The LAST keyboard you'll ever need | Keychron Q1 Pro Review

[@btsr2553]

Dear Derek, thank you 🙏 for this video. I have been in this business for over 40 years now. Over my generations I have been able to touch almost every type of keyboard with my fingers. Derek, because of your video and professional presentation I wrote Keychron asking what I need to order to get your layout that you like so much at 9:25. Keep up the good work and I look forward to more from you. Servus from Bavaria

[@AndrewTalbert]

I supported the Kickstarter program for this keyboard and got one of the first ones. Mine has the brown keys which I like. I have three Keychron keyboards and this is a good one. I use it for windows 11 wired. I also use a Keychron for Mac as well and they all work well. I like the feel of the keys and the weight of the device.

[@saitaro]

I'm gonna buy one, do you think it would benefit from any upgrades like switch lubing / added sound absorption? Thanks

[@raymondii436]

I went on a tear and bought a bunch of mechanical keyboards. Among them, I bought a Keychron Q1V2 (wired) and the K10 Pro (wireless) To be honest, I don't feel that the Q1 is really worth it. You are mostly paying a big premium for the super heavy steel build (which makes it extremely heavy, but after a certain point, the extra weight serves no purpose). The K10 Pro has similar switches and keycaps and basically types and sounds about the same. K10 Pro has a plastic body. It's still very hefty and solid. The gasket mount system is present on the Q series only, but I don't feel that it's a must for me, maybe you like the softer bottom out feel, but I am fine without it. On the Q1, personally I dislike the compact layout that's different from the standard IBM and Mac full keyboard layout (especially no space for a separate END key). As a person who edits, cut-pastes code and jumps everywhere in the document, the standard layout is a must have. One thing about these new generation keyboards, the sound is a lot more pleasant in general compared to keyboards that came out even two years ago....there is a more satisfying pop without any rattling or ringing noises. Thanks to inclusion of the "must have" enthuiast features like screw-in stabilizers, prelubed switches, and lots of damping, the sound profile of keypresses is just nicer. I can't go back to my old Razer with Cherry MX switches, compared to the Keychron, the keypresses are sharp, rougher and makes metallic pingy noises Overall I do like the Keychrons. It's a better typing experience than the standard Mac keyboards by a mile, I'm not going back. It's hard to explain, but that extra tactile feel of the switches makes the chore of typing more involving. You feel like you are getting more work done lol

[@OskarCeso]

So would you rather suggest the k10 Pro? I’m also working on a Mac and it would be important for me that the key combinations you mentioned are not hurting on the long run 😄

[@raymondii436]

@@OskarCeso yes, I recommend the K10 Pro (numpad) or numpad-less K8 Pro. Or the V3 or V6 if you don't need wireless. These are the best value offerings I think. This Q1 Pro mainly adds gasket mounting (the whole plate where the keys are mounted is supported by a flexible rubber piece, which makes typing a bit more bouncy....this seems to be the current "it" feature for keyboard nerds) . This Q1 is a full metal case which is a nice to have, but it doesn't fundamentally change anything. Either way, I would still prefer a regular layout over this Q1 (a model with a full layout is due to come I think)

[@OskarCeso]

@@raymondii436 thanks a lot mate, really appreciate it!

[@SubaruDave25]

I have it and I HATE the flex from the foam gaskets, it makes it feel mushy.

[@2nd-place]

Do you know if all of their keyboards like this or just this model?

[@techinrl9869]

Would it damage the keyboard if you took out the foam? Or is there a replacement you can buy that makes it a lot less mushy?

[@naisaannadimi968]

Do you want to trade? I have the V1 which is a wired version of this that doesn’t have foam gaskets. I miss the foam gaskets dearly.

[@naisaannadimi968]

@@techinrl9869 no it wouldn’t they’re meant to be customizable. If you don’t want the wireless version the V1 is a cheaper Q1 just without the gaskets

[@SubaruDave25]

@@2nd-place I have the K8 and the V2 and neither are like that. I bought the V2 for work and I love it.

[@pleasuredunes]

Unfortunately my Keychron K4 died after only 2 years of use. It's frustrating, their customer support so bad too.

