Disassembly

Given the hot-swappable nature of the switches, it only made sense to take one of the Gateron Milky Yellow switches apart. This 3-pin mechanical switch employs the Cherry MX stem design, so we have the usual construction with the top, a crosspoint stem/slider, spring, and housing that has the metal leaf for actuation. Fantech mentions that the Gateron switch option comes with a pre-lubed stem, which the Kailh BOX White does not, but it has a lubed active block. Comparing the internals of the Gateron Yellow switch, this Milky Yellow is quite different courtesy a much smaller stem and longer spring. This is still a linear switch with no bumps or protrusions along the path of the stem as it meets the metal contacts to initiate actuation.


Disassembly of the MAXFIT67 keyboard is simply enough for a plastic case keyboard, with the top case panel actually held in place by screws on the back rather than annoying plastic interlocking tabs. These are on the back, and a precision Phillips screwdriver is handy in removing the eleven screws here. Pull out the aluminium knob too, and you can now lift off the top panel piece for a closer look at the rotary encoder underneath the knob cover. Further disassembly requires the removal of specific keycaps as seen above, and the same screwdriver from earlier will then help remove an additional six screws.


We now have enough leeway to move the plate and PCB section up and away to access an internal cable still connecting it to the bottom case panel. Dislodge it and we are good to go, as this cable comes from the 4000 mAh battery placed in the case itself. This is a good-sized battery for a 65% keyboard and should make for impressive battery life. There is also the thinnest of foam sheets between the PCB and case, which seems to be there for Fantech to market sound-absorbing foam. In practice, it is too thin, and there are gaps all around it. It likely won't reduce typing reverberations much. On the plus side, there is a thicker piece of foam between the plate and PCB for typing support, as well as two thin strips under the space bar key.


The PCB is white and completely separable from the frame by removing all the keycaps and switches. Separating the plate from the PCB also makes removing or relubing the stabilizers possible. I chose not to relube these since this is a review of the keyboard and instead focused on the Gateron-branded hot-swap sockets. Solder quality is otherwise exceptional, and the PCB is definitely machine-assembled. Powering the keyboard is a Yichip YC3121 32-bit RISC-architecture USB microcontroller with an integrated Bluetooth 5.0 controller, as well as 64 KB SRAM and up to 1 MB flash storage for all the pre-programmed functions. Wireless connectivity comes in the form of a Beken BK3632 dual 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth 5.0 SoC. All the components, including the switch sockets, SMD RGB LEDs, and capacitors, are soldered to a multi-layered PCB.

Before we move on, be advised that disassembly may void the warranty and that TechPowerUp is not liable for any damages incurred if you decide to go ahead and do so anyway.