Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Keyboard Review

I’m a huge fan of Ridley Scott’s Alien , the 1979 sci-fi classic that pitted a crew of space miners against the infamous Xenomorph, a giant monster that lurks in the corridors of the good ship Nostromo. I mention this for two reasons: first, it’s a good reason to tie Alienware to one of my favorite movies of a similar title, and second, because the futuristic aesthetic of that late-’70s film established a much-copied standard in sci-fi design.

Some of the rooms in the Nostromo are full of white hardware, rounded edges, and clacking, ticking keyboards. The Alienware Pro Wireless Keyboard seems to bear that influence, as it wouldn’t look out of place squeezed into the console of the stasis pod in the movie.

We have a 75% keyboard here with decent specs. With hot-swappable linear Alienware mechanical switches as standard (you can swap between 3-pin and 5-pin models with the included tool), 1KHz polling over 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity, and a USB Type-C port, the Alienware certainly has many of the indispensable features of a current wireless gaming keyboard. And with 200 dollars/162 poundsIt’s certainly not budget-friendly, but right out of the box it impresses with its excellent design and build quality.

There’s not a speck of flex in that stout bottom plate, the flip-up feet have a nice, cushioned click lock, and turning it on for the first time via the tactile rear-mounted switch reveals an impressive airy show. Something about the Pro Wireless’ timeless look makes this kind of RGB lighting a surprise, and the lettering glows evenly over every key, including longer ones like Shift and Enter. Take a look at the Logitech Pro X 60, take note.

I see so many RGB keyboards these days that I rarely find myself standing back and admiring the show. But the combination of old-school looks and harsh lighting really makes for an impressive visual effect. My Lunar Light—or simply white—softens the backlighting very nicely.

I’ll go further: this is the only white accessory I’ve seen so far and it made me really want to have it in that color.

It also comes in Dark Side of the Moon, or as it’s traditionally called, black. Come on, if I had to, I’d still go with black. But that’s relative, and given my tastes, that’s saying something. It’s a stylish-looking device, and something I think most people would be proud to have on their desks.

But here’s the real deal: the sound. The Pro Wireless makes a very pleasant ticking sound as you type, and it immediately gives me a wave of nostalgia every time I reach for the keys.

I grew up using aged beige keyboards from the early ’90s on my first computers, and there’s something about that noise that brings back memories of late-night DOS games I’d play in my pajamas.

I think again of the clattering, pulsing keyboards of the Nostromo. Was that a hissing sound behind me, a shadow over my shoulder? Probably nothing. I keep walking.

When it comes to the typing experience, the linear red switches are exactly what you’d expect. Smooth, effortless to press (with 40g of actuation force), and a good amount of travel. They come pre-lubricated and slide under your fingers with a good mix of accuracy and airy resistance, leading to a positive overall experience.

With the 75% onboard, you don’t feel like you’re missing out on essential keys. There’s a proper row of function keys, a couple of handy media controls on the right (which also function as Print Screen, Scroll Lock, etc. when you hold down the function key), and a stylized ‘P’ in the top right corner of the panel lets you switch profiles.

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All of these tricks are handled by the Alienware Command Center. Here, you can assign key lighting, key bindings, and various other settings to the profile switch key. I recently reviewed the Alienware Pro Wireless gaming mouse and extolled the virtues of the software’s straightforward nature, and it’s more of the same here. Everything is laid out well, effortless to configure, and can be customized to your liking.

Where the mouse let itself down, however, were two key points: a few cushioned, squishy side buttons that sacrifice quality for weight, and price. In the former case, the Alienware Pro Wireless Keyboard has none of those issues. Everything about it feels very high-quality, as it doesn’t pretend to be lightweight. It’s a meaty, solid thing with excellent switch feel and an overall durability that lets you know you’ve spent your money on a premium product.

The price tag is still what makes things tough, though. At $200, it’s a whopping $20 more than our current pick for the best gaming keyboard, the Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless. That’s unfortunate, because you get a full-size board with an included wrist rest, a brilliant adjustable media control wheel, and one of the best switch experiences we’ve ever tested.

You also get sound cancellation, which our Jacob says really works. While the Alienware Pro also has layers of sound-dampening, that distinctive ticking sound is something you either love or hate. While I’m a fan, I’ve noticed that when someone else is using the Wireless Pro, I can hear it in every room in the house.

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Even though I have skinny walls, the sound tends to spread, and some may find that this gets on their nerves instead of providing a properly nostalgic signal.

So the Asus is still the better buy. But what if you want something more compact? Well, that’s where you run into the power of the Keychron Q3 Max. This particular Keeb is $14 more exorbitant, but it has an incredibly frigid black aesthetic, a control wheel, and a typing feel that’s really great thanks to the Gatreon Jupiter Red switches.

Oh, and it sounds “creamy.” I won’t pretend to know exactly what that means, since that’s terminology for true keyboard geeks, of which I’m not yet one. Alienware doesn’t seem like a candidate, though, if that means anything. If we’re going to look for dairy-based analogies, the Pro Wireless sounds more like whole milk. It’s not for everyone, but it amuses me, and I won’t be fooled if you change my mind.

Overall, the Alienware Pro Wireless is an excellent keyboard, with a nice action, nostalgic sound, and a sci-fi look. As for the price, it’s just a bit too exorbitant compared to the competition, despite its brilliance.

A fantastic addition to any gamer’s lineup, no doubt, but a tad too exorbitant for the features on offer to put it in the hall of fame. That said, if Alienware were to tone it down a bit — and maybe tone down the noise a bit more — it would be a real contender for the top spot.

Now back to my emails. You’ll find me in the corner here, counting down like my life depended on it.