Lighting and Performance

The XPG MAGE supports N-key rollover USB, which tested successfully using Aqua's test. Switch Hitter confirmed no chatter with these keys, and as per usual for gaming keyboards, the R. Win key is replaced by an Fn key by default.


When the XPG MAGE is first connected to a PC, and assuming no edited software profiles are active, it lights up in a static red that can be quite bright even with the default brightness set to ~65%. Also notice the light bleeding over the sides courtesy the external LED placement and floating keycaps, making for a potentially unintended side-lighting aura. I used the software drivers to set everything to white and test for color fidelity, and it was a white with a shade of blue as seen above. XPG needs to work on the color fidelity as this combination isn't very accurate. In the absence of per-key lighting customization, I could not easily test for individual light bleed, but findings thus far clearly indicate that there would be some, as does seeing the various pre-programmed dynamic and reactive lighting effects. A couple of these are demonstrated above, and XPG offers both onboard and software control over various effect-specific options, including speed, direction, color, and overall brightness in 5% steps.



The key-mapping options in XPG Prime allow users to go with layouts other than QWERTY, and here, I used the source code from an older keyboard review in a layout tester (courtesy of Patrick Gillespie). The results above indicate that QWERTY is not even close to the most efficient layout for me, and very likely you as well. If you are willing, try out Colemak or Dvorak as they will result in lower finger travel and fatigue overall. As such, the software drivers offer a significant functional tool if you are willing to devote some time to adopting either Colemak or Dvorak. Here is the link to the full results if you are interested, including a detailed analysis on key presses and distances moved.

This aside, there are some other features of interest here, including three onboard profiles and gaming mode, as explained further by the quick-start guide. The onboard profiles are more limited in what they can do, and end up more as glorified macro keys. This is where the software comes back in the picture, allowing software profiles that are far more customizable but require XPG Prime to be running in the background. The XPG MAGE is otherwise a plug-and-play keyboard, and there is very little else to talk about specific to the keyboard itself.


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 XPG MAGE keyboard sample at ~115 WPM as it comes out of the box with the Kailh Red mechanical switches. For context, you can find sound clips from other keyboards here, including those with linear switches. The combination in itself sounds better than I originally gave it credit for, although the rattle with the various stabilized keycaps remains an annoyance. The majority of the sound signature comes from the switch downstroke itself, which will be likely with the older-generation non-BOX Kailh Red switch that actuates at 50 gf and 1.9 mm travel compared to a peak force just exceeding 60 gf at 4 mm. These switches are rarely seen anymore with the newer SMD-compatible Kailh Red and BOX Red switches taking up favor instead, although potentially costing more, too.