ROYALAXE X ProtoArc 60% Wireless Mechanical Keyboard, Hot-swappable Wired/Bluetooth 5.0/2.4G Wireless Keyboard with RGB Backlit for Windows & Mac, PBT Keycaps, Gateron G Yellow Pro Switch, Lava Brown

Has stained keys on the product, was excited for it but now super disappointed that it looks used and have to return.

With any compact keyboard, there are some things one has to get used to. These arent negatives per se, but worth noting. Ill get those out of the way first. 1. Due to the switches in the upper right corner, the backspace key is a single key width. Takes some real getting used to! 2. If youre accustomed to laptop-style compact keyboards with the arrow keys being designed to fit in a single row, you may find yourself inadvertently hitting the up arrow on occasion, as it takes up room where youd ordinarily expect more shift key. 3. Similarly, as there is an additional column immediately to the right of the normal set of keys. If your muscle memory is trained to go all the way to the right to hit return/enter, you may miss it. THANKFULLY, they thoughtfully put a function key there, which does nothing on its own. Now, onto the meat and potatoes of the review. I picked this keyboard up as I have been using a 60% keyboard as my daily driver for a while now, and it has a compromise that drives me crazy. The /? key pulls double duty as the up arrow key. As someone who codes, having to use a function key to swap between these two uses results in a lot of mistakes on my part. The R68 is what is called a 65%, which gives that extra column and offers enough room for separate arrow keys. What a relief! But its not just about the layout. This keyboard has an amazing feel. The Gateron yellow switches are smooth and quiet. They even included a few extra in the box, along with tools for swapping them and the key caps. The key caps themselves are PBT, with a great feel to them and a nice retro shape. Really complements the brown color scheme. The spacebar is often seen as a weak spot on more affordable mechanical keyboards. This one is incredibly stable. No matter where your thumb strikes it, it will register, and it stays flat and level throughout the entire key press, even from the edges. The dual function keys allow for the full array of F keys, as well as shortcut keys for adjusting volume, controlling media, etc. The angle of the keyboard is not adjustable, but its a nice one. Not too high, not too low. And I love the wireless mode knob. Just a fun aesthetic touch but its so enjoyable to turn I worry I might wear it out! All in all this is a great keyboard, but with a price point that makes it even more appealing, considering the quality.

It seems this keyboard is a collaboration between ROYALAXE & ProtoArc, I did not know this when receiving this keyboard. As it happens, I already own the ProtoArc RBG wireless trackball. The trackball is very much like the Logitech Ergo trackball which lifts to provide a more upright position. The ProtoArc trackball is fantastic and while not maybe as premium a build as the Logitech provides more functionality and if I had to choose between the 2, I would go with the ProtoArc which is also less expensive, like half the cost but is exceptional and provides more functionality. The ROYALAXE X ProtoArc R68 keyboard in terms of build quality exceeds any Logitech keyboard I have ever owned (many) as well as all of the compact 65% boards I have purchased, also many. *Anti-Ghosting: All Keys Non-Conflict NKRO (N-Key Rollover) *Triple Mode: Type-C Cable + Bluetooth + 2.4G Wireless, switching between these connections could not be easier. All work without delay or issue whatsoever. USB C is on the back right side of the keyboard and accessible enough that you can use any cable. The provided cable is a braided cable that matches the lighter cream color of the frame exactly, a nice touch. *Multi-Device Tasking: Connects 5 Devices. *3 or 5 Pin Hot-Swappable Sockets, came with yellow linear switches and though I don’t think they are lubed they are as smooth as butter. *Oil-resistant Double Shot PBT Keycaps, these feel thick and substantial, and I probably only own one keyboard that can compete with these keycaps. If texture was paint these would be semigloss. Not as textured as matte finish but not glossy like most ABS keycaps. While some ABS keycaps may start with some texture, it never lasts, happy with the texture but normally like a little more grip. These are not shine through keycaps but most of the best PBT keycaps aren’t. *RGB Color Effects: 18+4 RGB Backlight Modes, can be tricky to learn how to configure to your liking but is adjustable brightness and gets very bright. *Dual System: Compatible with Win / Mac System, very easy to switch between and you won’t need to dig up the user guide *Sound Proofing Plate and Silicone Pad, combined with the excellent keycaps make for an incredible sounding board. I have not checked but would assume the stabilizers are lubed. What I don’t like: no angle adjustment, it’s a short list. Summary observations: as mentioned above there is no angle adjustment and I suspect that is because the angle is dictated by the battery placement. Not sure what the angle is but would guess 6 or 9%, it’s not a terrible angle but I generally prefer a slightly lesser angle when used at a desk or tabletop. Won’t need a wrist wrest, and because of the way this keyboard is constructed it will be preferable than many others using on the go or in your lap because you won’t need to worry about the adjustable feet and angle will be maintained no matter how it sits in your lap. I really enjoy the typing experience and sound of this board. The color combination is not typical (lava brown) but can tell you that this makes this board easy to navigate, typeface is very legible and though I touch type at about 80 wpm the pattern out of your peripheral vision makes it very easy to keep your hands right where they need to be. You have 2 function keys which allow you to access almost if not all keyboard commands which is fantastic. The functions keys are color coded, blue and orange and are separated which works really well for me. Function key legends are also color coded and side printed which I prefer (does not cluster up the keys and never fades) but the orange can be quite difficult to see on the brown keys in dim lighting. Once you have them memorized it won’t matter but fortunately if needed just turn up the overhead light to find where these are vs finding the manual. Some may not prefer the adjustment knob used to switch between connection methods but not because of the knob itself which works perfectly but because it shortens the backspace key (I personally have gotten used to it and it does not really slow me down). Having said that this knob and the button immediately next to it give you great accessibility to switch connection type or turn the board off entirely as well as switch between Mac and Windows operating systems. You don’t find this on many compact keyboards and if they do have dial or knob it controls volume which is easily controlled through function keys. I prefer how it is used rather than to have to pick up the keyboard and turn it on from underneath (I don’t like to have to turn over the keyboard to turn it on or off and will often forget to turn it off) or side of board where it may not be obvious what you are switching to. Also, it looks kind of retro, like the knob on the end of a typewriter barrel. I called this keyboard eccentric because in general it looks nothing like most compact boards and the shorter backspace key may be a problem for some but I have to tell you the knob, incredible sound profile and typing experience make this a winner that will stand out as compared to other boards and something that I would not mind having sitting out on a coffee table or other common living space where a computer or device is used as it does not look like a standard office keyboard (blends well with home furnishings), especially in the lava brown and cream color pattern of the board I received. Because it so easy to use for various devices and operating systems this will be go to keyboard for any travel or couch use. I own about 15 or so compact keyboards and this one is by far the best typing experience and sound profile of them all. If I did not have so much productivity work, I could see this as a daily driver. Finally, the board feels very well built with no flex whatsoever and will be eye catching because you won’t find many that look quite like this one. The case itself is made of high-quality plastic, not metal but metal would interfere with Bluetooth and 2.4g. Now considering buying the ROYALAXE R100 or R108 I like this one so much.

I am not one to write reviews, but this keyboard is amazing! I work from home and have gone through at least 3 high end keyboards that all stop working after a few weeks. I have only had this keyboard for about a month, but as soon as I took it out of the box I could tell it was great quality. Its a very well made and sturdy keyboard I enjoy using from my 9-5