Review: Logitech Silent Wireless Combo MK295
When you think of a keyboard or a mouse for your PC or laptop, the first brand that comes to mind is Logitech. The company has been churning out one quality product after the other for years now.
We recently received their new Logitech Silent Wireless Combo MK295 for review – so how did it perform? Read on, to find out!
The Logitech Silent Wireless Combo MK295 is, as the name suggests, a wireless keyboard and mouse combo. Inside the box, you get three items – the keyboard, mouse and a transmitter to which both the keyboard and mouse get wirelessly connected.
Both the devices feature a minimalist design – the build quality is very good, too. The full-size keyboard also accompanies eight convenient shortcuts plus the full numpad that simplifies data entry and navigation.
The wireless mouse meanwhile features a contoured and portable shape. Using the mouse felt very smooth, while the device offers precise clicking and pointing on most surfaces. In addition, both the keyboard and the mouse, feature Logitech’s SilentTouch technology.
The keyboard offers an adjustable height, a spill-resistant design and offers a wireless connectivity coverage of about 10 meters, using 4GHz Wireless technology. Both the keyboard and the mouse are plug and play devices.
As soon as you plug in the nano transmitter into the USB port of your PC or laptop, switch on the keyboard and mouse and they get instantly connected.
The mouse uses one AA battery, while the keyboard uses two AA batteries as the power source. According to Logitech, the batteries on the keyboard can last up to 36 months, while the battery on the mouse can last 18 months. The combo offers up to 90% less clicking and typing noise.
So if you are working from home late at night, you don’t have to worry about disturbing your household with clicking and typing noises.
Using the Logitech Silent Wireless Combo MK295 was an outstanding experience. Both the keyboard and mouse were very silent to use and the buttons on the keyboard were very smooth while typing. The mouse also offers precise clicking and pointing. For a very affordable price point of AED 147, the Logitech Silent Wireless Combo MK295 is a perfect keyboard and mouse combo for your PC or laptop.
Price: AED 147
Review: Asus ROG Falchion Ace 65% Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
The Asus ROG Falchion Ace is the latest addition to the company’s Falchion series of compact gaming keyboards. It is a wired mechanical keyboard that features dual USB-C connectors and is offered in two colours: Moonlight White and Black. In addition, the keyboard provides a selection of three switch options – NX Red, NX Brown, and NX Blue. Now, these correspond to linear, tactile, and clicky, respectively.
For this review, we received the Black keyboard with ROG NX Red mechanical switches. The keyboard aims to impress gamers with high-quality PBT Doubleshot keycaps, RGB lighting, and an interactive touch panel, among other features. Inside the box, the keyboard comes packed with a keyboard case to protect it from dust and for transport, a braided USB-C to USC-A cable, ROG stickers, and the quick start guide. However, there is no keycap puller included in the box.
Most of the design elements from the original Falchion have been retained in the ROG Falchion Ace. This keyboard has a 65% layout, which makes it incredibly compact, measuring only 306mm in length and 101mm in width. With its rigid plastic chassis and aluminum top plate, the Asus ROG Falchion Ace has a robust and sturdy build.
The keycaps are made of textured double-shot PBT material, which has a comfortable curve that provides support for your fingertips. The keyboard is equipped with four rubber pads in each corner on the underside which effectively prevents the keyboard from moving around.
Unlike the original Falchion, the Falchion Ace lacks wireless connectivity support. However, it compensates for this by having two USB-C ports on each side, allowing you to connect to two separate devices. The switch between the USB-C ports enables users to switch between devices easily. over, cable management is simpler because you have the option of attaching your custom coiled cables on either side of the keyboard.
As custom keycaps are gaining popularity and becoming more affordable, it is noteworthy that ROG has utilized PBT double-shot keycaps for the Falchion Ace. The keycap legends are well-defined, and the keycaps feel top-notch. The keycap profile is akin to the Cherry profile, with each row being distinctive enough that I seldom needed to look down while typing. Additionally, ROG has gone a step further by adjusting and lubricating the stabilisers on the spacebar, shift, and enter keys, making the keyboard feel stable and smooth to type on without any rattling.
Undoubtedly, the most significant feature of the ROG Falchion Ace is the interactive touch panel incorporated on the keyboard’s left side. This touch panel is hardly noticeable without illumination; however, when lit up, an LED bar, a plus and minus symbol below it, and various dots in between them illuminate. The touch panel offers several controls and functions.
The ROG Falchion Ace uses Asus’ Armoury Crate for customisation. You can select the keyboard via the Devices subitem, which provides a variety of options for the keyboard. The software is intuitively designed, with the settings of the ROG Falchion Ace divided into sub-items such as buttons, touch bar, lighting, firmware update, and profiles.
