While the early signs are positive, don’t expect to suddenly see massive changes in your comfort levels immediately with the Q8’s ergonomic layout. I expect this will make a difference in comfort and in avoiding problems over time, provided I commit to using the keyboard long-term. What I have noticed is because my forearms and hands “sit” at a more natural angle when typing, my shoulders don’t hunch quite so much. Typing on the Keychron Q8 takes time to learn, but it’s satisfying when you get it right I can’t say for sure, but the Q8 may have contributed to this. So far, my wrists feel suitably relaxed and pain-free, even after typing thousands of words for a major Samsung product launch. I rarely have wrist pain from typing, but it does happen after particularly intensive weeks. I’m not typing any faster, so if that’s your goal then it may not come for months after switching, if at all. The question then becomes, is it worth all this effort? It’s quite hard to say.
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I’m not a trained typist, so it may be an idiosyncrasy of my own style, but it illustrates how long it will take to adjust. The thing I still do the most is hit the split with my finger when I’m expecting to press the “y” key. I’ve been typing on the Q8 for about two weeks now and I’d say my speed is up to what it was before switching, although I do find my posture affects this, and concentration is still required to make sure I’m not just hitting the wrong keys. Perseverance is needed, and the best piece of advice I can give is to look at the keyboard instead of the screen when you type, it helps you get used to the layout and where the keys are. It feels alien and unnatural for a start, and if I tried the keyboard in an isolated environment like a shop, I would have walked away thinking “never again.” The first words and sentences I typed on the Q8 were nonsense, because the keys are not where your fingers expect them to be. The first time you use it, be prepared to want to give up. Moving from a “normal” keyboard to the Keychron Q8 is hugely intimidating. The build quality of the keyboard is excellent, the heavy metal body and its grippy rubber feet ensure it doesn’t move at all when typing, and you can easily swap the keycaps for different styles if you want. The south-facing RGB lights are bright, and they can be configured to show different colors and patterns. Whether you like the look of any split keyboard like the Keychron Q8 will come down to personal preference, but I do think it adds some visual interest to your desk. Those are some pretty major advantages, but if they were easy to obtain, everyone would be using an ergonomic keyboard, but sure enough, even adjusting to an Alice keyboard takes time. The benefits of an ergonomic keyboard are that it allows your wrists to sit and flex in a more natural way, thus reducing fatigue, muscle pain, and lessening the risk of serious problems like RSI or carpal tunnel syndrome. There’s a 5-degree angle on the keyboard, and in the top right is a knob that can be configured to perform functions like adjusting the volume, or zooming in and out. One design oddity on Keychron’s version is the addition of two “b” keys, one on either side of the split.
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The space bar is split in two and flanked by the Command or Windows key. The most obvious design feature is the ergonomic Alice keyboard layout, where the keys are split down the middle and flow in a wave-like design from either side. If you’re used to a low-profile keyboard it will require more finger movement to press accurately. The double-shot - that’s the construction process that ensures they retain their markings over time - keycaps have what Keychron calls an OSA profile, where the tops are quite rounded, and the keys have a fairly tall profile. There are three colors available, a carbon black version, a navy blue version, and the silver gray model you see in our photos. Inside the case a combination of silicone pads and gaskets reduce resonance and give key presses plenty of reassuring “spring” and feel.
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On the back is a centrally placed USB-C connection along with a physical switch to lock the keyboard into Windows or Mac configuration. Designīefore we get into the typing experience, what about the design of the Keychron Q8? It’s made from aluminum and weighs a very solid 1.8kg, but the 65% layout keeps the overall footprint right down. Are you ready for that kind of commitment? If so, here’s what the Q8 is like. And now, two weeks later, I understand I’m at the beginning of what needs to be a long, committed relationship, where the benefits will likely come in the long-term.
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That was, until the Keychron Q8 was on my desk.