Lighting and Performance

The Akko ACR Pro Alice Plus supports N-key rollover USB which tested successfully using Aqua's test. Switch Hitter confirmed no chatter with these keys either, and seen above are all the functions with dedicated keys on the base layer. This 68-key unit might seem closer to a 65% keyboard given the increased number of keys and the dedicated arrow keys but remember there are some duplicated functions too. It's best treated as a small form factor keyboard that has ergonomics in mind courtesy the split and angled key clusters.


It's no surprise then to see an Fn layer pre-programmed on the keyboard which give you some of the missing functions compared to a TKL keyboard. In particular, as with other 60/65% keyboards, we have the Fn row here in addition to Home/End/Ins/Print Screen. We also have some shortcuts to add to your user experience here and there are onboard controls over the RGB LEDs for both the keyboard and the case ambient lighting to where you can get a lot done with this keyboard without needing to use the software drivers.


Seen above are some of the available lighting effects accessible via both onboard controls and software, with full 16.8 M RGB per-key lighting on offer. The white color version will no doubt make for a more appealing light show if you prefer it, although the opaque keycaps somewhat hold back the translucent switches. As I mentioned before, there is no way to easily sync the lighting effects between the LEDs assigned to the keys and those for side lighting from the case itself, so it does take away from the immersiveness to an extent. Light bleed is minimal on this keyboard owing to the lack of floating keycaps and color fidelity is quite good given the LEDs set to white gave off one of the better white colors I've seen to date on RGB keyboards—I am not sure if the black keyboard version will do as well here.


My review sample of the Akko Alice Plus keyboard uses Akko's own CS Crystal switch. We took a closer look at the switch—both inside and out—earlier to note it is a linear switch that Akko manufactured with aesthetics in mind, given the entirely clear housing and stem. The CS Crystal can be seen as a modified version of the Cherry MX Red, for some context, in that it's a full-size cross-stem switch with 4 mm total travel and and has an actuation force of 43 +/-5 gf to make it a medium-force linear switch. Where it differs is the actuation distance itself is shorter at ~1.6 mm and the peak force at bottoming out is ~50 gf. This means you are almost certainly going to bottom out the switch once you actuate it! It's a fairly smooth switch that I found had a small amount of wobble to it, so the ASA profile keycaps help counter this by positioning your fingers naturally in the middle to avoid switch wobble when pressing down.


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 ACR Pro Alice Plus keyboard sample at ~85 WPM as it comes out of the box with these switches. For context, you can find sound clips from other keyboards here, including those with linear switches. Keep in mind that this is without the provided foam sheet installed as I thought it made for a mushier, overly dampened experience. Instead, we end up here with a fairly crisp, if not loud, sound. The gasket mount helps with the overall typing feel and the foam sheet between the plate and the PCB is working overtime here to cut down on higher frequency pings and reverberations in the keyboard. The thicker PBT keycaps also help to an extent, and you end up with a sound signature primarily from the switches bottoming out. It's certainly a better sounding keyboard in my opinion than many mainstream offerings and approaches the overall typing experience that keyboard enthusiasts are looking for.