I ordered one of these Keychron K13 Max QMK ISO layout with a set of Gateron Low Profile 2.0 Mechanical Blue Switches as I love to hear the click like I used to hear on IBM terminal keyboards when I was a software developer on the System/36 (mid 1980).
Since then this is the first keyboard giving me that click feedback and I love it!
Now I'm a photographer and working only on Apple Mac systems so, for me, it is important to be able to customize the layout with the Apple keys (option and command).
Before I used Apple keyboards for several years and then I switched to the Logi Mx. It was almost time to change keyboard as the MX battery was almost gone so I did some research and found out about customizable keyboards and understood Keychron was the first company doing them and then many other companies copied the idea... In my research many reviewers were saying that Keychron is the most expensive but I checked and this is not true.
Unsure about the quality of Keychron products, I initially bought a K3 Max Ultra Slim on Amazon but I couldn't adapt to the 75% layout and had to send it back. Then I ordered the K13 (80% layout) here on the official website to give more profit to Keychron.
Adapting from a 100% layout is easier even though I'm now trying a different layout as II moved the [del][0][.] keys row on top of the numeric keyboard and it seems helping me.
PROS
* Ability to program the keys – I use the Keychron Launcher and was also able to create a couple of macros
* Ability to customize the led colors, I'm not a gamer and don't need too many colors :)
* Ability to update firmware of both the keyboard and the receiver
* Ability to connect via Bluetooth so I can easily use the keyboard with my Mac Mini, Macbook and iPhone!
* The USB plug is in the front/middle: perfect!
CONS
* There is no GLOBE key like on Mac keyboards but I read on some forums that it is not possible to replicate that – so it is not really a problem; all I needed it for was to invoke the Emoji viewer and solved the problem by assigning a macro to FN+ESC that works perfectly
* I wish there could be more alternative sets of keys – like the ISO Low Profile Shine-Through ABS LSA Full Set Keycap Set that I bought as I wanted shine-trough caps and the K13 does not provide on the standard configuration as the K3 does :(
* Need to use Google Chrome to use Keychron Launcher and need to connect the keyboard with USB cable as it looks like you cannot program it if connected to the proprietary receiver
SUGGESTIONS
* Create more keycaps designs for the ISO Low Profile keyboards!
* I wish I can get a Smile Aluminum Alloy Artisan Keycap for the K13 as well! – https://www.keychron.com/products/smile-aluminum-alloy-artisan-keycap?variant=40514415198297
A warmly suggested product if you like to create a keyboard that helps you get a better productivity and with a unique look!
Thank you Keychron you got a new loyal customer!