For a writer, the mechanical keyboard is a beautiful thing. It\u2019s certainly not necessary for everyone, but a well-designed mechanical keyboard can turn a tedious day of typing into an aesthetically pleasing experience.<\/p>\n
Given that most of my days involve sitting at a desk for hours, having a keyboard that I enjoy using is a necessity. I first got a mechanical keyboard about two years ago \u2014 the Keychron K2 \u2014 and I\u2019ve never looked back.<\/p>\n
Keychron is one of the most prominent brands within the mechanical keyboard industry, having made a name for itself after initially launching via Kickstarter back in 2017. The company has since produced dozens of different keyboards (as well as keypads) and a variety of mouse models<\/a>.<\/p>\n Unlike other electronics, there isn\u2019t a whole lot to owning a mechanical keyboard. The simplicity is part of the appeal. You unbox them, set them up (the K2 comes with little tilt legs that give you a slightly better angle from which to type), and plug them in. <\/p>\n From here, you have a couple of different options. The K2 comes with a simple USB cable, but there\u2019s also an option for Bluetooth connection. If you value a clean, minimalist workspace, Bluetooth is probably the way to go.<\/p>\n While I am loyal to my older Keychron K2, there are a few upgraded and newer versions to consider. Keychron has released a variety of new models over the past two years, with a broad range of features and price tags.<\/p>\n In many cases, the form factor is the draw. One of the more interesting releases, called the Keychron K8 HE Wireless Magnetic Switch Custom Keyboard, comes with an all-wood body<\/a> and is equipped with an LED backlight. That one is substantially more expensive at around $200. The K2, meanwhile, costs $60. But if you\u2019re into the look, maybe it\u2019s worth it.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re a gamer, there\u2019s also Keychron\u2019s C0 HE One-Handed 8K Keyboard<\/a>, which is a keypad built for convenience and speed and has an industrial aesthetic to it. However, interested gamers will have to wait \u2014 as it\u2019s currently sold out.<\/p>\n The company has also updated its K, Q, and V series keyboards, with many of those ranging in price from $100 to $200, depending on the features and model.<\/p>\n One of the appealing elements of owning a mechanical keyboard is the versatility. You can swap out the key caps for a wide variety<\/a> of others (indeed, there\u2019s a whole submarket<\/a> devoted to this) or make your own custom caps<\/a> (I\u2019ve never gone that overboard).<\/p>\n There is also the sound, of course. Some people balk at the accentuated noise of loudly clacking keys, but I\u2019m a fan. In fact, the sound is one of the key selling points for a lot of consumers. The distinct auditory experience produced by said keyboards has even made its way into ASMR videos<\/a>.<\/p>\n For me, the Keychron\u2019s biggest selling point is its retro form factor. I get really nostalgic for old school electronics, and Keychron scratches this itch pretty well. It\u2019s a beautiful-looking device, which brings to mind a different era of computing, when the style was more workman-like, less minimalist.<\/p>\n As far as home office purchases go, you could do a lot worse than to pick yourself up a piece of hardware that makes your desk look like it just time-traveled from the 1990s. <\/p>\n