Going from Magic Keyboard ➡️ Mechanical Keyboard!

After trying numerous mechanical keyboards, I finally transitioned from the Apple Magic Keyboard to the Keychron Q2 Max! Here's my review plus an in-depth walkthrough of the perfect key mappings for Mac users.
⌨ Keychron Q2 Max
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⌨ Keychron Q1 Pro
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VIA Key Mapping App
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JSON VIA Mapping File
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:48 What’s in the Box
01:18 Q2 Max Size Comparison
01:55 Q2 Max Hardware
03:10 Moving from Magic Keyboard
04:48 Key Programming
10:07 Conclusion
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[@LewisHolford]

This was absolutely perfect. Ordered the Q5 Max and this is the best video I've seen explaining QMK customisation! Thank you!!

[@JeffHeon]

When my iMac keyboard stopped working, I thought I’d try a mechanical keyboard to see what was all the buzz about. I got an affordable Keychron C1 with brown switches for home. I liked it so much, I got a C1 Pro for work after that 😅

[@beardfm]

Haha fell down the rabbit hole!

[@PeterSpee]

Great video - but I have a question about your Globe Key Macro. I have a non-Apple keyboard, but it’s not a Keychron, and it has a Fn key that I’d love to map to the Globe Key, but I can’t figure out how to do it. I assumed it was a non-standard keyboard code, but you talked about a Macro. Can someone point me to a place to learn about this Voodoo?

[@beardfm]

What model keyboard do you have? And if you try to visit this link, can you connect your keyboard and modify the key behavior? Doesn't work in Safari btw, needs Chrome, Edge, or Brave: usevia.app/

[@brianmatiash]

I've been debating about giving a mechanical KB a shot, but the thing that always prevents me from doing so is Touch ID on my Apple KB. I use it frequently enough that it'd be really hard to lose it. Still, this is a great video and gives me a few things to consider.

[@beardfm]

Yeah, really wish Macs / Apple Displays would get Face ID and make Touch ID a non-issue, but if you have an Apple Watch, turn off your Magic Keyboard and you can confirm a lot that way.

[@brianmatiash]

@@beardfm Definitely love using my Apple Watch Ultra 2 to unlock my Mac, but Touch ID has become almost second nature for unlocking 1Password, too. You hit the nail on the head re: Apple adding Face ID to its laptop and desktop displays. I was pretty surprised when it went missing again with the M3/Pro/Max refresh last Halloween.

[@felipemiotto1549]

Paste & match style video please!

[@scb9]

Do you miss the Apple Keyboard fingerprint sensor or does you new keyboard come with one?

[@beardfm]

I do miss it, that's why I keep it right behind the keychron if I ever need to use it. Hoping Face ID comes to Macs soon!

[@burprobrox9134]

I couldn’t handle the bouncing on the keyboard tray. This was a nice video, thanks

[@beardfm]

It's not perfect but still prefer over taking up desk space.

[@pamkoakes]

Yes, please do a keyboard shortcuts video! Thanks

[@beardfm]

Will do! coming Soon!

[@uwekonnigsstaddt524]

Love that rotating, mechanical button, on the upper right hand of the keyboard. Reminds me of the “needles and gauges” of yesterday. Love the sound (and almost feel) of the mechanical keyboard. I still have an electronic typewriter, bought it back in mid 90s. Thanks for the review

[@beardfm]

Love the knob for sure!

[@bobpatin6223]

I love my Keychron; gotta have keypad.

[@beardfm]

Numpad is important for many!

[@HarryHugel]

A keyboard shortcut video would be fantastic.

[@beardfm]

Will do one soon!

[@jostr8411]

What switches config do u have?

[@beardfm]

Red!

[@Y0UTUBEADMIN]

Blue or go home

[@GreyAlive]

Keyboard shortcut video please 🙋🏻‍♂️😍

[@beardfm]

First to ask! Will do one soon!

[@GreyAlive]

@@beardfm great! 👍🏼

[@Aeolous1]

try a topre keyboard next :^)

[@beardfm]

Haven’t heard of those!

[@bobpatin6223]

Why not just use Keyboard Maestro?

[@beardfm]

I already use TextExpander for a bunch of other macros. Just wanted it to match my current muscle memory!

[@supereldian]

Mechanical keyboards pique my interest, but none of them match Apple’s layout key-per-key. Take a look for yourself; at least one or two keys are off :/

[@beardfm]

It’s an adjustment no matter what, you’re right. But it’s fun to type on, and I’ve gotten used to the different key layout

[@Oleg__]

I don't consider keyboards without a numpad.

[@beardfm]

Keychron makes a bunch with a numpad too!

[@uwekonnigsstaddt524]

I’ve got a new iMac with M3 chip. Did order the larger keyboard that comes with its integral numpad. What a difference

[@MitchellJBridges]

I have a unicomp with Dvorak, I agree that a numpad is needed for me, I use it to navigate my terminal faster than the T cluster.

[@bj0rnen]

I liked full size keyboards since I started playing with computers as a kid in the 90s. Then in 2016 I switched to a Logitech keyboard with a 96% layout which still had the numpad, but it had the arrow keys underneath the right shift key, like on modern Mac keyboards. So when I finally decided to get a mechanical keyboard a year ago, I still wanted the numpad but didn’t want to sacrifice the space that a 96% layout freed up on my desk, so I got the Keychron K4 Pro. Over time I’ve become curious as to whether I can get by without the numpad so I can save even more space, so I bought the Q2 Max when it was announced at the beginning of this year. Sometimes I still catch myself wanting to type on a numpad but so far I haven’t had the desire to switch back to the K4 Pro entirely. We’ll see how it goes, but the point is that just up until late last year I never thought I’d be buying a keyboard without a numpad myself, but here we are.

[@thestreamreader]

Then you are missing out. I now only have one full size keyboard and 24 others that vary in size. I now consider myself a collector but love the variety of sizes.