Key Words Key Words Part 42: How to use a keyboard without a numeric area? 40% is equipped with Al Tuo Tuo Thirst to create Q9m user experience.

As a user and player of mechanical keyboards, trying various arrangements is definitely one of the joys of playing keyboards. Especially in the customized circle, there are few keyboards with a complete arrangement. 98 is the limit, and most of them are small groups. The keyboards of various major brands generally have less than 80% arrangement. The common small arrangement is generally 61 and 68 key positions, and the smallest arrangement is rare, but recently Keychron launched a 40% arrangement keyboard with an all-aluminum shell, and even the number area was discarded. Let's take a look at how this keyboard looks like and how to use it.

It seems that all keychron brand keyboards use this unified black packaging box + silver lettering and pattern design, which looks very good in texture.

The thick foam in the box ensures that the keyboard will not be bumped during transportation, especially the aluminum lump, which may easily leave scratches during transportation. Accessories include data cable, manual, supplementary keycaps, and replacement screws.

All keychron brand keyboards are compatible with Windows and Mac systems, and this one is no exception. There is also a special system switch next to the Type-C interface.

This keyboard kit adopts an all-aluminum shell with CNC integrated engraving process + anodizing + metal sandblasting process. In terms of texture, it is definitely T0 level in mass-produced mechanical keyboards.

Although it is a 40% configuration, a volume adjustment knob and a Home button are added to the upper right corner, and there are independent direction keys. The black and dark blue keycaps and the red carriage return make the appearance of this keyboard calm and dynamic.

The random data cable is a CtoC cable with a CtoU port adapter for better versatility.

The knob is also made of metal, with a grid-like texture on it, which is non-slip and has a very good texture. The damping feeling is also very good, and the sound can be muted when pressed down.

Putting it on my computer desk, the Q9m looks really small, but its advantages will be more obvious when it is used with a laptop or when the desk space is tight.

Like most Altuotuo keyboards, Q9m does not support wireless mode, and can only be connected to the computer through a data cable. The problem of Altuotuo’s wireless transmission signal has always been a big problem in the industry, or certain changes have been made in the shell design. compromise, or faced with the criticism of poor wireless signal, simply do wired.

Although this keyboard is mass-produced, there are many customized elements, such as the PCB satellite switch, which is relatively common on customized keyboards, but it is an absolutely rare design in mass-produced keyboards. It's not easy to remove, but it's more stable and wobbles less. Keychron has been lubricated before leaving the factory. Although it can be seen from this photo that the grease has almost overflowed, but because of its good fluidity, all the large keys of this keyboard can be said to be very perfect, and there is no fleshy feeling at all. , not to mention the slightest noise.

The shaft body uses Jiadalong's G red pro, which supports hot-swappable shaft replacement. The smoothness is very good, and the stability of the shaft center is also relatively good. Although the rebound is not as strong as TTC's popular shafts, But it can also be completely followed. In addition to the red shaft, there are also tea shafts and green shafts to choose from.

The most important thing is that the customized Q9m still has a Gasket structure. Although it is a completely hard Gas structure of a metal positioning plate, you can feel the sinking of the entire positioning plate when you press it hard, and the typing sound is indeed better.

The keycaps use OSA-height PBT ball caps, and the surface has a relatively fine matte texture, which feels very comfortable to the touch.

The keycap is a two-color process with moderate thickness and good craftsmanship.

Moreover, the shaft body is reversed, and the backlight bead is facing the user's side, so that the user can see the backlight better.

Next is the most critical question, how to type on this small keyboard without a number area. This keyboard actually has five levels of operation logic. Among them, Fn alone has two key ports, Fn1 and Fn2, which can form a combination key with other keys after being pressed. Fn1 is mainly responsible for the multimedia part, and Fn2 and QWE are the second key. A row of keys constitutes the F area, and the ASD row constitutes the number area, and A to ":" correspond to numbers 1 to 0.

A solution similar to arranging the keyboard is the column-style space, but Q9m is not designed in this way, but it can be made up for.

根据说明书，可以使用QMK&VIA驱动程序，不用下载，在网页上就可以对所有键位以及背光进行修改。

Two highlights: 1. No installation is required, 2. The full key position can be changed.

So if you really want to use it to type well, and not just limited to typing code. My suggestion is to use the VIA software to change the "" button in the upper right corner to backspace, and put the "" button in the Fn layer. Change the very important key of Fn2 to the one on the right side of the space, so that you can press it by moving the right thumb, or change it to Shift or capslock on the left, so that it is very convenient to control it with the little finger of the left hand.

This can also be regarded as taking advantage of keychron's ability to change key positions to make up for the lack of splitting spaces. After adapting for a while after the modification, the efficiency of the entire input will be very close to that of a conventional keyboard.

Although there is no split space, adjusting the position of Fn through VIA software can finally achieve a very convenient typing experience. Although it does take a certain amount of adaptation time, the tradeoff is that the typing process requires a smaller range of finger movement after getting used to it. And can greatly save desktop space.

And this keyboard's Gasket structure, PCB positioning board, anti-installation shaft body, all-aluminum CNC+metal sandblasting process shell, make it full of customization taste, the texture and feel of the whole keyboard are very online, interested small Partners may wish to try.

The author declares that there is interest in this article, please respect the author and the content shared, communicate friendly, and make rational decisions~