Latest news with #Keychron
WIRED
3 days ago
- Business
- WIRED
Asus' ROG Falchion Ace HFX Brings a Fresh Take to Hall Effect Keyboards
Every gaming keyboard manufacturer seems to be jumping on the Hall effect bandwagon, and why wouldn't they? The keyboard technology has been proven in both esports arenas and home office setups worldwide and offers countless advantages over standard mechanical keyboards, with no real performance compromises. Hall effect keyboards have also arrived as countless other technologies enter the keyboard space: Everything from gasket-mounting to touchpads is now in mainstream keyboards. That also means I regularly see new products, mechanical and Hall effect, with features I've never even considered before. Case in point, the Asus ROG Falchion Ace HFX, a small keyboard with a large name and a lot of unusual features. This $200 wired-only keyboard has Hall effect switches, an 8,000-Hz polling rate, multidevice connectivity with two USB-C ports, and a programmable touchpad on the back edge. Not to mention countless on-keyboard controls and a flipable lever to enable or disable the rapid trigger feature found on most Hall effect keyboards. While it does have some strange design decisions, it has a lot of really clever ones too. Unique Switches Photograph: Henri Robbins Photograph: Henri Robbins Photograph: Henri Robbins The Falchion has one of the deepest typing sounds compared to other Hall effect keyboards. This is likely a combination of the keyboard's unique HFX magnetic switches, one of the few I've tested that aren't made by Gateron, and the sound dampening inside. It consists of multiple layers of foam, Poron, and silicone, and a sheet of small rubber domes. The switches feel incredibly smooth, even when pressed slowly, with a consistent feel throughout the entire keypress. They use a polycarbonate top housing, a POM stem, and a POM bottom housing, contributing to the deeper typing sound and ensuring smoothness across the entire keystroke. Unlike most Hall effect switches, the HFX doesn't have a hole in the center, instead, it moves the magnet to the front, where the metal contact leaf would typically be on a mechanical switch. This makes the Falchion incompatible with standard Hall effect switches, but likely improves the sound profile as well: Open-bottom switches tend to have a more hollow typing sound, which can be heard on competitors. The springs are weighted to 55 grams of total force, which is 5 grams lighter than the Gateron Nebula dual-rail switches used by Keychron, and 10 grams lighter than the standard Cherry MX Red. There aren't any other switches available for this keyboard, but because Hall effect switches are contactless, the existing switches can be removed without any desoldering or extensive disassembly. I didn't find myself wanting to change the switches, though—they have a poppy and deep sound that's incredibly crisp, and they feel responsive and smooth, especially with rapid trigger enabled. My largest issue with the typing experience was the keycaps. They have a rough texture that, while grippy, felt noticeably coarse and unpleasant when typing. It comes down to preference, but I found them less enjoyable than smooth or lightly textured keycaps.
Tom's Guide
20-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
I finally tried magnetic key switches, but I never thought I'd find them in a split keyboard that's also wireless
When I went to Asus' headquarters to see all of their new products ahead of the first day on the show floor at Computex 2025, I wasn't expecting a new keyboard to be revealed, especially a split one with magnetic switches. Oh, and did I mention it's also wireless? Just like when magnetic Hall Effect sensors first made their way to the best PC game controllers, I've been itching to try out these new magnetic sensors that are becoming increasingly popular in gaming keyboards. While these sensors help prevent stick drift in your controller, on the best mechanical keyboards, they provide you with greater accuracy. This is because you can fine-tune their actuation point (or where a keypress is registered when you press down on a key) to your liking. Over the past few years, we've seen all sorts of magnetic keyboards from companies like Keychron and Nuphy. While it was inevitable that bigger brands would join the fray, I never expected to find magnetic switches in a split keyboard from Asus. Here's everything you need to know about Asus' new ROG Falcata keyboard and why it's just as good for typing as it is for gaming. Unlike a traditional keyboard, the ROG Falcata is split in half right down the middle, though you can put both ends together if you prefer. Designed with gaming in mind, this 75% keyboard is just as good for typing due to its split design. You see, with a split keyboard like this, you can separate the two halves, which allows your hands to rest in a more natural position with them further apart. The ROG Falcata