Verdict
The Keychron Q1 is a fantastic option for those want to render out the world of customs duty keyboards . It ’s unbelievably well build up , with perhaps the sturdiest shape I ’ve pick up on a keyboard in a longsighted time , while the MX Clear switch feel responsive and are some of the best for type out there . matter can get pretty expensive with switch like these though , so it ’s really an option for enthusiasts and those with money to spend .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
Building your own custom keyboard is becoming increasingly popular , and recent years have seen plenty of manufacturers providing more and more customisation option to allow client to call off that itching .
Enter the Keychron Q1 ( Version 2 ) , an choice from one of the more conventional tradition manufacturers that brings with it a sturdy CNC’d aluminium frame alongside PBT keycaps , a hotswappable PCB and convenient agency of customisation .
As a barebones outfit , the Q1 will run you £ 149/$169 , although you may purchase it to the full assembled for $ 179 if you do n’t want to customize it .
Design
Before jumping into design right , it ’s deserving mentioning that this is a custom Keychron Q1 and not the fully assembled kit . With the usance one , you get to choose your keys witches and keycaps , the latter of which will determine at least part of its looks .
For my conformation , I went for some Mac - inspired keycaps that makes the Q1 look like it ’s an older Apple Extended Keyboard that used to be an odd on for the Macintosh II and SE from 1987 to 1990 . This give the Q1 a certain retro aesthetic that looks excellent , and conceive these keycaps are made using dye - purify PBT plastic , they also feel incredibly durable .
irrespective of which keycaps you go for , the frame of reference of the Q1 stay on the same . It ’s comprised of a CNC’d 6063 atomic number 13 chassis that brings with it some nonsensical heft and a weight to it that seems to be unmatched for its smaller stature , at least from OEM board , that is .
There ’s no deck flex either , given the sheer thickness of the aluminum fount , although turn over this is a gasket mount keyboard , there is a pocket-sized amount of bounce to the keypresses . There are selection to bestow a metal photographic plate to the board if you so care , which could provide even more structural rigidity .
This is a smaller step keyboard too , with a 75 % layout that play with it a TKL - manner penning , although with a squished nav - bunch so that it only occupy one column . Generally speaking , 65 % and 75 % keyboard have always been my preferent layouts , given the desk space you save , and you do n’t lean to lose much in the means of functionality , apart from the number launchpad .
Round the back , the port is nice and uncomplicated , with a USB - carbon porthole for connectivity ( the cable here is an aircraft style coiled offering that looks truly bright ) and a Windows / Mac selector switch , give this keyboard play on both platforms .
Performance
When it come to switch selection for a barebones kit , the world is literally your oyster . As this is a hotswappable PCB , no soldering is required , and you’re able to sick in any MX - style switch with either 3 or 5 peg on the bottom .
The process for doing so is simply to take a switch and bear on down lightly until it clicks into spot , although it will be worth buy a few extra if you deflect the pins and you ca n’t push them back into shape .
If you buy the Keychron Q1 from Keychron direct , you have the choice to use a range of mountains of Gateron G Pro exchange , although for mine , I make up one’s mind to hunt down some Cherry MX Clears .
For those unaware , MX Clears are a grievous reading of MX Browns , with 65 g of force needed to trigger off , as opposed to the Brown ’s slightly lighter 55cN. They declare oneself more marked tactility , with more of a marked excrescence that make them the perfect choice for typists .
In day - to - twenty-four hour period use , the Q1 absolutely radiate with the Clears deep down , providing a responsive keypress with a substantial excrescence to them , too . They ’re probably a fiddling on the hard side for gaming , although there is n’t anything check you from trying . With a expose polling rate of 1000Hz , then the Q1 may well be reactive enough for bet on with some lighter electric switch indoors .
The fact you may tack between MacOS and Windows habit on the fly with the bundled switch round back , proved especially useful considering I ’m someone who knead on a MacBook and games on a Windows PC . And as soon as you change the fashion , all the relevant routine are present and ready to go .
Software and lighting
When it comes to lighting , the Keychron Q1 comes with some RGB , thanks to southward - face RGB LEDs instal underneath the root plate , and it works like a treat with the right switches instal .
Unfortunately , with the fact these MX Clears have black housings , it becomes nearly impossible for the RGB to shine through , but the lighting is there and it generally looks pretty good , even if there is n’t much in the way of life of customisation in the bunch VIA software .
VIA is a very powerful piece of keyboard customisation software system , even if its carte evoke otherwise , with a simplistic look to it . There ’s the option to program four separate procedure layers , as well as remapping functions directly onto keys .
you’re able to also program macro instruction and fiddle with a lot of presets for lighting too . It ’s a very usable piece of kit and does all of what most the great unwashed will need . And even though it might not take care as big - budget as suite from the like of Razer and Corsair , VIA definitely gets the line of work done .
Latest deals
Should you buy it?
The Keychron Q1 , with a CNC’d aluminium casing , is one of the best work up keyboards money can buy , and if it ’s durability you ’re after , there are n’t too many beneficial options .
In its full customised consideration , the Q1 is n’t the loud of keyboard , so you may want to bet elsewhere if affordability is a top anteriority .
Final Thoughts
tradition keyboards is only a mart that ’s extend to grow over fourth dimension , and the Keychron Q1 is a shining case of how to get it right . For the price of an upper - end keyboard , you’re able to have yourself a CNC’d aluminum case alongside a pick of essentially any switch you like ( for a cost ) and some big software to boot .
It ’s an interesting suggestion to consider , especially if any of the current run ofgaming keyboardsdon’t titillation your fantasy . If you ’re an partizan who wants to take the plunge with a custom keyboard , then the Q1 is definitely a swell choice .
Trusted Score
How we test
We employ every keyboard we essay for at least a week . During that time , we ’ll check it for ease of manipulation , consolation and performance of the switches .
We also check each keyboard ’s software to see how easy it is to customise and set up .
FAQs
The Keychron Q1 is n’t a proper gaming keyboard , but is dead good for gambling if you pick the correct switch .
Yes , a switch tugger is included .
Yes , the keyboard ’s deck is made from atomic number 13 .
