Post by account_disabled on Sept 12, 2023 9:20:11 GMT
The first mechanical keyboard I purchased was a Varmilo product. Varmilo is a Chinese brand well known for its sturdy components and simple design. It is so sturdy that I can still use it without any problems. So I was very excited to see how much Varmilo has grown over the past few years through this latest product review.
The Miniro VXB67 is a very small yet attractive keyboard. The high-quality Phone Number List plastic with subtle shades and subtle lighting effects are attractive. In addition, although it is compact, it adheres to high-quality components such as a high-quality plastic body and customizable capacitive solid-state switches.
A design drawback is the confusing location of the function keys, and you can't reprogram them. Compared to other small keyboards, this is what makes the learning curve with the Mini steeper. This is because the user must adapt to the keyboard rather than the keyboard adapting to the user. However, if you are willing to bear this shortcoming and do not really need easy customization, the Varmilo Minilo keyboard can be said to be a product with unique charm among the flood of keyboards dedicated to gaming and typing.
For example, compared to practical designs such as Logitech MX Mechanical or Keychron's Q series, or gaming keyboards with flashy lighting effects, the mini is appropriate and not excessive. The plastic case is white as a base, with a mint green color covering the keys. It would look great next to Fractal Design's mint-colored PC case 'Terra' released at Computex. If you don't like this eucalyptus version, there is also a pink version of Mendozae.
ⓒMichael Crider/Foundry
The cool design is also applied to other parts of the keyboard. The logo in the bottom right is illuminated (you can turn it off if you want), and the mint-colored back has a metal badge with the manufacturer and product information engraved on it. In addition, the two-tiered keyboard legs were very surprising. The keycaps that used ABS material instead of PBT were a bit disappointing.
The key layout is a variation of the popular 65% layout, but some of the key positions are a bit odd. The delete key is right above the arrow keys, not in the top right. The keys to which some functions are mapped are also a bit strange. The F key at the top is easily visible, but who would find the print screen key on L? Also, do you think that the T to P keys will have media-related functions? For more complex hardware features, such as lighting control or Bluetooth pairing, you will need to look closely at the user manual.
ⓒMichael Crider/Foundry
For example, this keyboard doesn't have a power switch. After 30 minutes of no use, it goes into automatic sleep mode and turns on again by pressing the space bar twice. To turn off the white LED light, you must press Fn + Then, the lights on the 1, 2, and 3 number keys blink, but it feels strange that the lights are different from the keys you actually pressed.
To switch the top row from basic numeric keys to function keys, you must press Fn + Page Down. These usage instructions are not written on the keycap itself. However, no manual is included in the product box. Another disappointment is that you have to find the manual directly on Varmilo's support site.
Perhaps the biggest drawback is that you cannot change these pre-programmed features. You might not believe it, but this product was released in 2023. This might be acceptable for a low-cost keyboard like the well-received G.Skill KM250, but not the Varmilo. This is especially difficult to forgive when it comes to small keyboards, where a comfortable and intuitive layout is the key to usability. It would have been a great keyboard if it weren't for this biggest drawback.
switch
This keyboard is equipped with switches exclusively designed by Varmilo. Varmilo's 'Jasmine' switch is a fairly unique capacitive non-contact switch. 'Capacitive' refers to a design that inserts a sliding stem and a rubber dome between the switch and the circuit board, and produces a unique key feel, which is the secret to the popularity of PFU's Happy Hacking Keyboard.
ⓒMichael Crider/Foundry
Of course, Varmilo's capacitive switch is a little different. There is no rubber dome, and each switch features a custom-made Cherry MX-style housing. Capacitive here refers to a stem and leaf design, which means that pressure is recognized even when touched very close, rather than directly like a typical MX-style switch.
What on earth do you mean? To summarize briefly and simply, the EC V2 switches on this keyboard are very smooth. Varmilo's Jasmine axis is not just a name to match the keyboard color, but refers to a linear axis that allows very fast input, and therefore feels a little lighter than most switches. If you prefer typing lightly rather than pressing the keys hard, you will be satisfied with this switch.
