Dell Alienware Tenkeyless Gaming Keyboard - AW420K - Black

Advantages

The Dell Alienware Tenkeyless Gaming Keyboard AW420K (545-BBDY) is a high-performance gaming keyboard with a compact TKL (Tenkeyless) form factor, eliminating the numeric keypad to reduce size and enhance portability. With dimensions of 367 x 147 x 42 mm and a weight of 0.88 kg, it takes up minimal desk space and is easy to transport, making it ideal for gamers attending LAN tournaments or frequently changing workstations.

Equipped with Cherry MX Red mechanical switches (linear, 45 g actuation force, 4 mm travel, 100 million actuation lifespan), it delivers fast and smooth key presses, perfect for fast-paced games like Counter-Strike 2, Valorant, or Apex Legends. The switches offer a light touch without tactile feedback, reducing finger fatigue but potentially leading to accidental presses during typing. Full anti-ghosting and N-Key Rollover ensure accurate registration of every key press, even with multiple simultaneous inputs.

The keycaps are made of PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) using double-shot molding, providing high durability and clear legends even after prolonged use. The keyboard features AlienFX RGB lighting with 16.8 million colors, customizable per key via the Alienware Command Center software, allowing unique lighting effects synchronized with other Alienware devices, such as the AW720M mouse or Aurora R15 laptop. A Windows key disable toggle prevents accidental presses during gameplay.

The keyboard offers 8 programmable keys for customizing macros and profiles, stored in onboard memory for instant access without reconfiguration on different PCs. A detachable USB-C to USB-A cable (with braided fabric) and integrated cable routing under the keyboard keep the workspace tidy. Adjustable feet provide three tilt angles (2.5°, 5°, 8°) for comfortable typing or gaming.

It connects via USB-A 2.0 and is compatible with Windows (7, 8.1, 10, 11). The keyboard won the Singapore Good Design 2023 award for product design and received a 4/5 rating from TechRadar, which called it a "hot competitor among gaming keyboards" due to its build quality and Cherry MX Red switches. However, reviews from PCMag and Tom’s Hardware note that it lacks standout features compared to competitors like the Corsair K70 TKL or SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL.

Features

• Form Factor: Tenkeyless (TKL, 87 keys, no numeric keypad).
• Switches: Cherry MX Red (linear, 45 g, 4 mm travel, 100 million actuations).
• Lighting: AlienFX RGB (16.8 million colors), per-key customization via Alienware Command Center.
• Anti-Ghosting: Full, with N-Key Rollover.
• Keycaps: PBT double-shot, wear-resistant.
• Programmable Keys: 8, with macro and profile support in onboard memory.
• Functionality: Windows key disable toggle, three tilt angles (2.5°, 5°, 8°).
• Connectivity: USB-A 2.0, detachable USB-C to USB-A cable with braided fabric.
• Materials: Plastic chassis with metal top plate.
• Dimensions and Weight: 367 x 147 x 42 mm, 0.88 kg.
• Color: Black (Dark Side of the Moon).
• Compatibility: Windows 7, 8.1, 10, 11.
• Additional Features:
  • Integrated cable routing.
  • Alienware Command Center support for lighting and macro customization.
  • Audio controls (volume, mute) via function keys (with Fn).
• Warranty: 1 year (varies by region).
• Country of Origin: China.

Target Audience

• Gamers seeking a compact mechanical keyboard with fast Cherry MX Red switches for competitive gaming.
• Users valuing RGB lighting and macro customization via Alienware Command Center.
• Those needing a portable solution with reliable build quality and a detachable cable.
• Alienware enthusiasts wanting to sync lighting with other ecosystem devices.