Initial thoughts on the new setup

Today I had a rather large package delivered with a keyboard, two sets of switches, and a set of keycaps. The keyboard is the Keychron Q7 in ISO layout. It’s been a while since I last used ISO, being my GMMK 60% ISO, so it is going to take a little bit to reacclimate my muscle memory to it. But I’ve wanted ISO again because I typically keep my layout set to German and this fits that much better. It’s the nicest, stock, keyboard I’ve had thus far as well. Very well built and sturdy aluminum frame, a good application of lubrication to the stabilizers, and no nicks or dings to the case. I opted for the blue case over the black or silver as even if it is more difficult to find keycap sets that really match it well, it definitely pops. I’d describe it as a royal blue color, very deep and almost purple. I chose to, ironically, not use the PBT BOW cap set I got from Keychron but instead opted to pull out my MT3 Dasher set. The colors don’t quite match I don’t think. Dasher is greener than the case but setting the backlight to a steady blue works for now to help it tie together.

As I mentioned I got two sets of switches as well. Both are, as far as I know, distributed solely from Keychron. The first set are Gateron Yellow Phantom switches. An improved design of their own Yellow switches featuring factory lubrication. I wanted to try them as they are very budget friendly linear switches and feature as stock on some of Keychron’s keyboards. The other switches are even more fascinating to me and are the ones I opted to try first. They are the Kailh Box Cream Pro switches. I’ve wanted to try the Box Creams from Novelkeys for some time now and these are those, but factory lubricated. They also are cheaper than standard Box Cream switches which is strange to me but I couldn’t say no to the option, especially as I haven’t gotten into lubricating my own switches yet. For reference it’s 110 Box Cream Pro switches for $38 (around $0.35 a switch) versus $25.20 for 36 Box Cream from Novelkeys ($0.70 a switch). Half the price for factory lubrication? I’ll gladly take that option!

They aren’t the smoothest switches I’ve used. I didn’t expect them to be as they are entirely POM. But they are markedly smoother than the Cream switches I have already which are not lubricated. I think they’re up there for smoothness but come out short to some of the newer materials combinations like UHMWPE housings and such. They do of course retain that familiar POM sound, higher pitch and poppier than I think of for other housing materials like nylon. They are on the lighter side of linear switches too, with a 45g actuation and 55g bottom out force. The Phantom Pro Yellow switches are marginally heavier at 50g actuation. Another interesting factor with the Box Cream Pros is that they are the Kailh box design meaning their own housing. That should help with keycap compatibility but out of all my keyboards I’ve not encountered clearance issues yet, but I know that can happen, especially with Cherry profile keycaps.

Switching back to MT3 profile after having used Cherry for a couple weeks is a fun change in feeling. I like how when I’m thinking as I’m typing that I can spin my fingers around on the tops of the switches as I think. It’s a fun little tactile experience that works well as a kind of fidget mechanism for me. I’d describe the sound of this board as reminiscent of my Tofu 60 from KBD Fans, a bit of a hollow aluminum sound but more dampened with the stock dampening. I’ve not taken this keyboard apart yet, I wanted to get it all running to make sure it works and to feel the stock experience first. I did notice that it has more flex than my other keyboards so I’m trying to keep note of that as I use it. It was especially apparent when I was installing the switches as the plate offers a tighter fit than my other boards. I find I have liked my gasket keyboards as my Portico is also gasket mounted and I really love typing on it. Comparing the two side by side the Q7 has similar flex to the Portico. The Q7 on the other hand has a deeper sound to it. It’s a more dynamic sound as well though; it has more resonance and at a higher pitch because of the aluminum frame and body.

The packaging was quite premium feeling with embossed boxes, plenty of quality foam around the board inside, and accessories and tools recessed in the bottom foam under the keyboard. It’s nice to have spare screws available in the event I were to lose them. I likely wouldn’t use the supplied screwdriver, but it is good it is included for those who don’t have smaller bits available to them. With as much as I tinker with small electronics that is something I’ve kept on hand for years now. Also included are extra rubber feet which is fantastic as those are some of the most likely bits to be lost and that they are color matched to the board it’s a thoughtful inclusion. Even if I don’t see them in normal usage, it’s also lovely that the screws are all brass as well. It adds to the more cohesive feel and quality for the kit. Popping on good switches and keycaps makes it really shine as an excellent keyboard.

Though I won’t use it as I already have a braided aviator cable, I do really like the quality of the included USB cable. It is color matched to the board and is USB-C to USB-C, with an included C-to-A adapter in the kit. It is a very nice stock cable and again helps with the more premium feel for the keyboard kit. The keycap puller is standard affair wire with plastic handle with a hole for fingers. It’s a good inclusion and should work well at keeping keycaps unscuffed. The switch puller is one of those small all-metal tools, small and uncomfortable to use, and is lackluster. I purchased a longer one from Novelkeys which has a rubberized coating that is far more comfortable and easier to use than the included puller. It works but is outclassed by nearly every other option. The screwdriver is tiny and has a clear blue plastic handle. It will work fine for low-torque work such as with the keyboard but may prove to be too small to use for people with larger hands. And the included Allen key is standard as well but is perfectly serviceable for dealing with the hex screws. That tools are included with the kit for disassembling the keyboard is good for service, repair, replacement, and modification. Even if they aren’t great their inclusion is good precedent for electronics as a whole and shows their confidence in their product to be easily user serviceable.

One last note is that I have the latest Via software installed and it immediately recognized the keyboard. That is another fantastic aspect of this keyboard is that it is fully Via compatible for remapping and setting it up. And as someone who uses Windows, MacOS, and Linux daily it is also nice to have the MacOS compatibility switch on the board should I use it with my MacBook. All-in-all very simple setup and the quick start guide in the box gave some tips for various features as well.