[@sto3359]

I’m still rocking a K2V2 but I’m looking for something new and special. This maybe it. Thanks for the review! 😘

[@kermitrehab]

2:41 the way the whole keybord was felxiing down when you pressed the knob, and for that reason -"I'm out"

[@Jazzyhanz]

I rock a custom d65 from kbd fans but have been trying to figure out the best way to customize it for my mac workflow with the via software so I would love a video on it!

[@belleekgirl]

You are lucky that your Keychron came in-tact. Ours came with a few broken keys (done by the manufacturer) and they are giving us a run-around to get them replaced. They won't even do a return. I like the keyboard feel- but not having the full set of keys makes it a brick sitting on my desk. I will never buy from them again.

[@icmn223]

Love it, other than the mechanicals, the bluetooth is supreme. Fastest switching bluetooth by far which is awesome. Seems like most bluetooth keyboards thake forever just to switch from one connection to the next. So annoying but not this one, it's almost instantaneous.

[@walterreil4001]

Looks very interesting. But it is not fully supportive of all computer users. I always get keyboards that are egronomic, providing split / angled left and right keyboard sections. I used standard straight keyboards for many years, which, as the years progressed, caused major physical discomfort in my wrists, having to seek medical guidance. I discovered the Goldtouch keyboard for Mac and all of my physical wrist problems disappeared.

[@JrnMortensen1956]

It might be great and all, but I mis the numberpad section. It would be nice if they made such a keyboard as well in the same quality.

[@JrnMortensen1956]

...and I wonder if they make keys for native letters like for Scandinavia, æ ø å.

[@brentsmithline3423]

My favorite keyboard of all time that I used for many years was the Vintage IBM clicky Keyboard Model M 1391401 ps2 plug 1984. When the spring threshold was met and it made the click sound you knew the key was pressed far enough to record the key stroke.

[@CritterFritter]

I purchased a Model M 2 years ago for USD $20 at a local electronics salvage company lol! Love clicky

[@andricheli]

I personally think the K4 is a much better keyboard for the money. Much cheaper and a solid build. I usually prefer the aluminum frames, but even the plastic framed one (for a bit less) is really nice.

[@9to5Mac]

That's fair! The difference between the two isn't massive in terms of the actual typing feel.

[@ScottKelley]

I love my Keychron K3 V2 with white PBT keys.

[@waviiyoungprince]

Definitely would love to see a mod on keys using the software.

[@MuhammadHanif-yd9ts]

thanks to you know I'm typing this with keychron Q1 pro

[@2nd-place]

I just want a low profile mechanical keyboard with arrow keys like this one has, with no center row of weird keys, and then the numpad right up against the side. So it would be like 85-90% so it’s smaller with the gaps removed and a lower profile so I don’t get carpal tunnel.

[@9to5Mac]

So kinda like the 96% layout of the K4, but then low profile? amzn.to/429h36z (Affiliate link)

[@2nd-place]

@@9to5Mac yes like this! But lower profile. Although I have considered getting a separate wireless numpad. What I hate is with a traditional numpad keyboard the width is so wide that I find myself sliding my keyboard around a lot because it gets in the way of my mouse (I have a big desk sized pad that both sit on), but I want my keyboard centered up with my hands especially when I’m typing something longer. So I find myself nudging it left and right throughout the day a couple inches.

[@magnus9316]

@@2nd-place have u looked at the keychron k13 pro, it has a pretty unique lay out with the numpad just above arrow keys

[@ShadewHawk]

my issue with getting a non-apple keyboard is that I use Touch ID all the time and really don't want to give that up.

[@carltonbirds]

I enjoy watching your videos in 480p.

[@johnshepherd2666]

A very dynamic keyboard..good for Windows & Macs..cable or not....excellent .😊...I note it's expensive ...so much so you couldn't afford a visit to the barber 😅

[@LordRedfern]

Lacks the Numpad so its an instant no from me. I love a full sized keyboard

[@9to5Mac]

Fair enough! Keychron does have plenty of full size keyboards and 96%s too

[@richardsequeirateixeira]

I need it in white, italic lettering on keys, and numeric keys.

