The Crush 80 Reboot Lite is a mechanical keyboard with muted RGB and customization choices, albeit with out Mac-specific keycaps.
The mechanical keyboard market presents plenty of selections for customers when it comes to specs and colours. Generally, what’s on provide from the producer is a reasonably sufficient keyboard in its personal proper, however it may very well be higher with some tweaks.
More often than not, there’s the chance to tinker for these courageous sufficient to do it. Those that do can apply modifications to vary how the keyboard sorts, far past merely altering the keycaps or the switches.
On the identical time, you may additionally discover that those self same keyboards provide RGB backlighting, however not everybody needs the complete light-based expertise. Typically, a extra toned-down illumination is what’s wanted.
Within the Wobkey Crush 80 Reboot Lite, you get not solely an honest keyboard setup, however one which’s not afraid to be tinkered with.
Wobkey Crush 80 Reboot Lite evaluation – design
At face worth, the Crush 80 Reboot Lite is the cheaper possibility within the Crush 80 Reboot line. The principle draw is the Professional model, which is obtainable in quite a lot of colorways, full RGB, and a big battery for wi-fi utilization.
The Lite, then again, reduces the specs barely. In brief, you’ve got fewer coloration choices, a smaller battery, and considerably lower down RGB.
Wobkey Crush 80 Reboot Lite evaluation: The complete structure
You’ve the selection of the Silver or Black model, with the previous provided for evaluation. On this occasion, the principle enclosure is silver-colored, with white keycaps and a few black highlights.
As an 80% structure, it’s principally lacking a numpad, and that is it. All the remainder of the keys can be found to make use of, together with the entire operate and management keys.
The general weight of the keyboard is 5.2 kilos. That is fairly hefty, however a minimum of which means it will not be shifting across the desk whilst you’re working.
Wobkey Crush 80 Reboot Lite evaluation: The weighted base
A few of that is right down to the machined aluminum physique, however there’s additionally a stainless-steel weight within the base. On this case, it has a glittering sample, which is sweet to find out about if not truly see more often than not.
At 1.3 inches tall, virtually 14 inches lengthy, and 5.4 inches deep, it isn’t a very giant keyboard, due to that lacking numpad.
Wobkey Crush 80 Reboot Lite evaluation: The rear USB-C port for charging and connectivity
To the rear is the only USB-C port, used for a bodily connection to a Mac or for recharging its included 3,750mAh battery.
Wobkey Crush 80 Reboot Lite evaluation – tinkering and AFK RGB
One uncommon advertising level for the Crush 80 Reboot line is that it may be freely disassembled by the person. Whereas usually that might contain a screwdriver, right here it is tool-free entry.
A set of 4 catches means you may pull off the highest cowl inside seconds, with a little bit of stress and energy. That provides you quick access to the internals, to a shocking diploma.
Wobkey Crush 80 Reboot Lite evaluation: Taking the keyboard aside
To assist with this, Wobkey features a system of magnetic POGO pins to attach the principle circuit board to the battery compartment under. Which means you may change out the PCB for one more one, with out coping with fiddly cables or soldering.
Extra virtually, this lets you carry out modifications to the within. Wobkey additionally consists of spare screws, gaskets, silicone bumpers, and even one other layer of froth, in case you need to use them to boost your typing expertise.
Wobkey Crush 80 Reboot Lite evaluation: Spares included within the field
That brings us to RGB, which is kind of minimal right here. The board inside would not have the normal RGB components, aside from just a few keys to behave as indicators for connectivity. As an alternative, the RGB bits are away from the keyboard.
On both sides, towards the again of the enclosure, there are RGB strips that illuminate the desk to the perimeters of the keyboard. This isn’t in contrast to placing lighting underneath a automobile for road racing, however in your desk.
The opposite little bit of RGB is the brand on the principle floor, off to the proper.
Wobkey Crush 80 Reboot Lite evaluation: Some understated RGB
It is secure to say that these are fairly tasteful and understated components in comparison with the same old RGB overkill. After all, you may flip them off, however you can even change how the lights act through keyboard shortcuts.
