Tag Archives: Personalized

Keychron Q1 test: a personalized keyboard that will last for years

RRP $ 169.00

"The Keychron Q1 mechanical keyboard is as customizable as you want it to be, with plenty of options to personalize your typing experience and make it last longer, at a price similar to non-customizable models."

advantages

• Choice of customizable elements

• Aluminum housing is durable

• Works with Mac and Windows

• Key mapping software compatibility

disadvantage

• No bluetooth

• No height or angle adjustment

The Keychron Q1 is a customizable mechanical keyboard that is an improvement over the brand's regular mechanical keyboards. It offers the connoisseur a bespoke typing experience, complete with hot-swappable sockets for various switches and support for open source key mapping software. At first glance, it seems very complicated and you need to be a keyboard expert to get the most of it.

My everyday keyboard is usually a Keychron K2V2 and I have considered it to be the best keyboard for my needs for a long time. Would the step to Q1 change that and is the possibility of adjustment really worthwhile? Another important question: is it accessible to all types of users? I've been typing this for more than a week and I'm thrilled with the experience so far.

draft

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The upper and lower case of the Keychron Q1 is made of CNC-milled aluminum and the 327 mm long case houses a 75% keyboard. It's designed to be customized and new switches – either 3-pin or 5-pin – to be installed on the circuit board that doesn't require soldering. It can either be prefabricated or ordered as a “bare bones” kit so that you can make it yourself. with your choice of keycaps, switches, seals and noise reduction.

My trial version came pre-assembled with Gateron Brown switches and Keychron's own ABS plastic keycaps. The final element of customization is the ability to add a logo of your choice in the top right corner of the keyboard. Keychron put the Digital Trends logo on it and it looks great (see below). The change is $ 30 and of course, if you select it, it will add to the delivery time.

The Q1 is a really heavy device that, together with very grippy rubber feet, prevents it from moving around on the desk. Although I didn't have a way to change the height or angle, I found it just right for comfortable and fast typing without fatigue, but that won't be the case for everyone, and I'm surprised Keychron didn't make any adjustments like this customizable package. You can order the keyboard in black, blue or an elegant gray.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

I like the subtle design that doesn't scream for a “gaming keyboard” like many mechanical offerings, but looks on every desk at home, regardless of whether you are playing or working on it. The south facing RGB lights are more noticeable than on my K2V2, and it's easy to change the style by pressing the Function and Q buttons at the same time. When you change the switches the RGB base color also changes and you can see the improved red effect via the Gateron red switches in our photos.

When a keyboard is made for all day typing and not gaming, the manufacturer rarely focuses on the design, and a keyboard becomes just a keyboard, and the design is what it is. Not so with the Keychron Q1, because if you don't like the color combination of the keycaps in our photos, you can design them individually and design them entirely according to your wishes. The same applies to the case color, the small logo and the general typing experience.

Connection and software

The keyboard is connected via a thick, braided, very high quality USB Type-C to Type-C cable with an aviator-style connector in the middle to allow various connections. There is a curly section in the middle for aesthetic reasons only. A USB Type-C to Type-A adapter is included, along with an array of tools for changing the switches, stabilizers, and keycaps on the keyboard.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Optional logo on the Keychron Q1 Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

RGB lighting effect with the Gateron Red switches

Once connected, there is a switch on the back of the keyboard to set it for use with Mac or Windows. The Keychron Q1 has no Bluetooth, so it cannot be used wirelessly with your computer or connected to an Apple iPad or other tablet. That's fine as it's not suitable for on-the-go use anyway as it's too heavy to take with you.

Keychron advertises the Q1 as compatible with the QMK key remapping software for Windows and Via software for Mac. However, Via wouldn't install Big Sur on my Apple Mac Mini M1, and the Via website isn't the friendliest if you're not familiar with installing software outside of the Mac App Store. When I asked about this, Keychron stated that the software should work fine on my computer, so it may be an isolated problem.

I like the subtle design that doesn't scream for a “gaming keyboard” like many mechanical offers.

Before using it on my Mac for the first time, the system took a few special keystrokes to recognize the Q1, but no other setup was required. I don't really need the remapping or macro tools Via provided, so the fact that it didn't work wasn't a problem and the keyboard worked with no errors. However, if you need custom settings and are using a Mac, you may need a little patience or a deeper understanding of installing non-App Store software to get them.

Tap

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Coming from the Keychron K2V2, the Keychron Q1 was noticeably quieter when typing, even though I used Gateron Brown switches on both. The soundproofing inside the case does a great job, but it sounds a little hollow, which Keychron is aware of and appeals with the option for additional soundproofing foam that you can add if needed. The seal mounts offer a lot of spring and give when the buttons are pressed, and Keychron says the seals allow 2.5mm of travel. If you want more sound from the Q1, you can toggle the switches to the clickier Gateron Blue versions.

