Since I switched to mechanical keyboards, my desk is commonly occupied by a pile of them. You see, I’ve struggled to stay to a mechanical keyboard for various months.
On one hand, conventional, full-size fashions are loud and sluggish me down, and on the opposite, the quiet alternate options really feel too delicate and simply aren’t as satisfying to kind on. Over the previous couple of weeks, I’ve been testing Iqunix’s Magi65 Professional, and it might be right here to remain.
Iqunix is a Chinese language keyboard maker that has carved out a distinct segment for itself with a wide range of standout, high-quality designs. Its Magi Professional line of keyboards is in contrast to something I’ve tried earlier than, and pairs collectively a singular mixture of parts for a glossy steadiness between typing expertise and performance.
- Iquinix Magi65 Professional (White) at Amazon for $127.42
Design and Construct
(Picture credit score: Iquinix)
As quickly as you unbox the Magi65 Professional, you’re reminded of the onus Iqunix has on premium supplies. Its accent package contains further keycaps for macOS/Home windows and a handful of ornamental ones, two of that are metallic. You’ll additionally discover in there an aluminium keycap and swap puller and a braided USB-C-to-A cable.
Iqunix’s Magi65 Professional is a 65% low-profile mechanical keyboard, however you may go for bigger sizes, like 75% and 95%. There’s a less expensive, non-Professional model, as properly, that omits the media pad altogether for an much more compact type issue.
The Magi65 Professional’s chassis is made out of an aluminium alloy, which not solely seems good and clear, but additionally has the structural heft that anchors it to surfaces and allows a sturdy and secure base so that you can kind.
Although it sits on a barely elevated tray, the Magi65 has a flat typing angle due to the slim 11mm base peak. Plus, with no adjustable ft, the design doesn’t, at first, really feel conducive to a easy typing expertise.
(Picture credit score: Future)
Nevertheless, I obtained used to it shortly, thanks partially to the sleek Gold Purple switches and the equally flat keycaps. Talking of which, I favored that the keys have an anti-oil coating, which retains them clear and proof against put on and grease, even after extended use.
That mentioned, whereas the raised base labored properly for my workplace desk, a pair of adjustable ft would have made the Magi65 much more versatile in various situations. Additionally lacking is a separate on/off toggle, and also you as an alternative must depend on a mixture of keys, a design selection notably annoying when you’re new to it.
What units aside the Magi65 Professional’s design from different keyboards is its media panel. I used to be stunned to seek out how thoughtfully every element is made to suit its function.
The scroll wheel for quantity, for instance, has a ridged and grippy texture for extra exact management, the four-way pad options agency and tactile buttons, and the housing for the wi-fi receiver has a magnetic cowl you may simply elevate and place again on.
Although I largely ended up utilizing these as fidget toys, you will get extra worth out of them by personalizing their actions and assigning them to customized capabilities.
Typing expertise, sound, and software program
(Picture credit score: Future)
The Magi65 Professional’s low-profile keys supply one of the best of two worlds: they’ve a satisfyingly tactile and bouncy response, and since they aren’t conventional full-height ones, they aren’t as loud, and I didn’t must work too onerous to hit my finest typing speeds.
Within the weeks I’ve been testing it, the Magi65 Professional has been a pleasure to make use of and can go well with those that are in search of a premium mechanical keyboard, minus the standard compromises, particularly in workplaces.
For software program, Iqunix has resorted to the open-source, web-based program known as VIA. From right here, you may tweak the Magi65 Professional as you would like, from switching up what every key does, how intense the RGB lighting is, and the media pad’s capabilities.
Nevertheless, for first-time mechanical keyboard homeowners, VIA can show irritating. It typically throws technical errors, wherein case you’ll have to trace down and add a JSON file that informs VIA precisely how your particular keyboard is laid out.
As soon as I had that up and working, although, customizing by VIA was a breeze, and significantly better than studying the important thing combos wanted for, for instance, RGB personalization.
Connectivity and battery life
(Picture credit score: Future)
The Magi65 Professional helps wired and wi-fi connections (each 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth 5.1), and you’ll have all three energetic on the similar time and swap between them. Connectivity labored as meant, with no noticeable drops or wakeup delays.
Battery life, however, was a success and a miss. With RGB lighting on, the keyboard’s 3000mAh pack lasts a workday and not more than 6-7 hours. Switching it off, nevertheless, pushes its endurance into triple-digits, about 250-300 hours. Whereas it does aggressively go into standby when not in use, I nonetheless discovered myself charging it each different day when the lights had been on.
Verdict
I used to be apprehensive in regards to the Iqunix Magi65 Professional, largely attributable to its low typing angle, and although it wasn’t with out its quirks, it didn’t take lengthy for it to occupy a everlasting spot on my desk.
It completely pairs the comfort of a low-profile board with the tactile satisfaction of a conventional mechanical one. Throw within the added perks, just like the customizable media pad and an aluminium chassis, and the $139 Iqunix Magi65 Professional is tough to fault.
Iquinix Magi65 Professional: Value Comparability
