Keychron K1 Professional
Keychron’s K1 Professional is a wonderful low-profile mechanical keyboard that earns its professional title with hot-swappable programmable switches and a 1,000 Hz polling charge.
Keychron has made a reputation for itself by designing a wide range of keyboards with comparable applied sciences throughout a variety of sizes. The Kechron K1 Professional is an evolution of the unique K1 keyboard that elevates it to professional standing.
Whereas it was a wonderful keyboard, we will acknowledge it is not precisely the aesthetic Apple would go for. Nevertheless, the K1 Professional’s refreshed design leans a lot nearer to a traditional keyboard design.
All through this evaluate, we’ll deal with how the K1 Professional is designed and operates, however we are going to evaluate some elements to model 4 of the non-pro mannequin. If something, this up to date mannequin exemplifies how far Keychron has are available three years.
Word that there’s a K1 v5 that now we have not examined. It has a contemporary design and keycaps however lacks some options and programmable keys.
Keychron K1 Professional options and design
The Keychron K2 is a low-profile tenkeyless mechanical keyboard with an 80% format. It’s 22mm tall on the highest level and makes use of low-profile Gateron switches. It weighs 1.28 kilos.
The K1 Professional is a slim-profile keyboard with an improved design over K1 v4
We examined the hot-swappable possibility with an RGB backlight. It has a low-power ARM chipset with 128K Flash that builders can use.
Like different Keychron keyboards, it has a number of use modes. A change on the aspect controls whether or not it’s in Home windows or Apple mode, and one other change modifications between wired and Bluetooth mode.
It may be paired with three units over Bluetooth and shortly swapped with a key command. The wired mode has a 1,000 Hz polling charge optimized for quick gaming response.
Program keys with VIA
Program any key on the keyboard with QMK and VIA. A JSON file for the particular keyboard may be discovered on the Keychron web site.
Each key’s hot-swappable, so commerce out switches as desired. We’re proud of the crimson switches, however blue and brown are additionally obtainable.
Keychron redesigned the stabilizers for keys which can be double-width or wider. Keys depress with none wobble, even the spacebar.
There are 22 RGB backlight choices
22 RGB backlight settings may be manipulated with numerous key presses. Tune hue, saturation, brightness, and animation pace to your liking.
The K1 Professional good points adjustable ft, which the K1 v4 doesn’t have. There are three positions obtainable — closed, excessive, and low.
The double-shot PBT keycaps are tightly packed on this keyboard body. Slight gaps enable gentle to cross by way of with a reflective impact towards the important thing edges.
The minimal key spacing is a greater industrial design over K1 v4
That is an improved design over the K1 v4, which had vast spacing between keys. It offers the keyboard a extra elegant and traditional fashion when considered from above.
The interior 2,000 mAh battery gives loads of hours of use. Maintaining the backlight off gives about 100 hours of use whereas conserving the backlight enabled at low brightness reduces the time to 33 hours.
Utilizing the Keychron K1 Professional
We have been utilizing the K1 Professional for a couple of weeks and have not encountered any sticky keys or bugs. The mushy feeling we felt within the K1 v4 is gone — these keys really feel a lot better to kind on and extra balanced.
The USB-C port is centered within the again — not very best
Purple switches’ muted, clicky suggestions sounds nice by way of these slim keycaps. When pressed, the house bar offers an satisfying plunk sound.
K1 Professional has an improved case design that is extra uniform than the angular K1 v4. The Gateron switches within the professional mannequin are appropriate with low-profile keycaps with the “+” form related to Cherry versus the older low-profile Gateron change with “l l” holes for keycaps.
K1 Professional has a much less angular case design
Booting up VIA and mapping the screenshot key to my most well-liked CleanShot X motion was simple. The six perform keys to the correct of the backspace are additionally nice candidates for keycap alternative and new key bindings.
We’re not followers of the hyperactive RGB backlight animations, so we set it to carry a gentle blue backlight whereas in use. However, after all, loads of rainbow and pinwheel choices exist for extra chaotic setups.
The USB-C cable attaches to the rear heart of the keyboard, which is not very best. We desire the side-port possibility so the cable may be extra simply managed and hidden. A USB-C cable jutting from the again is not precisely hideable.
Low-profile K1 goes professional
Keychron’s pro-series keyboards are wonderful. The corporate has gone an extended solution to give clients a spread of keyboard sizes, change choices, and different options.
Sizzling-swappable and programmable keys
The K1 Professional is a wonderful possibility for these nonetheless utilizing an Apple Magic Keyboard however are focused on mechanical keyboards. It isn’t too huge and heavy, however it gives the programmable and customizable choices coveted by mechanical keyboard lovers.
We’re not going as far as to say this (or the K1 v4) must be the one Apple made. Nevertheless, it’s a clear winner relating to design aesthetic and customization vary.
The K1 Professional is an apparent selection for anybody in search of a low-profile mechanical keyboard. Good design meets trendy expertise.
Keychron K1 Professional professionals
- Improved key really feel and design in professional mannequin
- Loads of RGB choices
- Programmable with VIA
- Pairs with three units and has a 1,000 Hz wired mode
- Top/angle adjustment with included ft
Keychron K1 Professional cons
- USB-C port is centered within the rear
Score 4.5 out of 5
Keychron’s present professional keyboard lineup is hard to beat. Clients want solely select the dimensions and form of their desired keyboard and go from there.
The K1 Professional is a wonderful low-profile keyboard we will simply suggest to first-time mechanical keyboard customers and veterans alike.
The place to purchase the Keychron K1 Professional
Get the Keychron K1 Professional with an RGB backlight and hot-swappable keys from Keychron’s web site for $114.
