Keychron Q11 QMK review: An ergonomic mechanical keyboard with great value

Price When Reviewed

$205

Best Prices Today: Q11 QMK Ergonomic Mechanical Keyboard

Until not too long ago, mechanical keyboards had been out of my attain. Ergonomic mechanical keyboards aren’t but frequent, and people who exist are costly. At least, costly by regular folks requirements—keeb fanatics may not blink twice at spending a number of hundred on a keyboard (a lot much less yet one more for his or her assortment), however I do.

So when Keychron ready to launch its Q11 QMK break up keyboard, PCWorld’s resident mechanical keyboard knowledgeable Michael Crider requested if I, an individual who’s been chained to a Goldtouch keyboard for the reason that darkish ages, wished to offer it a spin.

Heck sure I did.

Further studying: See our roundup of the best gaming keyboards.

Keychron Q11 QMK worth

One of the explanations for my pleasure: The Q11 isn’t simply an ergonomic mechanical keyboard. With all of its options, the Keychron Q11 is a surprisingly reasonably priced ergonomic mechanical keyboard suitable with each Windows and Mac computer systems.

Dygma

Rivals that value about the identical have soldered switches (e.g., Kinesis Gaming Freestyle Edge, Cloud Nine ErgoTKL, Cloud Nine ErgoFS). On the opposite finish of the size, extra customizable keyboards just like the Zsa ErgodoxEZ simply hit $300, with boards just like the Dygma Raise pushing into the $400 vary. Many within the increased vary are compact boards, too, leaving few choices if you happen to like devoted arrow keys (a lot much less perform keys).

Meanwhile, the Q11 affords loads of customization—hot-swappable switches, two rotary dials, a CNC machined aluminum physique, simple QMK/VIA programming—but prices $205 absolutely constructed. It lacks a tenting package accent (a function constructed into the Kinesis and Cloud Nine boards), however Keychron says it’s contemplating whether or not to make one. (Yes, please!) These facets don’t have an effect on ergonomics, however the Q11 feels good for its worth.

Keychron Q11 QMK design

The Q11’s break up design is what makes it ergonomic. Better ergo keyboards generally share that one function, although with totally different takes. 

More reasonably priced boards are normally one piece, with every half of the keyboard set aside at a hard and fast, unchangeable width. They dominate in shops like Best Buy. The dearer fashions (i.e., those you’ll discover on specialised web sites) allow you to modify the place of the 2 keyboard halves—change the space between them, modify their angle, or each. Keyboard spacing can massively have an effect on consolation throughout the day, particularly if you happen to’re pounding on it for hours at a time.

The Keychron Q11 skips previous the junior leagues with a completely break up keyboard design, joined collectively by a typical USB-C cable. You can modify the space between the 2 halves of the keyboard, in addition to their horizontal angle.

Alaina Yee / Foundry

This 75-percent keyboard has a polling charge of 1,000Hz, and consists of perform keys, arrow keys, and a strip of 5 programmable macro keys on the left. You additionally get devoted web page up, web page down, and residential keys on the proper aspect of the board—however no finish key. Metal knobs (two whole) sit within the higher left and proper corners, which management your PC’s quantity by default. Clicking them to mute your sound produces very strong (and satisfying) tactile suggestions.

Included with the absolutely constructed board are double-shot OSA PBT keycaps, which mix the peak of an OEM keycap with the form of an SA keycap. Underneath are your alternative of Gateron G Pro switches in both purple or brown. (For our overview unit, I selected brown.) The $185 bare-bone mannequin skips the switches and keycaps, leaving it completely to you to populate it your self.

For those that are new to mechanical keyboard customization (like me), the absolutely constructed choice is the better method to go. The Q11 has a barely distinctive format for its spacebar row, with a Ctrl, Windows, Alt, and Function key crammed on the left aspect of the board. On the proper aspect, there are Alt, FN1, and Ctrl keys. Keychron helpfully offers the measurements you’ll need if you happen to carry your personal keycaps, however it’s that rather more to determine and determine on when getting began. Also, it appears tougher to seek out suitable keycap units on AliExpress. (Hello, am newb, please give me your l33t low cost purchasing suggestions.)

Alaina Yee / Foundry

As for the RGB lighting—the south-facing LEDs are clear and straightforward to see because the typist, and Keychron provides you 20 pre-programmed patterns to select from. (My private favourite: Pixel Rain, which gently blinks totally different keys on and off in a random sample, with softer colours than the standard unicorn vomit look.)

How does it really feel to make use of the Keychron Q11?

PCWorld

After an preliminary acclimation interval (during which I could or could not have messaged Michael with all of the drama of somebody who hates change), the Q11 grew on me. It has a strong, weighted really feel and feels sturdy when banging away on it. I do use rather more pressure than earlier than when typing (nearer to the instances I’ve used a guide typewriter), however the expertise isn’t uncomfortable and I can at all times swap the switches. Once the huge quantity of decisions on the market cease being so overwhelming, not less than.

I solely have two private complaints—first, the format of the left spacebar row. I’d have most popular an extended spacebar. With the scale of my palms and the way I kind, I spent about two weeks with my left thumb unpleasantly hitting the hole between the Function key and the spacebar till my muscle reminiscence tailored.

The second is the dearth of an End key. I take advantage of it on a regular basis as a author/editor, and on my Goldtouch keyboard, it sits on the proper aspect of the keyboard. Why the empty spot underneath the house key, Keychron? An End key would have match completely there. And but, a small void as a substitute.

Alaina Yee / Foundry

Fortunately, these programmable macro keys exist, although I’d have a lot most popular a devoted key (with matching labeled keycap). Programming the board is tremendous simple by means of the VIA net app, and the Q11 helps two totally different layers of keystrokes per supported working system. On the primary layer for Windows, it took about 5 minutes to determine and set the macro keys to incorporate my beloved End key, plus shortcuts for varied apps and program instructions. Another 5 minutes of trial and error and I had a ten-key pad within the second layer (activated utilizing the FN1 button)—and it solely took that lengthy as a result of I re-created my Goldtouch keyboard’s model of this (and its format) from reminiscence.

One surprising aspect advantage of Keychron’s absolutely break up keyboard design: The board is extra transportable, if you happen to wanted to pack it up. (My Goldtouch keyboard has one huge joint that binds the 2 halves collectively.) No carrying case is included although, and as talked about above, a tenting package doesn’t exist. I require vertical tilt for correct ergonomics, so I’ve been making do with a plastic tub of hand cream for a modest angle. It doesn’t really feel as comfy as my Goldtouch keyboard’s extra dramatic tilt, although.