Performance

The Anne Pro 2 supports N-key rollover USB out of the box, which tested successfully using Aqua's test. You get the expected 6KRO when in Bluetooth mode, which does not include modifiers. Switch Hitter confirmed no chatter with these keys either, and you see above the keys that get a dedicated action via the base layer. Hang on, what's going on there? Do I see arrow keys in there?


Okay, so I did weave in a white lie above when I said all the lit keys are on the base layer. The arrow keys are technically on the "Tap" layer, and this is one of the best things I have seen in a small form factor keyboard. The way it works is simple enough—tapping to actuation sends one keystroke forward, and holding the same key down for a selected duration sends another. So by default, the bottom corner keys work as arrow keys in Tap mode, but both keystrokes are also set to be submitted by default depending on how long you hold the key. It can be a bit weird the first time around, but tweaking these settings via ObinsKit makes it all the better. The quick start guide does a good job going over this, but a much more detailed user manual provides more information, including on ObinsKit itself. The Tap layer is accessible in the software, too. As such, you may customize the presets and even add more. In fact, between the base layer and Tap layout, I had plenty of keys for a TKL experience without holding Fn or similar for layers. I am just left wondering why the other 60% keyboards reviewed thus far did not try something similar.


The other functional tweaks are not that unique, but we can see where a lot of recent 60% keyboards have taken inspiration from. The Fn key association with the number key row is very logical, and having multiple venues for arrow keys beyond Tap mode is interesting. Generally, having two Fn layers with Fn1 and Fn2 (no R. Win or Menu here) makes for four layers to customize to your liking. There is also the so-called Magic Fn function to change Caps Lock with Fn1 or Fn2, meaning you can access either of those layers easily with each hand.


When first powered on and running, the keyboard lights up in the multi-color static lighting effect of one color per row. This mode also immediately helped me test for light bleed, which is not as harsh on this white model with the white steel plate underneath the keycaps. I then manually set all the keys to white using the software driver to test for color fidelity since RGB LEDs have a hard time depicting white, and it unfortunately looked more like a mix of white and pink than just white with a pink hue. The color palette and LED calibration might need some work.

Here are some of the lighting effects demonstrated, and all of these were accessed purely over onboard controls. The Anne Pro 2 is nice in allowing onboard customization for most things, which on this smaller form factor keyboard also means it is just a stretched finger away in most cases (or less if you use Magic Fn with Fn2). The lighting effects, and backlighting in general, look good on this white model, but this is definitely not the brightest backlit keyboard I have seen. You also don't get all the fancy RGB effects more mainstream keyboards offer today, so keep that in mind if lighting effects are a big deal for you.

Wired connectivity with USB 2.0 is self-explanatory, and the Anne Pro 2 also offers wireless with Bluetooth 5.0 Low Energy. Pairing the keyboard to a Windows or MacOS system is simple, and the keyboard can be paired with up to four devices at once, including mobile phones and tablets. Switching between them is easily done as well. Bluetooth 5.0 LE keeps battery drain extremely low in sleep mode, which has the default of 60 minutes in ObinsKit strike me as an odd choice. I ended up dropping it to 5 minutes, which gave me a general operating time of multiple days between charges as opposed to the rated eight hours. Keep in mind that this is with backlighting off since continuous RGB lighting at 100% brightness will absolutely chew through the 1900 mAh battery, resulting in an operating life in minutes instead of hours. Bluetooth signal strength is excellent provided your client supports Bluetooth 5.0, but the keyboard and pretty much all Bluetooth transceivers are backwards compliant anyway. I had no issues whatsoever using it in wireless mode with my HTPC, an Android phone, and a Samsung smart TV. Charging the keyboard is best done overnight since it is restricted to USB 2.0 (500 mA on the 5 VDC line) for a maximum of 2.5 W.

Using the Anne Pro 2 in the middle of what seems to be a marathon series of 60% form factor keyboards still made for an experience different enough to easily set it apart despite it being a couple of years old now. The layers and Tap mode especially are really cool because both cut down the entry barrier for smaller form factor keyboards. The software drivers add to this with the quick changes possible to each layer and some preset options for various typing layouts. The color options and all the switch options will also help make this your own even if the replacement CMYK keycaps are not to your liking. The keyboard is prime property to customize with your own set of keycaps thus, and no doubt an aviator-style replacement cable will interest many others, too. It has inherent ergonomic properties with the lower finger travel on the keyboard, though I would have liked the option to go with a lower profile case and keyboard feet. No wrist rest, either, with portability being high owing to the smaller size and weight combined with the detachable cable.


As always, the sound of a keyboard is based on more than just the switch type. So when comparing sound clips, consider the keyboard as a whole. In this case, I have provided above an example sound clip of me typing on the Anne Pro 2 sample at ~75 WPM as it comes out of the box with the Kailh BOX Red RGB switches. For context, you can find sound clips from other keyboards here, including those with linear switches. I did bottom out more often than not, although you can train yourself not to do so. This is on the quieter side of average, with the factory-lubed stabilizers adding positively to the typing experience as well. In my opinion, the BOX Red switches are one of the better linear switches available today, with the decoupled actuation mechanism and lubed internal slider combination making for a smooth, consistent linear switch Kailh has done a good job with.