The installation of the keyboard and the included software is as simple as it can be. Since this is a USB keyboard, all you have to do is plug it in, and if you want to use those macro keys, installing the Alchemy Elixir software is a must.

The Alchemy Elixir software is also quite simple, and it looks a bit unfinished, but we must note that is the first version. Despite the first impressions, we were surprised that it works flawlessly, except, of course, for the Winamp issue.



In addition to the ten macro key set up, which you can customize to do keystrokes, launch a program or normal macros, you can actually change almost every key on the keyboard to do something that you want. The exceptions are the mode key, all of the extra/media keys and the right "windows menu" key.



We used the OCZ Elixir keyboard for some casual gaming and for regular office work. Some things like the lack of the left windows key are good when you are "fragging" your way out in a LAN party match, but it also can be a bit annoying when you are doing normal office work, at least until you get used to it. The same goes for the layout, it's just something that you need to get used to.

Other than those small details which we are sure that OCZ is going to correct as this is their first keyboard project, we must say that the Elixir keyboard is quite a performer.


Conclusion

The OCZ has done a great job with its Elixir gaming keyboard. Solidly built, with rubberized keys, a lot of features, ten macro keys and a very low price, this keyboard is a great deal.

The price, $30-40 in the U.S. and the €20 in the E.U., is something you would expect to pay for a regular, mid range keyboard. The Elixir is far from being a plain keyboard. It is designed with gamers in mind, it performs well both as a gaming device and as an everyday keyboard, and it offers excellent value for money.

It might not be able to cope with the likes of Logitech's G15 or Razer's Tarantula, but for such keyboards you must be prepared to pay a lot more money. OCZ can only be proud of its firstborn in the Alchemy series.

The lowest price that we could find listed at Geizhals.at stands at €19.24. At this price and with these features it certainly deserves our Top Value award.