even in their bedroom while others ask for a model with good audible feedback for use in the office or for gaming. Because of this I decided to test keyboards by placing our ExTech HD600 vertically over each keyboard (5cm distance) and typing NikKTech a total of 6 times with each (after that the max recorded number - max hold - is placed in the graph). I have to admit that this may not be 100% accurate but it does give a good idea on what you can expect from each model since aside the type of switches used keycaps and keyboard material also matter.

CONCLUSION

   The RETRO Classic line is actually AZIO’s 2^nd attempt to create a retro keyboard after vintage typewriters so we had very high expectations from it. The first MK Retro line released a while back was also something new but due to the usual materials used (namely plastic) it wasn’t what we’d call unique and/or elegant. The RETRO Classic line brings almost everything we’d like to see from such a keyboard including premium quality materials (zinc alloy with real leather and/or walnut wood), backlit mechanical switches (Kailh Typelit) and a very impressive design. Of course the reason we say almost is because the keycaps used are made out of plastic (zinc alloy would be ideal) and also because the sound of the mechanical switches used is far from that of a vintage typewriter (perhaps with zinc alloy keycaps that would improve as well). That being said the sound part is not really bad (at least not for the majority of potential buyers) since vintage typewriters tend to be way too noisy but I expect there are some people out there who are looking for exactly that.

   So how much does the “luxury” RETRO Classic Typewriter Backlit Mechanical Keyboard currently retails for? Well as expected these models don’t come cheap so each will currently set you back a total of USD189.99 inside the US (Amazon) and 199.99Euros inside the EU (Amazon DE). Of course when there are gaming keyboards in the market that cost almost as much (some even more) we don’t really consider them expensive (based on the materials used) but at the same time we can’t call them affordable either. Overall AZIO has released one of the highest quality (not to mention unique) keyboard lines in the market today ideal both for office and home use and we’re happy to give them our Golden Award.

PROS

- Premium Quality Materials
- Design (Reminiscent Of Vintage Typewriters)
- Kailh Typelit Mechanical Switches (Center LEDs / 50 Million Actuations)
- N Key Rollover
- Pillar Style Adjustable Feet
- Available In Wired And Wireless Versions
- 4 Different Models (ARTISAN / ONYX / POSH / ELWOOD)

CONS

- Plastic Keycaps
- No USB Pass Through
- Price (For Some)