Lofree Keyboard review: The ultimate hipster accessory

Keyboards can be tricky gadgets. They need to have the right design while fitting the needs of users, which can be far-ranging. Some prefer Apple’s flatter keyboards while others like mechanical keyboards because they provide satisfying feedback.

The Lofree Mechanical Keyboard doesn’t really follow the path of either approach. Instead, it was inspired by typewriters of a bygone era. It features circular keys and a compact size while adding modern features like backlighting and Bluetooth connectivity.

The backlit keys are one of my favorite features of the keyboard. I typically use an Apple Magic Keyboard, which doesn’t have backlit keys, so it’s a nice change of pace. The brightness of the Lofree can be toggled to four different settings: off, weak, moderate and strong.

On my desk at work, I hook up a 13-inch MacBook Pro to a 27-inch Samsung display. I also use an aluminum laptop stand and display stand, and the keyboard fits right in with this aesthetic. When setting the keyboard up, the process was simple—the same as any other Bluetooth accessory. It can also connect to three different devices.

Lofree said its keyboard was specifically made to work with Macs. It works with Windows, iOS and Android too, but the primary focus was on Mac integration. It features the same function keys present in Apple’s keyboards, along with the command keys that make shortcuts really easy. 

But the best feature of the keyboard is its design.

It features a plastic round base with a glossy finish that’s sturdy and gives it a certain heft. On the right side are the on/off and Mac (iOS)/Windows (Android) toggles. The black keys provide a good contrast with the white base. The keyboard was initially only available in three colors (blue, red and white), but has since expanded to many more options. 

Gateron Blue mechanical switches were used to provide a feedback similar to a typewriter. When typing, it tries to mimic the same function, but it feels slightly manufactured. Aside from a few annoyances I encountered with the keys (I’ll get to them soon), typing on this keyboard is strangely fun. There’s something reverential about writing on a typewriter and this is the closest you can get to that experience while also retaining the benefits of a modern keyboard.

However, the keys do take some getting used to. They’re more crowded than, say, an Apple keyboard, making it difficult to take on.

Article source: https://www.technobuffalo.com/reviews/lofree-keyboard-review/