Today I am reviewing the Aula Mechanical Gaming Keyboard (Mountain S2096). NOTE: The box says SZ096 but underneath the keyboard, it shows as S2096.
Known as one of the bigger names when it comes to budget mechanical gaming keyboards from China, the company tends to offer value.
The Aula Mechanical Gaming Keyboard (Mountain SZ096) features a metal panel keyboard that is resistant to scratch. I like the metal housing but I also like the LED strip around it.
I wanted to see how the LED changes are made on the keyboard and you can easily control it through the big dial on the upper right corner. Pressing it, you can cycle through the various color effects.The third dial allows to change the LED strip on the side. But I also visited the en[dot]aulacn[dot]com website to download the drivers for this keyboard.
The software allows one to adjust the panel (including speed and brightness) and side but I found that the macro keys allows you to adjust every thing but the four on the top right. I was hoping I could assign the volume keys to the dials, but I guess you can’t.
Now the reason why I wanted to try this keyboard is that looking at the keycaps, the switches are raised, keycaps they are thin and lights show more from underneath. For me, these type of mechanical keyboards are prime candidates for modification and immediately, I replaced the keycaps.
It’s not that I don’t like the thinner keycaps which show more light, but it’s more about me wanting to give keyboards I own it’s own distinction and looking the same, as I have plenty of gaming keyboards.
The interesting thing about the switches is that they were white, so I wasn’t sure what kind of switches these actually used, but if I had to compare, it would be something like brown switches.
But for those who are looking for a gaming keyboard and a working keyboard with the tenkeys, you really can’t go wrong with this keyboard. Especially if you are into keyboard modifications, replacing the keycaps is quite simple and I would have to say, after changing out the keycaps, I enjoyed this keyboard much more.
The price at under $40 is not bad considering that the presentation and the dials put it around that price range which is just right.
Overall, the Aula Mechanical Gaming Keyboard (Mountain S2096) is recommended!
