A transportable keyboard you’ll really wish to use

I keep in mind a time when utilizing a transportable keyboard meant settling for a mushy, rubber-domed expertise with low cost, low-profile keycaps and little to no backlighting. Typing quite a lot of sentences was a chore, and the gaming efficiency might have been higher. I typically went with out, opting to make use of the contact display screen on no matter transportable gadget I used to be carrying, and I’d by no means think about using one as my desktop board.

Nevertheless, occasions have modified, and merchandise just like the Keychron K7 Max supply a correct mechanical keyboard expertise on the go. And, whereas I nonetheless desire my full-sized, full-height boards for desktop use, I’ve been utilizing the K7 Max as my solely keyboard for every week, and I’ve to say, it’s rising on me. In the event you want the pliability of a transportable keyboard however don’t need a typing expertise that makes your fingers cry, the K7 Max is perhaps your subsequent buy.

Value, availability, and compatibility

The Keychron K7 Max is on the market by means of Keychron beginning at $94. The bottom variant consists of solely white backlighting, with RGB backlighting costing you one other $10. If you’d like hot-swappable switches along with RGB backlighting (my evaluation mannequin), the Keychron K7 Max prices $114. You possibly can select between pink or brown Gateron low-profile mechanical switches. It’s price noting that whereas the switches are hot-swappable, you’ll be able to solely insert Gateron or Keychron low-profile mechanical switches again in; optical or full-height switches is not going to work.

The K7 Max is appropriate with Home windows, Mac, Android, Linux, and iOS. If wanted, Home windows-specific keycaps are included for set up.

What I like concerning the Keychron K7 Max

A flexible package deal

It’s not like we don’t pay for the privilege, however the Keychron K7 Max has a premium really feel. I really like how the board is compact however nicely constructed, utilizing a mixture of ABS plastic and aluminum for the body. I observed hardly any deck flex whereas in use, even urgent laborious on the corners. Keychron added an acoustic foam layer to assist with sound and really feel, and it’s noticeable. Typing is strong, and the sound is nice from the K7 Max’s brown, tactile switches.

It’s additionally compact, at simply over 12 inches lengthy and below 4 inches deep — a small footprint made attainable by the 65% structure. Even nonetheless, a keyboard wouldn’t be transportable with out a manageable top, and the K7 Max is simply 22mm tall — very best for carrying in a messenger bag or in one of many Keychron circumstances obtainable. The K7 Max is improbable in the event you’re trying to get extra productiveness out of your pill on the go, turning a tool just like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Extremely right into a powerhouse for work and college.

A giant motive why the K7 Max will be so skinny is the Gateron low-profile mechanical change. At solely 12.2mm tall, it’s over 5mm shorter than a full-height change. I’m happy that Gateron created a change with the specified top that maintained a correct really feel and efficiency. It’s nearly just like the K7 Max is hugging your fingers, particularly when paired with the low-profile spherical-angled keycaps. The Gateron switches require 55g of activation power, making them an amazing selection for high-performance gaming — you’ll by no means need to guess the place you’re in your keypress.

Like different Keychron boards, the switches are pre-lubed, which means the K7 Max feels nice by means of lengthy typing classes. I’ve been typing for over every week on the K7 Max, together with for this evaluation, and the mixture of high-quality switches and low-profile keycaps have my fingers gliding over the board.

Regardless of being a low-profile, transportable keyboard, the K7 Max doesn’t lack customization choices. The included double-shot PBT keycaps really feel superb, and Keychron claims they’re extra oil-resistant over time. Nevertheless, if you wish to swap them out, loads of choices can be found from Keychron and others, so you’ll be able to match your K7 Max to your desktop setup. Just like the Drop CSTM65 I reviewed, the K7 Max can mix in with the best equipment.

Furthermore, you’ll be able to swap out switches for a completely totally different really feel. The corporate warns that solely Gateron/Keychron low-profile mechanical switches are appropriate, however different low-profile choices from Amazon may also do the job. Nevertheless, it’s price noting that low-profile optical switches is not going to work with the QMK firmware, so double-check earlier than you order.

Keychron consists of 22 RGB patterns for the K7 Max and a static white backlighting sample for a extra understated look. The corporate claims battery life is 34 hours from the 1,550mAh cell with the RGB activated, and whereas that largely holds up in testing, I’d cost the K7 Max each two days to be secure — nothing worse than attending to work or faculty and realizing you’re operating brief on energy. Turning the backlighting off fully enhances these numbers, with over every week of energy attainable with the RGB off.

Keychron gives a number of connectivity modes on the K7 Max. Bluetooth 5.1 means that you can join as much as 3 gadgets without delay, whereas wired and a couple of.4GHz wi-fi modes hyperlink your K7 Max along with your desktop setup. A wi-fi adapter is included within the field. You’ll wish to go along with a 2.4GHz connection even when your desktop pc helps Bluetooth, as you’ll get the complete 1,000Hz polling charge — Bluetooth is restricted to 90Hz. The K7 Max consists of different premium options like N-Key rollover, and the Keychron launcher permits for a number of keymap configurations.

What I don’t like concerning the Keychron K7 Max

Extra choices obtainable

It’s laborious to search out fault with the K7 Max, particularly given its versatility. I want to see extra change choices formally supported, permitting customers to customise the board’s really feel.

Keychron’s internet launcher is okay for fanatics, with programmable macros and keymaps, however the interface may very well be extra user-friendly for informal customers. The K7 Max is a improbable possibility for first-time consumers in search of mechanical keyboard, so I’d prefer to see the corporate cater a bit to new customers.

Must you purchase it?

I actually loved my time with the K7 Max. It’s extremely versatile with a wonderful typing really feel, strong gaming efficiency, and a stellar low-profile construct high quality. It’s laborious to argue concerning the worth, as you get a mechanical keyboard you’ll be able to take to work and college however nonetheless plug in on the finish of the day to queue up with your mates in Counter-Strike —- all whereas not sacrificing an excessive amount of. It’s actually a board you’ll be able to costume up or costume down, relying on what you want, and I extremely suggest making an attempt one out — your fingers will thanks.