Keychron makes nice but reasonably priced keyboards that stability operate, minimalist appears, and high quality. It’s making waves with its new $169 Corridor-effect gaming keyboard known as the P1 HE, which it not too long ago launched below its gaming arm Lemokey. The corporate identify would possibly sound like a joke, however Keychron’s DNA is obvious within the P1 HE, which provides excellent acoustics and construct high quality. Not solely that, its Corridor-effect analog switches set it aside at this worth, as does its intensive assist for modifications.
What’s most spectacular concerning the P1 HE is how shut it involves dethroning one of the crucial standard Corridor-effect keyboards, the Wooting 80 HE, whereas being $30 cheaper. Positive, the Wooting has it beat with its 8,000 Hz polling charge (versus the P1 HE’s extra normal 1,000 Hz), however Lemokey’s possibility has a customizable media knob, plus it’s simpler to search out in inventory (Wooting makes its keyboards in batches, so it’s a harder promote in case you want one thing now).
When it comes to kind issue, the P1 HE is a compact 75% keyboard that ought to attraction to players preferring a minimalist aesthetic. The P1 HE solely has two fashions out there off the shelf: black or white. The excellent news is, in case you don’t like the way it appears, you may customise virtually all the pieces about it. Similar to different fashions from Keychron and Lemokey, the P1 HE may be simply disassembled and rebuilt with all kinds of aftermarket keycaps, circumstances, and different parts. The one issues that you must hold are the PCB, battery, and switches. Having the ability to swap parts is good, particularly if you wish to trim just a few grams off its hefty 3.5-pound weight.
If you happen to haven’t had your arms on a Corridor-effect keyboard, right here’s the rub: Similar to in controllers, Corridor-effect switches in keyboards depend on magnets as an alternative of shifting elements to find out your inputs. They yield smoother motion, to not point out the parts will last more. And with the P1 HE’s analog switches, you may customise the space that every swap must journey to activate and deactivate an enter (these are known as actuation factors). As such, this type of keyboard tech has develop into standard amongst aggressive players who need their actions to register with nearly no delay.
I don’t suppose the adjustable actuation factors will promote informal players on the P1 HE. Nonetheless, with the correct changes, you would possibly be capable of out-strafe your opponents with a clearly noticeable benefit over typical keyboards. I’m not saying that it will instantly propel you into platinum-ranked matches of Marvel Rivals, however it might give expert gamers the sting over the competitors.
Photograph: Alice Jovanée/epicgamejourney
At first, I didn’t suppose I’d be capable of discover the distinction between analog and mechanical switches, however after spending a while with the P1 HE, I’m undecided I wish to return. Except you’re somebody who will get hung up on the tactile really feel of a swap, or who wants that audible click on, there’s a very good probability you’ll really feel the identical manner. The motion on analog switches merely feels extra responsive, and even simply typing each day exterior of gaming feels smoother.
Some much less apparent options of the P1 HE embrace a 1,000 Hz polling charge, along with Bluetooth and a pair of.4 GHz wi-fi connectivity. The built-in 4,000 mAh battery provides greater than sufficient juice to maintain you gaming for just a few days with out having to recharge. Whereas the P1 HE has lots in frequent with Keychron’s Q1 HE, it’s price noting which you can’t configure its settings utilizing the identical browser-based VIA software program. Lemokey has its personal net utility you should use. It’s equally streamlined, and I like that it doesn’t require downloading an app.
The Lemokey P1 HE has rapidly develop into my go-to advice for anybody in search of an reasonably priced entry level to analog gaming keyboards. It’s additionally only a good gaming keyboard generally, because of its accessible worth level, wide selection of options, and high-quality construct. The race is on for one more firm to beat the P1 HE, which is a tall order on condition that it packs in so many options whereas undercutting most different choices.
The Lemokey P1 HE keyboard is out there on the Lemokey web site. It was reviewed utilizing a retail unit supplied by Lemokey. Vox Media has affiliate partnerships. These don’t affect editorial content material, although Vox Media could earn commissions for merchandise bought through affiliate hyperlinks. You could find extra details about epicgamejourney’s ethics coverage right here.
