OnePlus unveils its first mechanical keyboard: Mac layout, custom switches

Enlarge (credit: OnePlus)

OnePlus is finally ready to detail its first mechanical keyboard. No, we didn't need another company to start making mechanical keyboards. But if you're looking for a new Bluetooth keyboard that plays particularly well with Macs, has a compact layout, and a rotary knob that looks stylish and functional, OnePlus will have one more choice for you come April.

Announced today, OnePlus is jumping into the mechanical keyboard race with a strange name, the Featuring Keyboard 81 Pro. The "81" refers to the key count, while "Pro" is assumably meant to make workers and power users think the keyboard's a good fit; but the name doesn't quite roll off the tongue. The outlier here is the "Featuring" bit, which refers to the OnePlus Featuring "co-creation" platform that builds products based off user feedback. Community users are said to have contributed to the 81 Pro's design, including its proprietary switches. OnePlus' press release today claimed it will release "many" more Featuring products.

OnePlus-y touches include a logo-stamped Esc key. (credit: OnePlus/Twitter)

Another huge influence on the 81 Pro is keyboard-maker Keychron, which is said to have helped engineer the product. That includes its layout, which matches the layout of the Q1 Pro that Keychron is currently crowdfunding. In addition to macOS, the keyboard is supposed to work with Windows, Linux, and Android, OnePlus' press release said. The keyboard's product page also claims support with iOS. Similar to some wireless Keychron keyboards, like the Keychron K14, there's a toggle on the keyboard's side for switching from Mac to Windows. Considering the lack of USB-A ports among Macs, the Bluetooth 5.1 keyboard charges over a USB-C to USB-C cable (there's also a USB-C to USB-A adapter).

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