Closer Examination

The AZIO IZO is a 75% form factor keyboard in a modified US ANSI layout, similar to the AZIO Retro Compact, taking the smaller 60% keyboard we have seen so often this year and adding dedicated arrow keys, the Fn key row, and Delete, Home, End, and Insert. The R. Shift key is shorter to fit these additional eight keys, and the bottom row also misses out on Menu (or R. Win), but manages to retain the other three to the right of the space bar by using shorter 1u keycaps rather than the usual 1.25u sizing. Single legend placement is in the top center on the top surface of the keycaps, with secondary legends placed alongside. There are also some keyboard-specific legends in a different color and application, and these are placed underneath the primary legends. Backlighting is on offer as well, so these keyboard-specific legends may not be lit up as well if we have the usual north-facing LEDs. The typeface for the legends is quite clean, even for that A no doubt based on the AZIO logo. They could have been larger, but fitting in the extra legends would have been harder, so I can't fault AZIO for going this route.

I almost immediately thought of the Epomaker B21 when I first saw AZIO IZO photos online, so much so that I almost thought Ajazz was the OEM given the dimensions are nearly the same even through the Epomaker B21 is a 65% keyboard and the IZO a 75% keyboard with dedicated Fn keys. That rounded design and those bright colors want you to think of either as a fun product you would in turn have fun typing on by evoking childhood nostalgia. Available in three colors, all vibrant and colorful, the plastic wheel in the top-right corner and the Esc and space bar are held in gold for accenting, which might irk some, but that's where the replacement keycaps from before come into play.

The gold is just part of the design, however, with the Blue Iris set I have using the blue color for the plastic case itself. It is a darker blue that works well as a base color, and we then have the keycaps with a slightly cool white color tonality. The keycaps are also rounded and more cubical for the 1u keys, making them seem more like a piece of candy at first glance. Bezels are average in size considering everything, including the top bezel that has the AZIO logo in the top-left corner and that oversized wheel on the top right. Indicator LEDs are underneath the wheel for Caps Lock, PC mode, Mac mode, and battery status (level/charging). Three other indicator LEDs are on the other side, but to show which of the three possible devices the keyboard is actively paired to for use.


Flipping the keyboard around, we see an integrated case elevation with the top having a more aggressive curvature and higher profile than the bottom. There is the usual certification sticker in the middle with the serial number, and four short rubber pads at the corners add friction against the resting surface and prevent scratches to the plastic case. There are no keyboard feet, so you are left with the built-in elevation here.


On the side facing away from the user and the top-left corner is where we find a toggle slider for either wired (USB) or wireless (Bluetooth 5.0) connectivity with the AZIO IZO. There is an inset Type-C port in the top-right corner, which makes it hard to use the keyboard with some aftermarket cables, and it may get tangled with the cable for the numpad or mouse if you go with the set. The provided cable works well enough and is the usual 6' long. Unfortunately, it is a lighter blue in color, the same as the other two cables included with the accessories. The cable plugs into an available USB Type-A port on your computer, and USB 2.0 will suffice for power and data alike, although you may want to use a USB 3.0 connection for faster charging of the internal battery.


Speaking of the whole set, here is a look at the three together. I imagine most customers will be using these in wireless mode, and I do appreciate the option to have the numpad on the left or just out of the way if not needed. It adds some more ergonomic options, and the ability to use it as a standalone calculator is quite neat, too.


The side gives us a better look at the fixed keyboard profile. I have to say that it is a bad idea, with the bottom being taller than can comfortably be used without a wrist rest. The keycaps seem to use a modified Cherry profile, but are also lower in height to where they are certainly floating even with the two-piece plastic case construction. The included keycap puller is barely useful, having to be pushed in to even fit over the rounded keycaps. With a few keycaps removed, we get a better look at them and see an interesting design choice. The white keycaps are all doubleshot injected PBT plastic keycaps, with the pale blue base and a darker blue injection for the legends. The keyboard-specific legends are laser-etched and will wear out sooner while also having the double whammy of not being backlit.


There is only one switch option with the AZIO IZO, which is going to be a dealbreaker for many no doubt. It's also quite an.. inspired.. move from AZIO to have that one option be a tactile and clicky switch—namely, the Gateron Blue RGB mechanical switch. It is based on the Cherry MX Blue switch with a blue stem/slider and translucent top to allow light through the cutout in the switch. AZIO uses white LEDs rather than the RGB variety, but the switch deals with it the same way. The larger keycaps use Cherry-style stabilizers, which are not lubed as with the switches. As the stock Esc key, the stock space bar is also made out of ABS plastic, and it feels quite mushy to type on, so much so that I will probably swap it out soon.


Speaking of, here is a look at the two replacement keycaps installed. This reduces the glam factor quite a bit, allowing for that large wheel to be the only gold accenting on the IZO. The spacebar in particular is a better one to type on, but we go back to the default configuration to continue with the review.