also comes with removable wrist rests that have a nice soft feel to them, which makes sense given that they're made of silicone. But that's not the only way you can customize this keyboard to your liking. When you flip the ROG Falcata over, besides attaching or removing the wrist rests, you can also adjust its height and angle. In the picture above, you can see the extra feet Asus includes with the Falcata. They allow you to raise the entire keyboard or just a part of it. For instance, you might want the middle of your keyboard to be higher so that it has a tent shape to it. I've seen this feature in some of the other split keyboards, but instead of removable feet, they often just have ones you can raise or lower. With the ROG Falcata, Asus is giving you quite a bit of flexibility in how you want to use it. As is the case with many other split keyboards, you don't have to use both sides at the same time. Instead, you can just use the left side so that you have plenty of space on your desk for one of the best gaming mice. This also makes the Falcata easier to travel with if you know you're just going to be using it for gaming, since you only need to bring one side of the keyboard. On the left edge of the ROG Falcata, there's also a multifunction wheel and button that allows you to customize it even further. You can use the wheel to tweak a variety of settings from the actuation point of its keys to the sensitivity of its Rapid Trigger feature, volume, media playback, keyboard lighting and more. Meanwhile, the button with the ROG logo above the wheel lets you easily switch to the fastest typing response and key repeat rates with a single tap. I don't know about you but I love being able to adjust my computer's volume with a knob or a wheel like this one so that I don't have to do so from within Windows itself or directly on a pair of the best computer speakers. For the ROG Falcata, Asus has given its magnetic key switches some serious upgrades. These pre-lubed switches have been redesigned from the ground up with a new snap-fit stem design that makes them more stable while also delivering more consistent keystrokes. At the same time, Asus has increased the size of its built-in magnets for improved precision and better accuracy. The switches can be customized for 0.1-3.5mm actuation, though you can also fine-tune them at 0.01mm intervals. Thanks to Asus' ROG Hall Sensors, you get more accurate input detection while reducing electrical noise and interference. However, their increased magnetic flux tolerance also makes them more precise overall. The ROG Falcata features an ultra-responsive 8,000 Hz polling rate. And thanks to Asus' ROG SpeedNova 8K wireless technology, the keyboard has a whopping 610 hours of battery life. We will have to put this to the test ourselves, but with that much battery life, you'll rarely need to charge this keyboard, which makes jumping right back into your favorite games even easier. With tri-mode connectivity on board, you can connect the ROG Falcata to one of the best gaming PCs over Bluetooth, using the included 2.4GHz wireless dongle. If you're an old-school PC gamer who wants the least amount of lag possible, you can always plug it in using a USB-C cable. In addition to more accuracy and better precision, Asus has also considered the keyboard's sound. The ROG Falcata has four integrated layers of dampening foam and other materials so that your typing won't distract your teammates or coworkers if you plan on using this keyboard in the office. It's rare to find one of the best gaming keyboards that's as comfortable to type on as it is to play games with, but the ROG Falcata checks both those boxes. Its split design lets your hands rest in a more natural position while its magnetic ROG HFX V2 switches give you both greater accuracy and control over your keystrokes. Obviously, this is one we're going to have to get in for testing, but during my brief time with the ROG Falcata at Asus' headquarters, I was very intrigued by both its design and how nice it felt to type on. Given that this is the company's first split keyboard and it's a wireless magnetic one at that, I expect it will be priced higher than some of its other offerings, as Asus hasn't given us a final price yet. Still, you're getting a very customizable keyboard with free attachable wrist rests in the box. I spent quite a few years using a split keyboard for better ergonomics, but at the time, I didn't really have a lot of choices to pick from. Even then, most of them had to be connected to your PC using a cable, and your keycap options were quite limited due to the fact that many of them use non-standard-sized keycaps. The ROG Falcata is scheduled to be released this summer, and I can't wait to literally get my hands on it. Let me know in the comments if you've ever used a split keyboard or would consider doing so. But for all the latest from on the ground at Computex 2025, stay tuned to Tom's Guide.
