There are so many mechanical keyboards on the market in the intervening time that it may be exhausting to face out. From utilizing totally different key switches to new and progressive methods to mount a keyboard in a case, there are numerous ways in which newcomers are attempting to make a dent available in the market. Not like this, nonetheless – a keyboard with a built-in USB hub.
And never simply a few USB ports both. The 3inUS KeboHub has a fully-fledged HDMI port to go along with three USB C A ports, and a USB-C port. That’s cheap USB dongle territory, and it’s constructed into your keyboard. This keyboard could possibly be the middle of a desk setup, and that’s fairly cool.
Factor is, it’s not ‘only a dongle’, it’s a mechanical keyboard as properly, and one which prices almost $100. So does it get up by itself deserves as a keyboard if the ports had been eliminated?
It is price making an allowance for that this can be a pre-production pattern, and a few of my critiques might properly have been fastened within the closing model of the keyboard.
3inUS Kebohub: Value and availability
The Kebohub has simply grow to be accessible on Kickstarter, the place you possibly can help the board because it will get prepared for manufacturing. It is presently pegged for a June launch and can value $85 – which is very aggressive for a mechanical keyboard, particularly one with some further stuff on board.
This makes it a less expensive possibility than the Apple Magic Keyboard or an alternative choice just like the NuPhy Air 75 that we not too long ago reviewed. Now, it’s not as premium as both of these keyboards, however it’s nonetheless a stable possibility nonetheless.
3inUS Kebohub: what I like
The important thing switches on board the Kebohub are pink, a linear swap that players are going to like. There’s no tactile bump to every swap, making the keystroke slick all the way in which down. I’m unsure what firm has manufactured the switches, however they’re cheap approximations of costlier choices. There are different swap choices as properly if the reds aren’t your fashion.
You possibly can go for a blue ‘clicky’ swap which includes a harsh (and loud) tactile bump with every keystroke. That is nice for really feel, however much less so for sound. Once more, if the reds listed here are something to go by, they’ll be positive.
The board has hot-swappable key swap sockets, so you possibly can exit and purchase different switches with the form of properties you want.
The switches themselves sound positive, with an honest bottom-out. There’s somewhat scratching, however you possibly can’t fault a keyboard at this worth for unlubed switches. The plate that the important thing switches are mounted on is plastic, though this doesn’t appear to have an effect on the sound of the board an enormous quantity – I’ll discuss extra in regards to the sound of the board somewhat later.
In case you’re not a fan of the important thing switches, then you possibly can change them out. The board has hot-swappable key swap sockets, so you possibly can exit and purchase different switches with the form of properties you want. That may be a compelling motive to go along with this board – though the switches that come on board aren’t unhealthy, it’s good that there’s the choice to alter them out.
The remainder of the housing of the keyboard is plastic, and it feels stable in hand. It’s a weighty board, with substantial heft that retains it planted on the desk. The little ft that come out of the underside of the board are sturdy and lift the board as much as a pleasant typing angle, and the rubber ft on the backside grip no matter they’re sat on properly.
There’s RGB too that shines good and vivid. It may be managed with onboard key mixtures, with a great deal of totally different choices to gentle the board. In case you’re something like me, you’ll stick to a single shade, however for many who favor one thing extra akin to a rainbow you then’re in luck.
Often, with a keyboard, there wouldn’t be a lot else to touch upon. Besides, with this board, there’s. There’s an entire USB-C dock on the again, utilizing the keyboard’s wired connection to the very best impact that it probably can. The number of ports is stable as properly, that includes a USB-C port, two USB-A ports, and an HDMI port. It’s all fed by means of a twin USB-C cable that’s completely connected to the board. For most individuals that number of ports goes to be sufficient. For hooking up a laptop computer to a monitor and mouse it’s going to be loads, with extra room for a webcam and exterior drive.
