By I don’t think I’ve ever looked forward to using a keyboard in my twenty years as a professional writer. Certain models, such as those seen on contemporary ThinkPads, are unquestionably the best available laptops and provide incredibly comfortable typing experiences. I’ve always detested switching to a new keyboard because of the unavoidable errors and finger slips that occur when the brain tries to relearn the new key placement and muscle memory completely fails.
But for the excitement of it all, I have never once wished to justify doing anything on a keyboard or simply pressing a few keys as I passed the desk. That is, until I acquired the mechanical Keychron V6 Max keyboard. And if I could, I would spend every day and night at my desk just to experience that delightful feedback, listening to the gratifying click of keys being pressed. I may have never used a better workplace keyboard.
Price and Availability
Given the functionality and look of this keyboard, it is not inexpensive, but that is to be anticipated. For anyone who will be using it daily, it is unquestionably an “investment” device. It costs $120 on the official Keychron website in the US, but at the time of review, it was just £112 on the Keychron website in the UK. It costs AU$ 159 in Australia and can be purchased through Keychron. Additionally, you can purchase it from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, and other online merchants where the RRP is displayed.
Design
With its light and dark blue keys and carbon black frame, this small beast has a stunning style. In my opinion, it looks incredibly professional and eye-catching. This type is made of tough ABS plastic instead of solid aluminum, in contrast to several Keychron keyboards, such as the Q6 Max that we examined. However, it is still somewhat heavy and not portable. But when I was using it, the weight also made it quite stable, preventing it from whizzing across the surface at the slightest provocation. So, advantages and disadvantages.
The V6 Max is available in a variety of configurations. To begin, you can choose between a completely constructed and a barebones version. Double-shot OSA PBT keycaps are available in the US, while ABS and PBT keys—the latter of which lets the backlight show—are available in the UK. Additionally, you can select among a few mechanical switches (Gateron Jupiter Red, Brown, and Yellow) that will gradually alter your experience; click here to view the complete distinctions between each. I’m examining the PBT version with Gateron Jupiter Red linear switches in my review.
A robust volume knob that may be clicked to mute or unmute is located along the top row, between F12 and Print Screen. If you want simple access to volume controls, it’s quite helpful; if not, it’s easy to ignore.
Two switches on the back let you choose between Windows, Mac, and Android devices and select between 2.4GHz, cable, and Bluetooth connectivity. The USB and USB-C receivers are located on a nub to the right. A charging cable, keycap and switch remover, screwdriver, screws, hex (Allen) key, receiver extension adapter, and eleven replacement keys are among the many tools included in the package.
Keychron V6 Max App
The Keychron V6 Max’s near-complete customization, both online and through the app at launcher.keychron.com, is one of its main features. You must connect the keyboard with the cable and run Chrome, Edge, or Opera. Although it wasn’t instantaneous, the software found the keyboard rather soon. And the variety of possibilities available here pleasantly surprised me.
The keymap, which allows you to change what each key does when hit, is arguably the most helpful feature here. It is really simple to use. In addition, there is a critical test to ensure that everything is functioning properly, the ability to develop macros—which will be crucial for programmers—firmware updates, and problem reporting, and the ability to choose the lighting.
Every user should go to this Backlight tab first, in my opinion. To manually adjust the keyboard’s backlight, press Fn + Tab to turn it on, and then press Fn + Q to go through each setting. There are many settings here, but I can assure you that it takes a long time to locate the one that works for you. If you make a mistake, you will have to go through them all again. In contrast, the app allows you to rapidly select your favorite style and use the palette to change the color. Well done.
Overall, I found the app to be a useful add-on that allows you to have much more flexibility over the layout and style of the keyboard to suit your preferences.
Conclusion
It is a true pleasure to use this keyboard. I’ve been typing for hours on end and never experienced any problems; it feels comfortable and natural. Each keystroke has a pleasant smoothness to it and registers fast and precisely. What more might a mechanical keyboard offer? Naturally, the desk’s great degree of customization to fit your needs and its gasket mount design with sound-absorbing foam underneath the hood are helpful. Having said that, it is not at all quiet when in use. Its quiet clack, a feature of mechanical keyboards, will take readers back to a time when typist pools and crowded workplaces were commonplace.
For me, I like the sound it produces when writing; it’s calming in a way. But it won’t be the best option for people who want a very low-profile keyboard; a rubber-dome or scissor-switch keyboard will be quieter. The V6 Max, according to Keychron, has a polling rate of 1000 Hz with a potential delay of 1 ms. Therefore, it isn’t specifically made for competitive gaming, even though it should manage it with ease.
It’s one of the greatest keyboards available, in my opinion, and it’s ideal for professionals who value productivity, students, programmers, and pretty much anybody else who will be using their workstation a lot. In that regard, it provides an amazing experience.
