Lighting and Performance

The YUNZII Keynovo IF98 supports N-key rollover USB out of the box, which tested successfully using Aqua's test. Switch Hitter confirmed no chatter with these keys either, and seen above are all the functions with dedicated keys on the base layer. There are 98 keys in total, at least once you remove the badge and add the four extra optional keys. There are no pre-programmed secondary functions to bring back the missing keys, although you can use the software drivers with a second keyboard to type those in, which is not ideal.

Regardless of whether the software drivers are installed or not, the Keynovo IF98 lights up in the rainbow wave effect above when first connected. This is a dynamic lighting effect that goes through the 16.8 M colors and confirms opaque keycaps and that the keyboard is powered on and recognized by the PC. Notice the ambient lighting on the sides, as well as the additional set of LEDs between the numpad and alphanumeric section that has a separate vertical scrolling effect.


Seen above are some of the other available lighting effects accessible via both onboard controls and software, with full 16.8 M RGB per-key lighting for some static RGB modes having me test for light bleed. There is very little light bleed owing to the thick two-piece case and non-floating keycaps, and the lighting is restricted to around the keycaps, which means you are not going to be distracted by any light bleed as much as the light poking through the sides and the underside ever so slightly. I also wasn't able to make the extra LEDs on the top we saw earlier completely match the other effects, so those can be a potential distraction. I then used the software drivers to set all LEDs to white to test for color fidelity since RGB LEDs can struggle to put out a true white and require calibration on the hardware and software fronts from keyboard makers. Keynovo managed a white that has a light pink hue, but comes off all the worse as the green case appears blue-ish by comparison for further contrast. You can access the lighting effects and associated options via onboard controls, which only necessitates using the software for fine-tuning.

The form factor can take some getting used to, especially if you are coming from a TKL or full-size keyboard as the YUNZII Keynovo IF98 is somewhere between the two, in particularly the bunched-up keys on the right of the keyboard where you would expect gaps and smaller R.Shift key will get you the first time. The goal of a 96% keyboard is to give you everything you would want on a keyboard, including the dedicated numpad, but in a smaller form factor that adds to the ergonomics of typing by shortening finger travel. It also allows the mouse to be closer to the keyboard, with your hands more naturally placed to the width of your shoulders, or simply gives the mouse more room to move around for gaming or otherwise. The keyboard is sturdy enough, and certainly heavy enough at 1.5 kg, not to move around inadvertently. However, if you are not the kind to touch-type with your hands hovering over the keys, you might want to get a wrist wrest since this is a medium to high-profile keyboard. The ability to fully remap keys means you can play around with different typing layouts, such as Dvorak over QWERTY, which can further facilitate your journey down a more ergonomic keyboard experience—frustrating to start with, it hopefully eventually turns into a more pleasant one.


As for the actual typing experience, this review sample of the YUNZII Keynovo IF98 came with Gateron Yellow RGB switches, which we have previously examined. This is a linear switch rated to be slightly heavier than the Cherry MX Red, but with the same actuation and total travel distances of 2.0/4.0 mm respectively. Actuation force is thus expected to be near the rated 50 gf with a bottoming-out force of ~60 gf. I am a fan of these switches overall, as the Gateron Yellow RGB is not only very consistent in performance and closer to the rated numbers than most, but also among the smoothest non-lubed switches with minimal wobble in use. The gaskets are also generally well-executed for but the issues relating to the case panels having some give at the top and bottom, which takes away from the typing experience. The hot-swap sockets also having silicone dampers will be a hit or miss, with the overall typing feel one of an abrupt cushioned stop you may not be expecting. YUNZII tells me the keyboard has been upgraded with better stabilizers, and this upgraded version will be available at the same price soon, but that just tells me and you not to buy the current model!


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 Keynovo IF98 keyboard sample at ~90 WPM as it comes out of the box with the Gateron Yellow switches. For context, you can find sound clips from other keyboards here, including those with linear switches. I did bottom out constantly, which also showcases the gasket mounts and silicone sheets. The sound signature is heavily dampened to where it almost goes past the point of no return for me, but I know there will be many who will love this. I am curious how this would fare with louder switches though, but between the sound and typing profile, this isn't my preferred keyboard style.