The Quick Verdict: AULA F2088 Review
If a typewriter aesthetic with loud, clicky switches speaks to you, the AULA F2088 is a solid budget choice. It offers an aluminum top panel, bright rainbow backlighting, and a handy multimedia knob. Dedicated typists and retro gaming fans will find its unique look and tactile feedback engaging. However, those needing quiet operation or software customization should look elsewhere. Its core trade-off is style and mechanical feel over silence and advanced features. Given its price tier, the keyboard earns a respectable 7.8 out of 10 from our lab.
Design, Build & Physical Fit
Running your fingers across the top, the AULA F2088 instantly feels more premium than its price suggests. It features a sturdy aluminum alloy top panel. This metal gives the chassis good rigidity, protecting against scratches and ensuring it lasts. Several versions exist, offering finishes like chrome, matte, white, or black-and-gold. The keycaps themselves are double-shot injection molded. These vintage steampunk round keycaps provide a timeless look. They also offer clear backlighting and excellent durability, meaning legends will not fade.
Measuring 17.13 inches long by 4.84 inches wide by 1.5 inches high, this is a full-size, 104-key board. It weighs 1020 grams, or just over 2.2 pounds, which gives it a planted feel on the desk. This weight, combined with integrated rubber feet on the base, keeps it from sliding around during intense typing or gaming sessions. The ergonomic ABS palm rest is a welcome addition, providing good support. Its magnetic attachment feels secure but still lets you remove it easily. The palm rest helps ease wrist pressure during long computer use.
Core Performance & Feel of the AULA F2088
Under the keycaps sit AULA's own mechanical blue switches. These deliver a satisfying tactile bump and a distinct audible click with every keypress. This crisp feedback helps improve typing accuracy and speed for many users. However, these AULA switches feel slightly less tactile and are a bit noisier compared to genuine Cherry MX blue switches.
The high profile of the round keycaps means more finger travel and smaller surface area for your fingertips. This requires precise finger placement and some adaptation, especially if you are used to flatter, square keycaps. While the board has anti-ghosting technology, allowing multiple keypresses at once to register correctly, the overall feel is still defined by those unique, clicky keys and the required finger adjustment. The stepped floating keycap design aims to fit fingertips well, preventing fatigue and typing errors, but that learning curve is definitely present. For those in quiet environments, the high noise level is a major point of concern.
Power, Battery & Connectivity for the AULA F2088
Plugging the AULA F2088 into a front USB port reveals its straightforward nature. It uses a wired USB connection. This means you do not need to worry about batteries, charging, or wireless interference. The keyboard comes with a braided USB cable, which adds to its durability and appearance. Setup is truly plug-and-play. There are no drivers or software to install, which simplifies its use across different systems. It pulls power directly from the USB port, working instantly once connected. This simple connectivity ensures reliable performance, every time.
Controls, Software & Daily Maintenance
The AULA F2088 stands out with its multi-function control knob. When the knob's LED is on, it handles lighting. A click cycles through 19 lighting effects, and turning it adjusts brightness. You can even save three custom lighting setups. Turn the knob's LED off, and it switches to multimedia mode. A click mutes audio, and turning it adjusts volume. This intuitive knob provides quick access to common media and lighting controls. The board also includes shortcut keys via FN combinations for tasks like My Computer, Search, Calculator, and media playback. It works with Windows (7/8/10/XP/Vista), Linux, and Mac OS systems.
A big point to know is that this keyboard has no software. This means no driver installation, but also no key remapping or custom macro abilities. What you see is what you get. For cleaning, the keyboard comes with a keycap puller. This makes it easy to remove the round keycaps and clean underneath. However, remember the F2088 is not water resistant. Spills could be a real problem for this unit, so keep drinks away.
How the AULA F2088 Compares
When comparing the AULA F2088 to other keyboards, its value becomes clear, despite a few drawbacks. Against basic membrane keyboards, the F2088 offers a huge upgrade in typing feel. Its mechanical blue switches provide a crisp, tactile response that membrane boards simply cannot match. This leads to more precise control and fewer typos.
- Versus Cherry MX Switches: AULA's own blue switches are present here. Our testing shows they are slightly less tactile and a bit noisier than genuine Cherry MX blue switches. If top-tier switch quality is your absolute priority, more expensive boards with Cherry MX switches will offer a finer experience.
- Versus Refined Typewriter Keyboards: The F2088 sits in an under-$50 tier. Higher-end typewriter-style keyboards, like those from Lofree or Azio, often start at $200 or more. Those offer vastly better build quality, quieter switches, and more refined aesthetics. The AULA F2088 offers an entry point into this unique style at a fraction of the cost.
- Versus Market Leader Keyboards: The F2088 offers a compelling mix of features and style for its price. Many market leaders, while offering more advanced features like dedicated software or quieter switches, come at a much higher price. For budget-conscious buyers, the F2088 provides an outstanding balance of performance and affordability.
What I Like & What Could Be Better
After spending time with the AULA F2088, several things stand out positively. The build quality, with its aluminum alloy top panel, feels durable. The typewriter aesthetic, with those round chrome keycaps, is genuinely unique and looks great. The included magnetic wrist rest is very comfortable and easy to attach or remove. The dedicated multimedia and lighting control knob is intuitive and very handy. Plus, having a keycap puller in the box for cleaning is a thoughtful touch. The rainbow LED backlighting, while not customizable per key, offers plenty of eye-catching effects.
On the flip side, some aspects could improve. The keyboard is loud. Those blue switches make a fair bit of noise, which makes it unsuitable for quiet shared spaces. The round keycaps, while stylish, do require a period of adjustment. They demand more precise finger placement than standard keycaps. Not great, to be honest. The lack of software means you cannot remap keys or create macros. Also, it has no water resistance. This limits where you can safely use it, especially if you have drinks nearby.
Who Should Skip This Product
The AULA F2088 is not for everyone. If you work in an open office, a shared bedroom, or any quiet environment, you should skip this keyboard. Its clicky blue switches are very loud and will disturb others. For a quieter experience, consider a keyboard with linear or tactile switches instead, like a Redragon K552 with quiet red switches. Also, serious gamers who rely on macros or custom key remapping will find the F2088 frustrating. It offers no software, so advanced customization is impossible. For those needs, look at programmable keyboards from brands like Razer or Logitech. Lastly, if you have a habit of spilling drinks, the lack of water resistance is a major dealbreaker. The F2088 needs a spill-proof alternative.