Software

There is no dedicated software driver support for the Akko 3084 World Tour Tokyo—all functionality is hardware based. As such, I have chosen to combine the Software and Performance pages into one.

Performance

The keyboard supports the typical 6-key rollover Bluetooth and NKRO in USB wired mode, which tested successfully using Aqua's test. Switch Hitter confirmed no chatter with these keys either, and as is usually the case with most mechanical keyboards today, the right Win key is replaced by an Fn key. Also seen above are the 84 functions that get dedicated keys on the base layer, which includes everything from an 87-key TKL (US ANSI) keyboard sans Scroll Lock, Insert, and Menu.


I am just happy there is a much better manual from Epomaker that goes through the pre-programmed functions tied to the Fn+ layer. So even though you have most of the keys required by default, Akko includes volume control and media playback here, in addition to some functionality shortcuts, such as pulling up your default email client and media player, but also locking Win key and making R. CTRL the Menu key. There is no means for key mapping other functions, but there is on-the-fly macro recording! Holding down Fn + Win for 3 seconds initiates macro mode, although there is no visual indication of this. Fn + Esc then starts the record process, meaning Fn, Esc, and Win can't be assigned macros. The manual again goes over the process, but pressing Fn + the desired key next clears the previously assigned function, and the recording is then written over. Repeating the steps in reverse closes it, and you can of course clear macros and go back to the default programming. I wish there were onboard profiles to make this process more practical, but underneath the Japanese aesthetics is basically a standard keyboard.

Well, standard aside from the wireless connectivity option anyway. We saw on the previous page that the Akko 3084 World Tour Tokyo actually has a Bluetooth 5.1 transceiver despite being rated for Bluetooth 3.0, and in the absence of a confirmation either way, I won't comment on what could have been. However, in the absence of any backlighting and only three indicator LEDs that barely see any action, the included 1800 mAh battery is a lot. I did not run out of battery life once in the month of on and off testing, including a couple of non-keyboard reviews I wrote on it first to get used to the form factor. Breaking in took less than two days, however, with the lack of spacing between the arrow key cluster and the alphanumeric section being the main hurdle to cross after using a mixture of 60% and some TKL/full-size keyboards. I do like these truncated form factors a lot, including the 96% variant (also known as 1800 compact), which adds a numpad.

Bluetooth usage was absolutely fine, and as mentioned above, battery life is on the order of weeks to months depending on your usage. Charging is on the slower side, taking only 500 mA over USB 2.0 according to my testing, so it's an overnight thing. I will note that simply turning the switch on the back to on will not suffice for Bluetooth pairing as you need to hit Fn + Tab for it. Oh, that reminds me that there is actually a pink LED underneath the Tab key that lights up when the battery is low or charging, with one of the indicator LEDs in the top-right corner otherwise dedicated to the actual pairing and connection status. It goes without saying, but using this keyboard in wired mode is the default and works flawlessly.


As we saw before, the Akko 3084 World Tour Tokyo comes in three switch options, and mine uses the venerable MX Red in its original iteration of a lifetime of 50 M keystrokes before a drop in specified actuation travel and force performance. This switch is rated at 2.0 mm actuation with 45 cN and 4.00 mm total travel, and the RGB variant has quickly become the most popular mechanical switch in use today, which can be attributed at least partially to the many keyboards marketed as "gaming keyboards" using linear mechanical switches instead of tactile or clicky switches. Actuation and peak forces were well within rated values based on my testing of twenty random switches with a tension gauge. For those who prefer a different typing experience, Akko provides the option to go with the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch or the MX Blue tactile + clicky switch.


As always, the sound of a keyboard is based on more than just the switch type. So when comparing sound clips, consider the keyboard as a whole. In this case, I have provided above an example sound clip of me typing on the Akko 3084 World Tour Tokyo keyboard sample at ~105 WPM as it comes out of the box with the Cherry MX Red switches. For context, you can find sound clips from other keyboards here, including those with linear switches. I did bottom out, and you can also hear the ping off the steel plate that may not be to your liking. The stabilizers do rattle, which is mostly due to insufficient lubrication.