Keybot, the official Keychron partner here in Malaysia, will be opening local pre-orders for the Keychron Q1 sometime next month in September 2021. If you’re not keen to purchase the Q1 directly from Keychron’s online store to save on shipping costs, it may be worth waiting for Keybot to bring the keyboard in.

Unfortunately, Keybot did not reveal the local pricing of the Q1, though the company’s website does show that both the barebone kit and the fully assembled model will be offered. On Keychron.com, the barebone kit costs $149 (about RM625), while the fully assembled version – with Gateron Phantom switches and ABS keycaps – go for $169 (around RM710).

What makes this 75% pre-built keyboard particularly interesting is its feature set. The Q1 uses a gasket mounting system – this mounting style is typically only offered on custom keyboards – it has a full CNC aluminium case, along with a hotswap PCB that supports VIA out of the box for easy key mapping.

Keychron also worked with Gateron quite a bit for the Q1. Not only can it be purchased with three new factory lubed Gateron Phantom switches – Phantom Brown (tactile), Phantom Red (linear), or Phantom Blue (clicky) – it features screw-in stabilisers made by Gateron too.

Usually, the stock stabilisers of pre-built keyboards are not of particularly good quality, but that’s surprisingly not the case with the Q1. These Gateron-made stabilisers are lubed quite well at the factory to minimise rattling, and they feel nice and secure too.

If you’d like to learn more about the Keychron Q1, check out our video review above or our written review. Rest assured, we’ll keep a close eye on the local pricing of the Q1 from Keybot – we’ve also gotten in touch with the company.