The Miniro VXB67 is a very small yet attractive keyboard. The high-quality Phone Number List plastic with subtle shades and subtle lighting effects are attractive. In addition, although it is compact, it adheres to high-quality components such as a high-quality plastic body and customizable capacitive solid-state switches.
A design drawback is the confusing location of the function keys, and you can't reprogram them. Compared to other small keyboards, this is what makes the learning curve with the Mini steeper. This is because the user must adapt to the keyboard rather than the keyboard adapting to the user. However, if you are willing to bear this shortcoming and do not really need easy customization, the Varmilo Minilo keyboard can be said to be a product with unique charm among the flood of keyboards dedicated to gaming and typing.
For example, compared to practical designs such as Logitech MX Mechanical or Keychron's Q series, or gaming keyboards with flashy lighting effects, the mini is appropriate and not excessive. The plastic case is white as a base, with a mint green color covering the keys. It would look great next to Fractal Design's mint-colored PC case 'Terra' released at Computex. If you don't like this eucalyptus version, there is also a pink version of Mendozae.
ⓒMichael Crider/Foundry
The cool design is also applied to other parts of the keyboard. The logo in the bottom right is illuminated (you can turn it off if you want), and the mint-colored back has a metal badge with the manufacturer and product information engraved on it. In addition, the two-tiered keyboard legs were very surprising. The keycaps that used ABS material instead of PBT were a bit disappointing.
The key layout is a variation of the popular 65% layout, but some of the key positions are a bit odd. The delete key is right above the arrow keys, not in the top right. The keys to which some functions are mapped are also a bit strange. The F key at the top is easily visible, but who would find the print screen key on L? Also, do you think that the T to P keys will have media-related functions? For more complex hardware features, such as lighting control or Bluetooth pairing, you will need to look closely at the user manual.
ⓒMichael Crider/Foundry
For example, this keyboard doesn't have a power switch. After 30 minutes of no use, it goes into automatic sleep mode and turns on again by pressing the space bar twice. To turn off the white LED light, you must press Fn + Then, the lights on the 1, 2, and 3 number keys blink, but it feels strange that the lights are different from the keys you actually pressed.
To switch the top row from basic numeric keys to function keys, you must press Fn + Page Down. These usage instructions are not written on the keycap itself. However, no manual is included in the product box. Another disappointment is that you have to find the manual directly on Varmilo's support site.
Perhaps the biggest drawback is that you cannot change these pre-programmed features. You might not believe it, but this product was released in 2023. This might be acceptable for a low-cost keyboard like the well-received G.Skill KM250, but not the Varmilo. This is especially difficult to forgive when it comes to small keyboards, where a comfortable and intuitive layout is the key to usability. It would have been a great keyboard if it weren't for this biggest drawback.
switch
This keyboard is equipped with switches exclusively designed by Varmilo. Varmilo's 'Jasmine' switch is a fairly unique capacitive non-contact switch. 'Capacitive' refers to a design that inserts a sliding stem and a rubber dome between the switch and the circuit board, and produces a unique key feel, which is the secret to the popularity of PFU's Happy Hacking Keyboard.
ⓒMichael Crider/Foundry
Of course, Varmilo's capacitive switch is a little different. There is no rubber dome, and each switch features a custom-made Cherry MX-style housing. Capacitive here refers to a stem and leaf design, which means that pressure is recognized even when touched very close, rather than directly like a typical MX-style switch.
What on earth do you mean? To summarize briefly and simply, the EC V2 switches on this keyboard are very smooth. Varmilo's Jasmine axis is not just a name to match the keyboard color, but refers to a linear axis that allows very fast input, and therefore feels a little lighter than most switches. If you prefer typing lightly rather than pressing the keys hard, you will be satisfied with this switch.