Introduction

While I wasn't privy to sampling the Aivia K8100, as it was a little before my time in peripherals, I did know a couple of guys that did get one and I was a fan of the Ferrari yellow one they released with the red version coming in a close second. Looking back at it again today, I can see where our latest submission got a lot of the design cues and styling. Even when the K8100 was released, it had things most buyers look for today. Things like Macro software, multimedia keys and a look that was like no other on the market at that time and the same can be said for this latest version which we're looking at here today.

With all the keyboards I have had the pleasure of looking at the ones with mechanical switches get the most attention, as the latest trend is to make mechanical keyboards affordable for the masses. Beyond that most users want full control of the system through either pre-set shortcut keys or customizable Macros that are easy to use and set up. Profiles seem to be another nice addition to allow you to keep the Macros is order for say an individual game or desktop application, so that it isn't just a jumble when you need to find and use them. Great software can definitely help to sell a mechanical gaming keyboard, but what takes most over the top and into the hearts of buyers is the fact of weather it is backlit or not. In this instance, you get all of the above included in the package along with what I think is a great looking keyboard.

GIGABYTE has delivered the Aivia Osmium gaming keyboard for testing and this Cherry MX Red switch based offering has everything that most other mechanical keyboards offer from the likes of Corsair, Cooler Master and other OEMs that are now delivering mechanical keyboards. Of course there are going to be some changes to things between brands, such as this GIGABYTE product offers a full layout of mechanical switches, where others use mechanicals only where they feel they are most needed. There are no shortcuts with the Osmium.

What you are delivered is a top notch product that offers everything most users are looking for, along with things you may not have thought you needed until it was offered right in front of your face like it is with the GIGABYTE Aivia Osmium. Let's take a closer look.