Keychron Q11 QMK assessment: An ergonomic mechanical keyboard with nice worth

Greatest Costs Immediately: Q11 QMK Ergonomic Mechanical Keyboard

Till lately, mechanical keyboards have been out of my attain. Ergonomic mechanical keyboards aren’t but frequent, and those who exist are costly. At the least, costly by regular folks requirements—keeb fanatics won’t blink twice at spending a number of hundred on a keyboard (a lot much less yet one more for his or her assortment), however I do.

So when Keychron ready to launch its Q11 QMK break up keyboard, PCWorld’s resident mechanical keyboard skilled Michael Crider requested if I, an individual who’s been chained to a Goldtouch keyboard for the reason that darkish ages, needed to present it a spin.

Heck sure I did.

Additional studying: See our roundup of one of the best gaming keyboards.

Keychron Q11 QMK worth

One of many causes for my pleasure: The Q11 isn’t simply an ergonomic mechanical keyboard. With all of its options, the Keychron Q11 is a surprisingly inexpensive ergonomic mechanical keyboard appropriate with each Home windows and Mac computer systems.

Dygma

Rivals that value about the identical have soldered switches (e.g., Kinesis Gaming Freestyle Edge, Cloud 9 ErgoTKL, Cloud 9 ErgoFS). On the opposite finish of the dimensions, extra customizable keyboards just like the Zsa ErgodoxEZ simply hit $300, with boards just like the Dygma Elevate pushing into the $400 vary. Many within the increased vary are compact boards, too, leaving few choices when you like devoted arrow keys (a lot much less operate keys).

In the meantime, the Q11 affords loads of customization—hot-swappable switches, two rotary dials, a CNC machined aluminum physique, straightforward QMK/VIA programming—but prices $205 absolutely constructed. It lacks a tenting equipment accent (a function constructed into the Kinesis and Cloud 9 boards), however Keychron says it’s contemplating whether or not to make one. (Sure, please!) These points don’t have an effect on ergonomics, however the Q11 feels good for its value.

Keychron Q11 QMK design

The Q11’s break up design is what makes it ergonomic. Higher ergo keyboards generally share that one function, although with completely different takes. 

Extra inexpensive boards are often one piece, with every half of the keyboard set aside at a hard and fast, unchangeable width. They dominate in shops like Greatest Purchase. The costlier fashions (i.e., those you’ll discover on specialised web sites) allow you to regulate the place of the 2 keyboard halves—change the gap between them, regulate their angle, or each. Keyboard spacing can vastly have an effect on consolation throughout the day, particularly when you’re pounding on it for hours at a time.

The Keychron Q11 skips previous the junior leagues with a totally break up keyboard design, joined collectively by a regular USB-C cable. You’ll be able to regulate the gap between the 2 halves of the keyboard, in addition to their horizontal angle.

Alaina Yee / Foundry

This 75-percent keyboard has a polling charge of 1,000Hz, and contains operate keys, arrow keys, and a strip of 5 programmable macro keys on the left. You additionally get devoted web page up, web page down, and residential keys on the fitting facet of the board—however no finish key. Metallic knobs (two whole) sit within the higher left and proper corners, which management your PC’s quantity by default. Clicking them to mute your sound produces very strong (and satisfying) tactile suggestions.

Included with the absolutely constructed board are double-shot OSA PBT keycaps, which mix the peak of an OEM keycap with the form of an SA keycap. Beneath are your selection of Gateron G Professional switches in both pink or brown. (For our assessment unit, I selected brown.) The $185 bare-bone mannequin skips the switches and keycaps, leaving it solely to you to populate it your self.

For individuals who are new to mechanical keyboard customization (like me), the absolutely constructed choice is the simpler method to go. The Q11 has a barely distinctive structure for its spacebar row, with a Ctrl, Home windows, Alt, and Perform key crammed on the left facet of the board. On the fitting facet, there are Alt, FN1, and Ctrl keys. Keychron helpfully offers the measurements you’ll want when you deliver your personal keycaps, nevertheless it’s that rather more to determine and determine on when getting began. Additionally, it appears tougher to seek out appropriate keycap units on AliExpress. (Whats up, am newb, please give me your l33t low-cost buying suggestions.)

Alaina Yee / Foundry

As for the RGB lighting—the south-facing LEDs are clear and simple to see because the typist, and Keychron provides you 20 pre-programmed patterns to select from. (My private favourite: Pixel Rain, which gently blinks completely different keys on and off in a random sample, with softer colours than the everyday unicorn vomit look.)

How does it really feel to make use of the Keychron Q11?

PCWorld

After an preliminary acclimation interval (wherein I’ll or could not have messaged Michael with all of the drama of somebody who hates change), the Q11 grew on me. It has a strong, weighted really feel and feels sturdy when banging away on it. I do use way more power than earlier than when typing (nearer to the instances I’ve used a guide typewriter), however the expertise isn’t uncomfortable and I can at all times swap the switches. As soon as the huge quantity of selections on the market cease being so overwhelming, a minimum of.

I solely have two private complaints—first, the structure of the left spacebar row. I might have most well-liked an extended spacebar. With the scale of my palms and the way I sort, I spent about two weeks with my left thumb unpleasantly hitting the hole between the Perform key and the spacebar till my muscle reminiscence tailored.

The second is the dearth of an Finish key. I take advantage of it on a regular basis as a author/editor, and on my Goldtouch keyboard, it sits on the fitting facet of the keyboard. Why the empty spot below the house key, Keychron? An Finish key would have match completely there. And but, a small void as an alternative.

Alaina Yee / Foundry

Thankfully, these programmable macro keys exist, although I might have a lot most well-liked a devoted key (with matching labeled keycap). Programming the board is tremendous straightforward via the VIA internet app, and the Q11 helps two completely different layers of keystrokes per supported working system. On the principle layer for Home windows, it took about 5 minutes to determine and set the macro keys to incorporate my beloved Finish key, plus shortcuts for varied apps and program instructions. One other 5 minutes of trial and error and I had a ten-key pad within the second layer (activated utilizing the FN1 button)—and it solely took that lengthy as a result of I re-created my Goldtouch keyboard’s model of this (and its structure) from reminiscence.

One surprising facet advantage of Keychron’s absolutely break up keyboard design: The board is extra moveable, when you wanted to pack it up. (My Goldtouch keyboard has one massive joint that binds the 2 halves collectively.) No carrying case is included although, and as talked about above, a tenting equipment doesn’t exist. I require vertical tilt for correct ergonomics, so I’ve been making do with a plastic tub of hand cream for a modest angle. It doesn’t really feel as comfy as my Goldtouch keyboard’s extra dramatic tilt, although.