WIRED
16-05-2025
- WIRED
The Best Ergonomic Mouse to Keep Wrist Strain at Bay
Photograph: Henri Robbins Keychron M6 for $50: If you like the design of the MX Master line, but would prefer a more gaming-oriented mouse, the Keychron M6 is a nice alternative. While the M6 doesn't have Logitech's advanced gesture controls or soft-touch exterior, it maintains the dual-mode scroll wheel, horizontal wheel, and general ergonomics while adding a 4,000-Hz refresh rate and shaving off almost half the weight of the 3S at only 78 grams. However, some small issues of build quality and a loss of functionality make this a less-than-ideal choice for most users—the dual-mode scroll wheel rattles during use, and the mouse feels lightweight to a fault. The higher-performance model's wireless receiver requires a USB-C cable to connect to a device, which is a lot less convenient for laptop users compared to the low-profile dongle included with the 1,000-Hz model (and most other mice today). Photograph: Henri Robbins Keychron M4 for $50: While you can realistically transport any of the mice on this list in a backpack or computer bag, I was impressed by just how compact the Keychron M4 is. I could easily slip it into a laptop bag or jacket pocket without any issue, and I even used it as a travel mouse for quite a while. While the shape isn't great, or even good, ergonomically, I found the claw grip quite comfortable even during prolonged gaming sessions. However, it isn't good enough that I would recommend it to anyone for daily use on a desktop setup unless they want the lightest mouse possible. The only real complaint I had with this mouse was the dongle: The 4,000-Hz model comes with a receiver shaped like a tiny keyboard with a USB-C port on the back, which meant I needed a cable to connect the receiver and a flat surface to place it on. Meanwhile, the 1,000-Hz model came with a simple USB dongle that could plug into the side of a laptop. Logitech Pro X Superlight 2 DEX for $180: While this mouse is intended for high-intensity competitive gaming, I found its sculpted shape to be practical and comfortable for any long-term use, and its lightweight (60 grams!), no-frills design was quick and snappy for both spreadsheets and shooters. The mouse felt incredibly sturdy despite its weight, and the 8-kHz polling combined with a 44k-dpi sensor makes it the best-performing mouse on this list. While pricey, the Superlight DEX is a great single-mouse solution for someone who works from home and immediately starts queueing up after clocking out. It has a far more gaming-focused lean than the Razer Basilisk V3, which, while not bad, means you're making a few more sacrifices to productivity in exchange for gaming performance. Photograph: Henri Robbins Logitech MX Vertical for $120: While this mouse's size and general shape both feel good for regular use, I found the shape to be a bit uncomfortable to fully grip and lift: A prominent ridge on the back dug into the space between my thumb and index finger, and the shape was just a bit too narrow to get a good hold on. However, the MX Vertical is still comfortable to hold with a looser grip, and it is perfectly serviceable for general office work and browsing, while putting less strain on the wrist than a standard horizontal mouse. Photograph: Henri Robbins Logitech Lift for $80: As one of the smaller vertical mice on this list, the Lift is just a bit too small. I found it difficult to comfortably grip this mouse for prolonged use, and friends with smaller hands found the same. That said, WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu says his 5'2" wife uses the Life and finds it perfect for her small hands, so your mileage will vary. Regardless of hand size, a larger vertical mouse is typically more comfortable for most people. It's worth noting that the Lift is one of the only vertical mice I've tested with a left-handed configuration.
Irish Examiner
08-05-2025
- Irish Examiner
Keychron K2 HE: A magnetic marvel for gamers and typists alike
The new Keychron K2 HE is a joy to type on and relatively quiet for a mechanical keyboard. As someone who spends equal time buried in writing and dabbling in gaming, I found the K2 HE to be a nearly perfect middle ground between productivity and play, wrapped in a beautifully designed package. Design and build The K2 HE is a 75% layout keyboard with a premium aluminium frame and natural rosewood side panels (light or dark, depending on your model). It's the kind of desk accessory that catches the eye, whether in a minimalist setup or a gaming den. The keycaps are double-shot PBT in the OSA profile, which means you get that satisfying, textured feel and excellent durability. I've typed reviews and used it for long work days without a hint of shine or wear. It's heavier than some competitors, but that heft helps keep it rock steady on the desk. Typing experience If you're used to typing on a laptop or a low-profile membrane keyboard, the deeper travel and greater keystroke force required by the K2 HE will take some adjustment. It's not uncomfortable, but it does feel noticeably different at first, especially for fast typists or those switching back and forth between devices. The show's real star is under the hood: Gateron double-rail magnetic switches. Unlike traditional mechanical switches that rely on physical contact, Hall Effect magnetic switches detect keystrokes using magnets. Swapping them out is simple, as long as you use compatible Hall Effect switches. They offer adjustable actuation points and dynamic rapid triggers. Translation? You can customise how far each key needs to travel before it registers and how quickly it resets — a dream setup for both speed typists and FPS gamers. Even better, you can adjust the actuation distance for individual keys. While most users might not need that level of granularity, it offers serious potential for competitive gaming or specialised workflows. I experimented with actuation settings via Keychron's Launcher web configurator, and the flexibility is genuinely impressive. For fast-paced gaming, I dialled in a hair-trigger setting for lightning-quick response. I