The people at MorGrie very kindly sent me one of their RKB 68 low-profile mechanical keyboards to try out.
The RKB 68 is a 65%, 68 key keyboard, which comes in two colours: white (white case/body, and all-white keys with orange letters, numbers, and symbols) and blue (blue case/body, white alphanumeric keys, blue modifier keys, and all blue letters, numbers, and symbols). I got the blue.
The first thing that impressed me, even as I was unboxing the RBK 68, was the weight and solidity of it. Somehow the powder blue colour must have subliminally tricked me into expecting something light and plasticky. Instead, the ceramic finished aluminium board feels really strong and substantial, almost industrial, and is pleasantly cool to the touch (yes, I am sat here feeling my keyboard, that’s perfectly normal, isn’t it?).
The RBK 68 works as a wired keyboard, plugged directly into a PC or laptop via USB, or it can connect wirelessly via Bluetooth. Where other wireless boards generally use keyboard shortcuts to switch between wired and wireless modes, the RBK 68 has a designated battery power button at the rear, left of the board. Rear, right of the board are three more buttons and these are used to switch between (up to) three saved Bluetooth connections. The buttons are all flush with the back of the board, so there’s very little chance of accidental switching. It’s a clean, neat little solution. In fact, everything about the RKB 68 is clean and neat.
The RBK 68 is about as low-profile as you could get without being a flat keyboard. 18mm deep from the base of the board to the top of the keys. The switches are Kailh low pro chocs and buyers can choose from clicky, tactile, or linear. I *think* I have clicky switches (they certainly do click, but they’re not overly loud), but I don’t have the right tool to lift low profile switches, so I haven’t taken a look.
The keyboard is really nice to type on, even for me as someone who usually prefers big, chunky keys. Basically, it feels exactly how you wish your laptop keyboard felt; all the tactile feedback of a mechanical desktop keyboard in (more or less) the same amount of space as a laptop or cheap membrane keyboard.
The RBK 68 is US layout, so not perfect for me (in the UK), and as yet I have no idea how long the board will last between charges when in Bluetooth mode, but those are just about my only minor notes.
The low-profile of the board, combined with the solid aluminium case makes the RBK 68 feel like a much more genuinely portable option than a lot of other wireless keyboards. It’s going to fit easily in a side pocket, laptop bag or wherever, and you’re not going to have to worry about it getting bashed around.
The RBK 68 is priced at $129.90 (US) but is currently sold out. Hopefully, they’ll be back in stock soon.