QK75N - A Great Keyboard At $180, With A Flaw.

This is QWERTYKEYS newest board and it has some really awesome parts to it, like the cable-less motherboard to daughterboard, and a very theme for each color, mixed in with a good sound profile and pretty good typing feel. It's budget friendly starting at $180 and will supposedly ship within 2-6 weeks after purchase. Oh, it's also wireless! Did I mention that?
It's plain solid with the exception of one thing. The proprietary software... I use an Apple computer and I can't sadly install any of the software onto my PC and because it's actually not compatible for VIA, I have no way to change keys unless I own a Windows machine or boot into windows on my Mac. I also can't change that little screen either for the same reason. It does have some backed in profile for Mac and Windows but it seems like such a big oversight for the population of people who use Apple devices. Now this may be a super small non-issue to some, and that is totally fine. However, this actually may be a deal breaker for some folk!
Overall the board is good. It sets itself apart in the market of 75% boards by have a fun theme in the design and some very unique parts utilized in this unit, which I hope become a standard for QK's designs. It falls short because of the needed software to customize the board.
This is also sponsored content. While this is a paid review, it does not impact my thoughts about the product. All these thoughts are my own and the company/vendor does not get to see these edits to the video nor can see the streams due to the nature of it being a live stream.
✅ BUILD SPECS:
Keyboard: QK75N - Pink
Plate Material: Carbon Fiber
Switches: Neo White Switches
Keycaps: GMK Hazakura
Stabilizers: Owlabs Stabs
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[@alexotos]

UPDATE: They are now working on MacOS software for their board, huge win!

[@6jeewon]

will you consider changing the title now?

[@ubacow7109]

mac is gyaatt~

[@chuchupow]

I'm surprised there aren't more people talking about the 2.4 GHz dongle storage built into the board itself. Like I always thought it was rather weird how some boards offer tri-mode but have no storage for the dongle. It always felt like an afterthought with boards from the QK and Zoom series, especially when it's something small that you can lose. It was such a shame to not add storage with the QK80 given how it had badges as well; but it's great to see it here, and hope we see more of this in the future

[@qwertykeys2119]

glad to hear that it's appreciated!

[@alexotos]

I dont know if it was translated well into the Hyperlapse video, but i was over the moon about it!

[@fzh4296]

Was waiting for your take on this board! I've been thinking about it and lowkey still consider it. Great review, thanks Alex!

[@alexotos]

Thank you!!!

[@haomingli6175]

In China, the market share of macOS is really low due to the market being very price-sensitive. That's probably why when it comes to proprietary software, mac versions are seldom offered by Chinese brands. However, you can remap keys for any keyboard on macOS through things like Karabiner Elements, which is really powerful.

[@nftbandit9645]

Been waiting for this board to drop! Loving the features and the look. The QK75 is one of my favorite boards so seeing it re-renter production is great for QK. The lack of software for apple users definitely seems like a major oversight but I wonder if they will change it before it is released.

[@alexotos]

Im hoping it will, I am in communication with them and it seems they are working on it pretty quickly!

[@weethen]

my qk100 works well on mac, i just built it and programmed it with a windows machine and once that was done switched it to mac mode and it's been going strong

[@kevindellatore]

They need to get a warehouse in the US and cut down that shipping price. $30 is a lot and makes their good prices basically irrelevant when other companies are the same price after shipping.

[@Randomlosername]

Yeah it hurt me when I bought my Neo65 😂 I was like dayyyyyum.

[@bltzcstrnx]

They can lower their prices because they don't have major operations in western territories. The fact is, western countries' costs are astronomical compared to Asia.

[@xxcridonxx7614]

I felt that when I ordered the neo65 last week. 120 for the chroma weight +hot swap wired pcb +Pom plate and then it’s become 150 due to shipping

[@foggytypes]

LMFAO $30 is a privilege, try living in any other country and importing anything keyboard related. it’s double that amount and upwards

[@impointr]

@@foggytypes You need to stop defending objectively bad practises. Plenty of manufacturers worked with vendors across the globe to keep shipping costs, VAT, and import fees, as low as possible while keeping a retail price that's as close as possible to the initial price. QwertyKeys even do that with european vendors already and costs are kept relatively close to the original price. Are you now against what they already do? Also, $30 absolutely isn't a privilege.

[@ShadVanDenHul]

No QMK/VIA, no buy. Tired of these proprietary firmware coming out for custom keyboards.

