THE JST CONNECTOR IS (FINALLY) DEAD! Qwertykeys QK75N review!

[@konstantinrozanov2220]

Another portion of a good mood, looking forward for your next video man. Just keep it going!

[@UTOOOOOOOY]

I really like the no JST connector approach, but from a designer standpoint, I think this is going to be a nightmare to implement from a SKU perspective especially for enthusiast boards using standard footprint PCBs

[@elpabster]

Agree, you're pretty much locked into their pcb/case with this design, but at the same time, I'm glad to see the innovation. And who's to say they don't dream up a daughterboard type connection with a wired magnet, like the ones used for charging phones?

[@jessiequema2494]

Agree if you are talking about TKLs, and 60%. Otherwise it is no different from other uniique layouts, PCB implementation and studios (Matrix Labs, and Meletrix). This is why we stick with 60% and TKLs as their PCBs tend to be universal.

[@thatUtsavRatti]

I'm completely with you. The lack of VIA/QMK compatibility is frustrating. Although I have the QK75, I would have sprung for this iteration to check out the magnetic connector alone. That coffee cream color way with MW Barista... Yum. And even with the Mac software in the works, I'm not sure I want yet another one-off keyboard configurator to clutter up my Mac. Pass.

[@Baffledbeans]

How does the overall sound compare to the original QK75 using all foams? I have the QK75 but like the improvements but hoping that the sound would also be a little thockier/deeper than the original QK75

[@anson42]

QKConfig does work on a M Series Mac with Parallels and Windows 11 ARM installed, and should also work on an Intel Mac with Intel installed in a VM. I use it with the Owlab Voice Mini. To ensure that the VM sees the USB device, in this case the keyboard, select the device in the Parallels USB or Devices menu. This will pass control of the plugged in device to the VM and not macOS. That should allow QKConfig to detect the keyboard just fine. I have done with various keyboard and mouse customization software, even those that are built for x86 processors like QKConfig is since Win11 uses emulation to run them just fine. Good luck!

[@MakerMods]

ok so I set up the usb settings in parallels to "when I plug in new USB devices assign it to virtual machine", but it still doesn't show up for some reason :/

[@anson42]

@@MakerMods Hmm, try this: After Windows starts up, if you mouse up all the way to the top of the screen, assuming you are in full screen, the macOS Parallels menu should reveal. In the Devices menu is a USB & Bluetooth option. The keyboard should appear as one of the device options, sometimes with an odd name that doesn't represent the keyboard very well. Select that and Parallels should then take control of the keyboard. Similarly, if you reveal the Parallels window, the top right has a number of icons. The third one for me hs the USB Controller and you should also see the keyboard there. Oh, the keyboard has to be in wired mode, of course :) EDIT: I just re-verified that QKConfig in Parallels works with my Owlab Voice Mini, as does the NuPhy Console with my Air75 v1.

[@rillystar]

can't wait for that switch review. I was intrigued by the unique shape. Not sure I could go back to the 75% format but this one looks pretty cute. I liked the FR4 plate sounds nice. I have one on my Cub65 and much prefer it soundwise. The magnets seem really cool though the ribbon I didn't find too hard on the cub but that's my only experience with them so far XD. Would love to see the magnets in more boards though, it seems like a no brainer. Sad that there's no VIA or QMK compatibility as well.

[@annasoH323]

I'm currently troubleshooting my first PCB that has a JST connector and I'm already kind of over it. This... this is tempting. I'm just a bit cautious about stepping back up to a 75% after using 60% for several years now.

[@MakerMods]

Totally makes sense! I also prefer a 60 but the knob is surprisingly useful so you get more utility there too! :D

[@lsim001]

I have a qk65 and still waiting for Mac support for their software. I wouldn't bank on it. It's the main reason I haven't bought more QK boards. Yes. I made the fatal error buying a product based on future features.

[@MrSkullhead0]

I was in the same boat for this other board by Wind Studios. They never merged the JSON into via so I had to constantly update the JSON for it to work. I feel you on this,

[@anson42]

While QK does not have a native macOS configurator QKConfig will run on Win in Parallels. See the top level comment I posted that should allow a Mac to work with the 75n. Granted, the approach is not as convenient as a native app or a browser based app, and you do need Parallels installed.

[@dashanyuan2403]

Love the board. Got a pink one for my wife, and she loves it

[@danielw1337]

hey very nice review. For a muted and deep sound, the PC Plate with all foam would be the best, right?

[@Asandrya]

I love gmk stargaze and the matching deskmat, i have the deskmat and i love it!

[@wisedonkey_]

I have a QK75n and QK100 on order. As a Mac user I'm disappointed that it's taking so long to get support. The work around is to use MacOS to remap the modifier keys in setting but I will stuck with the default OLED gifs until QK config is finally released for MacOS

[@MakerMods]

Ooh that’s a good idea!!!!

[@nimrod4463]

where do you talk about the NON-JST Connector part ?

[@elpabster]

Ahhh, you're killing me with the jokes, haha. So, ppresumably a plateless config requires the switches to be soldered, if this is the case did you get 2 pcbs for testing? and would you recommend getting an extra pcb, one for a plateless build (because we all know, that is the way) and a hotswap pcb for trying out different switches. I wouldn't mind it not being via compatible, the qk app is okay, but it's too bad about the mac incompatibility.

[@MakerMods]

So the PCB in my build is hotswap! I think with most switches and PCB pin holes, it’s not really a problem unless you’re traveling frequently with the board!

[@ImOnMy116]

Given how many other boards (even more budget than QK) offer wireless and VIA support, it’s definitely a bummer to see the need to download proprietary software to configure the key mapping. I could almost forgive it if it were just for the screen, but it’d be nice if you could at least edit the key mapping without it. I understand with wooting you can at least edit via a web interface. It seems like that’d be hugely preferable here. Thanks for the review!!

[@nicholashadweh5710]

All that talk about plateless and no plateless soundtest sadge

[@MakerMods]

The first sound test is plateless!

[@nicholashadweh5710]

@@MakerMods omg I was watching in the background and wasn’t paying attention my bad! LOL

[@nicholashadweh5710]

@@MakerMods actually think plateless was the best sounding though