The Alice layout is new to me. I was very curious if I had the typing discipline to use it properly. I was quite surprised that I did! Kinda. The keyboard (like all of Keychron's full metal boards) is quite heavy and won't slide around on a desk. The switches are fantastic quality, and (of course) are hot swappable. The keycaps seem to be a little divisive, but I like them a lot, though I would like to ultimately switch these out for even thicker SA PBT keycaps (but that's just my preference and not a knock on the keyboard). I can't help myself, but I always seem to require that I open every mech keyboard I get. The team at keychron already did the "tape mod", and it looks a damn bot better than layers of painters tape. The base plate does not have any foam out of the box, but I put some nano foam in the bottom and it makes such a difference (I would suggest this to be a requirement if you are looking for both a pleasing feel and sound, so consider adding about $13 to the price for new foam). There are some nice things that Keychron did to make this keyboard a little more approachable for the novice. To start with, there are 2 "B" keys, effectively easing your typing based on your hand dominance and hand float. I couldn't be happier. This will likely become a fairly daily driver for me, and I think that as a millennial who learned how to type through AIM (if you don't know...you won't) this will also break me of some terrible habits. Please check out the pictures I shared. You will see the "tape mod" which is a nice solid piece off greenish card-stock and my addition of foam to the base plate. This is a fantastic keyboard. Read more
I'll try to just do the highlights here: -Keyboard arrives, g and j key fire about 50% of the time. Side note, I never realized how j is basically unused for the most part. -Contact CS. At one point they even ask me to record my screen(???) when I say that isn't relevant, since I'm not recording my hands, they move on and I continue to answer a bunch of questions. Finally they agree to ship me a new PCB. -This again takes weeks. I have to email the CS rep weekly asking if it's been sent out, they tell me I'll know when I receive a tracking number. After not receiving a tracking number, the pcb shows up. -It's just a pcb, there's no instructions or anything. But I try to replace it myself. It takes all day but I succeed. The new pcb is even worse (don't remember specifics) -put the old pcb in since it's at least usable, as we covered j isn't really used, so it's just really g that's the problem. -the keyboard now works perfectly!!! for a while. -just recently the entire bottom left of the keyboard stopped working. Conclusion - the screws on the pcb have to basically be perfectly adjusted for all keys to function. If they loosen up at all, the keys will stop working and you'll have to take it apart and fix it. So it seems inherently flawed...or I could be completely wrong, who knows. It's a shame. If everything worked perfectly I would like this a lot. I enjoy the layout, it fits my hands better. The only negative I would have had, is though the keyboard is backlit, keys themselves don't light up making it hard to get correct hand placement in the dark. Read more
If you like this ergo layout I think you'll like this keyboard. It's nice and HEAVY. Weighs a little over 4lbs. Also it's NOT WIRELESS so if that's a deal breaker to you like me. Read more
This is comfortable and beautiful, sounds pretty good. Ignore the reviewer complaining about qwerty who does not understand you can use any non-ortho layout by using VIA or VIAL Read more
The only product that is all of: wireless, low profile, 65%, mechanical, ergonomic. No competition, and affordable. Read more
I grabbed a Shell White Q8 directly from Keychron which arrived about a month ago. Ive been using it daily since. Before that I was using a Q2 for about 6 weeks. The ergonomic benefits of the ALICE layout intrigued me. So despite how great the Q2 was, I decided to spring for the Q8. From what I understand there are better options as far as maximizing ergonomics. However the Q8 felt like a good starting point before exploring the other options. I have adapted well to the split layout of ALICE and have already hit some WPM personal records. If you are considering trying the ALICE layout I highly recommend this keyboard or the Keychron V8 as a more affordable alternative. I plan to get another Q8 so I can run it as my dedicated Windows board. The rest of my keyboards will end up on display unless I find a reason to use the traditional layout over ALICE again. Upgrades: Switches: Boba U4T 65g Keycaps: Keychron Double Shot PBT Cherry profile in White Mint Read more
