AOC make nice gaming screens. You may even say they make a few of the very best gaming monitors round. Indeed, their wonderful AOC 24G2U is at the moment our RPS Rig-approved gaming monitor and among the best finances screens you should purchase right this moment. Did you additionally know, although, that they now make their very own AGON-branded peripherals? I actually didn’t, but when my temporary fingers on with their upcoming AGON-branded keyboard and mouse is something to go by, they may very well be on to a different set of winners. After all, what’s the purpose of getting a bunch of LEDs on the again of your monitor should you can’t have matching rainbow patterns throughout the remainder of your PC?
Currently as a consequence of land someday in July 2020, AOC’s AGON mouse and keyboard are literally only one set of peripherals they’re releasing this yr, as they’re additionally going to be launching one other mouse and keyboard set that’s geared towards their entry-level AOC Gaming line on the similar time. These will likely be fairly a bit cheaper than their AGON counterparts, with the mouse coming in at €28 versus the AGON’s €50, whereas the keyboard is ready for €70 in comparison with the AGON line’s €150 asking worth, however I reckon that even these have the potential to convey some welcome competitors to the finances finish of our best gaming keyboard and best gaming mouse rankings.
Starting with the AGON package, the AGK700 keyboard and AGM700 mouse (pictured above) look (for higher or worse) each bit like your basic gaming peripherals. Decked out in the identical crimson and black color scheme as AOC’s AGON screens, you may undoubtedly inform that they’ve graduated from the identical college of ‘gamer’ design because the screens they’ll be sitting in entrance of. The 16,000 DPI mouse provides a bit of additional aptitude with its huge silver clicker buttons, however in any other case you’ve acquired a really gamery wanting sniper button under its two programmable facet buttons in addition to numerous tiny little LEDs on the left hand facet indicating which of its three on-board reminiscence profiles you’ve acquired enabled.
I do love a giant, chunky keyboard dial…
The AGK700 keyboard, in the meantime, will include Cherry MX Red and Blue mechanical switches and a removable, magnetic leather-based wrist relaxation, plus 13 completely different operate buttons. It’s nonetheless a bit ‘gamery’ for my liking, however holy moly does it have a beautiful crimson management dial plonked proper in the course of it (above).
Using the identical shade of crimson as AOC’s new AG353UCG monitor (the successor to their AGON AG352UCG gaming monitor, which now has a 35in, 3400×1440 decision show with a 200Hz refresh charge and Nvidia G-Sync Ultimate assist), this attractive, tactile dial can be utilized for all method of various keyboard features, reminiscent of turning up the quantity of your audio system and adjusting the brightness of the keyboard’s LEDs. All you have to do is hit the suitable operate button beside it, and the crimson dial will adapt accordingly. It’s a really related setup to Roccat’s Horde Aimo keyboard, solely ten instances lovelier. It’s additionally acquired 5 macro buttons down the left-hand facet (plus a mode button for switching between its 5 on-board profiles) and a devoted mute button over within the high proper nook.
AOC’s Gaming mouse and keyboard (the latter of which is pictured above), in the meantime, are loads less complicated than their AGON counterparts, each by way of options and their total design. The GK500 keyboard, for instance, has a fairly simple plastic chassis that’s much more compact than the AGK700. You nonetheless get 5 macro buttons, although, in addition to a magnetic removable wrist relaxation (albeit a tough plastic one reasonably than a mushy leather-based job). It’s nonetheless mechanical, too, however AOC have opted for Outemu Blue switches right here as a substitute of conventional Cherry ones. Not that that must be a difficulty, although, because the Outemu switches I examined on the Tecware Phantom RGB nonetheless felt very clicky and responsive. Indeed, if the AGK700’s specs card wasn’t sitting proper subsequent to it throughout my demo session, I most likely wouldn’t have been in a position to inform which one was Cherry and which one had the Outemu switches.
As for the GM500 mouse (pictured under), this ambidextrous clicker has a a lot flatter form than the AGM500, and its highest sensitivity setting is proscribed to simply 5000 DPI as effectively. That’s fairly low, even for a finances mouse, however let’s be trustworthy, until you’ve acquired bionic eyes able to detecting laser-fast mouse actions, you most likely received’t be utilizing something a lot above 2000 DPI anyway. Plus, due to the GM500’s symmetrical design, you additionally get two additional buttons on the right-hand facet, which is nice information for the lefties on the market.
All 4 peripherals will likely be appropriate with AOC’s new G-Tools software program as effectively, which can allow you to customise the RGB lighting, program all of their varied buttons and create on-board profiles. AOC weren’t prepared to indicate this off simply but, however fingers crossed it received’t be a ache within the ass to make use of like a few of the different mice and keyboard software program on the market.
Still, even when G-Tools doesn’t reside as much as expectations, what I’ve seen thus far of AOC’s gaming peripherals seems to be a promising debut for the corporate, and I’ll be intrigued to see how they stack as much as the competitors come launch time later this yr.