You can create and synchronise profiles, with up to six profiles stored directly on the keyboard’s onboard memory. These profiles can be freely configured and assigned with certain functions or macros through the Keys sub-item. The touch bar offers three additional keys and up to five actions via two additional swipe gestures, allowing users to adjust the volume or mute the sound with standard settings.
Asus offers a total of eleven customisable effects for illumination, ranging from static lighting to pulsating, rainbow, or quicksand, with synchronisation available with other RGB components of the system. You can also create your own lighting effects via Aura Creator, and the lighting can be turned off completely if required.
Typing on the Asus ROG Falchion Ace is a satisfying experience, with each keystroke feeling sturdy and consistent. The stabilisers and sound-dampening foam work well together to reduce ping and produce a pleasant sound. Adjusting the incline feet allows for a comfortable typing angle, but those with smaller hands may benefit from using a palm rest. Switching to the 65% layout may seem intimidating, but for gamers, it can improve overall ergonomics by allowing for a more natural mouse position and preventing over-extension of the right arm during gaming.
The Asus ROG Falchion Ace proves to be an excellent all-around performer in our test. The keyboard impresses with its comfortable layout, great switches, and thoughtful additions such as the ROG stabilizers and interactive touch panel. Additionally, the dual USB-C ports, compact dimensions, keyboard cover, and onboard memory make it ideal for users on the go.
Overall, the ROG Falchion Ace is a well-constructed, compact keyboard that offers a satisfying typing and gaming experience for both casual and professional users. It thus walks away with the Gadget Voize Editors’ Choice award!
Price: AED 510 approx.
Asus ROG Falchion Ace 65% Mechanical Gaming Keyboard AED 510 approx.
The keyboard aims to impress gamers with high-quality PBT Doubleshot keycaps, RGB lighting, and an interactive touch panel, among other features.
User Review
Review: ROG Harpe Ace Aim Lab Edition Gaming Mouse and ROG Hone Ace Mousepad
Asus started off 2023 with a bang by launching several new devices including the impressive ROG Azoth keyboard, which we reviewed earlier this month. The company also announced the new Asus ROG Harpe Ace Aim Lab Edition mouse and mousepad – so let’s have a look at these in this review.
Upon removing the mouse from the packaging you will be surprised at how lightweight the mouse is. Weighing a mere 54 grams, the ambidextrous mouse is equipped with a nylon shell and an optical sensor capable of 36,000 DPI.
With ROG Micro Switches, it has a lifespan of 70 million clicks and is equipped with Bluetooth and 2.4GHz RF wireless modes as well as a storage compartment for its dongle. Additionally, the mouse features five buttons and comes at a price point of AED 513.
Meanwhile, the Hone Ace mousepad, which boasts a surface that repels water, oil, and dust, measures 508-by-420 mm. Its design prioritises an optimal amount of friction to ensure precise controls and features a rubber base to minimize slippage.
With ruler markings included, gamers using Aim Lab’s software for accuracy training may find it particularly useful. The mouse pad is priced at AED 110.
Developed by Statespace and launched in 2018, Aim Lab has attracted around 20 million players to date. The base software can be downloaded for free from either Steam or the official website. Aim Lab has proven to be a valuable tool for players seeking to refine their skills in first and third-person shooters.
Not only does it analyse performance to aid in improving aim, but it also focuses on identifying weak points and preferences. In addition, it provides game-specific training profiles, such as those for Valorant and Roblox.
Apart from the side-mounted blue buttons, you also get a scroll wheel which is accented by the LED lighting beneath it. In terms of the buttons, the regular clickers offer a satisfying tactile sensation, and the scroll wheel performs well.
The mouse also features two buttons on its underside, one to connect the Harpe to your PC via Bluetooth, wired connection, or wireless USB-A receiver, and the other to switch the DPI. Having said all of that, the real highlight of Harpe is its DPI. At 36,000 DPI, it offers a high level of precision, something esports players will appreciate.
The Harpe’s remarkable precision is enhanced by Nvidia Reflex. If you connect the mouse to a compatible monitor, the latency is significantly reduced. Nvidia’s internal tests show that the Harpe, when used with Reflex, is the fastest esports model available, ensuring that your in-game clicks register almost instantly.
While most players may not notice these differences, esports players and competitive gamers require every advantage possible, especially when substantial amounts of money are at stake. Without Reflex, the mouse is still exceptionally fast, but this extra feature elevates it to the top tier of performance.
The Asus ROG Harpe Ace is a serious contender in the realm of gaming peripherals. Its blend of performance optimiser, cutting-edge specifications, and lightweight build make it an impressive piece of equipment.
We discovered that the mouse was not only accurate and satisfying to use for gaming but also for regular day-to-day tasks. Furthermore, it is surprisingly lightweight, despite packing a significant amount of technology.
