Tag: Keychron K2 HE

  • Keychron K2 HE Wireless Gaming Keyboard: Walnut Case & Bronze Accents

    Keychron K2 HE Wireless Gaming Keyboard: Walnut Case & Bronze Accents

    Key Takeaways

    1. Design Upgrade: The Keychron K2 HE All-Wood Special Edition features a full walnut case, replacing the previous plastic and aluminum materials, resulting in a heavier and more stylish keyboard.

    2. Price Increase: The All-Wood Special Edition is priced at $199.99, which is $60 more than the standard Special Edition K2 HE available on Amazon.

    3. Sound and Aesthetics: While the new walnut case may slightly alter the sound, Keychron has not provided audio clips, and the internal sound-damping materials remain unchanged.

    4. Design Concerns: The keyboard has a raised front height of 27.89 mm, lacks flip-out feet for adjustable typing angles, and wooden cases may warp over time without proper stabilization.

    5. Consistent Features: The keyboard retains the same specifications as the K2 HE, including tri-mode wireless connectivity, a 4,000 mAh battery, and Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Nebula switches, but lacks compatibility with standard HE switches.

    We took a look at the Keychron K4 HE, which is the larger version of the very popular K2 HE, and we gave high marks to this wireless gaming keyboard for its great customization options and stylish design—qualities it shares with the K2 HE. Now, Keychron has released an updated version of the K2 HE called the All-Wood Special Edition. This new model swaps out the original’s plastic and aluminum case, along with its rosewood side panels, for a case made completely out of walnut. The Keychron K2 HE All-Wood Special Edition comes with a hefty price tag of $199.99, which is a $60 increase compared to the Special Edition K2 HE available on Amazon.

    Aesthetic Changes and Sound

    Similar to the recent all-copper Q1 HE, the Keychron K2 HE All-Wood Special Edition mainly introduces a visual upgrade, though the change in materials may lead to a slightly altered sound. Still, Keychron has yet to provide any audio clips of the keyboard’s typing sounds, and since both the plate and internal sound-damping materials remain the same, it seems unlikely that the sound profile will change significantly. The new walnut case has rounder edges and is noticeably heavier. The OSA profile keycaps, which we’ve often highlighted in our Keychron evaluations for their unique look and comfort, now appear to have a subtle brown tint to complement the dark walnut wood of the case.

    Design Concerns

    The K2 HE All-Wood Special Edition also features bronze-colored aluminum accents around the panel that holds the USB-C port and the switches for OS and connectivity modes—a detail that really brings the whole design together. However, there are some issues with the wooden case that need to be considered through long-term testing and reviews. To begin with, the front height of this keyboard has been raised to an impressive 27.89 mm, which is nearly a millimeter taller than the original K HE series, which already faced some comfort challenges. Moreover, wooden keyboard cases often tend to warp over time if not stabilized, and Keychron hasn’t addressed whether this issue has been dealt with in the K2 HE All-Wood Special Edition. Another drawback is the absence of flip-out feet, meaning the typing angle is fixed at 4°.

    Features and Performance

    Besides the visual tweaks, the K2 HE All-Wood Special Edition maintains the same specifications, including tri-mode wireless connectivity, a 1 kHz polling rate over 2.4 GHz, USB-C wired options, and a 4,000 mAh battery. In our tests of the K4 HE, this battery provided around 100 hours of continuous use, even with RGB backlighting on. Speaking of which, the RGB lighting is north-facing, making it compatible with shine-through keycaps if you ever decide to upgrade them. The keyboard is still powered by Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Nebula switches, meaning the K2 HE All-Wood version won’t work with standard HE switches, like the Wooting Lekker Tikkens we reviewed recently. This is somewhat disappointing, especially considering other models like the Keychron Q1 HE 8K offer greater switch compatibility.

    Luckily, you still have features such as adjustable actuation, SOCD, Rapid Trigger, analog input, and the ability to create on-board macros and fully remap the keyboard using the Keychron Launcher.

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  • Keychron K4 HE: 96% Hall-Effect Gaming Keyboard with Num Pad

    Keychron K4 HE: 96% Hall-Effect Gaming Keyboard with Num Pad

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Keychron K4 HE is a 75% wireless keyboard designed for gamers, featuring Gateron’s Double-Rail Magnetic Nebula Hall-effect switches for improved stability and sound.
    2. It is available in two versions: Special Edition with stylish OSA keycaps and rosewood accent panels, and Standard Edition with Cherry profile keycaps and a more basic design.
    3. Both editions include sound dampening materials for a quieter typing experience and support wireless connectivity, although at a lower polling rate compared to some competitors.
    4. The K4 HE’s Hall-effect switches have a balanced actuation force of 40 gf to start and 60 gf at the bottom, with a total key travel of 3.8 mm, making it comfortable for gaming and typing.
    5. The keyboard is priced at $135 for the Standard Version and $145 for the Special Edition, available for purchase on the Keychron online store and expected to be sold at Best Buy later this year.