[@Tekz12]

The last keyboard I will ever need would also include a numpad. 🤷‍♂️

[@9to5Mac]

Well, perhaps the upcoming Q5 Pro then! www.keychron.com/pages/keychron-q5-pro

[@ekillops22]

Unfortunately, like most mechanical keyboards on the market, the Left Cmd key is farther to the left on the Keychron than on Apple keyboards where it's right edge is parallel with the X key, which makes certain Cmd combos like Cmd+C/V less ergonomic. I recently got a NiZ Micro84 because it's one of the few boards that has the Left Cmd in the correct location. It has been a fantastic board so far and I highly recommend it.

[@jammies701]

Keebio boards are my recommendation for getting a cmd in the right place for Mac users. I had the same complaint for a long time

[@hello-nq3ze]

Not a mac user, and I don't see how cmd+c/v is "less" ergonomic than the NiZ Micro84. It seems like they're in the same location. What's the difference? What is this "correct" location you keep talking about?

[@Oleg__]

Where is the "End" key? Where is the context menu key, which is usually located where the Fn key is on this keyboard. There is no numpad. There's no TrackPoint.

[@The_Digital_Arts_World]

Over the years we have moved away from the mechanical typewriter keyboards in things like the IBM Selectric typewriters to low profile butterfly keyboards and worse yet, membrane keyboards. Personally, having used mechanical keyboards, I tend to make too many mistakes on modern keyboards, usually because of almost flat profiles and next to zero depression throw. Apple keyboards are made fairly well; but, they are cat barf and not the cat’s meow. I won’t discuss, Apple’s user maintenance design policies. They suck and I ignore them. I have been searching for most of the last 20 years for the old, trustworthy, and self maintainable key boards. I believe the last keyboards I used like that came out of Tandy / Radio Shack on their TRS-80 Models 100, 200, and their NEC and Olivetti (another typewriter name of the past) equivalents. They were always fully responsive, less prone to typing issues, easier to clean if needed. The big “key” … no pun intended, is the users ability to fully and completely maintain the keyboard. USB, Bluetooth, Windows vs. Mac, programability are like a Hostess Cupcake with six inches of creamy icing. Enough gab … THIS WILL BE MY NEXT KEYBOARD‼

[@MarbsMusic]

I just got my Q1 Pro today and these OSA keycaps are very similar to the old TRS-80 model 4 I have, you are right on target! They are definitely taller then MX keycaps on most modern keyboard but getting use to them doesn't seem to take long. Definitely brings back memories! Great keyboard, I hope you get to pick one up as well!

[@The_Digital_Arts_World]

@@MarbsMusic That is excellent! I had one of the first TRS-80 Model 1s when they came out. It was a nice machine. Did all of my own midifying on it (memory upgrades 16K at $89 … WTH!, upper/lower case modification, another WRH!, floppy drive bypass switch, and the super odd, Exatron Stringy Floppy. It is really sad they bailed out of the market. But, back to the keyboard … I am overly use to having a numeric keypad so I looked at their website and I could not believe how many keyboards they make. They have a keyboard with the numeric keypadvbut ut does nit appear to be wireless. Inwould also likevto get the see-through key caps; but, those are out of stock. So, it may be two separate orders; but I do need Bluetooth and Mac/PC capability. Let ne know how yours works out and thanks for your reply!

[@craigf3277]

Do you have a link to those keys, please! I can't find them on the Keychron site.

[@AA-pu5qj]

Which is the quietest keychron for Mac?

[@dale1468]

How did you get VIA to work on your Q1pro? No matter what I do I can’t get VIA to work on mine

[@Vandylizer]

Can you use the know to do two finger scrolling like you would on a laptop? I miss scrolling back and forth on my Premiere Pro timeline this way on my old laptop, and I can't find a good alternative using my new desktop cheapo keyboard

[@malotschino]

Can you give the know a "focus" function where it only controls the volume of the active program?

[@LearnAtMyExpense]

Really nice but without touch ID capability it's a pass.

