Custom mechanical keyboards have become increasingly popular in recent years, not only because of their softer prices and ease of access to new users, but also because of their unique designs, integration of many attractive features, and support for high-end custom software that any keyboard player would crave. Keychron is no exception, recently the company has brought users a high-end custom mechanical keyboard option called the Keychron Q1.
Design
Keychron has a fairly typical keyboard design style with gray tones and a familiar Mac layout. Coming to Q1, the design has changed somewhat, it is easy to see that the company has made a keyboard with a more premium, more solid design, this is a design that is somewhat similar to keyboards from GMMK, KBDFans or some other custom keyboard manufacturers. 75% key layout, suitable for the majority of users.
As a high-end keyboard, what Keychron equips on the Q1 is extremely valuable. This keyboard is made from 6063 aluminum alloy, the entire key body is CNC cut sharply, the Q1 is also polished, anodized and sandblasted along with 24 other strict production processes to bring a product with high finishing and the best quality in the price segment.
The Gasket-mount design on the Q1 offers a better typing feel, more flexibility, and a keystroke sound that is sure to satisfy even the most demanding users.
Instead of pressing the plate with the upper and lower body of the case like sandwich mount, gasket mount, as its name suggests, inserts an additional layer of padding, usually poron, to isolate the contact between the plate and the case. This type of plate support gives a softer typing feel and a more emotional sound, usually only found on custom mechanical keyboards.
Keychron Q1 has a solid aluminum design, so the overall keyboard is quite heavy - 1.6kg (excluding switches and keycaps). The maximum height of the keyboard is 34.8mm (without keycaps) and tilts 5.2 degrees. The unfortunate point on the Q1 is that it is not equipped with a height-adjusting stand like many other keyboard models, so equipping an additional palm rest will be more suitable for use.
Another special feature that you definitely cannot ignore when ordering Keychron Q1 is the unique Badge button, creating its own difference that not every keyboard has.
Keychron Q1 gives us 3 different color options: Carbon Black, Navy Blue and Space Gray.
Overall key size: 327.5 x 145 x 34.8mm
Switch and Keycap
Because the Keychron Q1 is a custom mechanical keyboard, each person's switch / plate / keycap is completely different, including the stabilizer. When it comes to custom mechanical keyboards, your experience will come from the sound and feel of typing, so each combo you choose creates a particularly interesting typing experience and creates each person's own personality.
In addition, if you choose the Full version of Keychron Q1, there will be a Gateron Phantom switch combo and ABS keycap included.
Stabilizer screw-in PCB
The Keychron Q1 is equipped with screw-in stabilizers from Gateron, so the typing experience will be more stable and smoother than the stab plate mount on conventional mechanical keyboards. The Keychron Q1 also supports third-party stab sets including Cherry or Durock.
Connect
The Keychron Q1 only has one connection via the type-C port, and the device also comes with a pretty custom cable with many different color options. Unfortunately, the Q1 is not equipped with Bluetooth or 2.4GHz wireless connectivity, although this is the current trend of using mechanical keyboards. Anyway, custom keyboard players often prefer to collect unique custom cables to highlight their work corner rather than using a simple wireless keyboard.
Switch easily between Windows and macOS
Keychron Q1 is equipped with a dedicated switch button so you can switch between Windows and macOS operating systems. In addition, when buying the Full version of Q1, we will receive some additional keycaps for Windows from Keychron.
Software
The highlight of Q1 is that it probably supports two open source software, QMK and VIA, which help to customize the keyboard more advancedly, from flashing firmware, customizing function keys, macros, keymaps to adjusting RGB LED effects... I will have a detailed article talking about these two open source software for those who don't know.
Typing experience
I will leave this part for later. When I have the Keychron Q1 in my hands, I will have a more detailed review. Here is a soundtest video from a friend abroad:
See Keychron Q1 details here
