AZIO Cascade 98 Slim Keyboard Review

AZIO Cascade 98 Slim Overview

The Cascade 98 Slim has a much larger overall profile than the original Cascase slim. It has official dimensions of 414 x 146 x 29 mm and weighs in at 2.45 lbs.

AZIO Cascade 98 Slim Keyboard AZIO Cascade 98 Slim Keyboard

Being a larger keyboard we have a 103-key or 98% ANSI layout. So you are going to get a full function row as well as number pad. There is spacing between the main part of the keyboard and the number pad as well as around the edges of the keyboard itself. This is different from the Cascade Slim as there was really no spacing at all. When it comes to the color-way on the key caps you have two options, Forest Light, and Forest Dark. We went with the Forest Light version, which has mainly white keycaps for most of the key caps then a handful of grey and green keycaps. These colors go quite well together and match the chassis of the keyboard.

AZIO Cascade 98 Slim Keyboard

The key caps that AZIO is using are low-profile and have a slightly concave design, but are for sure more on the flat side. These keycaps are ABS, and from what I can see there are no options on the Kickstarter to add different keycaps at this point.

AZIO Cascade 98 Slim Keyboard AZIO Cascade 98 Slim Keyboard

Removing these keycaps under the hood we have Gateron Brown low profile mechanical key switches. You have the option between Gateron Brown, Blue, or Red low profile switches on the Slim version of the keyboard. These switches are completely hot-swappable so if you want to change them out later on you can.

AZIO Cascade 98 Slim Keyboard AZIO Cascade 98 Slim Keyboard

The Slim version of the keyboard will feature a bronze anodized aluminum top place, which looks quite good. This is currently the only color option available for the slim version. The standard version has a space grey color. I do want to point out that our version of the keyboard is a pre-production unit and the quality of the casing is not as good as the original Cascade Slim unit we have. It feels rougher, the edges aren’t seamless and the color is actually different. I hope that this gets corrected on the production units.

AZIO Cascade 98 Slim Keyboard AZIO Cascade 98 Slim Keyboard AZIO Cascade 98 Slim Keyboard AZIO Cascade 98 Slim Keyboard

On the far right edge of the keyboard you’ll find four indication LEDs, these are for connectivity, power, and PC & Mac modes. Along the top-edge of the keyboard there is a AZIO logo on one side and a USB-C connection and a on/off switch. The USB-C connection can be used to charge the keyboard as well as use it in wired mode.

AZIO Cascade 98 Slim Keyboard AZIO Cascade 98 Slim Keyboard AZIO Cascade 98 Slim Keyboard AZIO Cascade 98 Slim Keyboard

This is the Slim or low-profile version of the keyboard so it will only sit at 29 mm at its highest point. Looking at it from the side we can really see just how slim it is. By default the keyboard sits at an 4-degree angle, but you can use the pop-out feet to adjust to 6-degrees or 9-degrees.

AZIO Cascade 98 Slim Keyboard AZIO Cascade 98 Slim Keyboard AZIO Cascade 98 Slim Keyboard AZIO Cascade 98 Slim Keyboard

Flipping the keyboard over we have those pop-out feet as well as six rubber feet to keep the keyboard from moving around on your desk. These is also a nifty hiding place for the included RF dongle. This is really convenient for traveling with the keyboard.

AZIO Cascade 98 Slim Keyboard AZIO Cascade 98 Slim Keyboard

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