Keychron K1
 | |
| FCC ID | 2ASF4-KC (version 2) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Keychron |
| Features | Low-profile design, aluminum frame, MacOS media keys, LED backlighting, dedicated screenshot and Siri/Cortana keys |
| Keyswitches |
Low-profile switches from WM (versions 1, 2, and possibly 3) Gateron (version 4, possibly version 3) |
| Interface | USB Type-C, Bluetooth (3.0 up to version 3, 5.1 for version 4) |
| Battery | Rechargeable lithium-polymer, 2000 mAh |
| Rollover | NKRO (wired), 6KRO (Bluetooth) |
| Dimensions |
87-key: 355×120×18 mm 104-key: 435×120×18 mm |
| Weight |
87-key: 650 g / 1.43 lb 104-key: 805 g / 1.77 lb |
| Years of production | 2018- |
| Price | US$69 to $89 (May 2020), depending on layout and white or RGB backlighting |
| Website | www.keychron.com/products/keychron-k1-wireless-mechanical-keyboard |
The Keychron K1, originally known as the Keytron, is the first product from Keychron, a low-profile mechanical keyboard that is available in tenkeyles (87-key) and full-size (104-key) variants. It was introduced as a Kickstarter project in October 2018.[1]
Contents
Design and features
Like Keychron's later keyboards, the K1 is designed to work well with MacOS system, featuring MacOS Command (⌘) and Option (⌥) keys as standard keycaps, though the keyboards are also compatible with iOS, PC, and Android, and are shipped with some PC-style alternate keycaps if needed. They have a function key row that matches the current standard for MacOS media keys, and dedicated keys for taking screenshots and summoning Siri, Cortana, or another search engine. The keyboards can be used either as wired USB Type-C peripherals or use Bluetooth to connect to up to three devices. They also feature backlit keys, with either white or RGB LEDs available.
Uniquely for a modern Mac-oriented keyboard, the navigation cluster includes an Insert key rather than an Fn key, like on the Logitech K750 wireless solar keyboard, or an eject key, like on the Apple Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad. The full-size keyboard has four LEDs above the numeric keypad indicating Num Lock, Caps Lock, and one each for whether the keyboard is set to Mac/iOS layout or Windows/Android layout. The back of the board has a 3-position switch for USB, Bluetooth, or off, and a 2-position switch for Mac/iOS and PC/Android layouts.
Three versions have been released as of May 2020, with a fourth planned for June 2020. The version 1 and version 2 keyboards were only availble with low-profile switches with blue sliders from the brand WM, but these were not well-received by reviewers, as they had extremely low activation force and were generally criticized as being too sensitive. The keyboard was available for a while with a redesigned yellow switch, apparently also from WM, but was eventually changed to use low-profile switches from Gateron after standard-height Gateron switches were used in the later Keychron K2 keyboard.[2]
The fourth version changes away from the flat, black keycaps of versions 1 through 3 and uses mostly cylindrical keycaps instead, with the light-gray, dark-gray, and red color scheme used on the brand's other keyboards.
Versions
Version 1
The first version of the K1, for early reviewers and Kickstart backers, has a slightly different key layout than later versions of the board. In the function row above the navigation cluster, it has a screenshot key, a microphone key, and a Siri/Cortana key. The backlight key is placed below the right end of the right Shift key.[3]
Version 2
The second version, more widely available than version 1, removed the microphone key, moved the Siri/Cortana key into its place, and moved the backlight key into the top function key row. The backlight button below the right Shift key was replaced with a right Control key, which had previously been absent from the board.
Depending on firmware version, the backlight for the Caps Lock key may be used to indicate whether Caps Lock is engaged or not on the tenkeyless version of the board, which lacks the indicator LEDs that would ordinarily be above the numeric keypad.
Image gallery of a tenkeyless variant:
Top view, with backlighting from white LEDs
Side view
Arrow keys removed to show low-profile blue WM switches
Version 3
Version 3, available in late 2019/early 2020, included a redesigned yellow switch from WM as an option. Some boards may have also been produced with Gateron blue (clicky) and Gateron red (linear) low-profile switches.
Version 4
Version 4, available from June 2020, appears to be available with blue (clicky), red (linear), and brown (tactile) keys. It introduces low-profile cylindrical keycaps in light/dark gray and a red escape key. The website also indicates a dedicated Caps Lock indicator LED will be available on the tenkeyless version. Wireless support is updated to Bluetooth 5.1 from 3.0 in previous boards.
References
- ↑ Keytron - An ultra-slim Wireless Mechanical Keyboard. Backerkit. Accessed 2020-05-25.
- ↑ Introducing the K1 With Gateron Low Profile Switches. Keychron. Published 2019-12-31. Accessed 2020-05-25.
- ↑ Keychron Firmware for K1. Keychron. Accessed 2020-05-25.
