Last year, I bought the Steelseries Apex Pro Gen 3 keyboard. While its a nice keyboard and all, I'm not super into linear only switches, I prefer a little tactile feedback, like you'd get from brown switches, but blue is too loud. Plus, the W key has already lost its blue LED, which for a top of the line keyboard, is a no no in my book. Additionally, there was no Linux support, because it required the proprietary APP, in order to manage most functions. I'm going to give it to a family member, it will be an upgrade for them, as they are still using an Aula membrane.
Today, I ordered the Keychron Q6 MAX QMK/VIA Mechanical keyboard. Both switches & keycaps are fresh out of the oven hot swappable. I chose the model that uses Gateron Jupiter brown switches. Its a cnc machined aluminum keyboard, none of that creeky plastic garbage. It uses KSA Double-Shot keycaps. Due to the fact its QMK/VIA, its open source feature, allows it to work on just about any system, and can be managed via its web app. Finally, hardware with Linux in mind!
I also ordered a custom black/rainbow USB-C aviator cable for it. This way, I can rout the extension, to keep the cable out of the way, yet have enough reach, to mate with my performance computer.
Jayz 2 Cents won't be the only Keychron snob in the building, make way for Startreker, behold, I got Keychron lol. OK, I know I am not the only person on this site to have one of these, I distinctly remember at least 1 other person talking about it, hope they chime in.
If your wondering what made me get the Q6 over the K10? I loaded up video review video's on Youtube, and I listened to the sound each made, as well as doing my research, into how much went into each keyboard. Quality wise, the Q6 won out, sound wise, the Q6 won out, feature wise, the Q6 won out.
Oh yeah, forgot to say, I appreciate a volume knob, over a volume rocker. When I grab my SteelSeries keyboard, I accidentally change the volume, because of its location and roller/rocker style, as opposed, to a knob.
The Keyboard Santa Clause visited me, too. I got a Glorious GMMK Pro, Akko Fairy Silent Switches, Glorious Coiled Cable and Glorious Arctic White GPBT Keycaps.
The board is really a Tank; very massive, hahaha! Now I only need the Time to built all together. Oh, and of Course it has a K-N-O-B. Then we all know: When you have a Knob, You are a Pro.
I saw another Keycap Set where I'm highly interested in: A Ducky x Fallout Keycap Set. I was surprised that it has an ISO DE Layout. So, I will see if the Keyboard Santa maybe visited me again ...
Hello @Ponce-De-Leon It makes me feel special, that keyboard Santa paid us both a visit. I took a look at your glorious keyboard, and she's a beauty for sure! And I also had a look at that coiled cable, it sure is glorious too.
Ohhh yes, the knob raises the cool factor, rating off the charts. Seriously though, they are nice to have. Playing music, a movie, a game, if its too loud or too soft, a simple rotation is all ya need to correct that. Is a obnoxious add rolling, push the knob to bring balance to the auditory universe.
Im glad you mentioned keycaps. Because i too plan to replace my keycaps. Problem is, Amazon, as well as Keychrons website, are out of stock on the good stuff. If that situation ever gets resolved, I want to go purple keycaps if I can.
Even darker blue keycaps would look nice too, but all they got in stock right now, are just the white keycaps. I assume slim pickins due to holiday shopping.
When they keyboard gets here, ill take pictures like I always do, hope you'll do the same. And yep, coiled cables are where its at, anything else, is just a mess
Welcome to the glorious 75 percenter, with the glorious coiled cable. Nice! A couple of notes however...
(1) I believe you put the space bar on wrong, remove it, flip it around, then put it back down.
(2) I use Govee room lights, I can change the color temperature on them, to make them between 3000K to 6500K, helps with solid room lighting for photo's.
(3) If I care enough to put in the extra effort, I also have a small key light, for getting up closer to the subject, I can also set its color temperature and brightness.
You will have to let me know how you like those Fairy Silent switches. Nice coiled cable there, enjoy your knob...on the keyboard.
Thta is Intention @StarTreker, that is Intention. I saw this in the Past in a Video and first thought ''What is this?'' and the Guy explained that the Typing feels better in his Opinion and then I tried it ... and what can I say ... it types really well like this.
Oh, there are great - at least for me. They are very smooth to type and quiet, too. And I don't need much Force to press them - which is a good Thing because I have bad Fingers. All in all very good Linear Switches in my Opinion.
