Today Keychron, manufacturer of wireless mechanical keyboards for Mac, Windows and Android, launched direct sales of the Q2. This new QMK custom mechanical keyboard is the next generation version of the brand’s best-selling Q1 model and comes in six options—fully assembled, barebone, and barebone ISO, all with or without knobs. They are available starting at $149 USD on the brand’s website. Limited stock is available for the first batch.
The Q2 is a fully customizable, mechanical keyboard with a full metal body and compact layout that elevates the typing experience. Core upgrades of the Q2 include a more compact 65% layout (reduced from Q1’s 75% layout), optional knob, and a brand new design of double gasket structure. Additionally, Q2’s keycaps are now made from an even more durable Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT), as opposed to ABS.
“With Q2, we set out to create a more compact and smaller keyboard,” said Paul Tan, COO of Keychron. “It has a 65% layout, full metal body, and double-gasket design for a personalized experience and premium typing comfort. The entire piece is crafted with 6063 aluminum that is processed through a CNC machine, polished, anodized, sandblasted, and undergoes 24 more manufacturing stages. The end result is really breathtaking.”
Q2’s programmable knob is designed to enhance creative workflow. The premium rotary encoder allows users to customize their favorite keys and macros through the QMK & VIA software. The knob can be customized to the desired key or macro commands like zooming in/out, adjusting screen brightness, brush size, opacity, volume, selecting video clips or photos, or backlight hue.
“The Double Gasket Design is a new innovative structure in the industry,” continued Tan. “In addition to the gaskets on the plates, we added silicone pads between the top and bottom cases to significantly reduce the sound resonance between the metals and reduce the noise of the impacted metals. This Double-Gasket Structure allows the keyboard to maintain the flexibility of the gasket structure and improves the overall typing sound.”
Other features of Q2 include:
- Full customization: Every component has been designed to assemble easily. Users can customize and adjust each component they want, including the keycaps, switches, plate and more accessories.
- OSA profile double-shot PBT keycaps: The new profile (named OSA for “OEM spherical angled” keycap) has a similar height to that of the OEM profile and has an SA-like shape. The PBT keycaps provide excellent oil resistance, enhance the type feel, and prevent the legends from fading out.
- Switch layouts between macOS & Windows: Built with the Mac users’ experience in mind, while still retaining compatibility for Windows devices, the Keychron Q2 comes with a system toggle and an additional set of customized keycaps for both Windows and macOS systems. Users can now save two different layouts on the keyboard, one for each system.
- Program Q2 with QMK & VIA: With full QMK and VIA support, users can program and remap each key on the keyboard with ease. The open-source firmware means endless possibilities for keyboard layouts, shortcuts, backlight effects, even the knob and more. A brand new ultra-low-power Arm Cortex-M4 32-bit STM32L432 MCU is powerful and armed with 128K Flash will provide more flexibility for developers.
- Hot-swappable: The hot-swappable sockets are mounted on the PCB, so users can install or change the switches without soldering. The PCB supports both 3 pin and 5 pin MX mechanical switches.
- South-facing RGB LED lights: The south-facing RGB is designed to better illuminate the keyboard backlight from the typist’s angle with the premium non-shine-through PBT keycaps installed. The south-facing RGB is also free from interference when the user installs Cherry-profile alternative keycaps on their keyboard.
- Pre-lubed Gateron G Pro switch: Every detail counts when it comes to a premium typing experience. An optimized mold with more precise positioning and less wobbliness will certainly improve your fingertip feel. Pair that together with factory pre-lubed Gateron G Pro switches and a smooth travel experience is guaranteed.
- New screw-in PCB stabilizers: The screw-in design increases stability and makes it easier for changes and upgrades. Precise craftsmanship makes the stabilizers more stable and less wobbly. The big keys’ (space bar, shift, enter, delete) typing experience is now more stable and smooth. The Keychron Q2 also supports third-party stabilizers including Cherry or Durock.
- Three color options available: Carbon Black, Space Grey, and Navy Blue.
Media wishing to interview Keychron personnel should contact PR agent Borjana Slipicevic at borjana@properpropaganda.net.
About Keychron
Keychron was formed in 2017 by a group of keyboard enthusiasts, designers, marketers, and production experts. The founding team members, Will Ye and Sven Zhu have a combined 20 years of experience in keyboard production and industrial design. They’ve dedicated themselves to creating the most sophisticated mechanical keyboards with minimalist design. To date, the team has successfully launched and fulfilled 21 mechanical keyboards and have delivered to customers in 80 countries.