Hiper HCK-1K18A-US Keyboard
Keyboards often seem to be either the very first, or the very last, personal equipment upgrade for computer enthusiasts. They are almost completely ignored when consumers purchase their equipment. This is really a shame, since it usually doesn't take long for the complaints to begin; or the original equipment begins to fail. Benchmark Reviews see's the reason for this growing market which fights for your desktop space, and examines the Hiper HCK-1K18A-US Black Alloy USB Keyboard.
Very few computer users can say that they don't have a personal preference when it comes to peripheral equipment. No matter what the circumstance, every person who has ever sat behind a computer decides within a few seconds if they either like or dislike the equipment in front of them. Sometimes it takes little more then placing your hand over the mouse to discover if it will become friend or foe.
Consider just over four years ago at the end of the beige box era, most peripheral equipment was color matched to the vanilla ensemble surrounding it. It was a pathetic situation that was slowly trying to make itself better in no hurry. You really had no more than two color choices, both of them plastic, and wireless peripherals were still a mess to work with. Then without warning, the market turned away from IBM-clone beige boxes and into the custom painted, cooled, and LED-lit products we computer enthusiasts take for granted today.
Most experts would agree that at the very top of the personal equipment list there are three peripheral devices: the mouse, keyboard, and the display. I work on several computers every day in various environments, and I make my own snap judgments which relegate the clients hardware to my mental trash bin. Thankfully there is a booming market fighting for your desk space. Even the most discerning individual can find a comfortable match to his or her preferences; which is saying a lot.
About the company: High Performance Group
High Performance Group was founded with the passion of providing the computer users & customers the best innovative products & services. The company's untraditional approach from its patented design to its business conducts gains itself partnership with many respectable firms including AMD. Always committed to excellence, High Performance Group strives to be the best in every aspect.
Hiper Business Philosophy (V.I.P.)
VIGOROUS
People are the core of any business. Our name "High Performance Group" not only implies to its product, but also to its people. Our company is filled with vigorous officers & staff; "whatever it takes" is our spirit, our belief, as well as our habit.
INNOVATIVE
Hiper (trademarked) represents our corporate identity in the ultimate form. This symbol represents true innovation. Hiper product line is always imitated, but can never be duplicated. Our entire ID, mechanical, electrical, electronics, visual effect & web designer teams are truly elites in the industry because their passion of embracing technology & changes is noticeable with the first contact. It captures even the most ordinary person's attention with details everyone appreciates.
PROACTIVE
High Performance Group means proactive way of business. Our solid & honest policy in business put everyone at peace, and then we police and enforce it. We make sure that our business partners (you are included) are well protected. Many who joined us has become us, and we are sure that you'll become one of us once you join us.
Features & Specifications
When I removed this keyboard from the brown cardboard box all of the Hiper products were shipped in, the first thing I looked for was a name on each item. Unfortunately, even the actual retail packaging neglects a real marketable name for the product, which has Alloy Keyboard on the front and HCK-1K18A-US imprinted on the back of the box near the UPC label. I would like to take this opportunity to help Hiper name this product: Cold Blackness.
Why would I name it "Cold Blackness" you ask? Well, to begin with, it's a jet black 6063T5 alloy keyboard, with a very cold feel to it when you pick it up or touch it for the first time. I suppose I could borrow a Dave Chappelle quip, and dub it "Darkness". Either way, the name needs some attention, and Alloy Keyboard is as generic as names get. From here on out, I'm calling the Hiper HCK-1K18A-US Black Alloy USB Keyboard simply the Hiper Darkness Keyboard.
This is what happens when you send Benchmark Reviews a product with a name like HCK-1K18A-US; we take the liberty of naming it for you.
Hiper Keyboard Features:
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Flat keyboard layout
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Slim & Stylish profiling
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Tilt-able
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Heavy-duty construction Suitable for long term business usage
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Fully compatible with Windows 9x/ME/XP/Vista
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USB and PS2 platform connectivity ( optional )
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Purple LED's
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Full Travel, laser cut, short keys for ultra long term durability, performance, and styling
At first, the compact layout didn't suit me very well. To be fair, it won't make any difference to of our readers, but I am not your ordinary user. Since I type at beyond 100 words per minute, my muscle memory of the standard QWERTY-style keyboard is very ingrained. From the standard keyset, to all of the upper function keys, to the 10-key (which I am a master of thanks to my accounting skills), and the directional and home set keys are all memorized. The Hiper Darkness Alloy keyboard has thrown a monkey wrench in my typing skills.
