I upgraded from a full-size Corsair membrane keyboard, and this is light years beyond that.
The sound of the keyboard is incredible, with the notable exception of the spacebar. The spacebar sounds much more hollow than any other key, but it can be mostly resolved by sticking some tape in the underside of the key. That being said, the first thing I noticed was the phenomenal typing experience on this keyboard. I often find myself looking for excuses to need to type out long passages just to prolong the typing experience (like this review). I didn't think I'd notice the difference with the doubleshot PBT keycaps, but they definitely add a premium feel and texture to the keys that I appreciate. Another premium feel addition is the metal top plate, which is cool to the touch and makes it feel very sturdy.
The brightness of the LEDs is more than sufficient, especially if you use it in a darker space like I do. The OLED screen is neat, and definitely can be bright enough, but I use it less than I thought I would.
The wireless connectivity is seamless. I've never noticed any latency when using the wireless dongle, which I have plugged into my gaming PC. When I need to swap to my WFH setup, I switch to the Bluetooth mode and connect to my work laptop. I don't even need my USB hub for the dual functionality.
Because of the included battery, the keyboard is pretty hefty, which adds to the premium feel. It's still light and portable enough that I can toss it in my laptop bag and bring it with me to the office to use with my work laptop. I will warn you that it's not what I would consider a quiet keyboard (with the brown tactile switches at least), so there is a good chance you might annoy your work neighbors.
All in all, I give it a 9.8/10. My only complaints are the odd spacebar sound, and the slight wobble you can feel in the keys when holding them down (with the brown NX switches). I would imagine that this isn't a problem with the walled stem switches, but those weren't in stock when I ordered.
I am tempted to remove a star due to the horrendous ROG software that you have to use if you want to configure this keyboard, but given that you don't really ever *need* to use it, it's tolerable.
| Brand | ASUS |
|---|---|
| Series | M701 ROG AZOTH/NXBL/CA/PBT |
| Item model number | M701 ROG AZOTH/NXBL/CA/PBT |
| Hardware Platform | Laptop, PC |
| Operating System | macOS® 10.11 or later, Windows® 11 |
| Item Weight | 2.58 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 12.83 x 5.35 x 1.57 inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 12.83 x 5.35 x 1.57 inches |
| Color | Black |
| Power Source | Battery Powered, USB Powered |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included) |
| Manufacturer | ASUS |
| ASIN | B0BSKSCGZ4 |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Date First Available | January 19, 2023 |