It is rare to find a gaming mouse that is both lightweight and durable without honeycomb holes or a thin shell. However, Asus has managed to incorporate a battery that lasts up to 90 hours and provides both Bluetooth and wireless connectivity.
The Asus ROG Harpe Ace Aim Lab edition excels in many aspects. The mouse’s construction and design are clearly well-thought-out. One of the things that stand out is the customisation via Aim Lab. If you’re tired of the usual gaming mice or seek something that can assist you in optimising your settings for improved gameplay, the ROG Harpe Ace Aim Lab Edition Gaming Mouse is the way to go.
Price: AED 513 (ROG Harpe Ace Aim Lab Edition Gaming Mouse) and AED 110 (ROG Hone Ace Mousepad) BUY NOW!
ROG Harpe Ace Aim Lab Edition Gaming Mouse and ROG Hone Ace Mousepad AED 513 (Mouse), AED 110 (Mousepad)
The real highlight of the Harpe is its DPI. At 36,000 DPI, it offers a high level of precision, something esports players will appreciate.
User Review
Review: ROG Azoth Wireless Gaming Keyboard
Asus’ Republic of Gamers has a reputation for producing high-quality gaming products, including gaming gear, peripherals, PCs, laptops, and smartphones. Their latest offering, the Azoth Wireless Gaming Keyboard, is no exception. This keyboard is loaded with features and connectivity options and takes it a step further by offering a fully customisable experience.
Every key on the keyboard is hot-swappable and the board itself is designed to provide the best tactile experience for gamers. Additionally, the ROG Azoth comes with a DIY Switch Lube kit to ensure consistent performance. The Azoth aims to satisfy both gamers and keyboard customizers by providing a comprehensive package.
The build quality of the ROG Azoth keyboard is impressive. Its three-layer system ensures a comfortable and responsive typing experience that surpasses many keyboards I have tested in the past. The addition of small silicone gaskets provides extra cushioning, which greatly enhances the feel and comfort of keystrokes. This unique feature sets it apart from other mechanical keyboards I have used, and it truly provides a one-of-a-kind typing experience.
The ROG Azoth keyboard features an aluminum top frame, but unlike enthusiast models in the market, aluminum is not present throughout the body. The keyboard has a solid weight to it, but it is not as heavy as many gaming enthusiasts keyboards out there, due to its plastic bottom.
However, the use of plastic serves a purpose in this design. One of the standout features of the Azoth is its support for 2.4GHz low-latency wireless and Bluetooth connectivity, in addition to a wired connection. It is rare to find a keyboard of this caliber that supports wireless connectivity, mainly because it is difficult to transmit a wireless signal through aluminum. To address this issue, Asus ROG compromised by using plastic in the design, and it proves to be a wise decision.
The Azoth also comes packed with a 2-inch OLED display that can be customised to display information about system operations, control multimedia functions, and manage certain keyboard functions. It comes with a small knob and button controller that makes it quite practical to use. It essentially creates a shortcut menu for some basic functions, saving the hassle of loading up the Armory Crate software.
The ROG Azoth is equipped with ROG’s SpeedNova 2.4GHz RF and the latest Bluetooth technology, providing seamless wireless connectivity. In addition, the keyboard comes with a braided USB-C to USB-A cable that can be used for charging and as a third mode of connection. Connecting wirelessly is a straightforward process on both Mac and PC.
The keyboard only looks and feels great, but it also provides an exceptionally smooth typing experience. Its 75% profile makes it ideal for setups with limited surface area. The Azoth offers a DIY experience that’s accessible to even the most inexperienced users.
With the provided tools, swapping out keys is a breeze, allowing you to easily switch between an NX brown tactile typing experience to an NX Red (linear) or NX Blue (clicky) experience on the fly. Although it may seem intimidating at first to remove keys from the board, the design of the cavity that houses each individual key makes it easy to slide keys in and out of their slot, and a satisfying clicking sound confirms that the key is in place.
The NX Brown Keys come pre-lubed to ensure a smooth typing experience, but ROG also provides a cleaning and lubing kit to help maintain the keys in pristine working condition. This system is designed specifically for those who are new to the DIY keyboard experience, and it works great, offering gamers a new level of customization for their keys and board.
The Azoth’s battery life is impressive, even with the power-hungry OLED screen. When I started using the keyboard straight out of the box, it had around 50% of the battery life remaining. Despite daily use for a week, I only had to charge it once, and as I write this review, I still have enough juice left on the keyboard.
Asus ROG has truly outdone itself with the release of the ROG Azoth. It is one of the best gaming keyboards they’ve ever produced and the best enthusiast keyboard I’ve seen from a well-established brand in recent times.
