OCZ Alchemy Elixir Gaming Keyboard Review

Alternative Usage for Macros/Software

While this is keyboard's main focus is gaming, these macros keys are a very powerful tool when you think about it. Not only can you set up 8 character key combinations but you can also use them to run programs. At the very least this allows you to extend the multimedia functions of this keyboard to nearly the Nth degree! While you do get the standard multimedia keys with just a few moments you can easily add in ALL your favorite programs on your “speed dial”. Who needs rocket dock or other similar programs when all fav 10 are just a click away. One great example of this which comes quickly to mind are the control panel components (all of which MS treat as individual applications). Why bother waiting for control panel to load and then digging down to the right component when just a simply click will get you there.

A good example of this is to select launch app and then dig down to the System32 folder and use *.cpl to search for the programs. From here simply pick sysdm.cpl to open the System Properties applet without going through the control panel.


Even better than just being able to load programs (no matter how esoteric) is the fact you can also write simple batch files to allow you to run more complicated routines and then have one of the macro keys run the batch file or even just a modified shortcut file. The best and easiest of these shortcut files would be a sleep function which can easily be set up by making a new shortcut and using “%windir%\system32\rundll32.exe PowrProf.dll, SetSuspendState Sleep” (though the sleep part of that command is implied and not completely necessary) as the Target and “%windir%” as the Start In location. For Hibernate simple change Sleep to Hibernate.

These are just a few ideas for extending the macro keys' functionality on the desktop; but with a bit of creativity one could also extend those 10 magical keys to other areas. For anyone who uses Photoshop or MS Word or even MS Excel a lot knows: keyboard shortcuts are your best friends when it comes to meeting deadlines. I used to use a Nostrom N52 Speedpad filled with key combinations to help me but having a keyboard with the macro keys built in means not having to take your fingers out of position to hit those time saving macros.

In this section, we have discussed quite a few things which you can use your high tech, low cost keyboard for besides just fragging your friends. With some thought and a little bit of ingenuity we are sure you could think of many other great uses for those 10 magical macro keys. In the end this flexibility and power really does take this keyboard out of the “gaming” arena and allows it to be used as your main keyboard for everyday tasks…as well as getting you frag on! I’d like to see someone try that with a Nostromo!