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When it involves keyboards, it is fairly a subjective matter, and all of us have our personal private preferences. For instance, I want mechanical keyboards, as a result of I like feeling every key as I press them, ensuring that the keystroke is registered. I additionally benefit from the “clickity clack” sound that mechanical boards present, although the sound varies tremendously relying on the kind of swap that you just use. But no matter swap sort, I similar to to listen to myself (and others) sort.
Ever since I acquired my Keychron K2 V2, I can not see myself going again to utilizing my MacGuide keyboard ever once more. But for lots of Apple customers, the keyboard of alternative appears to be the Magic Keyboard, which I solely have skilled by the iPad Pro Magic Keyboard. While the Magic Keyboard is effective and dandy, I feel everybody ought to not less than attempt a mechanical board.
The Keychron K1 V4 is a low-profile mechanical keyboard, so it is like a hybrid between an Apple Magic Keyboard and a full-on mechanical. If you are a Magic Keyboard consumer who desires to attempt making the swap, I feel the Keychron K1 V4 is the very best board to start out with.
Keychron K1 V4
Bottom line: Keychron K1 V4 is a low-profile mechanical keyboard with aluminum physique that is comfy to sort on for prolonged intervals of time. You can select from Gateron Low Profile Red, Blue, or Brown switches, white or RGB backlighting, and both 87-key (tenkeyless) or 104-key choices. Thanks to the low-profile switches, it is quieter to sort on as effectively.
The Good
- Low-profile fashion is tremendous slim and comfy to sort on
- You can go compact with 87-key (TKL) or full 104-key sizes
- Mac and Windows suitable, wired or wi-fi modes
- Lightweight aluminum physique
- White or RGB backlight choices
- Choice of Gateron Low Profile Red, Blue, or Brown switches
The Bad
- Very restricted keycap customization choices
- No kickstand for angled typing expertise
- ABS plastic keycaps get shiny simply
An incredible transition from Magic Keyboard to mechanical
Keychron K1 V4 evaluate: What I like
Source: Christine Romero-Chan / iMore
While I haven’t got a standalone Magic Keyboard, I’ve used the Magic Keyboards that Apple consists of on MacBooks. Honestly, whereas the scissor-switch is worlds higher than the butterfly, I nonetheless do not suppose it is higher than a mechanical keyboard. However, the Keychron K1 V4 is a low-profile mechanical board, which brings it extra akin to a Magic Keyboard (and alternate options) than a standard mechanical keyboard. So if you’re a Magic Keyboard consumer however have wished to check out mechanical keyboards, then the K1 is an important choice to start out with. Because of the slim, low-profile design, the transition is simpler and not as jarring.
Keychron provides you just a few choices to select from with the K1 V4: Gateron Low Profile Reds, Blues, or Brown switches, 87-key TKL measurement or full 104-key, and white or colourful RGB backlighting. For my K1, I selected the 104-key, Gateron Low Profile Brown switches, and RGB. Since my K2 lacks a 10-key quantity pad (it is thought-about 75%), I wished to have that for these occasions the place I must enter knowledge shortly. I respect that they provide clients the choice to decide on what most closely fits their wants, although.
The design is sleek and fashionable
Source: Christine Romero-Chan / iMore
Since the K1 is low-profile, it is very slim and comparatively light-weight, however nonetheless has sufficient heft to not transfer round a lot on a desk. It has a small incline to provide an angle, however it’s not as steep as different mechanical boards. There are additionally 4 anti-slip rubber toes on the underside to attenuate motion.
Unlike the K2, the USB-C cable for the K1 plugs in from the highest, as a substitute of the left, and the toggles for Mac/iOS or Windows/Android, in addition to Cable/Bluetooth, are situated on the prime left edge too. This makes it simpler to make use of different USB-C cables, particularly the coiled aviator cables, with the K1 when in comparison with the K2.
Regardless of which measurement you select, the K1 solely has an aluminum physique, so there is not any plastic choice (with aluminum body) like different Keychron keyboards. Due to the low-profile switches and lack of body, the switches sit on prime of the aluminum physique, and you may see them from the perimeters, even underneath the keycaps. This must also imply that it is really simpler to maintain the keyboard clear, since you may see every thing.
