Does this high-end hot-swappable wi-fi keyboard earn its asking worth? Up to date: Aug 27, 2024 11:22 am WePC is reader-supported. Once you purchase via hyperlinks on our web site, we might earn an affiliate fee. Costs topic to alter. Study extra Desk of Contents Desk of Contents Keychron is a powerful challenger model within the mechanical keyboard house, providing hot-swappable boards with excessive construct high quality and an awesome line of Gateron Jupiter switches that include the keyboard. We’ve already reviewed the extra inexpensive (however nonetheless prime quality) Keychron V5 Max, however in the present day we’ve received the full-size mannequin of their most premium line. The Keychron Q Max sequence is the up to date model of their earlier Q Professional vary: a premium set of keyboards of various sizes with a full steel chassis which can be obtainable in numerous sizes (Q1-Q6). Learn under to see what we considered the Keychron Q6 Max. Specs Type-factor: 100% Key-switches: Gateron Jupiter Purple / Brown / Banana (hotswappable with South Going through switches) Actuation Drive / Journey: variable relying on change (Gateron Jupiter Purple: 45±15 gf /4mm) Dimensions: 446 x 137 x 32.6mm Connection: 2.4GHz WiFi / Bluetooth / USB Kind-C (180cm braided Twine with silicone cable tie), USB-C to A adapter included Weight: 2184g -2194g Keycaps: OSA PBT Doubleshot Reminiscence: 256K Flash Present extra What We Suppose The Keychron Q6 Max is among the finest keyboards we’ve ever had the pleasure of utilizing arms down. Though we’d have preferred the addition of height-adjustable legs, the typing expertise on this keyboard was distinctive, even with the linear Gateron Jupiter Purple switches put in which can be typically extra suited to gaming. It seems nice, notably with the facet printed keys, has wonderful construct high quality, nice customization on its simple software program, and simply feels nice to make use of. It’s actually not an affordable piece of equipment, however it’s according to opponents at this stage of high quality, so we wouldn’t say it’s overpriced both. Execs A wonderful typing and gaming expertise Sturdy PBT Doubleshot keycaps with very good OSA form Consumer-friendly onboard software program Scorching swappable Wonderful construct high quality Nice battery life Wired & wi-fi Home windows/Mac/Linux performance Seems to be nice Facet-printed keycap possibility Cons No top adjustment Very heavy weight means much less moveable Value Q6 Max ($219.00 absolutely assembled or $199.00 barebone) is just barely more cash than the older Q6 Professional ($209.00 absolutely assembled or $189.00 barebone). In comparison with the all-plastic V6 Max although ($99.00 absolutely assembled or $79.00 barebone) it’s significantly pricier. For those who’re searching for the identical board however in a distinct dimension/structure then the MSRP of every of the completely different Q-Max variants ranges between $209-$219 absolutely assembled/$189-$199 barebone. Design & Options The Keychron Q6 Max is full-size (100%) wi-fi succesful keyboard that may use both a 2.4GHz WiFi sign, Bluetooth, or USB-C braided wire connection, which you’ll be able to change between utilizing the change on the reverse of the board, behind the escape key. This contrasts with the Q Professional sequence which solely comes with Bluetooth and wired connections. The battery length on the Q6 Max is rated for 180 hours of two.4GHz wi-fi or across the 300 hour mark for Bluetooth: though we didn’t take a look at the veracity of those claims, if in observe it will get anyplace close to these then that is very lengthy certainly. Some customers Additionally positioned on this similar space is the change that permits you to change between Home windows or Mac compatibility and keyboard features. Included within the field are different keycaps for Mac or Home windows customers, together with ‘Home windows/possibility’ and ‘alt/Mac’ keys. The keyboard is absolutely suitable with Home windows, macOS, and Linux, has QMK/VIA programmability and makes use of open-source firmware. Additionally included within the field is an effective high quality braided USB-C to USB-C cable, a USB-C (feminine) to USB-A (male) adapter, a USB-C (feminine) to USB-A (feminine) adapter, a USB-A dongle for wi-fi connection, further rubber ft for the underside of the keyboard, a small screwdriver, keycap/change removing device, and instruction booklet. There are 5 different dimension variants within the Q Max vary, moreover the Q6. The complete vary is as follows: Gateron Jupiter Purple / Brown / Banana (hotswappable with South Going through switches) variable relying on change (Gateron Jupiter Purple: 45±15 gf /4mm) 2.4GHz WiFi / Bluetooth / USB Kind-C (180cm braided Twine with silicone cable tie), USB-C to A adapter included Not like the V Max sequence which is fabricated from ABS plastic, the case of the Q Collection (whether or not it’s Max or Professional) is fabricated from 6063 aluminum that has been CNC machined, making it extraordinarily sturdy and hard but additionally very heavy by comparability. It makes use of a double gasket design with silicone pads between the plates to muffle noise, which we discovered to be very efficient; primarily all of the keys and switches are remoted from the encircling case. As with the V-series you get double-shot OSA PBT keycaps, that are sturdy and have improved oil-resistance over cheaper supplies. We opted for the side-printed variants as a result of this can be a characteristic distinctive to the Q Max sequence and we predict they make for a extra attention-grabbing trying keyboard. As with the V-series you get different keycaps for Mac and Home windows customers (‘Home windows/possibility’ and ‘alt/Mac’) within the field. Shade choices are extra restricted than with the Keychron Q Professional sequence, which is a bit annoying, although each the carbon black and shell white choices look nice in our opinion. The side-printed keycap variants of each differing in coloration and shade from the 2 choices on the usual variant (regardless of having the identical title), however we’re followers of all 4 colours, and you’ll all the time customise them additional with shopping for separate keycaps if you happen to like. As commonplace the assembled boards include one of many following three Gateron Jupiter switches: Purple, Brown, or Banana. Our take a look at unit got here with the linear Jupiter Reds pre-installed, although we’ve had the pleasure of attempting out the tactile Browns and Banana choices with the V5 Max and these have been excellent. The Reds include an working power of 45±15 gf, a pre-travel of two±0.6mm, and a complete journey distance of 4mm, which is almost similar to the usual Cherry MX Purple (although these have a complete journey distance of 4±0.6mm). The board is hot-swappable with some other South-facing switches. You get the usual keycap and change eradicating instruments included within the field, so swapping these out is easy. The stabilizers are screw-in so can be changed if wanted. Each switches and stabilizers are pre-lubed. Earlier Subsequent Efficiency The keycaps have a pleasant mushy really feel and I discovered the OSA form to be good: as tall as OEM keycaps however with the rounded edges and angled design extra typical of SA keycaps. For me personally they’re the nicest keycaps I’ve had the pleasure to kind on. The motion of the switches was additionally wonderful for typing, which is shocking contemplating we opted for the Gateron Jupiter Reds and their linear, non-tactile motion; with these outfitted the expertise when typing and gaming was equally wonderful. In comparison with the Keychron V-series keyboard we reviewed, the V5 Max, the Q6 Max does really feel a barely extra high quality board: the stabilization of the keys feels higher, the motion of the keys barely silkier, and the ‘thock’ is extra muffled and bassy in comparison with the higher-pitched, louder, and extra plasticky sounding K5 Max: the one exception being the knob/dial, which sounds louder on the Q6, and a bit extra unfastened in its becoming. It’s necessary to notice that we rated the K5 Max fairly extremely in these areas, notably given its worth, so this isn’t a critique of that keyboard by any means however slightly a reasonably glowing suggestion for the standard of the Q-Max sequence, although as a pricier possibility, that is what you’d anticipate. That being stated, we did discover ourselves lacking the peak adjustment choices of the V-series on this mannequin, plus the a lot heavier weight does make it an awesome deal much less simply moveable (it actually does weigh loads). The plus facet of the heavier board is in fact that it’s not going to be slipping an awesome deal in your desk. As talked about we opted for the side-printed keycaps and these seemed nice, with the lettering shine-through good and clear when the RGB was turned on, and the lettering very legible even with it turned off. The VIA software program/Keychron (net) Launcher you should utilize to customise the keyboard is has a pleasant stripped-back design that’s straightforward to navigate, and allows you to assign macros to the keyboard, change primary key task, customise backlighting, and arrange your individual profiles. Because of the onboard 256K Flash reminiscence, it can save you not less than six of those on the keyboard itself.
