ASUS ROG Azoth Keyboard Overview
Taking a first look at the ROG Azoth you can see we have the Moonlight White version. It is also available in a Gunmetal color. The Moonlight White version has a silver top-plate with a grey frame and a mix of white and grey keycaps. Overall I like the color design of the keyboard and it sets itself apart from many other “white” keyboards.
The ROG Azoth makes use of 75% layout, which makes it smaller than a tenkeyless (TKL) keyboard, but you retain almost the same amount of functionality. Another way to think of it is a 65% layout with a added function row. This size is extremely popular with gamers as you have quite a lot of functionality, but it takes up less space on your desk. ASUS is using an exploded 75% layout where the arrow keys and Ins, Del, Page Up and Page Down buttons are slightly separated from the rest of the keyboard.
On a lot of 75% keyboards we see a volume control knob in the top right corner but on the ROG Azoth we have a 2-inch OLED screen and a 3-way control knob. We’ll go into more detail on the OLED screen in a bit. The 3-way control knob allows you to press it up, down, as well as press it in from the side.
The keycaps themselves are double-shot PBT keycaps. If you aren’t familiar PBT keycaps are much more sturdy than the typical ABS keycaps you find on a lot of mainstream gaming keyboards. They also do not show shine or wear, so your keyboard is always looking like you just got it. The keycaps have see-through legends on them so you’ll be able to see the RGB below the kepcaps shine through. The Esc keycap has the ROG logo in it.
Under the keycaps we have ASUS’s own NX mechanical switches. We have the snow version, which is a linear switch with an initial force of 40gf, actuation point of 1.8mm, total force of 53gf, and total travel of 3.6mm. The switch itself is made of a POM stem, PC top housing, and a POM bottom-housing. The switches do come pre-lubed from the factory. You can get the keyboard with their NX Snow (linear) as we have here, or their NX Storm (Clicky), and then more normal switches like their NX Red, NX Blue, and NX Brown. This is a hot-swappable keyboard as well so you can easily swap-out the switches down the line if you like.
Looking at the keyboard from the side we can see that the keyboard sits at a slight angle. The pop-out feet allow for two more angle adjustments. The bottom of the keyboard and most of the chassis is made of plastic, although it does feel pretty solid. On the bottom of the keyboard we can see those pop-out feet as well as four large rubber feet to keep the keyboard in place on your desk.
The top-edge of the keyboard is where you’ll find your USB-C connector, a holding spot for the 2.4 GHz receiver, and a switch the change between modes. This is a tri-mode keyboard so you can use it wired, wireless via Bluetooth and of course wireless with the 2.4 GHz receiver. The 2.4 GHz receiver is your standard USB-A receiver.
For those wondering about the rest of the internals of the keyboard below is a breakdown. You have a silicon gasket design with a silicon 3.5mm-thick silicone pad, the PORON foam below that, and then finally a silicone foam below that. This should provide not only a comfortable typing experience, but one that sounds great as well.