As @Ponce-De-Leon was lucky to get his keyboard a day before me, patience as always wins out, and my new Keychron Q6 MAX, has arrived today, WOOT!
Would you like to see more?
Oh please sir, may I have some more?
There will be a dark rainbow coiled cable, in the valley, ohhh yes.
Ohhh, I do believe shes looking mighty gorgeous, in the nebula valley. But, I think we need to turn her on, so she may power my life.
Ohhh yes please, per key RGB, coiled RGB cable, nice thonk aviator connection, (commercial airline approved) and the feel of those Gatoron Juniper brown switches, and them PBT keycaps, brings heaven to my fingers, lovely thock with every stroke.
But Houston we have a problem...
This aint no MAC, I didn't sell my soul to Steve Jobs, I want a refund! No silly, for Windows/Linux users, all we gotta do, is use the key puller tool it came with, and switch those caps out, with the Win/Lin keys it came with.
And can you feel, the love, tonight?
Its the Keychron Q6, fall in love at first sight.
Simba!
Yes?
Have you seen the RGB light?
Oh I see the light alright! I'm gonna load up the Keychron web APP to customize it.
Record screech...
I click on connect, shows its connected, but I can't access the config. Ohhh you know what they say, udev rules, yeah, from my experience Udev doesn't rule, its a complete utter nonsense, that 99% of Linux users, (including myself) will never be able to setup right, cause its convoluted nonsense BS. You wanna aggravate a new Linux user, tell them they have to setup Udev rules, and its like trying to find Narnia, only all you will find, is aggravation, in the extreme.
Here, I bless upon you, a list of terminal commands, that will make your life easier, and get the config working.
(1)
sudo chmod 666 /dev/hidraw*
(2)
SUBSYSTEM=="hidraw", MODE="0666"
(3)
sudo udevadm control --reload-rules
(4)
sudo udevadm trigger
After 5 seconds, you may now go to the Chrome tab, that you have loaded up the Keychron web APP on, refresh it, then connect your keyboard again, and walla, their's your config page. Lets breath in the RGB light!
Now shes in my favorite shade of blue, and boy is she breathing the light. I slowed her breathing down a little bit though, don't want her to hyper ventilate now.
Check out Keychron's advanced mode! Oh yeah, I like that too, I can set an auto sleep mode for her, as well as RGB go to sleep mode. This is luxury right here folks.
First thing I noticed, its the heaviest keyboard I've ever known. I honestly thought the Jay was being over dramatic, about it being able to be used as a makeshift weapon, against home invasion. After handling this keyboard, I can honestly say, if somebody broke into my house, lets just say, they would be in the hospital suffering a concussion.
This is millions better then my old SteelSeries keyboard! All the caps push down true, no side moving. The spacebar key is better then all previous keyboard spacebar key's I've ever used, because its supported really well.
The tactile feel of the brown switches, are just so magnificently delicious, without being noisy like the old-style blue switches. The overall sound of the keys, sound so delicious, Creamy sweetness in every key stroke, yum.
And my knob, oh yes, oh how I like to play with my keyboard knob. Look, I'm playing with it now, gotta turn it up! That knob, is better then the one on my Steelseries Apex Pro Gen 3, and better then the one, on my really old Corsair K95 keyboard. You gotta try it to believe it, I just played with it, ohhh you better believe it, I love it.
I honestly feel like this keyboard is more silent, then all red switch linears, which means, you don't increase noise, using brown switches. Just stay away from blue switches, or your boss will have a reason to fire you. The Q6 also comes with great feet on it, so if you need a keyboard not to get too excited to see you and move around, the weight of the Q6, & its feet, keeps it in place.
This can be used wired, or wireless, as it does have a battery inside, & an antenna. Anyone who knows, were going to use these connected, its the right way to use them, no bad latency, and fully powered baby!
Short period opinion?
Its the best keyboard I ever had, I'm so glad that I bought it. Don't come to my door and knock, I'm too busy typing, & enjoying the thock.
Why did the writer break up with their touchscreen keyboard?
Because the mechanical one clicked with them instantly, it was a relationship full of tactile feedback and no ghosting!
OK, I know I am not the only person on this site to have one of these, I distinctly remember at least 1 other person talking about it, hope they chime in.
factor, rating off the charts. Seriously though, they are nice to have. Playing music, a movie, a game, if its too loud or too soft, a simple rotation is all ya need to correct that. Is a obnoxious add rolling, push the knob to bring balance to the auditory universe.