raised the threshold slightly for a more deliberate feel for writing sessions. Connectivity and compatibility The K2 HE has Bluetooth 5.2, 2.4GHz wireless, and USB-C wired connections. Switching between my MacBook, Windows PC, and iPad was quick and seamless, making it a versatile workhorse for multi-device users. Battery life was excellent, lasting several days with moderate RGB use and wireless connection. It also supports macOS, Windows, and Linux, and includes both keycap sets in the box. Out of the box, it had the macOS keycaps, but it's quick and easy to change them. The only minor issue with the keyboard was the slider that switched between Bluetooth, wired, and adapter modes. It wasn't exact, and I found it took some fiddling to ensure it was aligned correctly with the mode I wanted. Keychron Launcher app The Keychron Launcher is a web-based configuration tool that allows powerful customisation of the K2 HE without software installation. Through the app, you can fine-tune key actuation points, assign multi-action key commands, and enable dynamic rapid trigger functionality, all with an intuitive interface that's easy to navigate. You can also tweak RGB lighting effects, adjust brightness, and save multiple profiles tailored for different use cases, whether gaming, coding, or working. It's surprisingly responsive and versatile for a browser-based tool, giving even first-time users access to advanced features usually reserved for enthusiast-level gear. Customisation and RGB Keychron gives you 22 RGB modes and complete control over brightness, speed, and colour profiles. You can go full gamer glow or keep it low-key. I preferred a soft white glow for focus mode, but the lighting options can be as flashy or as subtle as you like. The keycaps aren't transparent, so the RGB lighting is more nuanced, especially in bright environments, since the illumination only glows from beneath the keys rather than through them. Verdict The Keychron K2 HE offers features that rival — and sometimes outshine — much more expensive keyboards. Its magnetic switch tech, rich customisation, and solid design bridge the gap between enthusiast and casual user. €178 Keychron K2 HE
North Wales Live
03-05-2025
- North Wales Live
Tech review: The Keychron K2 HE is a sophisticated gamechanger for button bashers
Just over a year ago I tried out my first mechanical keyboard, and I was hooked instantly. The satisfying design, and the subtle clicking sounds of the keys, it felt rewarding and it added a touch of class to my desk. That started a bit of an obsession with keyboards, and up until three months ago, I thought I had settled on one. Until I got my hands on the Keychron K2 HE - which quite frankly is a gamechanger for me. Technology is usually desirable in compact, sleek, understated format - this keyboard is anything but that. It is chunky, really heavy and very bold in appearance - and I love it. From the hefty fingers that provide the perfect pad for my fat fingers, to the wood effect trim on the sides. It just calls out for attention and makes a real statement on any desk area. It certainly provides a robust experience due to its weight, even the most violent typist would fail to get even the slightest of movement. I admire the classic look and feel of it, there is a definite air of elegance and sophistication to it, and I really liked that. Depending how much you like subtle, soothing lighting patterns on a keyboard, you may like this. From slow blinking to the fast and furious, there are many different presets you can choose. I have stuck with the one that lights up the keys you have pressed like a heat map. It's strangely addictive and good fun. So it looks the part, it's built for action, but does it do the job it needs to do? The keys are Hall Effect magnetic switches and that makes it a great keyboard for all your gaming needs. Mine is largely office use as I work from home, and although it is probably spoiling me, I don't care. This keyboard is just so responsive and in a strange way, really relaxing. Connectivity is via Wired, 2.4G and Bluetooth 5.2 and the set-up is effortless, allowing you to be up and running almost straight from the box. Us journos are known for really hammering our keyboards and I've seen many a laptop and keyboard break as a result, maybe even a couple of my own. With this I just felt like my fingers glided and bounced around the keys and as I typed the rhythm and sound of the keys seemed to make me more productive, in a strange kind of way. The keyboard has various customisation options, from tweaking the actuation points, to changing some of the keys to accommodate the keyboard layout of your choice. There's loads of nerdy tech things I could touch on in terms of specifications, but we could be here all day. It's a great all-round keyboard that makes a real play into the higher end of the gaming keyboard market. It also has a great battery unit and seems to last for ages. Sorry not to be more precise, so far I'm up to two weeks on one charge. It looks fantastic, has an sublime quality to it, and it's a great user experience using it. It will take a very serious keyboard to dislodge it from my desk. The Keychron K2 HE is available via the Keychron store for £153.99. Reviews Peter Wolinski, Tom's Guide: It still does everything to all people, but now this sleeper can drag muscle cars at the lights. Its gaming credentials are top drawer, and prove that you don't need a garish RGB-clad gaming board to mince a few games of Valorant. Yet it still keeps almost all the magic of the original K2. It looks great, is a productivity weapon (more so now than ever) and is still undercutting rivals from NuPhy and Lofree, while offering more for the money. I struggled finding a bad word to say about the Keychron K2 HE, and even when I did, I didn't enjoy writing it. Reece Bithrey, PC Gamer: Besides the gorgeous rosewood edges, the K2 HE's build quality is sublime. It is otherwise plastic, but offers some of the sturdiest I've tested on a keyboard at its price point. It's solid and rigid, while also coming with no deck flex even if you tried to tear it to pieces.
