This ceramic, magnetic keyboard is among the greatest I’ve ever used

In case you’ve learn my writing on MobileSyrup, it’s possible you’ll know I’m a little bit of a keyboard nerd. I spend a variety of time typing – it’s an excellent chunk of my job, however lots of my hobbies contain utilizing keyboards too, whether or not that’s gaming or inventive writing. Unsurprisingly, an excellent typing expertise is usually a actual game-changer for me.

With all that stated, I used to be extraordinarily excited when Keychron reached out to me with a suggestion to overview its new Q16 HE 8K and Q6 HE 8K keyboards. The Q16 boasts some distinctive options that piqued my curiosity, together with its magnetic switches and keycaps made from ceramic.

Regardless of being a keyboard nerd, I hadn’t tried magnetic switches – often known as Corridor impact switches – earlier than the Q16, so I used to be fairly excited to strive them out. And oh, boy, they’re a delight.

First, let’s speak concerning the variations between the change sorts. When typing on mechanical switches, urgent a key compresses a spring contained in the change, making contact with metallic leaves under to finish the circuit and register the keypress. Magnetic switches, however, depend on the Corridor impact to register keypresses.

This distinction in how switches register keypresses makes for very totally different typing experiences. Mechanical switches usually provide extra bodily suggestions, equivalent to a tactile or aural ‘click on’ when a secret’s pressed. There are tons of various switches, which may fluctuate the typing expertise considerably, providing kind of suggestions, totally different journey distance (how far down you need to press earlier than it registers), and extra.

Magnetic switches, however, can lack a few of that bodily suggestions, however can provide a smoother-feeling press. In my expertise with the Q16, nonetheless, there was loads of suggestions to fulfill me. Coupled with the buttery-smooth keypress, I virtually instantly discovered myself preferring the Q16 to the varied mechanical keyboards I’ve used through the years. Furthermore, the sound of typing on the Q16 was nice – the Q16 provided a deeper ‘thock’ sound in comparison with the tinnier ‘click on’ of the Razer Blackwidow V4 Professional I used earlier than.

The Keychron Q6 HE 8K (backside, white) and Q16 HE 8K (high, navy).

A part of the deeper sound, nonetheless, can be as a result of supplies used within the Q16. The ceramic keycaps contributed to that deeper ‘thock’ sound, whereas the Q6 – which sports activities the identical Keychron Lime Magnetic switches because the Q16 however with traditional double-shot PBT keycaps – had a sound someplace between the Blackwidow and the Q16.

The Q16 sports activities ceramic not simply on the keycaps however throughout the entire chassis as properly. It lends a premium really feel and heft to the keyboard that I admire, although the ceramic isn’t excellent. I’ve two points with the ceramic, neither of that are deal-breakers, however points nonetheless.

First, the keys don’t enable the backlight to shine by and illuminate the legend, making typing at midnight a bit more difficult. Keychron outfitted the Q16 with “north-facing” RGB lights, which assist with illumination, nevertheless it’s an imperfect resolution. It’s a small sacrifice to make for ceramic keycaps, nonetheless, so the true query is what’s extra essential for you – illuminated keys or premium really feel.

My different situation with the ceramic materials is that the shiny end makes the keys really feel slippery. It additionally makes the keyboard extra of a fingerprint magnet. As somebody with sweaty arms, I discover my fingers slide round on the keys quite a bit, particularly throughout intense gaming classes. Once more, it’s not an enormous deal, however one thing to be aware of. I’d be curious to see what a extra textured ceramic keycap is perhaps like, however the shiny ones are fairly stable total for those who don’t thoughts the occasional slip.

If all that seems like ceramic isn’t for you, there are different choices. As talked about up high, I additionally tried out the Q6 HE 8K, a full-size keyboard with extra traditional-feeling keycaps and the identical Lime Magnetic switches because the Q16. The Q6 sports activities OEM spherical angled (OSA) doubleshot PBT keycaps, which feel and appear incredible. Whereas I just like the sound of the Q16 with its ceramic higher, the Q6 feels simply nearly as good and nonetheless sounds nice for those who care about that sort of factor.

There are a number of different notable advantages that apply to each keyboards. For one, Keychron makes a giant deal concerning the keyboards having an 8,000Hz polling charge. Polling charge measures how usually the keyboard sends its standing to the related PC, with increased polling charges lowering enter lag.

Nonetheless, polling charges have diminishing returns as you push increased, and most often, a 1,000Hz polling charge is greater than sufficient for most individuals. Some fanatics could profit from a 4,000Hz polling charge, assuming they produce other gear like excessive refresh charge screens to maximise the advantages. In different phrases, this spec is generally simply advertising, and also you’re higher off sticking with the keyboard’s default polling charge of 1,000Hz. (That’s what I did with the Q16, and it’s been incredible.)

Talking of fixing the polling charge, that brings me to a different neat characteristic: Keychron’s app. Effectively, web site. You’ll be able to handle all the keyboard’s settings, lighting choices, and extra from the Keychron Launcher internet app, which is tremendous helpful because it saves you from needing to put in any software program to make use of the keyboards, and allows you to tweak settings no matter which machine you utilize. That’s nice for somebody like me, who routinely makes use of the Q16 with each my work laptop computer and gaming PC.

Keychron Launcher permits a ton of performance and customization. You’ll be able to alter the actuation distance of each key on the board, alter the switches, create macros, and extra. There’s a ton there for those who actually need to dig in and customise your keyboard, however I actually preferred the way it labored out of the field, so it’s completely not vital.

General, the Q16 and Q6 keyboards are actually incredible, although not totally excellent. Most likely the one largest situation with the boards is that they solely work over a wired connection, although that definitely gained’t be a deal breaker for everybody. For me, it’s not a giant deal since I desire to make use of my keyboards in wired mode anyway (obtained bored with my wi-fi keyboards at all times needing a cost on the most inconvenient occasions).

Other than that, a lot of the points are small nitpicks that don’t actually detract from the wonderful typing expertise. Whether or not work or play, the Q16 and Q6 boards labored flawlessly. Typing was a pleasure, the keyboard was tremendous responsive for gaming, and it simply sounds so good after I’m utilizing it.

Whereas I might extremely suggest each keyboards, I will even say they’re in all probability higher for fanatics keen to shell out a premium for an excellent keyboard. The ceramic Q16 HE 8K clocks in at $330.99 in Canada, whereas the Q6 HE 8K prices $346.99. (Notably, the Q6 can be out there on Amazon for barely much less at $339, however the Q16 was not on Amazon on the time of writing.)