The Good;
The keyboard is fairly cheap considering the specs, and I think it is very impressive considering. The key switches seem to be Kailh box v2 white's (or a close clone) but not 100% on that, hopefully someone else reviews who can be certain.
The 2.4GHz has no perceivable lag or dropped inputs, I type around 120WPM at 100% accuracy and couldn't tell anything was off.
Bluetooth was easy to set up and pair, although only got it to work on Windows and Android, I use Linux and it refused any inputs, hopefully a new driver can fix that in future but for now don't buy it for Linux+Bluetooth unless you can dig deep to find out why.
Binding the macros is easy, the "big buttons" and the two little A and B buttons where the context-menu and right-super/windows key would normally be are set up the same way, just press the bind button at the top and then hold a key combo, for me I set it to CTRL+SHIFT+ALT+J for B and CTRL+SHIFT+ALT+U on A to switch between US and Kana input on Linux, and it works fine for that.
Software hasn't been released on their site yet, so I can't report on that, I assume it will be fine as the software is fine for their controllers, e.g. I have an 8bitdo SN30Pro and it easy to use no hassles, but they never make a Linux version anyway so I doubt it'll come in handy for myself regardless.
The big buttons are fun and feel great to press, they're clicky and using Gateron Greens under the hood. They are dampened with rubber also. I bound it to semicolon and use it in some games where I wanted to do a specific action, like an ult or something, and I can hit it hard and it's pretty fun.
The bad;
Legibility on the keycaps could be better, bit fuzzy around the edges, especially noticeable on the red keys like "PRTSC"
The keyboard is light, not super light but light enough to make it sound a bit hollow. I come from a Model M so I'm spoiled here but definitely lighter than even I was expecting.
Linux support, in general, I understand this isn't a deal breaker but if you are looking for something to work with a Steam Deck then it's not great. I think 8bitdo really should start considering that market.
There is no height adjustment at all, no pop out legs or anything, it just sits on the desk with its own slight raise, would've been nice to have some adjustment options though.
Volume dial isn't analogue like the standard Volume "roller" on keyboards like the Logitech G710+ has on it, basically there's small steps on the volume dial that equate to "10%" when turned (at least on Linux it's 10%). I also find it slightly inconsistent, sometimes it'll step on each "tick" of the dial, but sometimes I tick and nothing happens, would've been nice for a flat 5% on each tick and have it be consistent. Again may be a Linux specific issue but would've enjoyed some consistency.
No Numlock light. I understand there's no numpad but the light would've been nice to have for when using an external numpad or remapped (e.g. in Linux I could have the numpad light come on to indicate when I'm in Kana mode vs English)
No backlighting, at all, I don't really care as I touch type but I know for $100 people often expect that RGB Goodness.
Wrap up;
For the price, it's a great keyboard considering, the gimmick is actually fun and somewhat useful feature, everything else is fine, nothing spectacular, and Linux support is lacking, more so than some other keyboards, considering basic bluetooth is a non starter in Linux at all. Still, if you're only gonna use 2.4GHz and don't need to write macros using the software, then go for it if you like the design, switches, and are OK with the price. Kana is useful if you want to learn to touch type Japanese or just like the option.
Brock Spafford