Wobkey Crush 80 Reboot Lite evaluation – switches and keycaps
The keycaps in use listed below are PBT Double Shot variations, which means that the glyphs will not put on away as they might with stickers. They’re additionally pretty conventionally designed keys with a small concave impact on the highest.
The included switches are HMX Frost switches rated to 45 grams for actuation. In case you do not just like the keys, they are often hot-swapped for others, persevering with the customizability theme.
Wobkey Crush 80 Reboot Lite evaluation: HMX Frost switches and the hidden energy change
With using a number of layers of froth contained in the keyboard, in addition to using movie on the PCB, the Crush 80 Reboot Lite presents an attention-grabbing typing expertise.
Its foremost keys are pretty good to kind on, with little springiness when mid-typing circulation. Acoustically, it eliminates a few of the higher-pitched tones, resulting in a seemingly quieter noise.
Wobkey Crush 80 Reboot Lite evaluation – connectivity and configuration
There are 3 ways to attach the Crush 80 Reboot Lite to a Mac or iPad. For a begin, you should utilize the USB-C cable, which may also be used to recharge the battery.
To make use of it wirelessly, you might use Bluetooth. It has three Bluetooth profiles permitting it for use with three totally different gadgets.
Wobkey Crush 80 Reboot Lite evaluation: The two.4GHz dongle is hidden inside the bottom
There’s additionally 2.4GHz through a receiver dongle. That is hidden beneath the brand plate inside the base plate, which is held in place magnetically.
It is a fairly cool strategy to stow away the dongle when it isn’t in use.
Utilizing it wirelessly does require you to show it on, which is dealt with by a change hidden underneath the Caps Lock key. It might appear bizarre to have the change behind a key you must take away, however you are most likely not going to wish to really flip it off until you are transporting it.
Whereas it’s a Home windows structure by default, you may change the keys round in two methods. One is through a keyboard shortcut, which switches a few of the keys round to a Mac structure.
The opposite is thru Through, a generally used piece of software program for managing mechanical keyboards. You do must obtain a JSON file from Wobkey to make use of Through, however that is pretty simple to do.
Inside Through, which runs in a browser, you may modify every key’s operate, and even arrange macros.
That is all nicely and good, however sadly, whereas Wobkey consists of spares like switches, it would not embody Mac-specific keys that may very well be changed. That is actually a nice-to-have component, however those that want CMD and Possibility keycaps might get a completely new set as an aftermarket buy.
Wobkey Crush 80 Reboot Lite evaluation – refined customizations
As a possible mechanical keyboard for Mac customers, there’s lots to love concerning the Wobkey Crush 80 Reboot Lite. It’s a competent keyboard design that actually blends into the everyday Mac aesthetic in its silver colorway.
It sorts nicely, presents first rate connectivity and wi-fi assist, and will be configured in numerous methods. The lowered RGB is a query of desire, however what’s included is modest and never attempting to blind you with coloration patterns.
Wobkey Crush 80 Reboot Lite evaluation: You aren’t getting Mac-specific key replacements, however you may change the mapping round
There’s additionally customization and quick access to the internals, extra so than typical. Whereas tinkering with the within could also be intimidating for many customers, entry is refreshingly simple for individuals who need it.
Actually, the one standout miss right here is the inclusion of some Mac-specific keycaps. It is not the tip of the world, however it’s one thing that might have made it a neater alternative for Mac homeowners to make.
Wobkey Crush 80 Reboot Lite evaluation: professionals
- Quick access to internals
- Good typing expertise
- In depth wi-fi connectivity
Wobkey Crush 80 Reboot Lite evaluation: cons
- Lack of Mac keycaps
- Fairly heavy
Ranking 4 out of 5
The place to purchase the Wobkey Crush 80 Reboot Lite
The Wobkey Crush 80 Reboot Lite is on the market on the Wobkey web site for $159. It is also out there on Amazon, from $169.
