Closer Examination

The ACGAM AG6X comes in a plastic wrap as we saw before, and this helps provide a pristine unboxing experience of the keyboard that is free of dust. What it does not do is provide protection in travel similar to a sleeve or case, so do not use it as one. With the wrap removed, we get our first good look at the keyboard, and it is a small one at that. Weighing in at all of 564 grams thanks to the plastic case and measuring in at less than most keyboards owing to the 60% form factor, it is one that will be easy to use even on a small desk. This sample is a 61-key unit with US language support, and the AG6X also comes in a 63-key version supporting other languages depending on your region. Regardless of the version, the keyboard has a black color scheme and is built sturdily despite the plastic over metal case that other smaller-than-TKL keyboards we have seen here before have used. The plastic case in particular is quite thick and extends upward past the plate to where the keycaps are not floating in practice here even though it is a single piece case. Bezels are minimal to have the keyboard take up as little space as possible, and there is part of the logo on the front in white for the only visible branding present on the keyboard when in use.

Given the form factor, there are a lot fewer keys than even the 87-key TKL form factor, and this means having a key arrangement that is also not a standard yet. ACGAM, for example, has some keys with two to three functions tied in via layers, and the pre-programmed layers are all shown via legends printed on to the keycaps. Some of the modifier keys have a keycap to a single function, and those usually associated with a key have primary and secondary legends located at the top alongside each other. The layered functions are located underneath the primary (or set of primary and secondary) legend, and these are printed differently to better distinguish them from others. The location of the primary legends, knowing the keyboard supports backlighting, indicates that the LEDs are located such that the lighting is going to be brightest at the top, which is as with most other keyboards.


Flipping the keyboard around, we see the usual certification sticker in the middle. There are four small rubber pads at the top and bottom corners for some friction against a desk's surface to keep the keyboard from sliding around, and there are no feet to help elevate the keyboard. Instead, ACGAM integrated the tilt into the case itself such that it is thicker on top as seen from the back, with beveled edges adding some flair. I would have preferred to see case feet instead for at least two options, flat and elevated, so be aware of this.


Given the removable cable we saw before, a connection port was expected, and we see an inset female USB Type-C port in the top-left corner on the front. This allows the cable that plugs in to be directed away from the mouse for right-handed users. The cable is predominantly black to match the color scheme of the keyboard, braided well, and is on the shorter side of average at 5', which is okay in my books for those general usage cases the keyboard will see. It terminates in a gold-plated male USB Type-A connector, and the keyboard is rated for 5 V, 250 mA (1.25 W), so USB 2.0 at 5 V, 500 mA will suffice for the power and data connection alike.


There are five rows of keycaps vs. the six usually seen, and ACGAM is using the tried and tested OEM profile with their keycaps here, which consists of the usual slanted rows and concave surfaces on top. The provided keycap puller works fine for removing the keycaps, which you would do to either swap them out or perhaps clean the keyboard. The keycaps are compatible with Cherry's MX stem design, although the 60% form factor means the stock keycaps with the specific legends printed would be best used and not replaced unless you are comfortable enough to touch type here. As such, the stock keycaps had to be good, and we have thick ABS keycaps (average wall thickness 1.28 mm) with doubleshot injected primary and secondary legends (the ones on the top) for good durability. In contrast, however, the layered legends appear to be pad printed and indeed do not even let light through as seen from the images above. These will show signs of wear and tear sooner than the rest of the keyboard, which is likely a limitation of the mold used. Laser etched legends allowing for backlighting would have been better here, especially with a UV-coat applied on top. Another thing to note is that the sides of the keycaps have a glossy finish vs. the matte finish on the top, and this will help better reflect lighting.



The keyboard only has one switch option, and we see Outemu Blue (Gaote) mechanical switches which cost less than the Cherry MX Blue switches they are based on. I have used keyboards with these switches before with no complaints; however, in this particular case, there is some wobble room between the stem on the switch and the keycap to where the keycap can rotate a few degrees clockwise or counter-clockwise, which leaves these with a look that will trigger OCD. The wobble thankfully is not high enough to notice when typing fast, but if you are typing slowly, some of the keycaps may rotate out of place, especially so on the larger keycaps. ACGAM responded to this by saying the samples they had on hand did not display any wobble further than normal and attributed my sample issues to perhaps a batch issue with the Outemu switches. The larger keycaps also use Cherry stabilizers or a version thereof that looks similar. A closer look at the keycaps reveals the two layers used in the doubleshot injection clearly as well, for those curious.