3inUS Kebohub: what I don’t like
The difficulty is that the hub doesn’t make a lot sense to me in the long term. It’s helpful in case you’re steadily plugging a laptop computer right into a small desk setup, however for some laptops, that twin USB-C cable takes up a invaluable charging port. Even worse, the board doesn’t sport energy supply, so that you’ll be draining your battery as you’re working. It is smart as a handy option to get ports in your desk in case your desktop PC is on the ground, however even then, it’s somewhat bizarre. Why an HDMI? It feels confused.
The USB-C cable that connects the board to your setup can be completely connected to the keyboard, so if that goes out, you’re caught with no keyboard and hub. The cable itself is thick, unwieldy, and feels somewhat low-cost to the contact.
Now, you possibly can’t complain an excessive amount of when a mechanical keyboard like this feels somewhat low-cost, however there are different key areas the place the board doesn’t really feel fairly as much as scratch. The keycaps are the first instance. They’re wafer skinny, and whereas they’re shine-through in order that the RGB can gentle the legend up, they don’t really feel significantly good to sort on. It provides to the board’s total barely iffy sound as properly. There’s an excessive amount of ping from someplace within the board, and the house bar and modifier keys rattle somewhat an excessive amount of once you’re typing. With some enthusiast-grade meddling and modding, you may find yourself with a pleasant sounding board, however this board doesn’t really feel aimed on the fanatic.
That low-cost feeling extends to the case too. Whereas it’s dense and heavy, it’s additionally fairly sharp. The sides of the board have vital molding edges from the manufacturing course of, and you’ll really feel them once you’re typing. With some sanding, they will disappear, however you shouldn’t need to put in further work to get a satisfying typing expertise. Altogether, the board is solely not as good to make use of because it could possibly be. Once more, this can be a preproduction pattern, and this suggestions can assist the launch manufacturing be higher.
Which is a disgrace, as a result of the board has some nice concepts. Whereas because it stands, the hub doesn’t make sense, it might with some work and iteration. Convey energy supply on board and it’ll grow to be good for plugging a MacBook Professional right into a desk setup. Enhance a budget keycaps and the sound and typing really feel will enhance. Type out the sharp edges on the case and it’ll really feel somewhat extra premium. Fortunately, the keyboard is presently in its Kickstarter part, and that implies that it is acquired loads of time for enchancment.
3inUS Kebohub: Competitors
There’s nothing that provides precisely what the Kebohub does, though in case you’re simply after a superb mechanical keyboard then there are many different choices. There’s the MX mechanical mini from Logitech that not solely provides a superb typing expertise however at a worth that’s not that a lot totally different. Even higher is the NuPhy Air 75, one other low-profile mechanical board that we beloved, and has RGB lighting.
Additionally from NuPhy, there’s the Halo 75, which solely is available in round $50 costlier however appears to supply a superior typing expertise. Equally, the Wombat Pine Professional, one other mechanical board that we beloved, brings some tremendous premium options to the desk.
From the Apple camp, there’s the ever-popular Magic Keyboard, though in case you’re searching for a mechanical keyboard, then it’s unlikely to scratch that itch.
3inUS Kebohub: do you have to purchase one?
You should purchase this if…
- You want a keyboard and a dock
- You need to check out the world of mechanical keyboards
- You actually like RGB
You shouldn’t purchase this if…
- You ever contact the perimeters of your keyboard
- You desire a keyboard that sounds good
- You’ve got lower than three USB-C ports
3inUS Kebohub: Verdict
The Kebohub isn’t a nasty board for the worth. It’s lower than $100 and has some cool options that different boards prefer it don’t have. You probably have somewhat extra to spend, nonetheless, you then’re going to search out a lot better experiences elsewhere, that aren’t compromised fairly as a lot as this one.
The Kebohub is a good idea that simply doesn’t fairly attain its lofty ambition. It has my respect, however I don’t assume it should discover its approach onto my desk. It would onto yours, nonetheless. Ensure you join the Kickstarter now.
A superb begin
The Kebohub is just not good by any stretch of the creativeness, however it’s a nice proof of idea. With some modifications, this could possibly be a terrific choice to go along with when searching for a mechanical keyboard.
