Hands-on: Keychron Q2 - my favorite new compact mechanical keyboard

Hands-on: Keychron Q2 A compact mechanical keyboard with programmable control knob

9to5Mac By Jeff Benjamin

[{"selector":"#anim-3acda590-487f-4650-aeec-6ab3a6ff40b5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The Keychron Q2 , a brand-new fully customizable mechanical keyboard in a super-compact 65% layout, makes for a pretty sweet Mac desktop companion.

[{"selector":"#anim-8259558c-ed7a-41ac-9dba-cd3bfac66e26","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Not only does it feature the ability to fully customize every key, but it comes with a tactile programable knob that can be configured to control various functions on your Mac.

[{"selector":"#anim-8c4456b0-2ab9-4351-a2d2-a66fb57cca01","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Specifications • Compact 65% layout • 12.9-inches wide • Compatible with Mac and Windows • Full CNC machined aluminum • Steel plate • Hot-swappable (5 pin & 3 pin) switches • Gateron G Pro (fully assembled version)

[{"selector":"#anim-e9380542-6d27-4dd5-b5cb-269c89d45fa0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Specifications (cont'd) • Programable control knob • Full south-facing RGB backlight • Double-shot PBT keycaps • Screw-In PCB stabilizers • 6.5° typing angle • USB-C connectivity • Edit keymaps and macros with VIA

[{"selector":"#anim-ec17c1ff-cbb8-425a-8ea1-eecc8be67ea1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Build and design One of the biggest appeals to the Keychron Q2 is its size. With a 65% layout, it’s noticeably smaller than the Keychron K2 or Keychron Q1, but this comes at the expense of the function row. The Q2 features just five rows of keys, so it’s a good option for workspaces that are limited on real estate.

[{"selector":"#anim-b643984d-63ff-410d-b30d-0d289113bad7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Hot-swappable switches One of the biggest reasons to consider the “Q” line of keyboards is for the hot-swappable key switches and additional customizability.

[{"selector":"#anim-492a7fd3-37c1-44ff-85a5-b095fa354e68","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Fully customizable Thanks to QMK VIA, it’s ridiculously easy to configure how the keyboard works on a very granular level. You can customize every key on the keyboard, swapping out functions, adding complex macros, etc.

[{"selector":"#anim-ec0491d0-fc6a-43e3-b17f-c69bc32d2423","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] RGB backlit keys Finally, the Q2 features RGB, thanks to the south-facing backlight setup, and the Gateron keys that feature tiny ports to allow the light to shine through. Users can control various aspects of the backlight such as brightness, hue, speed, and pattern.

[{"selector":"#anim-e120292e-bfff-41da-acae-2bd926e18f17","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more about the Keychron Q2 and watch my full video review where I go into greater detail at 9to5Mac.com.