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In my twenty years as an expert author, I don’t suppose I’ve ever appeared ahead to utilizing a keyboard earlier than. Some are good, some are dangerous, some, like those on trendy ThinkPads, are simply the most effective you will get on a laptop computer and supply very comfy typing experiences.
The truth is, I’ve at all times hated altering to a brand new keyboard, with the inevitable typos and finger-slips as muscle reminiscence goes proper out the window and the mind tries to relearn the brand new key placement.
However by no means, ever, have I wished to seek out excuses to kind one thing, something on a keyboard, or simply pressed just a few keys as I handed the desk for the fun of all of it.
Till, that’s, I acquired my fingers on the Keychron V6 Max mechanical keyboard. And if I may, I’d sit at my desk all day and all night time simply to really feel that pleasing suggestions, listening to the satisfying clackety-clack as my fingers depress the keys. It would simply be the best office keyboard I’ve ever used.
Keychron V6 Max: Value & availability
That is no funds keyboard – however that’s anticipated with this type of design and the options packed in right here. It’s a particular ‘funding’ product for many who will probably be utilizing it day in and day trip.
It’s obtainable through the official US Keychron site for $120, whereas at time of evaluate, it’s presently discounted from £124 to £112 over on the Keychron UK site. In Australia, it’s priced at AU$159 via Keychron.
You can too choose up from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk and different on-line retailers, the place it’s going for the RRP.
Keychron V6 Max: Design
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This little beast is fantastically designed, with its carbon black body and light-weight and darkish blue keys. To me, it actually seems to be the enterprise, eye-catching however skilled.
Not like some Keychron keyboards, just like the Q6 Max we reviewed, this mannequin is constructed from a hardened ABS plastic reasonably than dense aluminum. It’s nonetheless fairly heavy, although, and never suited to portability. Alternatively, the burden additionally made it very steady, refusing to whizz throughout the desk below the slightest provocation whereas I used it. So, execs and cons.
The V6 Max is available in a spread of configurations – first off, you possibly can choose between a barebones model and one which’s totally assembled.
Within the US, you’ll get the double-shot OSA PBT keycaps, whereas within the UK, you possibly can select between PBT and ABS keys, with the latter permitting the backlight to shine by means of.
You can too select between just a few totally different mechanical switches (Gateron Jupiter Crimson, Brown, and Yellow), which can subtly modify your expertise (you possibly can see the total variations between every by clicking here). On this evaluate, I’m wanting on the PBT model with Gateron Jupiter Crimson linear switches.
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Alongside the highest row, nestled between F12 and Print Display, is a sturdy quantity knob that may be clicked to mute/unmute. It’s actually helpful if you would like easy accessibility to quantity controls, and simply ignored when you don’t.
Across the again are two switches for altering compatibility between Home windows, Mac, and Android gadgets, and alternating connectivity (2.4GHz, cable, and Bluetooth). Over to the correct is a nub which homes each the USB and USB-C receivers.
Within the field, you’ll additionally discover a wealth of instruments – a charging cable, keycap and change puller, screwdriver, screws, hex (Allen) key, extension adapter for the receiver, and eleven alternative keys.
Keychron V6 Max: App
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One of many huge highlights of the Keychron V6 Max is its near-total customizability, each bodily and whereas utilizing the app at launcher.keychron.com. You’ll must run Chrome, Edge, or Opera, and join the keyboard with the wire. I discovered the app discovered the keyboard fairly shortly – not prompt, however fast sufficient. And I used to be pleasantly shocked by the host of choices on supply right here.
Arguably probably the most helpful right here is the keymap, the place you possibly can alter what every key does when pressed. It’s very simple to make use of. Then, alongside this, there’s a key check to verify every thing’s working easily, an choice to create macros, which will probably be important for coders, firmware updates and bug reporting, and backlight choice.
To my thoughts, this backlight tab is the place each consumer ought to head first. To manually change the keyboard’s backlight, you’ll want to show it on with Fn + Tab, then cycle by means of every choice utilizing Fn + Q. There’s a great deal of presets right here, however let me inform you, it takes ages to seek out the one which’s best for you – and one fallacious press and also you’ll must cycle by means of them once more. Within the app, however, you possibly can shortly discover your most popular fashion, and modify the colour utilizing the palette. Job accomplished.
All in all, I believed the app was a pleasant further that offers you rather more management over structure and elegance to suit the way you need the keyboard to carry out.
Keychron V6 Max: In use
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This keyboard is an absolute delight to make use of. Typing feels pure, comfy, I used it for hours and hours at a time and by no means as soon as had any points. Each keystroke registered shortly and precisely, and there’s a satisfying softness to every one. What extra may you need from a mechanical keyboard?
In fact, it helps that it’s extremely customizable to fit your work, and the desk boasts a gasket mount design with sound-proofing foam below the hood. Saying that, it’s under no circumstances silent throughout use. As a mechanical keyboard, it has a muted clack that can remind readers of a sure age of busy workplaces and typist swimming pools.
Personally, I fairly benefit from the sound it makes when in full writing flow- it’s one way or the other soothing. Nonetheless, it gained’t be preferrred for these in search of a brilliant low-profile keyboard, the place a scissor-switch or rubber-dome keyboard will supply a quieter expertise.
Keychron additionally claims the V6 Max has a polling charge of 1000Hz, which has a theoretical latency of 1ms. So, whereas it ought to simply deal with aggressive gaming, it isn’t strictly designed for this.
For me, it’s one of many best keyboards round, completely positioned for productivity-minded professionals, college students, programmers – successfully anybody who’s going to be spending lots of time at their desk. On that rating, it delivers an superior expertise.
Ought to I purchase the Keychron V6 Max?
Purchase it if…
✅ You need consolation when typing
I can’t fault the general efficiency of the V6 Max in relation to basic typing, even at velocity.
✅ You wish to customise your set-up
This keyboard can principally be configured any manner you need, from switching out keycaps to redefining the important thing map utilizing the app.
Do not buy it if…
❌ You don’t kind a lot
For the value and the specs right here, it’s going to be overkill for sending the occasional e-mail or replying on Groups – though it’ll really feel good whilst you’re doing so, at the least.
❌ You desire a silent keyboard
As a mechanical keyboard, this isn’t precisely quiet in use, which you might have considered trying in shared workspaces.