The Best Mechanical Keyboard For Mac
By: Cole Caccamise
Tags: Apple, Mechanical Keyboards, Mac, Tech, Technology

Pros

Compatibility

While the keyboard is designed with macOS users in mind, it still works great on both Windows and mobile devices. Inside of the box, you'll receive extra keycaps to replace the mac keys for Windows ones. As I mentioned earlier, the Bluetooth technology built-in allows for 3 simultaneous devices to be connected, with profiles able to be swapped very easily. Once each device is connected, it’s as simple as pressing fn and the number corresponding to the profile(e.g. I have my Macbook on profile 1 and my PC on profile 2). There is also a switch on the side to swap between Mac/iOS and Windows/Android functionality.

Battery Life

The keyboard has a very good battery inside: 4000mAh to be exact. Using the keyboard with the LED backlight turned on lasts up to 68 hours (72 w/ the RGB version), or 240 with it turned off. I’ve had the keyboard for just over 4 months and have only had to charge it once every couple of weeks, so the numbers keychron advertises are pretty accurate. Obviously, the specific times will vary, but even with heavy use, you don’t need to worry about the board dying constantly. You also have the ability to use the K2 in wired mode with the included USB type-c cable.

Design & Layout

The K2 has a clean, minimal gray color scheme that looks amazing in any setup. It’s an 84-key (75%) layout, meaning it has arrow and function/media keys, while still being fairly small in size. This layout has been perfect for my workflow as a developer, allowing me to quickly play/pause my music and tutorials or jump lines of code with the arrows. Keychron also offers an aluminum frame version that further adds to the design.

Cost

The keyboard starts at $69, with the most expensive hot-swappable version priced at $99, making it a very affordable option for mac and windows users alike. You can purchase directly from Keychron here, but keep in mind they charge $20 for shipping. Luckily, you can also purchase on Amazon with free prime shipping. The price on there is slightly higher (something like $5), but still cheaper than paying for the board + shipping from Keychron directly.

Cons

Height

The keyboard is pretty thick, measuring 1" or 1.5" with the feet up. While I haven't personally experienced this, many users have talked about how they get wrist strain after just a short time of use due to the sheer height of the board. Keychron does sell a wrist wrest on their site, but it will run you an extra $25. It also has a wooden design which doesn't really go well with the board, in my opinion. Luckily, there are plenty of cheaper options available on Amazon.

A visualization of the height of the keyboard

Lack of software & Customizability

Keychron does not offer any software to go along with the keyboard, so the only lighting options are those already installed on-board. You also do not have the ability to change the layout or have macro buttons. This is very disappointing as many mechanical keyboards at a similar price point do have their own dedicated software where you can do these things and more.

Port placement

The keyboard includes a USB type-c cable for wired connectivity, however, the placement of this port is simply awful. It is on the left side, making it extremely awkward when laying across your desk. While this may not be an issue for some users, it makes the experience for those who do want the benefits of a wired connection far less enjoyable.