It looks like another player has appeared on the gaming peripheral market – ADATA under the XPG brand. They still cannot boast of a large assortment of devices, but their flagship keyboard – XPG Summoner – is up for review.
Keyboard Specifications
- Color: steel;
- Weight: 951 g;
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 449 x 135 x 44 mm;
- Interface: 2x USB 2.0 Type A, 1 pass-through;
- Working voltage: DC 5V;
- Polling rate: 1000 Hz;
- Key life: more than 100 million keystrokes;
- Warranty: 2 years
The device is delivered in a cardboard box, on which from the front side you can admire the keyboard itself, and from the back you can familiarize yourself with the characteristics. The package includes a device, a pad for brush with magnets, a bunch of useful waste paper and nine removable keycaps to turn the keyboard into a truly gaming keyboard.
In terms of appearance, the XPG Summoner is a completely traditional full-size gaming keyboard. The upper part is made of brushed dark aluminum, the lower part is made of high-quality plastic. In the same place, below, you can see the tilt adjusters and rubber feet.
What immediately catches your eye on the front is the analog volume wheel and the chrome XPG brand logo. Keycaps made of soft-touch plastic in matte color. Moreover, whichever option of switches you choose (blue – acoustic, tactile; red – linear, silent; silver – fast, sensitive), it will still be Cherry MX.
The ergonomic brush pad attaches to the keyboard with magnets, and, in our opinion, this is something that, firstly, definitely increases the usability (and quite significantly), and, secondly, adds to the overall appearance of the device (with padded keyboard design looks complete).
The pad is soft and takes the shape of the hands, which has the most beneficial effect on fatigue of the hands. Especially you begin to feel this after spending several hours at work or playing. Usually, brush stands are not used, but here we would definitely recommend using the keyboard only in this form.
From the useful there is a proprietary XPG Prime application. In it, you can customize the highlighting or bind macros. There are 7 ready-made backlight modes (static, ripple, trigger, burst, color switching, color wave, WASD mode). You can also program any key for macros, but there will be no more than 5 such macro keys.
There are standard multimedia keys that are activated in combination with the FN button. The keys themselves are made using 100% Anti-Ghosting technology, which completely eliminates signal conflicts and pressing the wrong keys while using the device.
Well, the cherry on top is the USB pass-through. In fact, this is a separate entrance, which is located next to the power cable and significantly expands the functionality of other peripheral and mobile devices.
Conclusion
Surprisingly, the XPG Summoner gaming keyboard performed exceptionally well. The keyboard has everything to be called a flagship and to attract your attention: excellent appearance, excellent ergonomics, the presence of basic functions, additional USB, the ability to choose options for switches.
In addition, if you do not want to use proprietary software, do not use it: the keyboard can do without it.
Well, the price, which at the time of writing the review is $170 (you can find it cheaper), is quite competitive on the market. And, more importantly, lifting for a device of this level. We can safely recommend for acquaintance and purchase – you will definitely not go wrong.
