Hardly any bleeding showing (just a bit of glow on the nameplate) and each key lit up perfectly. Getting the keyboard plugged into my rig, and I get what I must say is a simply gorgeous backlight setup. The clear stem here is to allow the light to illuminate the key legends. The keycaps themselves are also a custom design, don’t expect to interchange these with your cherry based keyboard. Here we see the custom Kailh switch, it does remind me a little bit of Topre swtiches. The lack of a keypuller turned out not to be a big issue here as the keycaps come off fairly easily, not that it’s really necessary due to the custom nature of these keycaps, it could be difficult to find a different set that would fit. Looking at the rear of the keyboard we have from left to right, the OFF/USB/Bluetooth switch, the MAC/PC switch and the USB Type C connector. Considering how flat the board is, I would have liked the keyboard to be able to tilt further forward, we are lacking the normal keyboard curvature which makes typing more accurate and speedy. Here we see the keyboard tilted up to it’s full extent. Quite a snazzy way to do this rather than the usual flip out flaps. Twisting the copper feet at the rear of the keyboard activates the tilting mechanism raising the feet up to increase the typing angle. One Access panel for the hefty 6000mAh battery for wireless Bluetooth operation and some stickers with product details. On the underside of the keyboard we have four very large rubber feet, these are in that HiFi style ring, which is again made of copper. Finally there is a plaque detailing the keyboard. The keyboard is very heavy and won’t move around easily on your desk while in use. The LED’s at the top of the board for Caps Lock etc are old school bulb style giving more of that Vintage or Steam Punk effect. The keycaps have actually been seen in this style before, I do own some Cherry compatible caps the legends are very clear even before any backlighting is applied. The leather is actually artificial rather than actual hide. The backing on this one is the leather option, wood is also available as are other metals for the frame. The frame around the edge is copper, polished and without machining marks it feels very Steam Punk. Lets have a good look at the Azio Retro Classic then. Spilling the contents out onto the table, we have the rather gorgeous looking keyboard, a bag of keycaps for Mac users, a user guide, a warranty card, a very well braided usb to usb type-c cable and a cleaning cloth. This really is presenting an opulent product with extra attention to detail and protection. Sliding off the outer sleeve we have a very sturdy inner box with a magnetically held lid, flipping that open reveals a warranty card and manual in a sleeve on the back of the lid and then they keyboard protected not only by a plastic bag but a keyboard cover, which we all know come in very handy indeed. The bottom of the box has just one end of the keyboard imagined, more details greets us here describing features and the typewriter roots. Not much information here other than the name. One quite heavy but classy looking box greets us with a big image of the keyboard, immediately showing off the retro style keycaps. Interestingly these keyboards come with custom switches designed by Kailh, once dismissed but who have increasingly produced quality switches. Specifications ModelĪZIO Typelit Mechanical Switch (by Kailh) I have not previously been aware of Azio, a company started in 2009 out of California dealing in only a few peripherals, however they do seem to focus on design and elegance along with some more outrageous products. Well that was a bit deep, but a deserving introduction to the ridiculously luxurious Azio Retro range of keyboards, one of which I have the pleasure of reviewing. Every once in a while we are presented with the opportunity to experience something above and beyond normal, opulence takes over adding materials and features that may not be needed, but let something stand out from the crowd.
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