Keychron Q5 Max 96% Layout Full-Metal Custom Wireless Mechanical Keyboard with Knob, QMK/VIA Programmable 1000Hz 2.4 GHz/Bluetooth/Wired RGB Backlit for Mac Windows, Gateron Brown Switch-Carbon Black

Four years ago, keyboards with gaskets, foam, and multiple layers for sound dampening were locked away behind group buys, and by the time you found out about them, it was too late. When you tried to buy them secondhand, they would cost hundreds of dollars.Now, Keychron, a company that has been around for as long as I’ve known mechanical keyboards, has brought to the consumer mass market a keyboard that is just as fully featured as any keyboard you might find on a group buy.I bought this keyboard because I finally realized how efficient using a numpad was for work. This keyboard came prebuilt with red linear switches that were pre-lubed and very smooth, just as smooth as my Gateron Black Inks that I heavily modded with film, lube, spring swaps, and stem swaps. The keycaps were doubleshot PBT and felt solid but were very tall. I’m not used to tall keycaps, so I put on my set of GMK Olives.Right out of the box, this keyboard had a solid “thock” sound without having to fuss with anything. This is the type of sound that keyboard novices and enthusiasts would have spent hundreds of dollars and hours trying to achieve four years ago. Even with a polycarbonate plate, it does not flex under regular typing.I ended up swapping the switches for TTC Frozen Silent V2s, which were easy to swap with the included keycap/switch puller. It took me about 20 minutes to do the entire swap. The polycarbonate plate can make it a bit tough to seat the new switches because of the flex, but if you use your finger to hold the plate up, it’s not a problem to seat the switches properly.The connectivity is full-featured, which is not something you’re going to find on group-buy keyboards very often. I appreciate the option to use Bluetooth, a cable, and 2.4 GHz wireless. I currently use 2.4 GHz wireless, but if I need to use this with my Steam Deck, I switch over to Bluetooth.

It feels so good and its heavy. My girl almost dropped it when i showed her the weight lol.

I got this keyboard to replace a Razer Tournament V2 that had switches that wouldn't register or can't be cleaned. This Keychron's has everything, including switches that are replaceable. I got the banana switches and it has a marvelous feel - it seems to be ideal for both gaming and typing. This solid metal keyboard case is close to 10 lbs. It is super solid.The only thing I didn't like as much was there are only 3 dedicated single press macro keys. The entire keyboard can be mapped with 4 macros each key (over 400 possible macro keys), but it takes a combination of keys to trigger. Any key can be remapped with their web based tool.

Stylish, full customization, quiet, smooth, quick response- what else could you ask for. Exceeded expectations and met the hype of all other reviews I read. Plug in or Bluetooth capability. Multiple Customizable color patterns are a cool bonus.