[@alaudbrother]

If there’s a wired-only QMK/VIA PCB that all gets sorted, but people want to break the magical triad of open source, wireless, and full featured.

[@therick0996]

non-exploded arrows with exploded f-row is GOAT

[@Randomlosername]

I know I’m in the minority but I love the exploded look for the nav cluster/arrow keys. Seeing it like that is so satisfying bc when it’s all pressed together it makes me feel like I did when I was a kid and my food was touching 😂

[@xxcridonxx7614]

I like it exploded too. I just don’t like exploded on 65 percents. On 75 percents it looks good. Maybe cus I don’t like the function row touching the number row

[@Alfie0001]

You guys aren't in the minority trust me!

[@qwertykeys2119]

we will do qk75v2 - this is a parallel product

[@Randomlosername]

@@qwertykeys2119 oooooh

[@bodder]

I've been needing this video in my life

[@Crysez]

the pink looks a bit darker than the renders, but still nice.

[@Phantastic76]

For me, I think the 17mm knob was the biggest dealbreaker for me as a lot of the custom knobs are 18mm. Currently have the qk75 but don’t like the sparkles which the board gives out

[@bltzcstrnx]

Aren't you supposed to slide the daughterboard into the rubber block? Looks like there's a slot over there aligned with the rest of the PCB height.

[@missrespectful]

This keyboard is so adorable 😸

[@Jonnychu-tq7hj]

6.25U space is more popular in China. One of the reasons is that most custom keycaps in China only supports 6.25U. But I agree that they should provide more space bar options and modify the case and pcb gasket slots accordingly

[@albertko1]

SO this or the Zoom75 (which some of us unfortunately are STILL waiting for) or the JRIS75. Also I did like the nice deep Oil King on the spacebar... I have a half a pack of Oil Kings specifically for that purpose. The Neo switch with the removal of the spacebar gaskets did improve the sound quite a bit. I didn't notice the PCB hitting the case with the stiffer plate... but I'm worried that it might hit with a heavy typist and a POM or other soft plate.

[@chronoconch]

IMO, if you prefer a larger screen, go for the zoom. But the surface processing on the we boards are way better than the zooms

[@shareemrasyidi9948]

Precisely my dillema about gettint this, Zoom75 or JRIS75 (although now i discard JRIS as there is no way to get it without secondhand as Zoom75 is opening up their batch 2 GB now)

[@alaudbrother]

@@shareemrasyidi9948technically speaking the October GB for Zoom75 is batch 5 🙃

[@albertko1]

@@shareemrasyidi9948 JRIS65 R2 finished shipping recently and the MKC is in production... Next is JRIS80... SO maybe sometime next year we'll see an R2

[@danielw1337]

Hey Alex, thank you for the review of the QK75N and the Zoom75. If you could take only one of these two board, wich would it be?

[@MaShiroShiro-fj4ts]

QK75N>>Zoom 75

[@shareemrasyidi9948]

Finally QK75N Kinda wonder how it does fare with Zoom75, really confused on what to buy between these two lol, the two boards plus and minus combined really make me conflicted on what to buy

[@nicolaialtwegg3849]

I have a Zoom75 black for sale if you are interested

[@maggietcgtube9211]

Zoom75 for sure

[@shareemrasyidi9948]

@@maggietcgtube9211any reason for that? I honestly prefer Zoom design more but the magnetic installment and be able to use both screen and knob at same time are probably my biggest considration for QK so far

[@DarkTheHunter]

Qk75n sounds better without foam imo

[@himboslice_]

just built a qk75, love it

[@DMCnME]

I’m due for a new board. It’s this or the Mode Loop. I’m a Mode fanboy ngl. I skipped the Sonnet for the OG QK75. Not this time. This looks like a nice option though.

[@anson42]

It may be possible for a Mac running Parallels (or other virtualization software) and a Windows VM (Intel or ARM, whichever is appropriate) to customize the QK screen. I've successfully run x86-based keyboard and mice customization software on a M1 Mac with Parallels and Windows 11 ARM installed in a VM. I keep a VM around just for this purpose, keeping potentially dodgy third party drivers away from macOS and other Windows 11 ARM VMs I use for productivity.

[@jGRite]

I'd be interested if it had a split spacebar. 13:20 Yeah, an old $50 Dell can take care of all of a Mac user's Windows computing needs.