When it involves mechanicals, it is all in regards to the swap
Source: Christine Romero-Chan / iMore
The factor that makes a mechanical keyboard, effectively, mechanical, is the swap. The K1 comes with three Gateron Low Profile choices: Red, Blue, or Brown. I went with the Browns for the K1, and though I even have common Gateron Browns in my K2, the texture is barely completely different because of the Low Profile switches. If you are new to mechanical keyboards, Reds are quiet linear switches that require the least quantity of strain, making them nice for gaming. Blues are essentially the most clicky, and are the loudest switches, so whereas they sound nice, they might not be the very best should you work round others who don’t love clicky boards. Browns are a center floor between Reds and Blues, providing a tactile really feel when pressed however not as loud as Blues. Browns are nice for each gaming and typing.
The Gateron Low Profile Browns nonetheless have the identical actuation power as common Gateron Browns (55g±15g), the journey distance is completely different. Gateron Low Profile Browns have a pre-travel distance of 1.5±0.5mm and complete journey of two.5±0.5mm, which is lower than the K2 (at 2±0.6mm and 4±0.4mm respectively). So the Low Profile switches nonetheless require the identical quantity of strain to press, however have much less distance to journey earlier than the keystroke registers. I did discover this once I first converted and it took a while to get used to, however typing feels barely simpler on the K1, as I’ve much less typos.
And though the Gateron Low Profile Browns are a tactile swap with a mild sound, I really feel that the K1 is quite a bit quieter than my K2 with Browns. I personally want the sound of the K2, however if you would like one thing that is extra quiet however nonetheless mechanical, the K1 is nice.
The low-profile keycaps on the K1 V4 are comfy to sort on, although they use ABS plastic. They have a curve to them, so your fingers match properly into them as you sort.
Keychron is all the time Mac-centric
Source: Christine Romero-Chan / iMore
As I proceed to dive into the world of mechanical keyboards, I’ve observed most mechanical boards are tailor-made for Windows customers. I like Keychron as a result of it is one of many few manufacturers that revolves round Mac, with the choice for Windows as effectively. You get the Mac keys on the board by default, however Keychron consists of Windows caps, together with a keycap puller, if you should swap them out.
The K1 continues to supply a full row of macOS perform keys (F1-F12) with the identical Mac legends that we anticipate from Apple keyboards. They perform precisely as they need to, and make my life simple. You can swap between Mac/iOS and Windows/Android at any time by flipping the swap on the again. Keychron’s keyboards are additionally wi-fi suitable with any system by Bluetooth, and it may possibly pair up with three gadgets. To swap, you simply must press the “fn” and the 1, 2, or three keys as wanted. Toggle cabled or wi-fi mode with the swap situated subsequent to the OS toggle.
Light it up
Source: Christine Romero-Chan / iMore
You get two backlight choices with the K1 V4: white or RGB. The keyboard I’ve has the RGB lighting, which is colourful and shiny, particularly once you’re at midnight. There’s a lightweight key on the keyboard that lets you cycle by the board’s 18 completely different RGB results, and there are 4 ranges of brightness that you may choose from, or you may flip it off fully. The RGB additionally permits you to change the strong coloration on some results simply by urgent “fn” and left or proper. If you wish to lock in your favourite lighting, simply press-and-hold fn+L+Light for about 5 seconds.
While I want RGB on my keyboards, it is not for everybody. That’s why Keychron does have a strong white backlight choice out there, which prices rather less. But you probably have the RGB model and simply desire a strong white coloration backlight, that is additionally doable — you simply must cycle to the only coloration and rotate by the colours till you get white.
Your choices for alternate keycap units is extraordinarily restricted
Keychron K1 V4 evaluate: What I do not like
Source: Christine Romero-Chan / iMore
My largest concern with the K1 V4 is the truth that discovering completely different keycap units for it is virtually not possible. While the mechanical keyboard world has a ton of various group buys for customized units and there’s loads of readily-available keycap units from Amazon and different retailers, none of them are low-profile. I’ve searched, however there’s actually nothing on the market for the low-profile Gateron switches that the K1 makes use of. In truth, there’s simply the K1 keycap set that Keychron sells, however that is about it. If you are desirous to mod your K1 V4 with customized keycaps, you are out of luck.
