The Alienware Tenkeyless Gaming Keyboard AW420K is a compact, minimalist mechanical gaming keyboard designed for an enhanced gaming experience. It features a tenkeyless layout, meaning it lacks a numerical keypad, which contributes to its compact design and allows for more space-saving on a desk.
Function Description:
This keyboard is primarily designed for gaming, offering features that enhance performance, comfort, and customization. It provides a responsive and durable typing experience through its mechanical switches and supports extensive customization of lighting and key functions via the Alienware Command Center (AWCC) software.
Important Technical Specifications:
- Model Number: AW420K
- Regulatory Model: AW420K
- Connection Type: USB (USB-A to USB-C cable included)
- Supported Operating Systems: Microsoft Windows 10 – RS3 and higher
- Operating Voltage: 5V
- Operating Power Current: Max. to 900mA
- Physical Characteristics:
- Height: 19.01 mm (± 0.5mm)
- Length: 367.3 mm (± 0.5mm)
- Width: 147.7 mm (± 0.5mm)
- Weight: KB: 787g (±10g), Cable: 49g (±5g)
- Environmental:
- Operating Temperature: 0°C to 40°C
- Storage Temperature: -40°C to 65°C
- Operating Humidity: 90% maximum relative humidity, non-condensing
- Storage Humidity: 90% maximum relative humidity, non-condensing
- Key Switches: Cherry MX red mechanical switches with 100 million keystroke life-span.
- Keycaps: Double-shot PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate) keycaps for dependable rigidity and wear resistance.
- Polling Rate: 1000 Hz (1 ms) polling rate.
- Anti-ghosting: Fully programmable keys with anti-ghosting and N-key rollover.
- Onboard Memory: Five-profile onboard memory for effortless control.
- Audio Control: Dedicated audio control allows for distraction-free gaming.
- Travel Distance: 4.0 mm total travel distance.
Usage Features:
- Compact & Portable Design: The tenkeyless layout and detachable USB paracord cable make it easy to transport and set up. Integrated cable routing on the underside of the keyboard helps manage cables for improved comfort and a tidy setup. Flip-up risers offer three different keyboard height settings for ergonomic customization.
- High Performance Gaming: Equipped with Cherry MX red mechanical switches, the keyboard provides a smooth, linear actuation with a low actuation force, ideal for rapid key presses in gaming. Double-shot PBT keycaps ensure durability and a premium feel. Anti-ghosting and N-key rollover capabilities ensure that every key press is registered accurately, even during intense gaming sessions.
- Multimedia and Volume Control: Features dedicated multimedia keys (Fn + F1, F2, F3, F9, F10, F11, F12) and a volume control roller for convenient audio management without interrupting gameplay.
- Adjustable Feet: Three-angle adjustable feet allow users to tilt the keyboard to their preferred ergonomic position.
- Profile Switching: Users can switch between stored profiles (up to five) directly from the keyboard, enabling quick access to different key configurations and lighting setups.
- Brightness Control: Dedicated brightness control allows users to adjust the keyboard backlight intensity.
- Fn Lock: The Fn Lock function locks the F1 to F12 media-control functions, allowing direct access to multimedia controls without pressing the Fn key.
- Win Lock: The Win Lock function disables the Windows key, preventing accidental interruptions during gaming.
- Media Playback Controls: Includes controls for fast backward, play/pause, stop, and fast forward.
- Mute Function: A dedicated mute key allows for quick muting of the speaker.
- Volume Control: Volume up and down controls are available.
- Fn Toggle: Press and hold Fn + F1~F12 to toggle different Fn function for F1 to F12.
- AlienFX Per-key RGB Lighting: Configurable with Alienware Command Center, offering up to 16.8 million colors for personalized lighting effects. Mechanical switches are mounted directly on a smooth metal top plate for a clean aesthetic and consistent lighting.
- Customization via Alienware Command Center (AWCC):
- Installing AWCC: Can be installed through Windows Update or downloaded from the Dell Support website.
- Lighting and Animation: Users can select various lighting effects (Static, On Key Press) and animations (Color, Pulse, Breathing, Morph, Spectrum, Single Color Wave, Scanner, Rainbow Wave, Static Default Blue). Color schemes can be customized using a color wheel and preset colors. Brightness is also adjustable.
- Device Settings: Allows users to check firmware versions and restore factory defaults.
- Modified Keys: The software enables programming macro commands to keys. Modified keys can be temporarily disabled by pressing Fn + any key (except Function keys) to revert to normal usage, or by pressing Fn + Q for a specific example. This feature is useful for preventing accidental macro activation or for temporary standard use.
Maintenance Features:
- Firmware Updates: The Alienware Command Center application allows users to check for and install firmware updates, ensuring the keyboard operates with the latest enhancements and bug fixes.
- Restoring Factory Defaults: Within the AWCC, there is an option to restore the keyboard to its factory default settings. This can be useful for troubleshooting or resetting customizations.
- Troubleshooting: The manual provides solutions for common issues such as the keyboard not functioning (disconnect/reconnect, restart computer), keyboard lighting being off (check Fn+F6, disconnect/reconnect, restart computer), and selected configuration not working in AWCC (ensure AWCC is running, open AWCC to ensure configuration is set properly and saved). For further assistance, users are directed to the Alienware Command Center, the Alienware Command Center Online Help, and the Contents section of the manual.
The Alienware Tenkeyless Gaming Keyboard AW420K is designed to be a robust and highly customizable peripheral for serious gamers, offering a blend of performance, durability, and aesthetic appeal through its advanced features and software integration.
Need help?
To Next Page
General