[@arjay0490]

you know an enthusiast when you see them wearing andromedas. :)

[@gndev]

Try using a VM on your MAC and install the software. Configure the VM engine so that the VM can accept that USB connection from the keyboard and you will good to go.

[@SouLAnimation]

IS THIS STILL FOR SALE ANYWHERE?!!

[@qwertykeys2119]

will be on sale around the beginning of Nov!

[@isaachy777]

Zoom75 has rgb and qk75n doesn't. Massive oversight by them in this market. I had the qk75n in the cart on their site all ready to ship, I was signed in and everything ready and then I realized there's no rgb. No way I'm paying anywhere close to $200 for that. No thanks. Demoted this keyboard from being my first choice. Probably might become my third choice or something on the side. So disappointed. Really in depth video though, I like this style of review.

[@DarkTheHunter]

I hope that this kind of connection between the daughterboard and the pcb will become a standard

[@qwertykeys2119]

at least a standard with qk now

[@Orlyy]

I should buy this. I'll probably get it before my zoom75 is out of customs, lmao.

[@minhquanvu2944]

Tbh that knob & screen cluster's line is HIDEOUS. Other than that it's fine

[@AnteUjcic]

i will use this board as my travel board I already have a qk80

[@inspire1ove]

thank you for the video. what are your thoughts on owlstabs v2 that come with the kit? Any specific tips for these stabs ?

[@creationfied]

i dont like how ppl become really critical based on just the brand

[@alexotos]

What do you mean by this?

[@pretzal7820]

How does the luminkey80 compare to the kbd8x mkiii and which one would you personally get?

[@yanni-duff]

that one guy in chat claiming rapid trigger only helps pro osu players and noone else really tilted me for some reason. What a dumb thing to say while being confident about it.

[@cobybringas]

can you add custom gifs on the screen? i haven't seen anyone demonstrate that yet. I assume QK would add that feature.

[@qwertykeys2119]

yes it's already there - fn+left or right would switch the different modes of the tft screen

[@JustFluxz]

I want a thocky keyboard similar to the original QK75, any suggestions? If my ears serve me right, this QK75N sounds more clacky. I wish I didn't miss the original QK75.

[@ethacal]

hey just wondering what you ended up going with?

[@JustFluxz]

@@ethacal they just refreshed the Mode Sonnet so I ended up just placing a preorder on that. They add polycarb top case option but i opted for alu top and polycarb bottom with a pom plate. Im not fully decided on the switches but likely going with Durock Ice King linears.

[@ethacal]

@@JustFluxz ooh nice that sounds like a great build I hope it turns out nicely for you!

[@TheRockacer22]

This or zoom75?

[@michaeljosiah536]

What divides keyboards like the Mode keyboard and the qwerty keyboard is that the qwerty ones have a lot of stiffness. The mounting points are always close to the space bar, making it sound shorter. On all of their boards, I wish they would remove those like Mode has on the envoy and tempo.

[@ImOnMy116]

Sonnet top mount also had no mounting points below space bar :)

[@michaeljosiah536]

yeah, I agree that these mounting points are the problem of these short-sounding keyboards, and on top of that, there is less tension on the PCB, which makes for a more full-sounding board, if that makes any sense.@@ImOnMy116

[@ambasing69]

Is it better than zoom75 or idk

[@michaelbrine620]

How you get your mx master to look like that?

[@keebtoys5355]

could have been better without that cheap looking knob. and made the oled filled that area.

[@surgetsann]

hate the border and wish the screen was 1.1in and it would fit without the border

[@alexossan2829]

I don't like 7u because I center my keyboard on the G+H key for typing, so 7u bottom row looks like it's skewed to the right and it bothers me. lol I like the magnetic connection but I really have too many 75% keyboards now...gonna need something more to justify the purchase. Also, missed opportunity to make the top a screwless assembly. Imagine if you can take off the top without using tools, then pick up the core and swap it out, put back the top...and the whole thing takes 10 seconds.

[@KEYBOARDMANIAC]

Sound not good but thanks Alex ur vidéo is so cool !!!!!

[@YellowNotThe]

no 7u is a dealbreaker for me, sad to see since 6.25u just bothers me so much and i'm not gonna spend that much on a board with an issue that could be easily fixed but that also so easily makes me mad

[@foggytypes]

"that much"? lmao this is a budget board. every single hotswap pcb traditionally supports 6.25 only, even higher end boards like the space65 r3 or even the tomo or the matrix 6xv3 corsa. flexible hotswap bottom row has never been a thing until recently, it's not about price.

