Review: Qwerkywriter S is a timeless approach to the mechanical keyboard

Tom Hanks is famously a fan of typewriters, those relics of the past seen in black-and-white movies and vintage photos of newsrooms. It’s a symbol of writers and reporters back in the day when most people picked up their news from the fish wrap on the driveway.

Although typewriters are rare nowadays, part of their legacy lives on through keyboards. The peripherals are essential for computers, and they have become my pandemic obsession. Pleasant Hill-based Qwerkytoys created a mechanical keyboard that’s an ode to the typewriters of the past.

It has the layout of a 75% keyboard, meaning that it has all the parts of a ten-keyless board but in a smaller form factor. The arrow and function keys, along with some extraneous ones, are packed in tight to save on desk space. As the name implies, it’s three-fourths the size of full standard keyboard.

A DISTINCTIVE FORM AND BUILD QUALITY
But what separates the Qwerkywriter S from other boutique devices of its kind is its form and build quality. Although it functions as a keyboard, it has the aesthetics and feel of a Smith Corona. It has a carriage lever that acts as a return bar, or it can be programmed to a macro such as Control + Z. The knobs on each side control the volume on the computer while the other lets users scroll down the screen. In a typewriter, those would have been the feed roller that managed the piece of paper.

The keycaps themselves are circular and typewriter inspired. They look like they’re from a Royal Quiet Deluxe and feel authentic to the touch. The one qualm I have is that after years of wear, the actual letters may rub off from constant use. Thankfully, users can purchase replacements for $5.

What completes the package is the Cherry MX Blue switches that have a heavy clickiness to them. They give a forceful feedback that approximates what it’s like to press on typewriter keys. Users can feel the click of actuation and hear it as well. Although this will appeal to hard-core typists and some gamers, it could annoy your significant other if you work from home or coworkers if you bring it to the office. Typing on it is a loud clatter.

MODERN TOUCHES TO A CLASSIC FORM
Although the Qwerkywriter S successfully mimics the typewriter experience, it also has a few modern tricks up its sleeves. It supports up to three devices via Bluetooth. That means one can use it on an iPad, switch over to a gaming PC and then use it for work on a Mac. The device comes with enough battery that it functions up to 3 to 4 weeks on a single charge. That’s because it’s old-school and eschews the frills of RGB lighting.

If users want a more secure and reliable connection, they can connect it the PC through an included USB-C cable. Having it wired also means it can use an NKey mode that offers faster response time when keys are typed. It’s also available via Bluetooth but that won’t work as well.

For versatility, it uses an FN key to add multimedia functions, so users can skip tracks or pause and play them. They can also use the FN key to set an auto sleep timer to save on the battery or even temporarily disable the windows or command key. Yes, the Qwerkywriter S supports Mac and PC.

When it comes to build quality, the keyboard is tough and made from a scratch-resistant all-aluminum chassis. It feels hefty for its size but it’s still lighter than comparable boards such as the Glorious GMMK Pro. What’s notable is that it’s solid without feeling like a dumbbell, meaning you can conceivably carry it for work on the road. If you’re traveling light, it even has a built-in stand for tablets.

If you do that, you should bring the included dust cover to protect the keys. Because of the design, they do pop out if they’re jostled around a backpack. The device also includes a comfortable wrist rest that also improves the typing experience. It’s another elegant extra that accentuates the package.

With that said, the Qwerkywriter S isn’t cheap. Starting at $249.99, it puts it at the price range of a midrange custom mechanical keyboards such as the Mode Sonnet or a QK75. It’s not a keyboard for everyone, but if you happen to be an ink-stained wretch or one who remembers when you had to buy ribbon to use keyboard, then the Qwerkywriter S will feel nostalgic and modern at the same time.