We all get it: mechanical keyboards are the happening thing for gamers. But what do you do you do if you prefer a lower profile, like on a Mac or laptop? Well, Hexgears has the answer with the X-1 Wireless Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard. Working in partnership with Input Club, the team has developed a full-fledged gaming keyboard, complete with your choice of switch, per-key customizable RGB backlighting, and a one of the most unique layouts we’ve seen. The project is launching on Kickstarter on 7/24 but we were able to get our hands on a production prototype to see if it lives up to the hype.

If you haven’t heard of Hexgears yet, don’t worry; in the States, not many people have but they’re a major player in China. Who you should know of by now is Input Club. We’ve looked at their boards extensively - the Whitefox, K-Type, and the upcoming Kira gaming keyboard - and in many conversations, they’ve made it clear that they believe keyboards aren’t done yet. They can be better and do better than what’s in the mainstream today. More than anything, if they’re going to put their hand on something, it’s going to be made with the end user in mind. What is it they want? What will make this keyboard better for them? In answering those questions, they find their design and in their designs they deliver with the highest quality materials and engineering.