The Keychron Q5 Max is a remarkably heavy mechanical keyboard, weighing 2,215 grams due to its durable 6063 aluminum construction. It offers a smooth typing experience enhanced by multiple layers of acoustic foam. This keyboard features a 1,000 Hz polling rate, customizable hot-swappable switches, and is designed primarily for Mac but compatible with Windows. It includes RGB lighting, six media keys, and a range of accessories, making it a strong choice for both gaming and office use at a price of €213.
The Keychron Q5 Max mechanical keyboard stands out with its remarkable weight of 2,215 grams, making it one of the heavier options on the market. This substantial weight is primarily attributed to its robust full metal body crafted from 6063 aluminum. Whether a keyboard should feel heavy or light is subjective; some users prefer the stability that mass provides, while others favor a lighter touch. The Keychron Q5 Max combines its hefty structure with multiple layers of acoustic foam—IXPE, PET, and latex—underneath, resulting in an incredibly smooth typing experience.
This mechanical keyboard boasts a polling rate of 1,000 hertz, a standard feature for high-quality gaming keyboards today. Users will also find screw-in stabilizers and double-shot PBT keycaps, which are expected given its premium pricing. The keys feature a spherical OEM profile, commonly referred to as an OSA profile, and the keyboard offers the convenience of connecting to up to three devices simultaneously through a 2.4 GHz wireless connection or via Bluetooth 5.1.
Keychron Q5 Max: Heavy Performance, Easy Handling
Equipped with Gateron Jupiter switches, the Q5 Max promises a lifespan of up to 80 million keystrokes. It offers a variety of switches including traditional red and brown, along with yellow banana switches that provide a soft feel similar to Panda switches while delivering immediate feedback. For those who enjoy customizing their keyboard, the Q5 Max is hot-swappable, allowing for easy switch changes. Almost everything about it—including keycaps, plates, and accessories like the wrist rest and USB-C cable—is modifiable.
Originally designed for Mac users, the Keychron Q5 Max comes with custom keycaps for Windows, enabling seamless compatibility with Microsoft operating systems. The included accessories are impressive: a USB-C to USB-C cable, a USB-A to USB-C adapter, a 2.4 GHz receiver, a handy 2-in-1 keycap puller, a small screwdriver, and a hexagonal wrench.
Comfort and usability are enhanced by six dedicated media keys and a volume control dial, making it ideal for both gaming and office tasks. For those who appreciate atmosphere, the Q5 Max features customizable RGB lighting with 22 different modes available through the Keychron Launcher web app. The keyboard’s fast sampling rate further cements its suitability for gaming. One minor drawback, aside from the premium price, is that the ‘Del’ key doesn’t function in the pre-programmed macros or is reassigned.
The Keychron Q5 Max is currently priced at €213, available through various retailers.
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