Despite this technically being the fourth AZIO Retro-series keyboard review, it is actually only the second retail product reviewed with the previous one done late last year. The first two were either before the company switched over to using higher-end materials (leather, zinc, wood) or were pre-production samples with leatherette as a mock-up of the final product. As such, a lot of my thoughts on the retail RCK in Elwood are just as valid here on this full-size Retro Classic BT in the Artisan finish. Many who have skipped to the conclusion page would dismiss it immediately based on the price point. At $220 (which happens to be the same for the RCK with the bundled wrist rest but a smaller form factor), it is tremendously more expensive than most gaming keyboards with software configuration and RGB backlighting, let alone the more basic office keyboards it is actually targeting to replace. But this would not be fair to AZIO, who have carved out a niche pretty much to themselves in the realm of bringing out high-end keyboards adopting the typewriter-style keys. Somehow, this is enough to differentiate their Retro Classic keyboards from what Datamancer does, and arguably to a more accessible market given prices are significantly lower compared to the latter, which goes more into the art market with prices that begin at $500.

With such a price tag, this niche keyboard is no doubt meant to be a high-end experience, and everything from the unboxing, accessories, and build quality adds up. You get a lot of small things, such as the fine hair brush to clean the keyboard, the matching wooden (or leather) palm rest, extra keycaps for the dual OS support, and, let's not forget, the relatively humongous 5000 mAh battery that allows for the longest wireless mechanical keyboard battery life I have had to date, on par with the AZIO RCK that may well best it in the long run owing to fewer keys and LEDs. There is white backlighting as well for when you need or want it, and Bluetooth connectivity worked flawlessly here.

It is, at its core, a keyboard in the end. A less ergonomic one than the RCK that costs the same, but with more dedicated keys for those who don't plan to take this around. It's a good thing too, given the keyboard weighs over 1.5 kg and is a more luxurious item that is meant to stay in one place and draw attention from onlookers. As with the RCK and other such typewriter-style keyboards, however, the actual typing experience is subjectively worse. It may be plenty fine for you, but this price point does make it hard to recommend for people who want more than just a talking point.