But you may notice in the image above that Alloy Keyboard, I mean "Darkness", has a very compacted key layout with all of the keys placed into a small row set. This is great for most people: recreational users, gamers, enthusiasts. But if you are set in your ways, and have become totally accustomed to the standard keyboard layout, this could be a learning experience for you.
HCK-1K18A-US Specifications:
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Application: Personal PC/Note book
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Dimension: 386*150*22mm
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Color: Black with Silver Accents
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Interface: USB (PS2 adapter is included)
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Material: 6063T5 Alloy
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Key Material: ABS
The underside is black as night. Even with a full power flash and backlighting, the images turned out very dark. This is a non-event however, since there is no reason for you to stare at the underside of the keyboard. Notice where Hiper's product tag lists the product as HCK-1K18A? That should soon say "Darkness".
The thin profile and alloy construction lend to a very rigid keyboard structure. Unlike most plastic keyboards, the Hiper HCK-1K18A-US Black Alloy USB Keyboard does not require thick plastic to keep it strong and straight. The strong allow composition allows Hiper to create a very thin and sturdy keyboard.
Some of the precision finished edges and beveled LED and button openings reminded me of the NZXT Adamas Aluminum ATX Case we reviewed several months ago. These very reflective edges really help to catch the light, something the Hiper "Darkness" could really use.
Final Thoughts
Aside from some minor layout changes, the Hiper HCK-1K18A-US Black "Darkness" Alloy USB Keyboard worked very well for me. I say this in the past tense, because I ultimately could not adapt myself to learn a new typing habit. On the other hand, gaming was more comfortable thanks to the tactile keys and compact layout. More desktop space for my paperwork is always a plus, and Darkness returns a few inches of real-estate back to my desktop.
Probably the most important question in this whole review is whether the Hiper HCK-1K18A-US keyboard uses scissor-type or rubber-membrane key action. Well, it was very difficult to tell without prying off a key, so I carefully lifted off the ABS plastic scroll lock key to behold... a short stroke rubber-membrane key action. Well, that explains why it was tough to nail down. Hiper really has done a very good job of designing "Darkness", now they just need to spend some R&D time on producing attractive product names.
Conclusion: Hiper HCK-1K18A-US
The product and packaging presentation were acceptable, but I believe the consumer would pull this off of the shelf because of prior interest or fascination with the contents inside more than they would for the retail packaging. I've seen worse, but Hiper should let the keyboard handle the black color, not the packaging. It appears as though this is where I offer the manufacturer a second suggestion: make the retail box all purple with black trim instead of all black with purple trim.
Once you get "Darkness" out of the box, the product comes to life. It is very attractive, and at the same time very classical. I would really like to see this keyboard marketed differently, because at this point it is very much a diamond in the rough.
Hiper really covered the bases well in terms of construction. The 6063T5 Alloy and ABS plastic construction combines great strength and looks with lightweight durability.
Gamers will enjoy the compact key layout, while hardcore-novelists will require some retraining. All said, the Hiper HCK-1K18A-US keyboard offers plenty of multifunction key functionality without additional software. This translates into a driver-free design compatible with Windows Vista on down.
Since the Hiper HCK-1K18A-US keyboard is not presently sold in any major outlets at the time of this writing, it is unfair for me to rate this product on value. Clearly a potential sales opportunity awaits, so it would be worthwhile to ask your favorite distributor to carry this product if you are interested.
In conclusion, I can recommend the Hiper HCK-1K18A-US "Darkness" keyboard to gamers and general computer users. Although it is not a wireless solution, this keyboard offers great short-travel key response with very stylish looks and polished accents.
Pros:
+ Extremely lightweight
+ Excellent key response
+ Short travel keystroke
+ Convenient driver-free hotkeys
+ Strong and attractive alloy finish
+ High-quality construction
+ Native USB interface
+ Attractive overall design
Cons:
- Poor retail packaging
- Compact key layout will trouble novelists
- Needs a better name
Ratings:
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Presentation: 7.5
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Appearance: 9.0
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Construction: 9.5
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Functionality: 9.0
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Value: N/A
Final Score: 8.75 out of 10.
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