This ceramic keyboard is like nothing else I've ever used

Price When Reviewed

$239.99

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What makes a keyboard “premium”? Is it the texture and expertise of typing, its technical or gaming capabilities, the best way it seems? Of course it’s all of them, in various levels relying on the mannequin and your explicit wishes. But for Keychron’s newest keyboard, it comes right down to only one factor: the fabric. And that materials is ceramic.

The Q16 HE is the primary mechanical keyboard (a minimum of the primary that I’m conscious of) that makes use of shiny, slick ceramic materials for each the keycaps and the physique of the keyboard itself. That latter level is a crucial distinction, as ceramic keycaps have been accessible from different distributors for a few years. Underneath that headline function is Keychron’s typical set of Q collection capabilities, together with hot-swap switches, a chunky physique, loads of RGB, and plenty of straightforward programming choices. It notably omits wi-fi and a few customization, however the “HE” designation means the magnetic switches have adjustable actuation. That’ll be an appropriate commerce for a minimum of some players.

Michael Crider/Foundry

“Premium” has one other necessary that means: dear. So if cash is any concern for you in any respect, it’s very important to find out whether or not the premium supplies are well worth the premium value of $230. Considering that similarly equipped Q-series boards go for nearly as a lot, and a set of ceramic keycaps would value a minimum of $100 in and of itself, the asking value isn’t unreasonable. I want the keyboard was a bit of greater than this 65% type issue, and had a rotary dial. But for one thing so specialised, I suppose going bigger would make the value shoot even increased, and having a minimum of the choice of portability isn’t too dangerous. 

Tickling the ivories

The {custom} keycaps of the Q16 HE (which are available white or black, to increase the piano theme) should not as heavy as grand piano keys. They’re smaller, after all, and it’s solely the highest and sides of the keycaps which can be product of ceramic materials. Underneath is a base and stem product of plastic, presumably POM to my eyes (although I gained’t swear to it). I assume that’s as a result of ceramic materials is simply too brittle to be made into a skinny stem with out breaking underneath repeated stress.

Michael Crider/Foundry

That mentioned, these are very thick, very premium keycaps — the one ones I’ve tried which can be heavier are made out of metal. And the slippery glaze on them feels distinctive and satisfying, “premium” in each sense. Though the ceramic materials by no means is available in contact with the change or the keyboard’s metallic plate, they’re extraordinarily “thocky” nonetheless.

Normally, I abhor this sort of factor, however I actually suppose a sound check is critical for the sake of analysis. So PCWorld readers, I current to you my very first and hopefully final try at ASMR:

These keycaps are, in a phrase, fancy. I believe nearly anybody will take pleasure in them, until they’re a kind of individuals who merely doesn’t just like the lengthy journey of mechanical keys and like a laptop-style keyboard. The solely exception is when you’re, properly, not excellent at typing, and your fingers tend to slide. If that’s the case, the slick ceramic glaze — much more slippery than even the most cost effective plastic — may current an issue. This may be the case for individuals who have mobility or dexterity points.

Underneath the keycaps are Keychron’s custom-produced (learn: Gateron-supplied) magnetic switches, “Lime” designated, although colours have lengthy since ceased to have any relationship to the change’s perform. They’re moderately gentle at 48 grams on the spring, and linear, extraordinarily so, due to the character of corridor impact magnetic switches. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

If that’s to not your style, you’ll be able to swap them out…however your choices shall be very restricted. Keychron sells three variants, Gateron many more, however nonetheless a tiny fraction of the choices accessible to a normal keyboard. You surrender a lot of customization choices for that adjustable actuation performance. And if you would like something besides linear switches, you surrender all of them. 

Customization choices are missing

Speaking of customization, there isn’t a lot to this keyboard’s {hardware} in that respect. Unlike different Q-series boards you must take away the screws within the plate itself to open it, presumably as a result of that ceramic physique is a single piece and drilling holes into it isn’t straightforward. Underneath is a single layer of froth, one in every of skinny plastic, and there’s one other layer between the plate and the PCB. Not a complete lot to work with, and as is the usual for the collection, there are not any adjustable ft. Boo. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

What the Q16 HE lacks in {hardware} modding choices it greater than makes up for with Keychron’s software program customization instruments…if “software” applies to a browser-based interface. The Keychron Launcher can deal with every little thing you want by way of mapping changes, lighting, macros, firmware updating, et cetera. I believe Keychron has the very best, best, most easy interface for these items, so long as you don’t want any connections to exterior apps or gaming capabilities. 

But about these gaming capabilities. They’re fairly restricted in comparison with different adjustable actuation keyboards, although I doubt many individuals will care. You can set the actuation distance for all keys or particular person ones, and activate “rapid trigger” for extremely quick settings (you may additionally know this as “snap tap”). And you’ll be able to bind a single key to a formidable eight instructions on the down or up stroke, which is so specialised that I believe you may really have to be superhuman in an effort to make use of all of them. And Keychron features a “Gamepad Analog” setting that allows you to get fairly near true analog enter. 

Keychron

But the Achilles’ heel of Keychron’s keyboard customization is that it could possibly’t be certain to particular video games, like many of the alternate options from Razer, Corsair, et cetera. Granted, that’s a tradeoff for the browser-based interface, and in contrast to Keychron’s Lemokey sub-brand, this keyboard is just not marketed particularly at players (regardless that it has that ridiculous 8,000Hz polling fee). So I’m much less put-off by this weak point than I’d be in a particular gaming keyboard at this value, although talking as a mechanical keyboard fan, I’d nonetheless want normal switches for a lot extra choices. 

Is the Keychron Q16 HE keyboard value it?

The Q16 HE is a flowery, dear keyboard for individuals who desire a fancy, dear keyboard, and it isn’t a ripoff given these {qualifications}. I’m not going to inform you that placing ceramic on high of plastic keycaps basically adjustments the character of mechanical keyboards, and for myself, it’s not one thing I’d actually search out or pay additional to accumulate. But for individuals who actually like the texture and/or sound of these heavy, clacky keys, and desire a full board that enhances them, it’s a fairly nice purchase.

Michael Crider/Foundry

That being mentioned, there isn’t a complete lot that makes this explicit keyboard stand out towards others in its value vary except for the ceramic physique. And because you’re not getting handsy with the physique when you’re utilizing it, I’d put some critical thought into simply shopping for ceramic keycaps for the keyboard you have already got in its place, particularly if you would like choices for switches past the extraordinarily restricted choice from Gateron. 

I can consider a particularly particular state of affairs the place this is able to make an incredible reward: If you need to give a particular keyboard to a piano participant. That’s about as good because it will get.