The HYTE keeb SR65 died (before it existed) so the Keeb TKL could live! We clearly see features in the Keeb TKL taken from the previous project that people liked, and the end result is a mechanical keyboard that doesn't cost $400, offers one of the more unique aesthetics and design, and still manages to do what HYTE promised years ago—bring enthusiast keyboard features to the mainstream market. This is all the more obvious when you see the use of high-quality switches that are lubed with even higher quality Krytox lubricants, and these are paired with screw-in Durock stabilizers lubed similarly. The end result is one of the most satisfying typing experiences I can remember, especially from a pre-built keyboard. It also sounds crisp and uniform, including the different sized modifier keys, which is extremely hard to achieve. Make no mistake thus—the HYTE Keeb TKL may look like a keyboard designed primarily with fun and games in mind, but it's one of the more competent keyboards at this price range. Obviously the selling point is not just how it feels to type on and sound though, since those are much harder to convey without you having personally used the keyboard. It's the design and the RGB show you get here that is what will have eyes on the keyboard, and boy will those eyes get wide when the keyboard is powered on with your choice of custom lighting effect on display!

Of course the lighting is impressive on its own, yet gets more so if you are deep in the HYTE ecosystem. You see, HYTE at this point has some quirks with its Nexus software. Some are still growing pains, others are deliberate choices, and some more are bugs/feature requests that are seemingly going to be addressed soon based on the beta version of the software. I was hoping the newer version would be released by the time I finish testing the keyboard, so keep this in mind as I can only go by the latest public release available online. At this time, the software experience doesn't feel as complete as it can be and some things taken for granted by others, including per-key lighting control, are not even available. Then there's the part where the keyboard costs $180, which is not exactly mainstream pricing. We can get some truly excellent keyboards for this price and under—albeit not hitting the excellent typing experience you get here—including full CNC-machined aluminium case keyboards with magnetic switches that have inherent gaming advantages too. This makes the HYTE Keeb TKL more of a specialist set that relies primarily on three things—are you in the HYTE ecosystem, do you prioritize an RGB light show, and does this aesthetic appeal to you? If the answer to these is yes, and it does not have to be for all of them, I suspect you are already lining up a purchase of the Keeb TKL sooner than later. Others may want to wait for the software to be more mature before deciding whether this feature set is worth the asking price.

[Update (December 4, 2024): Nexus v1.5.578 is available now which should hopefully have the desired updates in it.]