Review of Chinese Keychron and its Q65 keyboard

The Keychron company

The Keychron company is located in Hong Kong, products manufactured in China. Its websites create an illusion that it’s a German brand. But no, it was founded by Chinese and is based in China. Accordingly, if you buy the same product in China Taobao, the price is way cheaper, more 50% off of the US price. I don’t think the tariff is as high as 100%. Instead, the Keychron company for sure is ripping off consumers in developed countries.

Prices do not indicate functionalities

Q65 is 232 euro, Q65 max is 204 euro. Tha max version is supposed to be more advanced, but the price is cheaper. This is ridiculous.

Inconsiderate customer support

The only way to communicate with Keychron is through emails, and the customer support is sullen and reticent, who don’t reply more than one email per day. If there is something wrong with ordering or shipping, you can’t fix it in time.

Keychron doesn’t allow, in fact unwilling, to change receiver’s address during shipping.

The customer support is unwilling to give details on the return and refund process.

The Q65 keyboard

Q65 weighs 2.3 kg, very heavy. If you bug a compact keyboard for portability, do not choose a mechanical one. Go for a membrane or a capacitive one.

Keychron keyboards are revolutionary, especially Q65. All keys on Q65 can be customized by the VIA app or by the QMK firmware.

Q65 comes with 4 logical layers. Layer 1 is keys for MacOS. Layer 2 is keys for Windows. Layer 3 is multimedia keys. Layer 4 is Fn keys. Fn1 temporarily activates Layer 3, and Fn2 temporarily activates Layer 4. Again, Fn1 and Fn2, as well as all other keys, are customizable.

Furthermore, the lefthand knob and the extra column is extremely useful. When we use the computer, our left hand is always on the left half of a keyboard, which is the opportunity to use the knob and the customizable keys. I love so much the lefthand knob and the extra column.

Conclusion

Excluding emotions of China, if you want to buy a Chinese Keychron keyboard, wait until it is on sale, or you buy it from Chinese Taobao.

Expect a heavy keyboard because it is mechanical.

Look for other VIA/QMK keyboards at lower prices.