[@9to5Mac]

Yeah, TouchID would be really great to have 🫤

[@bhcbhc]

waiting for q5 pro

[@luis51785]

When I first saw the thumbnail I thought you were a girl lol 💀

[@jerrygowen1604]

I did too 💀

[@vahlah5205]

Was just thinking this

[@squidwardtortillini8816]

I’m rock hard

[@aldeltoscorners9094]

Same 😅

[@heyiceman]

What is this, /r/roastme ?

[@Honestcritic79]

what keycaps are those?

[@philipp594]

There is no endgame

[@TapTwoCounterspell]

The Keychron website is awful. Idk if its literally undergoing maintenance current or its just that unresponsive and buggy

[@thishandleisntavaiIable]

Does the keycaps comes in different colors or just blue or black?

[@9to5Mac]

You can get keycaps in just about any color you can imagine- they’re a pretty standard component with mechanical keyboards!

[@petergerard8393]

What about 2.4 wireless?

[@nativetiger1]

Pretty sure there is no 2.4 GHz on Keychrons just BT

[@KogakuKing]

Gotta have a Numpad. Sorry, otherwise I would go for this in a minute. 😢

[@manmohan18]

Q5 Pro is coming too

[@fmalta]

How do you select a line of text without "END" tho?

[@fmalta]

Just found it for those who were searching as well, it is mapped by default on fn + home. You can remap it with VIA, i ended up putting layer switch on left Ctrl as i use CAPS for Ctrl since forever. So left Ctrl plus home for me gives end key.

[@carltonbirds]

I’ll be the judge of that.

[@EthanYAO-v4w]

does it fit Macbook Pro M1 well? many thanks! all the fn keys work?

[@9to5Mac]

Yeah, it works great on Macs, and the function keys all work

[@ethan8084]

@@9to5Mac tksssss appreciated

[@the_silver_liningg]

nice!

[@CoreyDunmore]

Bro, do you lift?!

[@9to5Mac]

lol, no.

[@jaysgood10]

No. Uber.

[@ncavis]

I don’t see the value in this, it’s overpriced and underfeatured compared to the Matias Tactile Pro for mac.

[@thishandleisntavaiIable]

yea it's for a budget if you don't want a Mac keyboard, yes it's overpriced

[@yhiz4757]

???? Underfeatured bro the number of gimmicks says nothing about how good a keyboard actually is

[@TheWatchmaker]

High price???? Wow, fanboys are insane...

[@K1NDR3D]

Cap

[@stevesutton772]

Average Mac user

[@GR8FLMD3AD]

❤

[@zorakzoran1]

very creepy

[@MangoTangoFox]

This is irresponsible and dangerous for consumers. You should not have posted something like this. This is like someone reviewing a sports car, presenting themselves as an expert, when in reality they've only ever ridden a bike, and don't even have a license. The responsible way to do this would be to source a dozen or more reasonably priced boards, recommended to you by people that know what they're talking about from dedicated communities, then you should have taken then time to learn through real exposure/experience along with research, AND THEN make videos about keyboards you find worthwhile using your newfound understanding. If you are unwilling to do that, don't post at all, and ESPECIALLY don't blindly shill overpriced products you don't understand, towards a massive audience, with the tone and presentation style that would have you confused for an expert or at least someone even mildly informed. If you really wanted to do an uninformed one-off keyboard video, you need to put your lack of knowledge at the forefront of every statement you make, so that people know this is a glorified unboxing and a specs sheet video, NOT an expert analysis and buying guide. And NO, this is not a mere difference of opinion. If your analysis was legitimate, there easily dozens if not hundreds of key points of note and comparison that you should have made in this video that are vital in genuinely informing and guiding a viewer/buyer, along with adjustments to how you spoke about almost every element of the keyboard that would have been different if you were actually informed and experienced. Everyone is fully entitled to their preferences and opinions. THIS however, is careless, blatant misinformation from a position of authority and trust.

[@PurpleTeamer]

But Crapple users are not the most intelligent and they love glorified products .They dont need to understand the in and the out. as long it looks shiny, has a nice box and is made out of alluminium, thats fine. the BUGs in shenzen got this.

