The Falchion RX is constructed with a plastic bottom frame and an aluminum top frame. On the top edge of the frame, you will find the illuminated “Republic of Gamers” branding in RGB when you first connect the board or power it on wirelessly. The overall design is reminiscent of the Asus ROG Ally, making it a suitable companion for the handheld gaming device.

The Falchion RX features a plastic bottom frame and an aluminum top frame. The top edge of the frame showcases the illuminated “Republic of Gamers” branding in RGB upon initial connection or wireless power-up. The design bears a striking resemblance to the Asus ROG Ally, making it a fitting companion for the handheld gaming device.

At the upper part of the keyboard, there is a switch that allows you to choose between three connectivity options: Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless, and wired. Additionally, there is another switch for selecting either Mac or PC layouts. A USB-C port is also located here, which serves the purpose of wired mode and charging the keyboard’s battery. Asus claims that the battery can last up to 430 hours on a single charge when the backlighting is turned off. Adjacent to the charging port, there is a cutout specifically designed to store the magnetic USB-A dongle for the 2.4GHz wireless connectivity feature.

On the top edge of the keyboard, there is a touch panel that operates in a similar manner to a rotary knob found on larger keyboards such as the Corsair K65 Plus Wireless. By default, swiping to the right on this touch panel will raise the volume, whereas swiping to the left will lower it. The functions controlled by the panel can be altered by pressing the physical button located next to it, which is clearly visible alongside the strip.

You will receive three additional touch-strip options along with volume adjustment, which can be cycled through by pressing the button. In media-control mode, swiping right will switch to the next track, swiping left will go to the previous track, and tapping will pause or play. In RGB-control mode, swiping right increases brightness while swiping left decreases brightness. Extra functions can be assigned to a fourth option using the keyboard’s software utility, and you can easily identify the currently active function by checking the function-mode indicator located at the keyboard’s top-left corner.

The most notable accessory included is a plastic cover designed to protect the keys from spills, crumbs, and dust. Initially mistaken for a carrying case, it lacks a locking mechanism or elastic band. The cover can also be used as a base for the keyboard, with a rubber layer inside to prevent sliding. Additionally, the box contains a USB-C-to-USB-A cable for charging and a wireless dongle extender.

The typing experience on the ROG Falchion RX may not offer the same level of satisfaction as a traditional mechanical keyboard, but it certainly surpasses the feel of a standard non-mechanical laptop keyboard. It strikes a pleasant balance for some individuals, combining the springiness of a mechanical keyboard with the shorter travel distance of a laptop’s keyboard. The keys exhibit a high level of sensitivity, registering even the slightest touch or grazing of a key during testing, which may differ from what you are accustomed to. However, after a few days of consistent use, I found that I was able to minimize accidental presses. In my personal experience, during a Monkeytype test, I achieved an average typing speed of 59 words per minute, which is not too far off from my usual rate. Given more time to adjust, this speed would likely improve.

ROG Falchion RX Software: Obtain the Equipment

We’ve grown familiar with Asus’ Armoury Crate, the control utility for many Asus ROG peripherals. We had some trouble setting up Armoury Crate with the Falchion RX on our test PC, as the control utility didn’t recognize the keyboard. We were able to get the keyboard set up with the more bare-bones control utility Armoury Crate Gear, however. While Armoury Crate Gear doesn’t offer as many features as the full Armoury Crate app, it is compatible with macOS, unlike many other gaming peripheral control software utilities.

We attempted connecting the keyboard to a different PC, and this time Armoury Crate detected it without any major problems. Therefore, it seems that the initial difficulty was likely specific to our test PC and not a problem with the Falchion RX or the software. Although the screenshots provided are from Armoury Crate Gear, the settings pages are essentially identical. The complete Armoury Crate can provide you with the latest updates from Asus, synchronize the lighting of your products through the Aura Sync feature, and even provide access to your game library. On the other hand, Armoury Crate Gear is primarily focused on adjusting peripheral settings.

Upon downloading Armoury Crate Gear, users will discover the typical control options found in a high-end gaming keyboard. Customizing key assignments, modifying RGB effects and colors, and setting up new profiles are all possible. The keyboard is equipped with sufficient internal memory to save up to five profiles.

The Armoury Crate Gear utility provides the option to assign an extra input to the touch strip or deactivate the default functions. However, it lacks additional control settings for the touch strip, such as sensitivity adjustment or scroll speed customization, which could enhance its unique feature. In contrast, the SM1 Slim does not offer any customization software, giving the ROG Falchion RX a competitive advantage in this aspect.

Verdict: High-Profile Keyboard Equipped with Low-Profile Switches.

Certain keyboards that utilize low-profile switches tend to maintain a discreet presence. However, the ROG Falchion RX defies convention by embracing the limelight. Notably, it boasts RGB backlighting, a feature uncommon in the realm of 60% wireless keyboards, and its execution surpasses that of certain larger keyboards equipped with conventional switches. The inclusion of Mac compatibility and the distinctive touch strip further enhance the overall exceptional user experience. While it would have been desirable to have a locking mechanism for the plastic cover, allowing it to serve as a protective case, this is a minor aspect to consider.

After careful consideration, our top recommendation in this category remains the Satechi SM1 Slim, which has been awarded the Editors’ Choice. It offers a comparable typing experience at a significantly lower price point. However, if you are in search of a compact, slim keyboard with a gamer-inspired design for portability, the ROG Falchion RX is a suitable alternative.