Keychron K1 Professional evaluation: efficiency, specs, value

Keychron K1 Professional

Keychron has made a reputation for itself by designing quite a lot of keyboards with related applied sciences throughout a variety of sizes. The Kechron K1 Professional is an evolution of the unique K1 keyboard that elevates it to professional standing.

Whereas it was a superb keyboard, we are able to acknowledge it is not precisely the aesthetic Apple would go for. Nonetheless, the K1 Professional’s refreshed design leans a lot nearer to a basic keyboard design.

All through this evaluation, we’ll concentrate on how the K1 Professional is designed and operates, however we are going to evaluate some points to model 4 of the non-pro mannequin. If something, this up to date mannequin exemplifies how far Keychron has are available in three years.

Observe that there’s a K1 v5 that we have now not examined. It has a contemporary design and keycaps however lacks some options and programmable keys.

The Keychron K2 is a low-profile tenkeyless mechanical keyboard with an 80% structure. It’s 22mm tall on the highest level and makes use of low-profile Gateron switches. It weighs 1.28 kilos.

The K1 Professional is a slim-profile keyboard with an improved design over K1 v4

We examined the hot-swappable choice with an RGB backlight. It has a low-power ARM chipset with 128K Flash that builders can use.

Like different Keychron keyboards, it has a number of use modes. A change on the facet controls whether or not it’s in Home windows or Apple mode, and one other change adjustments between wired and Bluetooth mode.

It may be paired with three gadgets over Bluetooth and shortly swapped with a key command. The wired mode has a 1,000 Hz polling price optimized for quick gaming response.

Program keys with VIA

Program any key on the keyboard with QMK and VIA. A JSON file for the particular keyboard will be discovered on the Keychron web site.

Each secret’s hot-swappable, so commerce out switches as desired. We’re pleased with the pink switches, however blue and brown are additionally obtainable.

Keychron redesigned the stabilizers for keys which are double-width or wider. Keys depress with none wobble, even the spacebar.

There are 22 RGB backlight choices

22 RGB backlight settings will be manipulated with numerous key presses. Tune hue, saturation, brightness, and animation pace to your liking.

The K1 Professional positive aspects adjustable ft, which the K1 v4 doesn’t have. There are three positions obtainable — closed, excessive, and low.

The double-shot PBT keycaps are tightly packed on this keyboard body. Slight gaps enable gentle to cross by with a reflective impact in opposition to the important thing edges.

The minimal key spacing is a greater industrial design over K1 v4

That is an improved design over the K1 v4, which had vast spacing between keys. It provides the keyboard a extra elegant and basic model when seen from above.

The inner 2,000 mAh battery offers loads of hours of use. Protecting the backlight off offers about 100 hours of use whereas preserving the backlight enabled at low brightness reduces the time to 33 hours.

We have been utilizing the K1 Professional for just a few weeks and have not encountered any sticky keys or bugs. The mushy feeling we felt within the K1 v4 is gone — these keys really feel a lot better to sort on and extra balanced.

The USB-C port is centered within the again — not superb

Pink switches’ muted, clicky suggestions sounds nice by these slim keycaps. When pressed, the house bar provides an gratifying plunk sound.

K1 Professional has an improved case design that is extra uniform than the angular K1 v4. The Gateron switches within the professional mannequin are suitable with low-profile keycaps with the “+” form related to Cherry versus the older low-profile Gateron change with “l l” holes for keycaps.

K1 Professional has a much less angular case design

Booting up VIA and mapping the screenshot key to my most well-liked CleanShot X motion was easy. The six operate keys to the best of the backspace are additionally nice candidates for keycap alternative and new key bindings.

We’re not followers of the hyperactive RGB backlight animations, so we set it to carry a gradual blue backlight whereas in use. However, in fact, loads of rainbow and pinwheel choices exist for extra chaotic setups.

The USB-C cable attaches to the rear middle of the keyboard, which is not superb. We desire the side-port choice so the cable will be extra simply managed and hidden. A USB-C cable jutting from the again is not precisely hideable.

Keychron’s pro-series keyboards are wonderful. The corporate has gone an extended approach to give prospects a variety of keyboard sizes, change choices, and different options.

Sizzling-swappable and programmable keys

The K1 Professional is a wonderful choice for these nonetheless utilizing an Apple Magic Keyboard however are considering mechanical keyboards. It is not too huge and heavy, nevertheless it offers the programmable and customizable choices coveted by mechanical keyboard lovers.

We’re not going as far as to say this (or the K1 v4) needs to be the one Apple made. Nonetheless, it’s a clear winner relating to design aesthetic and customization vary.

The K1 Professional is an apparent alternative for anybody on the lookout for a low-profile mechanical keyboard. Good design meets trendy expertise.

• Improved key really feel and design in professional mannequin
• Loads of RGB choices
• Programmable with VIA
• Pairs with three gadgets and has a 1,000 Hz wired mode
• Top/angle adjustment with included ft

• USB-C port is centered within the rear

Keychron’s present professional keyboard lineup is hard to beat. Clients want solely select the scale and form of their desired keyboard and go from there.

The K1 Professional is a wonderful low-profile keyboard we are able to simply suggest to first-time mechanical keyboard customers and veterans alike.

Get the Keychron K1 Professional with an RGB backlight and hot-swappable keys from Keychron’s web site for $114.