[@MarbsMusic]

Quite a lot of words and accusations to the author but you literally said nothing and gave no substance at as to why your drivel is worth considering or why this basic informational video is wrong. Many may be willing to listen but you have to actually give them a point and reason to do so.

[@MangoTangoFox]

​@@MarbsMusic They are employed to create this content, and they did it very poorly. It's not other people's job (with zero pay) to follow them around and re-do their entire job for them and post it in the comments to correct all their mistakes. Anyone that's a fan of the hobby is able to quickly assess the writer doesn't know what they are talking about at all. I'll just list SOME of the many many claims in this video and explain why they are false and misleading: "The LAST keyboard you'll ever need" - There are already more versatile, more full-featured, better sounding keyboards for cheaper on the market. Why would anyone's "last keyboard" be one that's not as good and MORE expensive, especially in a market where prices are dropping like a rock every single day because of countless innovations in the space and more demand and more manus entering the field? "Designed for Mac and Windows" - There is no such a thing, there's basic mac and windows modes in keyboards below $20, this is not a special feature or consideration. "bragging about multiple connections and a customizable user experience and RGB" - Standard features in $20-30 tri-mode (5 device) wireless mechanical keyboards, with hotswap sockets and RGB. "QMK/VIA" - Available in boards 1/4th the cost, and full aluminum boards with far thicker case construction for half the cost. No info of the layering features of QMK/VIA, or the fact that it is open-source and can be done all on a website which makes it extremely safe and useable in office environments that don't allow outside software... aka the two key features that make it so much better than proprietary software. Says they don't fault people for wanting to go with other cheaper options, but praise this as the end-all-be-all, citing swappable keycaps and switches... clearly demonstrating they don't understand these features are ALSO STANDARD on boards 1/4th the cost. They talk only about the keychron K line, saying it has "a lot of the same typing feel", when it absolutely does not... tray-mounting vs gasket mounting makes a tremendous difference... ALSO because they showed the non-QMK/VIA model, that makes the board an incredibly terrible experience (in feel but especially sound) and value for the $80-100 asking price. No typing sound test let alone comparison between other options. No explanation of the many switch types out there, differences in both volume AND tone/aesthetic of the sound, or quality in terms of stock lubrication or hand-modding switches yourself (which the keychron ones would need to be competitive at all). No talk of stabilizer tick/rattle or the lubing process, or the benefits and drawbacks of screw-in stabilizers for casual users. No explanation of plate material or what foams foams do or what potential mods can be done to the board to make it sound better. No explanation of the advantages and drawbacks of north-facing vs south-facing switches. No mention that the switch puller is very poor quality, and again better are included in sub-$20 boards. This is like if YOU came across someone reviewing a guitar, where it was 100% obvious to you while watching that this was the first guitar the reviewer had ever touched in their life, that was being touted to you as some kind of music equipment expert and that their opinion demands authority and trust.

[@MarbsMusic]

@@MangoTangoFox Thank you! That was the information I felt like people needed to hear :)

[@krasilnikof]

@@MangoTangoFox You certainly described everything beautifully here. But I would like specifically, at least a couple of those same models for 80-100 dollars, with the same and even better characteristics, and even in an aluminum case.

[@chriskrainer]

No touch-ID, no can do.

[@pravnav]

I really don't know if he is a man or a woman..

[@NoahNobody]

A mechanical keyboard is the last keyboard I would ever buy.

[@PurpleTeamer]

Why ?

[@fede777]

I need numbers.

[@thishandleisntavaiIable]

At the top, they have numbers

[@9to5Mac]

That’s understandable! If you want the numpad but like the K2 otherwise, their K10 could be a better option for you! amzn.to/3LUFjUl (Affiliate link)

[@Oleg__]

thishandleisntavaiIable You're either pretending, or you really don't understand the usefulness of a numeric keyboard.

[@netronin504]

Are you a man or a woman?

[@TheBroz]

Why does it matter to you?

[@netronin504]

@@TheBroz you enjoy clown shows?

[@TheBroz]

@@netronin504 Pardon? Nothing about this video is a ‘clown show’, the only clown here is you.

[@crabkilla]

That is some supple skin no doubt!