Review of the Hexgears K950 (x1) Red Switch

I usually use my iPad for general purposes, but when I’m studying coding, I use it to remotely access Windows as well. So, I needed a keyboard that could be used interchangeably with both Windows and Mac.

I was really tempted by Apple’s Smart Folio Keyboard, but I found that I used the keyboard more frequently for Windows rather than for iPad functions. Additionally, for coding, I needed to use features like key macros, which are more seamless with Windows. So, I had to pass on the Smart Folio Keyboard.

After searching for other options, I came across products from a maker called Keychron. The Keychron K1 looked really slim and well-designed, but at the time, it didn’t have a red switch model, so I passed on it as well.

After much consideration, I chose the Hexgears K950 with red switches. It’s slim, has a tenkeyless size, but also includes a number pad, making it quite unique.

However, shortly after I bought it, the Keychron K1 red switch model was released. 😂😢

Anyway, at the time I bought the keyboard, the K950 was my only choice, so I went for it.

The package arrived.

Surprisingly, that’s all the packaging there was. 😂

Is it even reasonable to send it like that, with just a plastic wrap around the product box?

As soon as I received it, I thought, “Ah, damn, if I had just waited one more week, I could have bought the Keychron,” and regretted it.

The product box with the plastic wrap removed.

Fortunately, despite the poor packaging, it arrived without a scratch.

A product costing over 100,000 KRW doesn’t even have a seal. 😑

While it’s true that even with a seal, you wouldn’t know if it had been repackaged without opening it, the flimsy packaging and lack of a basic seal are quite off-putting.

One thing I do like is that it comes with a keyboard case.

It’s just a basic case, but it’s quite sturdy and thick.

Although the red zipper and the toy-like logo are a bit of a drawback, having a case definitely protects the keyboard and prevents any scratches on the iPad when placed in a bag. Overall, I really appreciate that a case is included by default.

When you open the case, you’ll find the keyboard inside.

Maybe the reason for the sloppy packaging was their reliance on this sturdy case?

Looking at the keyboard layout, you can see that it’s slightly different from typical tenkeyless keyboards.

Normally, there would be various function keys above the arrow keys, but here, all the function keys are included as function macros, and a number pad is placed in that area instead.

While opinions may vary, I think it’s a decent design.

A product warranty for an item that doesn’t even have a seal…

Still, if it didn’t have one, I’d probably be complaining about that too. 😂

Overall, it’s very slim and sleek.

I’m really satisfied with the design.

It has a height adjustment mechanism, although it only raises the keyboard by a small angle. However, since the product itself is so thin, even this small elevation helps reduce discomfort.

Using this involves tolerating some minor inconvenience, but I probably wouldn’t have been able to use the Smart Folio Keyboard at all due to its design being even more uncomfortable.

This is the charging cable.

It can be used for charging and also for using the keyboard in wired mode.

Lastly, here’s how it looks placed in front of the iPad.

It’s pretty decent.

While the Smart Folio Keyboard offers great integration, the fact that it’s a 200,000 KRW keyboard also serving as a protective case for the iPad made me feel a bit uneasy. Using a separate keyboard that can be taken out only when needed and using the iPad alone at other times seems like a better option.

Also, the reason I specifically chose red switches was to avoid disturbing others when using it in places like cafes. However, since the keyboard is thin and the travel distance is short, the sound of the keys hitting the keyboard is louder than I expected. 😂😢

I’ll probably need to cut some silicone pads to place under the keycaps later.

Despite my many complaints about the packaging, the product itself is really good.

While packaging, including seals and such, falls into the realm of sincerity (since you wouldn’t know if it’s been repackaged anyway), there are people who are very sensitive to these things. Since this is a great product, it would be nice if the seller paid a bit more attention to these details to improve the overall customer experience.

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