It is additionally customary for Keychron, however the default keycap set for the K1 (in addition to the standalone I simply talked about) are made with ABS plastic materials, which is easy and not textured. This additionally implies that it will get shiny over time, because of the pure oils on our fingers. I’m not a giant fan of ABS caps, so I’m dissatisfied that I can not choose up a PBT keycap set because the low-profile is not possible to seek out.
And whereas the K1 is pretty comfy to sort on because of the low profile, there are no kickstands on the backside to offer extra of an angle to sort on. Still, the K1 is low sufficient to your arms to sit down comfortably, and there is not any wrist relaxation required (in contrast to the K2).
The competitors
Source: Hayato Huseman / iMore
When individuals consider “low profile keyboard,” they most likely take into consideration Apple’s Magic Keyboard first. And the Magic Keyboard is nice should you want a quiet, minimalistic keyboard with the least journey between urgent a key to having it register as a stroke, however it’s simply not as satisfying. Other alternate options embrace Satechi’s Backlit Bluetooth Keyboard, which just a few of iMore workers want over the Magic Keyboard. Still, for me, I want mechanicals and the K1 V4 is the very best low-profile mechanical keyboard.
Keychron K1 V4 evaluate: Should you purchase
Source: Christine Romero-Chan / iMore
You should purchase this if …
You use the Magic Keyboard however need one thing mechanical however comfy
Like I stated, the Keychron K1 V4 is an important middle-ground for individuals who use the Magic Keyboard however wish to get into the mechanical world. The low profile design is sleek, minimalistic, and comfy to sort on, whereas the Gateron Low Profile switches present satisfying suggestions. It’s additionally extra quiet than most mechanical keyboards.
You desire a Mac-centric and wi-fi keyboard
One of Keychron’s finest options is that it really works flawlessly with Macs, and it is additionally wi-fi because of Bluetooth. The K1 V4 comes with Mac keys by default, however you may swap out to Windows keys with the included caps and puller. The whole perform row makes use of devoted macOS performance. The wi-fi functionality permits you to join as much as three gadgets, and you may simply swap with the toggles.
You need an reasonably priced keyboard with choices
The K1 V4 begins at simply $69, so it is a very reasonably priced keyboard. Plus, you may select between Gateron Low Profile Red, Blue, or Brown switches, white or LED backlight, and whether or not you need 87-key TKL or full 104-key sizes.
You shouldn’t purchase this if …
You wish to customise the keycaps
Unfortunately, there are barely any choices on the market for low profile keycaps. If you wish to customise the aesthetic of the K1 V4, you are out of luck. The default caps are additionally ABS plastic, so they’ll get shiny over time.
You want loud keyboards
The K1 V4 low profile switches are a lot quieter than conventional mechanical keyboards due to much less journey distance required when typing. This might not be an excellent factor, relying on what you like.
You need extra of an angle to sort on
There aren’t any kickstand toes on the backside of the board to offer extra incline to sort on. There is a slight incline by default with the low profile, slim physique, however it’s very negligible.
Source: Christine Romero-Chan / iMore
If you are an Apple Magic Keyboard consumer who desires to dip their toes into the world of mechanical keyboards, the Keychron K1 V4 is a implausible option to go along with. It’s comfy to sort on, pretty quiet however nonetheless tactile, slim with the entire bells and whistles, and it really works nice for Mac and just about something with wi-fi. But if you wish to customise and want listening to each loud keystroke click on, then you must go along with the Keychron K2 as a substitute.
Still, the K1 V4 is a really reasonably priced keyboard, and it is available in two sizes, three swap choices, and two backlight decisions. It’s an important transitioning mechanical keyboard for these coming from one thing just like the Apple Magic Keyboard, and with both the TKL or full measurement choice, it will cowl your wants it doesn’t matter what.
Keychron K1 V4
Bottom line: The Keychron K1 V4 is a slim, low profile mechanical keyboard that works nice for Macs and different gadgets with wi-fi Bluetooth functionality and is comfy (and quiet) to sort on. You can select between 87-key TKL or 104-key full sizes, white or RGB backlighting, and Gateron Low Profile Red, Blue, or Brown switches.
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