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The Wombat Willow is KSI Holding ’s mechanical keyboard offer for the Mac market . Overall , it ’s a solid keyboard , idealistic for anyone who favour the feel of mechanical keyboards over Apple ’s Magic Keyboard , but the Willow does have some quirks that the user will have to adjust to .
Best Prices Today: Willow
The Wombat Willow keyboard is KSI Holding ’s mechanical keyboard offering for the Mac marketplace . Overall , it ’s a self-coloured keyboard , ideal for anyone who prefers the feel of mechanical keyboards over Apple ’s Magic Keyboard , but the Willow does have some quirks that the user will have to adjust to .
Wombat Willow: Build, design, and feel
The Willow is a hefty 2.2 pound ( 1 kilogram ) , which help drop anchor it in berth on the desk . It might be too heavy for consumption as a mobile keyboard – though it ’s not designed as one in the first place . While the weight does bring a part in portraying the keyboard as a whole product , the structure overall is well done . It ’s put together nicely and its role meet a standard of calibre .
Measuring 14.45 x 6.33 x 1.73 inch ( 36.7 x 16.1 x 2.98 centimeters ) , the Willow is between the AppleMagic Keyboard with Numeric Keypadand theMagic Keyboard , width - wise . So if you ’ve always found the former too wide and the latter too small and ask a computer keyboard , the Willow is a prissy via media . The Willow does need more depth area ; if you do n’t have much infinite between the keyboard and the display on your desk , the Willow ’s depth could be an issue .
The reason for the increased astuteness is the way Wombat decided to set the Function and other keys . They ’re not laid out in a words above the bit key but instead are in three sets of two - row , eight - key block at the top of the keyboard . Wombat is n’t the only troupe to put these keys in a “ non - stock ” placement , and since these key are n’t used when type , it ’s not a problem but if you ’re used to using an Apple keyboard , you ’ll go through a menstruation of hunting and pecking as you memorize where , say , the F3 key / Mission Control key is .
The Willow has its Function keys in a cluster at the top of the keyboard.
The Willow has its Function key in a cluster at the top of the keyboard .
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The oddity with the keyboard layout goes a little further . For example , the Enter ( Return ) key is a double - row key but the bottom half of the key has an indentation for the backslash ( \ ) key , which is usually on top of the Enter / Return on most keyboards . As a resolution , I tended to weightlift the backslash tonality when I want to press the Enter key . This is n’t a defect per se , but it will belike require fall in a drug abuse for some users , especially those who have been using Apple keyboards extensively .
The Willow has its Function keys in a cluster at the top of the keyboard.
Furthermore , if you ’re comfortable with the numeric computer keyboard on other keyboard , the Willow ’s keypad will be frustrating . The last row of key is n’t the same as on a distinctive keypad , with a Delete key where an Enter samara is often found – it has no dedicated Enter Francis Scott Key . But if you slenderly use a computer keyboard and do n’t 10 - key type , it ’ll work just fine .
Because the Willow can be used with both Windows microcomputer and Macs , it comes with Win and Alt winder set up , but Willow provides Option and Command keys that you’re able to easily install using the provide prick . The puppet is a bite cagey , grabbing the headstone that need to be removed and a slight tugboat pulls the key off . Fitting the Option or Command samara into the socket requires a easy push .
Once the Option and Command keys are in lieu , you ’ll need to flip a switch on the back of the keyboard from Win to Mac so it recognizes crosscut and other control condition on the Mac .
I had a habit of pressing the backslash key () instead of Enter, and the numeric keypad is different from the Apple Numeric Keypad.
I had a habit of press the backslash key ( \ ) instead of Enter , and the numerical keypad is dissimilar from the Apple Numeric Keypad .
Wombat Willow: Features
The Willow can link to the Mac via USB - C ( this porthole also charges the keyboard ) , Bluetooth , or with a USB - A RF transmitter that ’s admit . With Bluetooth , up to three dissimilar machine can connect to the Willow ; switching between them expect holding down the Fn headstone and fight 7 , 4 , or 1 on the computer keyboard ( these key are pit with Bluetooth ikon ) .
The Fn Florida key is a worthful part of the Willow . As I mentioned , the keyboard can be used on both Windows and Mac , and the user can shift between Windows hotkeys and Mac Function keys by holding down Fn+Tab for three second . This need to be done when first setting up the Willow because it ’s set as Windows hotkeys by default .
The RGB backlight can be change to dissimilar coloring and playback options by confine down the Fn keystone and press one of the arrow keys . The Willow has a nice mixture of backlight options and give the keyboard a bit of personality .
The Willow includes a tool for removing the Win and Alt keys. Command and Option keys are provided.
Willow offers a software utility calledWB Pouchthat give users the ability to set custom macros , adjust the backlight , and more . However , the package is n’t signed for macOS’sGatekeeperand induction endeavour were blocked when I tested with macOS Sonoma . user involve to go into System preferences > Privacy & Security > Securityand then click theOpen Anywaybutton for the installer to set up the package . The keyboard also need to be connected to the Mac via USB - C to apply the software program .
The Willow include a tool for remove the Win and Alt Francis Scott Key . Command and Option keys are provide .
The Willow has a built - in 1,000 mAh barrage and includes a USB - C cable . The manual is available online , and you ’ll require to have it handy because it want to be referenced to work some of the Willow ’s features – they are n’t as visceral as you might think .
Should you buy the Wombat Willow?
The Wombat Willow is a undecomposed option for anyone who uses a Mac and Windows computer equally and wants a mechanical keyboard . Its ability to switch between Windows hotkeys and Mac function and its support for multiple Bluetooth connection are squeamish features for cross - platform compatibility .
If you ’re dedicated to the Mac and it ’s the only political program you habituate , other mechanical keyboards that are more Mac - favorable are uncommitted . For instance , theSatechi SM1 Slim Mechanical Backlit Bluetooth Keyboardhas a design that ’s more like the Magic Keyboard . If you wish the traditional mechanical keyboard look , Keychronhas a large selection of Mac - compatible keyboard . For more suggestion , go over out our choices for thebest Mac keyboards .
