Some people are happy typing away on quiet membrane keyboards like Apple’s Magic Keyboard. Others are obsessed with pimping out their clickity-clackety mechanical keebs with the exact key caps, switches and design flourishes they prefer. Today’s M3 Pro MacBook Pro setup goes for the latter style with a Keychron Q2 custom mechanical keyboard.
It’s an excellent, moderately affordable option in a crowded market.
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Keychron Q2 QMK Custom Mechanical Keyboard: Suit yourself
Redditor rrogersca (“Rogers”) showcased the handsome and well-appointed setup in a post entitled, “New M3 MacBook Pro 16.”
They recently acquired a new 16-inch M3 Pro MacBook Pro. Though it includes the middleweight M3 Pro chip rather than the heavyweight M3 Max, the machine is loaded with 36GB unified memory and a 1TB SSD for storage that should keep it going fast and furious for some time.
The laptop, which we looked at in Monday’s setups post, connects through a Razer Thunderbolt 4 docking station to an array of peripherals. They include a 34-inch BenQ PD3420Q Ultrawide Monitor with a BenQ Screenbar Monitor Light on top. On Wednesday we look at Rogers’ excellent mechanical keyboard from Keychron.
Keychron Q2 mechanical keyboard
Photo: Keychron
Keychron recently came out with two direct Magic Keyboard competitors (full size and mini) in the form of slim keyboards with scissor-switch mechanisms and low price tags. But it made its name making mechanical keyboards for the masses and well as aficionados.
Its finely crafted Q series keyboards are highly customizable and more premium than the older K series. Undoubtedly, mechanical keebs that are even more customizable exist, but the Q series take you pretty far for a large-production model.
You can buy a fully assembled Q version with your choice of key caps, switches and colors, with or without a programmable control knob. Or you can buy a barebones version and add whatever you want to it.
The fully assembled version includes:
- The keyboard PCB, case the steel plate
- Double-shot OSA PBT keycaps (includes Mac and Windows keycaps).
- Gateron G Pro switches (linear Red, clicky Blue or tactile Brown)
- No keycaps or switches with barebones version ($159 or $169 with control knob)
Watch Keychron’s Q2 video:
The wired Q2, which starts at $179 (fully assembled), features a compact, 65% layout, a full-metal body and a double-gasket design meant to give you a personalized experience with typing comfort.
“The entire piece is crafted with 6063 aluminum that is processed through CNC machined, polished, anodized, sandblasted and undergoes 24 more manufacturing stages to make the work of art that is the Q2,” Keychron said.
With QMK and VIA support, you can program and remap each key, as well. And a simple switch lets you choose macOS or Windows.
And Rogers’ other input device needs no introduction, as it may be the most popular wireless mouse ever, judging by its appearances in setup online — the Logitech MX Master 3S.
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Photo: [email protected]
Keychron keyboard and Logitech mouse:
Computers and docking station:
Display, stand and light bar:
- 34-inch BenQ PD3420Q Ultrawide Creator Monitor
- Oakywood dual monitor stand
- BenQ Screenbar Monitor Light
Audio:
Furniture and lighting:
If you would like to see your setup featured on Cult of Mac, send some high-res pictures to [email protected]. Please provide a detailed list of your equipment. Tell us what you like or dislike about your setup, and fill us in on any special touches, challenges and plans for new additions.
This full-aluminum, wired mechanical keyboard includes QMK/VIA programmable macro, hot-swappable Gateron G Pro switches, 65% layout and double gasket design. Compatible with Mac and Windows.
