The Keychron Q14 Max is an Alice-layout mechanical keyboard with a flipped numpad. It is uncommon, however good for the fitting particular person.
It feels that 2025 has been a keyboard odyssey for this reviewer. Particularly, an odyssey by a variety of keyboards provided by probably the most prolific producers within the trade: Keychron.
Starting from giant to small, light-weight to heavyweight, wi-fi, wired, and every little thing in between. All with options to fulfill any workspace wants.
Numerous firms compete for client consideration and {dollars} within the discipline. Keychron continues to face out as an organization decided to fulfill each fashion desire and wish inside it.
The ultimate cease on my private Keychron odyssey is the Q14 Max Keyboard. This one is a heavy mechanical behemoth that seeks to discover a place in my day-to-day workspace.
Keychron Q14 Max evaluate: Contained in the field
The Q14 Max is a 96 p.c mechanical keyboard with an Alice key configuration. It connects to my Mac through a wired connection or wirelessly utilizing a 2.4GHz dongle or Bluetooth.
Keychron Q14 Max evaluate: The field.
The keyboard arrives in a black field with a metallic emblem. The keyboard and equipment are packaged in heavy foam cutouts for optimum journey security.
Contained in the field:
- Q14 Max keyboard
- Fast begin information
- USB-A to USB-C cable
- Extension Adapter
- USB 2.4 GHz dongle
- Hex driver
- Keycap and puller instrument
- Additional keycaps (for Mac or Home windows configurations)
- PCB Stabilizers
- Handbook
Keychron Q14 Max evaluate: Construct High quality
The Q14 Max is a 96 p.c mechanical keyboard with a metallic case. That mixture means it is vitally.
Keychron keyboards are persistently beefy and extremely sturdy. There may be nothing in regards to the keyboard, switches, cables, or instruments that implies chopping corners on supplies or engineering.
You most likely may drop this keyboard off the roof, and it will survive.
Keychron Q14 Max evaluate: The complete Alice structure, with a flipped Numpad place
Keychron has a historical past of providing its keyboards in just one coloration. However with the Q14 Max Keychron, it gives Carbon Black and Shell White colorways.
That is one thing encouraging to see from Keychron. All of us have private aesthetics for our workspaces, and a variety of colours could be good to select from.
The Q14 Max arrives with Gateron Jupiter switches as normal, and these are the one switches out there for the Q14 Max on the Keychron web site.
Keychron Q14 Max evaluate: Rear switches
The again of the keyboard has a single USB-C port for charging or utilizing the keyboard in wired mode.
There are two switches on the again heart of the keyboard. One change permits you to change between wi-fi or cable connection varieties, whereas the opposite toggles between Mac and Home windows configurations.
Keychron does embrace non-compulsory keycaps so to change the bodily keys between the 2 structure varieties.
Keychron Q14 Max evaluate: Customization
The Q14 Max gives Keychron’s double-shot PBT keycaps and three colours for change choices: Crimson, Banana Yellow, and Brown.
Crimson refers back to the linear switches which are “Quiet”, whereas the Brown and Banana variants check with “Tactile” and “Clicky” profiles. Your alternative of change is determined by the way you need your typing expertise to really feel and sound.
Keychron Q14 Max evaluate: The RGB lighting
The keyboard consists of 22 sorts of RGB backlight settings. The lights themselves are shiny however unobtrusive, making their use a pleasant accent to the general expertise.
That is in comparison with some producers’ keyboard backlighting that I’m satisfied is seen from outer area.
The Keychron Launcher is a web-based instrument that permits you to change every little thing from keymapping to the interior RGB lights. It additionally permits you to add your personal customized macros.
The Launcher requires you to attach the Q14 Max to your laptop with the USB-C cable supplied, together with a USB-C to USB-A adapter if wanted, to customise it. As soon as your preferences are set, you may return to wi-fi use.
Keychron Q14 Max evaluate: In use
The month of use previous to scripting this evaluate was not a simple expertise. It is because it makes use of an Alice structure.
The Q14 Max divides the keyboard in half, separates them, and angles them inward as a part of the Alice structure. That is totally different from the standard keyboards most individuals use, as it’s purported to be extra ergonomic.
This isn’t a keyboard fashion I repeatedly use. That may be a low-profile 75 p.c keyboard, so switching to the Q14 Max was a wrestle towards muscle reminiscence.
This isn’t the keyboard’s fault. It’s merely years of conventional structure utilization being a hurdle, however one which may very well be overcome with time and apply.
Keychron Q14 Max evaluate: Alice layouts take some relearning
The keyboard is a southpaw configuration, which I discovered fascinating, but it surely took me a second to reconcile the complete quantity pad on the left aspect of the keyboard.
This keyboard shouldn’t be cellular. If you have to slide or transfer your keyboard simply and infrequently, like I do with my drawing pill workspace, the Q14 Max shouldn’t be for you in any respect.
It doesn’t transfer simply, and as a 96 p.c keyboard, it would take up a sizeable portion of your desk workspace.
What was beautiful in regards to the Q14 Max is the quiet, satisfying “Thock” sound the Banana Yellow switches ship whereas typing. This can be a giant, heavy keyboard, however the keys and the texture of the expertise are great.
The quantity adjustment push knob on the Q14 Max is an easy however nice quality-of-life function. I’ll all the time sing Keychron’s praises for together with it on so a lot of their keyboards.
Keychron Q14 Max evaluate: Strong, if that is what you might be on the lookout for
The standard of the Q14 Max is wonderful, and it’s a stable mechanical keyboard if you understand what you might be investing in. The retail worth of the Q14 Max is $249 — not a small or informal funding for a keyboard.
Keychron Q14 Max evaluate: The left-side Numpad means you have got arrow keys on the far proper aspect.
At this retail worth, you’re making an knowledgeable resolution, or you’re taking a threat on one thing new. That’s one thing many shoppers are merely not in a position to do financially.
I’ve examined many Keychron mechanical keyboards, and I really like the constant construct high quality, weight, and potential for personalization of their merchandise. Even so, the Alice configuration and dimension of the Q14 disqualified it from ever being a typical in my workspace.
Your mileage might range.
Keychron Q14 Max Professionals
- Quiet tactile keys
- Excessive construct high quality
- Wonderful customization choices in software program
Keychron Q14 Max Cons
- Steep entry value
- Alice fashion key structure for these not accustomed to utilizing it
- Bigger workspace footprint
Like we have mentioned earlier than, if you happen to hate the Alice structure, this keyboard shouldn’t be for you. In that case, it is a 2 out of 5, tops. However, if you happen to’re on the lookout for the sometimes-spendy ergonomic match that the Q14 Max offers, this is a wonderful keyboard.
Score 4 out of 5
The place to purchase the Keychron Q14 Max
The Keychron Q14 Max is on the market on the Keychron web site for $249. A barebone knob model can be out there for $229.