The model I'm reviewing has an ANSI layout and not my preferred ISO style where the Enter key is much larger. That meant the keyboard took some getting used to, as my little finger was tapping both the Enter and Shift keys while typing quickly. Now that I'm more used to it, my typing speed and accuracy is the same as the Keychron K2V2, which suggests that if you are already used to a mechanical keyboard, you won't have any problems adjusting to the Q1.

The standard ABS keycaps feel higher quality than those of the Keychron K2V2, with a less plastic texture under the fingers and a comfortable indentation. However, I swapped the keycaps for another set made of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), which feels even better and is supposed to fade and shine longer. Keychron sells PBT keycap packs for $ 40, which makes them pretty expensive, but it's a worthwhile upgrade for better feel and longer durability.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

It takes less than 30 minutes to swap out all of the keycaps with the tool provided, but longer to make the swap. It's not a difficult task as a "puller" tool is included. You will need patience, however, as this is a time consuming and sometimes painful process as it is very tedious to loosen the switches from the board. I swapped the Gateron Brown switches for a set of Gateron Red switches, which took about 45 minutes. Since removing the switches takes a bit of force, it is all too easy to scratch the aluminum of the chassis, but this will no longer be seen when everything is reassembled. I wouldn't want to change switches regularly, but being able to do so is a significant advantage.

Why? Experiment, because having fun typing is a surprisingly individual thing. For me, the feeling of the red switches surpasses the brown switches, so that I can type even faster and more precisely, which I wasn't aware of until I started playing around with the customizable Q1. In general, the Q1's typing experience is wonderfully solid, especially when compared to the plastic-case K2V2. Every keystroke has a pleasant dampening, is nowhere near as loud and still feels very satisfactory. Interestingly, the Brown switches here require more force to activate satisfactorily than the Brown switches attached to the K2V2.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Although I've tried several different mechanical keyboards lately – for example the Keychron K3 and the Azio Izo – I've kept coming back to the Keychron K2V2. I don't expect that in Q1. The solidity of the metal case, the excellent Gateron Red switches that I have installed for a long time, the quieter sound (I record interviews and hear the clatter of the K2V2 keyboard when I take quick notes), and that I have a better and Seems like a faster typist will keep it on my desk.

All of this discovery was really made possible by the Q1's flexibility, which goes well beyond my knowledge and needs, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and seasoned enthusiasts alike.

Price and availability

The Keychron Q1 can be pre-ordered now, shipping is expected to begin on September 15th. Fully assembled in one of the three colors, the Q1 costs $ 169, although this is a special offer price according to the online store, and the cost can climb to $ 179 at any time. The barebones versions are not available to order at the time of writing and will be available shortly after the fully assembled version is released.

Our opinion

I lost a bit of the benefits of customization before spending time (pretty much actually) switching between switches and keycaps on the Keychron Q1 and then comparing the typing experience to my Keychron K2V2. After choosing the keycaps and switches that felt best for me, it is clear that there is an ideal keyboard setup for everyone, and the benefits are obvious if done right. Understanding and discovering your ideal setup is accomplished through trial and error, but a keyboard like the Q1 minimizes the hassle and cost, and then lasts for years afterward if you're willing to invest in it.

Knowing that I can change all the parts again at any time and also go deeper into customization by adding (or removing) some foam cushioning and also changing the stabilizers and gaskets means the keyboard is really future proof. It's a keyboard that can grow with you, or just stay that way, for not much more money than a non-customizable mechanical model.

I'm a relative newbie to mechanical keyboards, but I've been convinced of the concept since switching to one. The Q1 is not just for enthusiasts who want to create their own "ultimate" keyboard, but for those like me who are looking for a high quality, extremely solid mechanical keyboard for work that really suits my style and preferences without having to buy a new one having to completely new keyboard when something changes or breaks.

Is there a better alternative?

The Glorious GMMK Pro is the direct competitor of the Q1 and is another highly customizable mechanical aluminum keyboard with a size of 75%. It costs the same and has a rotary knob for media control, but doesn't support via remapping software, only QMK for Windows.

If you're not worried about customization, we recommend the Corsair Straife RGB Mk.2 mechanical keyboard, which is also around $ 160 and is a great experience for both work and gaming. You can also check out our extensive roundup of the Best Mechanical Keyboards, or Best Keyboards in General, if you're looking for other options.

How long it will take?

The aluminum case and the modularity of the components ensure that the Keychron Q1 has plenty of life unless you spill something on it as it is not waterproof. Keychron offers a 12-month guarantee, but in the case of the Q1 it will replace the defective parts and not the entire package.

Should you buy one?

Yes sir. It's an absolute pleasure to tap, and the extensive customization options ensure it will last for years.

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