Keychron Q1 (V2) QMK carbon black hot-swappable keyboard for Windows & Mac

Is this keyboard right for me?

Width	313 mm
Depth	123 mm
Height	21.6 (front) - 34.8 (back) mm
Version	Windows and Mac
Key layout	QWERTY (ANSI US int.)
Programmable	QMK/VIA
Switches	Gateron Phantom See which variants
	an overview of all Keychron keyboards can be found here

An ode to the Keychron Q1 keyboard

Dress it up, dress it down

It looks at you, you look back. A small screwdriver in your left hand, a piece of foam in your right. Behind you lies a set of keycaps that will come in handy later. The tension, phew, it's intense. Slowly you move towards the board, whispering "Tonight, you and I are going to have some fun modding and programming".

Why the Keychron Q1 keyboard?

With its Q series, Keychron has embarked on a new path, allowing you to get more enjoyment from your keyboard. They kick off with the 75% layout Q1. A strong choice, given that Keychron's current top model, the K2, also has a 75% layout.

'Modding' (modifying) the keyboard has been made even easier, and it now also supports QMK/VIA, allowing you to program it. The plate also has some play in the housing, making typing even more comfortable. Yes, now it's getting interesting.

Already remarkably complete by itself

All Q1 models are hot-swappable and support 3- and 5-pin switches. The LEDs in the Q1 are inverted and shine towards you, making them visible even with keycaps that don't let light through. The standard double-shot ABS keycaps, however, do let light through, which creates a nice effect.

The included switches are Gateron Phantoms, by the way, certainly not standard entry-level ones. They are more stable than standard Gaterons and come pre-lubed. They are semi-transparent and carry a glow of their own designation. Blue Phantoms have a blue glow, red Phantoms a red one.

The Q1 is robust and durable. Constructed from aluminium that has been polished, anodised, and sandblasted. It weighs 1600 grams and feels high-quality. The board is 21.6 mm high at the front (without keycaps). To reduce the height difference with your desk, you can choose the corresponding wrist rest.

You connect your Q1 with a braided cable that truly completes the look on your desk.

What makes an ergonomic keyboard so good?

Anyone who performs a lot of computer work knows that it can be strenuous. A good keyboard can help with this. The Keychron Q1, for example, has a compact design and mechanical keys, making it comfortable to type on. The keys are also extra easy to press. Furthermore, you can place your mouse close to the keyboard. All of this is to minimise muscle tension, thereby preventing or reducing injuries.

Get the most out of your Q1

Physical adjustments

You're probably already familiar with Keychron's hot-swappable models, where you can easily change the switches. The Q1 goes a step further, for example, with screw-in stabilisers. With the included screwdriver, you can replace them with other ones. Cherry and Durock are supported on the Q1.

The plate that sits in the gaskets is also interchangeable. Furthermore, as you might already be used to from previous Keychrons, you can easily replace the switches and keycaps to suit your preference.

The Q1 is also the first Keychron to feature a gasket that allows the plate to spring slightly (mount gasket design). It has about 2.5 mm of play. Keychron also includes extra gaskets.

Programmable adjustments

Finally! This has been requested by Keychron fans for a very long time. The Q1 supports QMK and VIA and can be used on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Thanks to QMK, you can assign different functions to your keys, even macros. The VIA configurator makes programming easy and accessible; you don't need any specific knowledge for it. Anyone can use it, whether you're an intensive gamer or work a lot in Excel.

Up to 4 different layers can be programmed, of which Keychron has created 2 for Mac and 2 for Windows. Keychron has already dedicated a blog post to using VIA that is definitely worth reading.

Rainbow-coloured keycaps

The keycaps are almost the only visible part of the keyboard. So it's not surprising if you want to replace them every now and then. For the Q1, we have 11 different sets in blue, grey, white, green, black, and even a rainbow set. The keycaps are made of PBT plastic and are easy to clean. View the keycaps here.