Verdict
The Drop Alt is an first-class keyboard for those want to get into more enthusiast - grade option at an affordable price point . It ’s vastly well built with a solid aluminium bod , while its Halo True switches offer one of the best typing experiences I ’ve had on a keyboard in a long time . While its out of the boxful lighting is howling , you ’ll just have to watch out for the fiddly firmware .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
Anybody and everybody seems to be getting into the earthly concern of mechanical keyboards at the moment , and the last few class has seen an detonation in their popularity .
As a result , I ’ve seen a lot of the great unwashed on the search for their endgame keyboard – one that you may conceivably exit on your desk for all timeless existence . Of naturally , this is all down to personal preference , as everyone has dissimilar gustation and the like , pass water it a unmanageable thing to narrow down .
For some though , I may well have found their holy Sangraal with the Drop Alt , a 65 - percent layout mechanical board that work creature comfort that fancier will love , combined with some grand keyswitches and solid design , all for a retail price of just $ 129 . Is it too good to be true , or is this really one of thebest mechanical keyboardsmoney can buy ? Here are my thought .
Design
The Drop Alt looks and feel grotesque . It leave an especially sturdy frame , sodding with a CNC machine aluminium case to reinforce its nature as more of a premium product . There is n’t any pack of cards flex to utter of , thanks to that sturdy and wooden-headed frame .
The Alt is also pretty heavy for such a belittled keyboard , with a mass of just unsure of 700 g. It is n’t too far off some full - size keyboards in footing of exercising weight .
The Alt features a space - saving 65 % layout , giving you the alphameric paint you postulate , plus the bestow benefit of arrow keys , and a small nav clustering . There are n’t any F discover here , though . 65 % , for the more or less added footmark , provides so much more in terms of functionality than 60 % , make it one of my favourite keyboard layout to apply , besides my more traditional 75 % ( as found on theKeychron Q1 V2I use on some days ) The Alt ’s layout , therefore , is convenient and is a great option for productivity .
The well - made nature of the Alt is reflected not only within its aluminium case , but also in all its fixtures and fittings . It features two quality luminance and dark grey keycaps , give it an almostMacBook Pro - like color . Indeed , when identify on top of the keyboard of my 16 - inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro , the colouration fit pretty well .
The large thing about these keycaps is that they ’re textured , aiding for ease , and comprise of PBT charge card . PBT has long been a favourite of keyboard partizan , given it ’s a lot more hard - wearing than the bum ABS plastic see on more affordable boards . The keycaps on offer here find bright under finger .
round off the back , the interface is wide-eyed , but also heedful . Drop has bundled the Alt with a pair ofUSB - Cconnectors , one on either side of the keyboard . This means you have the pick of which side to plug the detachable cablegram into , so you wo n’t have any unwanted wire strewn across your desk .
Performance
Normally with the Alt , Drop supply you with a immense choice of switch from a range of unlike manufacturers . These let in , but are n’t limited to , Halo Trues , CHERRY MX Blues , and Kalih Speed Silvers . Right out of the gate , it ’s nice to see a immense selection for fans of linear and tactile offer .
Inside my reassessment sample are the Halo True switches , a 60 g tactile switch most similar to CHERRY MX Clears , for a point of reference , in term of force . Drop says these replacement feel exchangeable to Topre ’s unique capacitive rubber domes . However , in switch between the Alt and my own RealForce R2 PFU , there is n’t too much of a law of similarity .
The Halo True find more like Drop ’s own Holy Panda switches , and produce for some of the best tactile switches I ’ve ever used . For day to day work , they ’re supremely comfortable to type on , with an peculiarly pronounced gibbosity halfway down the key travel . That heavier strength means they are n’t as well - suit to gaming as something like a lighter , linear switch like an MX Red , although you could still try and practice them . However , for their intended habit of typing , the Halo Trues do n’t half palpate good .
What also make the Alt an excellent buy for enthusiasts and generalists alike is that it ’s a hot - swappable keyboard . This signify you could chuck in any switches you like , whether they ’re tactile , linear or clicky , although they have to conform to having 3 pins on the bottom , as opposed to 5 pins . Changing switches is promiscuous , since Drop provide a switch puller inside the boxful .
Software and Lighting
I ’ve always maintained that getting lighting decently on a keyboard is a bit of an art form . Go for too much , and it cheapens the look of a board to no end . Go for too small , and you wo n’t please RGB fans . The Drop Alt gets thing right , without reckon too gaudy .
Its RGB lighting comes both per - key , as well as also being in the middle of the two halves of the keyboard ’s instance , bring home the bacon you with an RGB - based sandwich of sorts . There ’s no abnegate that this is some of the brightest and most vibrant lighting I ’ve experienced on a keyboard , particularly when it is n’t designed as a flashy play ‘ panel .
What ’s more , you’re able to also choose varying people of colour by using Fn and the 500 keystone , as well as change the brightness with another fundamental combo . There ’s a lot on offer by default , which is commodious for anyone who does n’t need to involve themselves with the minefield that is dealing with QMK firmware .
Well , I say it ’s a incubus , but it just seems like a bit of a faff . As opposed to having its own computer software suite , like a heap of other producer do , the Alt bank on you selecting key and specific preferences in the brand ’s online configurator , lay aside those preferences , and then flashing them to the board itself . As much as you get complete ascendence , it just feel like a lot of extra employment for something that should be so simple .
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Should you buy it?
- : If it ’s an amazing typewriting experience you need from some marvellous tactile switches , the Drop Alt is an amazing keyboard .
The QMK microcode may be sinewy , but it is crafty to access . Other keyboard arguably provide a simpler software solvent .
Final Thoughts
Drop is a steel that has carved itself out as a great player in the world of partizan - story keyboard , and with the Alt , it ’s sluttish to see why . It ’s catch the makings of a wonderful keyboard for enthusiast and neophyte likewise , with a slew of great features that everyone can get behind . The shape quality on crack is superb , while its Halo on-key switches make for some of the safe tactile switches I ’ve used in a long time .
What ’s more , its ignition is vibrant , and holds a candle to gambling keyboards from much bigger brands than Drop . My only issue come with its software . It ’s a second fiddly to configure at first and could be a bit of a minefield if you are n’t used to flashing firmware onto a keyboard . The configurator Drop provide is extensive though , hold you a lot of controller .
$ 119 for the Drop Alt is a fantastic deal , I have to say , considering what you ’re getting for your money , making it a brilliant keyboard for typists to use all day , every day .
Trusted Score
How we test
We use every keyboard we test for at least a hebdomad . During that time , we ’ll check it for ease of use and put it through its pace by play a variety of different genres , include FPS , scheme and MOBAs .
We also assure each keyboard ’s software to see how wanton it is to tailor-make and jell up .
FAQs
The Drop Alt is to the full programmable with admittance to QMK microcode , thanks to the brand ’s on-line configurator , where your selection can be download and flashed onto the keyboard .
Full Specs