[@impointr]

@@foggytypes "lmao this is a budget board. every single hotswap pcb traditionally supports 6.25 only" Alright, then why does Tofu60 2.0 support 7u spacebar? What of QK60? Or Neo65? How about Cycle7? Lots of keyboards around the same price as the QK75N (sometimes cheaper) have a broader layout support on their respective hotswap PCBs while they also released before this QK75N, sometimes even earlier, and for one not yet technically... All alongside two boards made by QwertyKeys. I might add that QK75N has the same layout support as QK75, while essentially being a V2 of QK75. Go figure why magnets were more important.

[@bosenngantor9160]

@@foggytypes it's not "that much"...and yes, still a deal breaker for me too, can't everybody realize how strage 6.25u on a bigger board like 75%? 7u alone makes it million times better looking, more proportional too. But I think we should ended the knob train hype, at least give the user default as no knob, I don't really like the looks of 1u led with the knob, but that magnets is god sent feature, perhaps I won't buy this, but next QK releases would be much better with this magnets feature, definitely even better than catch ball system on Jris/matrix

[@foggytypes]

@@impointr get literate about keyboards please. you mentioned very recent boards (as I said) that don’t integrate arrow keys in the alpha cluster. Tofu60, QK60? no arrow keys and forced 7u. QK80, Cycle7? arrow keys in the navigation cluster and forced 7u. OBVIOUSLY they support 7u DUH because they’ll look symmetrical having arrow keys out of the way. *5% boards have traditionally supported 6.25u because they’re not symmetrical by definition. also, again, very recent boards. hobby didn’t start in last few months

[@impointr]

@@foggytypes The lack of arrow keys is completely irrelevant when the part of the keyboard that matters in this debate isn't the nav cluster. Cycle7, which you also are ill informed about, still has a much broader layout support with 7u AND 6.25u support. QK60 supports split spacebar in two different configurations alongside a full 7u spacebar. Tofu60 2.0 supports 7u and 6.25u on one PCB. And I won't even talk about the KBD8X MKIII - which has the same layout support as the Saab Pluto but starting at $209 for the hotswap version - since it's not released yet. QK75N has the same layout support as QK75, yet again. All the while one of its competitors - Zoom75 - also has a broader layout support on its hotswap PCB. This was on their first release of this specific kit. QK75N is a second version. They have no excuses. The fact those boards are recent does not matter when QK75N also is very recent. It's even more recent than the other kits. I'm not sure why you are defending QwertyKeys' lack of care tooth and nail when they aren't even consistent with layout support within their own kits. They can do better and should do better, yet here we are.

[@honestddd7381]

okay honestly, it is "better one from the standard". The reason being it sounds average, tho pleasent. There are multiple other boards that achieve the same thing. this segment, form factor, for the price, all seem ...... way too similar. someone can say "A decent keyboard with 75% layout with in this price, and list many options including qk75n and you wont regret it''. At this point to get something more unique we have to go higher in price. ps. Looking forward to ur review of hans reflection keeb.

[@bax9]

Wait, is it really $30 shipping for CONUS? Why can't they do third party vendor then, like Cannonkeys so we don't get screwed by shipping.

[@qwertykeys2119]

they'll charge for profit and sales tax - so in total you'll need to pay more

[@bax9]

@@qwertykeys2119 Ah understood. I was somewhat excited because it seemed even cheaper than Zoom75, but with shipping cost, it comes to about the same price :/

[@ChiefBrianIrons]

@alexotos you forgot about us Linux users😂

[@alexotos]

Someone brought that up in the live stream! I promise it was mentioned hahaha

[@navin8540]

Linux users are always abandoned by everyone 😅

[@ChiefBrianIrons]

@@navin8540 just be thankful we are not using windows

[@foggytypes]

for 180 that's not even a flaw lol. this very board could have been released in 2021 under the owlab brand for 350-400-ish.

[@DrunkenShooterK]

No 7u is a flaw? WTF

[@alexotos]

Lol no, the fact it doesnt have software for anything but windows is the flaw.

[@ChiefBrianIrons]

No Linux either 😢

[@charlesjeffersonmorshed1279]

Buy a cheap laptop so you can fully test these kinds of keybs

[@ChiefBrianIrons]

Cheaper option would be run a window VM on your machine

[@SafMan89]

Not a very nice sound profile imo. Too clacky