Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
We ’ve seen an influx of high - conclusion play keyboards like theAsus ROG Azothover the last few year , but Keychron has something different with the Q1 HE . It takes the wildly pop Q1 design and updates it with Hall Effect switches and a 2.4GHz wireless connection , taking the strong instauration of amechanical keyboardand tricking it out with features built for gambling .
The remnant result is a keyboard that feels as it safe as it looks , and that comes with plenty of features in tow . Although it ’s expensive at $ 220 , you ca n’t find another keyboard around this monetary value that boasts everything the Q1 HE does . However , you ’ll have to deal with a few raspy patches to unlock everything the Q1 HE has to proffer .
Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
A test of patience
arrange up the Keychron Q1 HE was bumpy . There ’s an insert in the box that runs you through all of the various connection modes , as well as some basic hotkeys for conform brightness , changing light effects , etc . I did n’t pay much attention to it — I know how to get in touch a keyboard to my personal computer — but it did n’t work .
In particular , the 2.4GHz modality did n’t work . I could link the keyboard with a wire or through Bluetooth , but the low - latent period 2.4GHz mode is the title to fame with the Q1 HE . About an minute of troubleshooting and three microcode update afterwards — Keychron has different tools for driver installs and firmware updates , which often apply the price interchangeably — I finally stumbled on a Reddit thread that lick my number . The 2.4GHz recipient had become unpaired from the keyboard , and I simply needed to re - mate it .
I stumbled on no less than half a 12 posts from the last few month with the exact same problem I had , and across various Keychron models . A notation on the instructions about re - pairing , or even a support varlet , would go a long way .
It does n’t help that managing the Q1 HE is done entirely through your internet browser . You ’ll need to be patient while you pair and re - match the keyboard when adjusting preferences and updating your microcode . More mainstream option with racy , local diligence can handle apparatus and direction substantially . What the Q1 HE trades in toilet facility , however , it nominate up for in quality .
Going to HE
The Keychron Q1 is a conversant keyboard . The Q1 HE updates the original design with Hall Effect , or charismatic , switches , hence its new name . you may purchase the keyboard as a nude - bones kit , but it ’s much well preassembled with Gateron ’s Double - Rail Magnetic Nebula switch .
These fall in the middle of Gateron ’s magnetised switch batting order , offer a analogue feal with 40 grams of force and lubrication from the factory . Although I broadly speaking prefer a lighter switch , these Nebula switch finger right on the Q1 HE . You need to utilise just a piece of excess pressing , founder you more control over the various options you have during the 4 millimeter travel .
I ’m getting ahead of myself , though . A magnetic switch is fundamentally different than a stock mechanical key permutation . Instead of a fixed actuation and reset point , these point are mobile and adjustable . A sensor at the bottom of each switch can measure the length between two magnet in the electric switch , with up to a 0.1 mm level of accuracy . That ’s what you ’re getting on the Q1 HE .
you’re able to adjust the actuation dot for game , giving you a hair - trigger response on fundamental crush , but you’re able to do so much more . Dynamic propulsion and reset point offers better response to quick presses on the same key , and you’re able to add up to four functions to dissimilar point when pressing and turn a cay . Perhaps the most impressive thing magnetic switch offer is active force on pressing , allow you to control , for case , your mass depending on how hard you press down a cay .
None of this matters if the keyboard feels direful to typewrite on , but the Q1 HE has a top - notch feel . The twofold gasket mount provides silklike answer when you ’re bang away at the paint , and built - in sound dampening swing the ping you ’d unremarkably get from the aluminum shell .
This is n’t the first time I ’ve seen magnetic switches — theBOOG75 I lookedat earlier this year uses them — but Keychron comes out swinging with so many features that go beyond the switches .
More than magnets
The standout feature is wireless . You get Bluetooth and a low - latency 2.4GHz connection , and you’re able to even store up to three Bluetooth coupling on the keyboard itself . It ’s hard to find a keyboard that offers such gamy lineament , and it ’s even more difficult to bump a wireless one .
As with other Keychron keyboards , you also get keep for both Windows and macOS , along with dedicated keys for each operating system . It ’s a joy to be capable to take a hop between my Windows desktop , a MacBook Pro , and mySteam Deckwithout swop dongle or cablegram .
Such broad funding is really due to the open - source software package that Keychron is using . It uses QMK firmware , which Keychron provides , but you ’re free to flash your own firmware as well . QMK is an unresolved - source undertaking , and it gives you a ton of flexibility if you ’re unforced to get your hands soiled .
You do n’t require to flash any special firmware to unlock the Q1 HE ’s ability . You ’re given a web web browser - based editor with a surprising amount of king , allowing you to put down and storage macros , rebind keystone , and adjust your light effects . The exponent here really focuses on productiveness and macro more than it does firing , however .
There ’s per - key RGB lighting uncommitted , but you ’re given very few options to customize it . alternatively , Keychron includes 20 or so effects , some of which you may adjust the colour for . The issue look adept , but if you ’re looking to trick out your lighting in a way some software package allows you to — such asCorsair ’s iCue — you ’ll be disappointed .
The tangible power lies in remapping keys and put macro instruction . Keychron gives you four layers on the keyboard , two for macOS and two for Windows . Although you may never access all four at once , it ’s great that you may configure your options for both operating systems and store the preferences on the keyboard . From there , you just require to toggle between them to unlock your configuration .
Despite the power , getting around the utility is n’t well-fixed . preferences do n’t always apply aright , and you ’ll need to snap through several menus to do everything . For instance , you need to set a macro instruction in one menu , place it , then go to another menu to rebind a key to use the macro . It ’s not a deal surf , but the process is a small less smooth than what you get with more mainstream options .
Master of all
Despite some bumps with setting up the Keychron Q1 HE , as well as a few kinks in the package , this is an exceeding keyboard . The typing experience is fantastic out of the box thanks to a twofold gasket mount and plenty of sound dampening , and you have access to some of the smoothest switch on the market place .
you’re able to get nigh everything here in other keyboard for around the same damage . But Keychron really suffer out with wireless support and mapping for both Windows and macOS . It ’s difficult to find everything the Q1 HE has to proffer in one package , even at the premium price of $ 220 that Keychron is asking .
