AULA F99 vs GravaStar Mercury K196% Layout vs 75% Aluminum
Choose the AULA F99 for a full numpad and deep sound tuning, or the GravaStar Mercury K1 for a more portable, premium aluminum build.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
AULA F99
96% Layout
Build quality in the bottom 40% of 96% boards under $100.
- 96% layout includes a numpad and arrow keys in a compact form.
- Comprehensive five-layer sound dampening with specific foams and films.
- Includes rapid trigger functionality for gaming.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.
Get the
GravaStar Mercury K1
75% Aluminum
Build quality in the top 50% of 75% boards under $150.
- Aluminum alloy case exoskeleton for a premium, sturdy feel.
- Compact 75% layout maximizes desk space.
- Vendor description highlights a unique three-sided streamer lighting effect.
- No numpad.
Your primary need dictates the choice. If you require a numpad, value a deeply tuned acoustic profile, or want more features for the price, the AULA F99 is the clear pick. Opt for the GravaStar Mercury K1 if you prefer a smaller, metal-built keyboard with a distinctive aesthetic and are willing to sacrifice the numpad for a cleaner desk setup.
The differences that matter
Skip the 40-row spec sheet. These are the specs that change how each board feels, sounds, and fits your desk.
AULA F99
GravaStar Mercury K1
Layout size
96%
75%
Rapid trigger
Yes
No
Faster resets help in games and not in normal typing
Case material
ABS, PBT, Plastic
Aluminum
Weight
1,023 g
1,080 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
Sound dampening
Yes
No
- AULA F99
- GravaStar Mercury K1
- Performance
- 5866
- Build quality
- 5667
- Productivity
- 8667
- Customizability
- 6564
- Portability
- 6292
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 8,000 mAh
- Switch options: Linear
- Mount style: Gasket Mount
What will you mostly use it for?
The AULA F99 is the more versatile choice for productivity-focused tasks like office work, programming with a numpad, and content creation, thanks to its layout and software. It also leads for modders due to its detailed internal foam layers. The GravaStar Mercury K1 wins for travel due to its smaller 75% form factor. For gaming, the AULA F99's rapid trigger feature gives it an edge, while programming is a tie based on connectivity and hot-swap features.
Pick the AULA F99
- The AULA F99 includes a rapid trigger feature for faster actuation.
- Its north-facing RGB lighting is less likely to interfere with certain keycap profiles.
- The vendor description mentions a single-key slotted PCB which may aid in gaming responsiveness.
AULA F99 vs GravaStar Mercury K1 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
10 of 21 specs differ
AULA F99
GravaStar Mercury K1
Switch options
Rapid trigger
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Display
Connection
Battery
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Backlight
Mac & Windows
Released
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AULA F99 vs GravaStar Mercury K1: your questions
The AULA F99 has a numpad. It uses a 96% layout that incorporates a numpad, arrow keys, and navigation cluster into a compact design. The GravaStar Mercury K1 is a 75% layout and does not include a numpad.
The GravaStar Mercury K1 features an aluminum alloy exoskeleton, according to its product listing. This gives it a premium and sturdy feel compared to the ABS plastic case of the AULA F99.
Yes, the AULA F99 can be customized with the AULA Driver software. The manufacturer states this software allows for key remapping, RGB effect adjustment, and macro creation. The driver is noted to only support Windows.
Yes, both the AULA F99 and the GravaStar Mercury K1 feature hot-swappable sockets. This allows you to change the mechanical switches without soldering. The Mercury K1 listing specifies it supports both 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
The AULA F99 is likely better for a quiet environment due to its focused sound dampening. Its product description details five layers of sound-improving materials, including foam and silicone pads, specifically designed to reduce noise and echo.
Both keyboards are equipped with large 8000mAh batteries. This capacity should provide extended usage time between charges for their wireless modes, making both suitable for cord-free setups at home or the office.
Yes, both keyboards list Mac and Windows support in their specifications. This means they should be compatible with Apple computers, though specific function key mappings may vary.
Both keyboards use a gasket mount style. This mounting method uses rubber or silicone gaskets to isolate the plate from the case, which typically results in a softer, more cushioned typing feel and can help reduce vibration noise.
The product listing for the GravaStar Mercury K1 does not mention the type of stabilizers used. The AULA F99, however, explicitly includes screw-in stabilizers, which are generally more stable and less prone to rattle than clip-in versions.
The GravaStar Mercury K1 is more compact. Its 75% layout is significantly smaller than the 96% layout of the AULA F99, making it easier to fit into a backpack or laptop bag for travel, despite both having similar weights.
Rapid trigger is a feature listed for the AULA F99. It allows a key to be re-pressed immediately after release without waiting for it to fully return to its resting position, which can be beneficial for fast-paced gaming where rapid keystrokes are needed.
The AULA F99 offers a choice between a polycarbonate (PC) plate and an FR4 plate. According to the vendor, the PC plate is more flexible for a deeper sound, while the FR4 plate provides a softer, more neutral sound profile.
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