    Keychron has introduced the K4 HE, a new keyboard that builds on the features of the K2 HE model. The K4 HE is a 75% wireless keyboard that includes Hall-effect switches, specifically Gateron’s Double-Rail Magnetic Nebula switches, which provide better stability and a nice sound profile. This model is aimed at gamers who want a numeric keypad, making it a larger option compared to the K2 HE.

    Special Edition vs Standard Edition

    Similar to its predecessor, the K4 HE is offered in two versions: a Special Edition and a Standard Edition, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. The Special Edition boasts Keychron’s OSA keycaps, which give it a more stylish appearance, deeper finger wells, and a more refined look. Additionally, it has unique rosewood side accent panels that can be personalized with laser-engraved designs for an extra fee on the Keychron website. This version comes in a white color scheme with light wood panels and a black color scheme with dark wood details.

    On the other hand, the Standard Edition features Cherry profile keycaps that provide a familiar typing experience. These keycaps are also shine-through, enhancing visibility in low-light conditions and allowing for more aesthetic customization. However, the Standard Edition does not include the fancy wood details, opting instead for an aluminum top frame and an ABS plastic bottom.

    Enhanced Sound Dampening and Connectivity

    Both editions of the K4 HE are packed with sound dampening materials inside the casing, such as EVA plate foam, EPDM PCB foam, a PET film, and a silicone pad in the bottom case. Unlike many other Hall-effect keyboards, the Keychron K4 HE supports wireless connectivity, although this comes with a trade-off of 8 kHz polling, which is a feature available in boards like the Iqunix EZ63 that we reviewed recently.

    The K4 HE features Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Nebula Hall-effect switches that are linear and have a balanced actuation force of 40 gf to start and 60 gf at the bottom. With a total key travel of 3.8 mm, these switches should provide a comfortable experience for both gaming and typing. They also have an open bottom design, similar to the Wooting Lekker and Geon RAW switches, and the double-rail design aims to nearly eliminate keycap wobble.

    Pricing and Availability

    Starting today, the Keychron K4 HE can be purchased on the Keychron online store, retailing at $135 for the Standard Version and $145 for the Special Edition. It’s expected that the keyboard will also be available at Best Buy later this year, following the trend set by the Keychron K2 HE.

    Keychron K4 HE: 96% Hall-Effect Gaming Keyboard with Num Pad
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  • Keychron K2 HE Mechanical Keyboard: Hall Effect, Hot-Swappable Keys

    Keychron K2 HE Mechanical Keyboard: Hall Effect, Hot-Swappable Keys

    Keychron has unveiled the K2 HE, a mechanical keyboard incorporating Hall effect switches with adjustable actuation points. Priced at $125, it supports three connectivity modes and is currently available for crowdfunding on Kickstarter, with deliveries anticipated to commence in October 2024.

    Keychron K2 HE Keyboard Specifications

    The Keychron K2 HE is equipped with Hall effect switches that utilize magnetic sensors to register keystrokes. This allows users to adjust the actuation point from 0.1mm to 3.8mm, providing a personalized typing and gaming experience. Additionally, the keyboard supports hot-swapping, making it easy to replace switches without the need for soldering.

    The keyboard features pre-lubricated Gateron double-rail magnetic switches that deliver a soft tactile response with a 40g actuation force and a 60g bottom-out force. These switches are highly durable, with a lifespan of up to 150 million keystrokes. The device also includes a 1KHz polling rate for responsive performance.

    Connectivity and Battery Life

    Offering a variety of connectivity options, the K2 HE supports USB Type-C (wired), Bluetooth 5.1, and 2.4 GHz wireless modes. It allows multi-device pairing, enabling users to switch between devices effortlessly. The keyboard is powered by a 4000mAh rechargeable battery, ensuring prolonged usage between charges.

    Additional Features and Design

    The Keychron K2 HE is fitted with RGB backlighting that includes 22 modes, durable double-shot PBT keycaps, and screw-in PCB stabilizers for enhanced typing stability.

    It also supports dynamic keystrokes, permitting multiple actions to be assigned to a single key based on press depth. Users can adjust settings such as actuation points, macros, and RGB patterns using the Keychron Launcher Web Configurator.

    Following the design language of the K2 series, the K2 HE features a compact 75% layout with dimensions of 320.5mm x 126.2mm x 40.7mm and a weight of approximately 965 grams. The keyboard comes in a chic Black and White color scheme with natural rosewood accents, offering a minimalistic yet stylish look.

    Keychron K2 HE Mechanical Keyboard: Hall Effect, Hot-Swappable Keys

    Keychron K2 HE Mechanical Keyboard: Hall Effect, Hot-Swappable Keys

    Keychron K2 HE Mechanical Keyboard: Hall Effect, Hot-Swappable Keys

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