The Syntech Chronos 68 is a extremely customizable magnetic swap keyboard that, with some small Mac-specific points apart, will not be a foul alternative for players.
Gaming keyboards do their finest to supply an aesthetically pleasing bodily interface, whereas additionally tending to be fairly visually loud. Discovering a keyboard that is additionally compact and usable can also be not unimaginable with the choices out there available on the market.
Add on new applied sciences like magnetic switches, and it turns into lots more durable to search out one that may do all of it. Doing all that whereas doubtlessly not trying utterly misplaced on a Mac desktop turns into a problem.
Doing so with out breaking the financial institution is even harder.
The Syntech Chronos 68 is a magnetic keyboard that’s, mainly, one meant for gaming. Nonetheless, when you’re keen to make some sacrifices, it could grow to be fairly a sensible choice.
Syntech Chronos 68 evaluation – Design
Housed in an aluminum alloy chassis, the Chronos 68 is decidedly a keyboard made for players. There are apparent indicators from the outset, together with “Warning” on the house bar, an Exit icon on the Enter key, and a radioactive icon on the Escape key.
Syntech Chronos 68 evaluation – The gamer aesthetic is in full show
The model despatched for evaluation is in a yellow and white colorway, with the yellow used for simply these three keys. A white and black choice modifications these standout keys to black, whereas the gamer glyphs are faraway from sight for the all-black choice.
The 68 within the identify refers back to the 68 keys, with the usage of a 65% key format. You do not get the numpad, nor operate row keys, however the latter are accessed through the use of the Operate key.
The best way the keyboard is assembled, the keycap edges reside simply above the sting of the enclosure, which means any RGB gentle results will likely be a little bit bit extra seen.
Syntech Chronos 68 evaluation – Tasteful branding and the key-case hole
Across the again is a single USB-C port, recessed barely, whereas the bottom has a number of rubber toes for grip. The underside additionally has a QR code that takes you to the assist web page for the keyboard, which is useful to have.
It is also fairly light-weight for a keyboard, however these toes assist preserve it in place. As it’s a wired keyboard solely, there isn’t any further battery weighing it down, nevertheless it stops in need of being too gentle to be helpful.
Syntech Chronos 68 evaluation – There isn’t any wi-fi, however there may be USB-C
That additionally means there isn’t any Bluetooth or 2.4GHz dongle to make use of right here, simply the USB-C connection on the again.
Measuring 12.2 inches lengthy, 4.13 inches vast, and 1.2 inches thick, it is actually a compact keyboard, with little wasted house for the casing itself.
Whereas many keyboards are shying away from together with indicators for caps lock and others of their designs, Syntech has saved them right here. A trio of white LED indicators are within the high proper nook, used to point capslock, the FN Lock mode, and “Typing Mode.”
Syntech Chronos 68 evaluation – Very neat indicators within the nook
Included within the field is a wrist relaxation, which is fabricated from plastic and is helpful sufficient when you want further peak in your wrist. There may be additionally a USB-C cable, 4 substitute switches, a keycap puller, and a small brush within the field too.
Syntech Chronos 68 evaluation – Magnetic switches and configuration
As a magnetic keyboard, it depends on a unique sort of swap. Inside is the Outemo Magnetic Sealed Swap, although there may be additionally the potential for utilizing a Gateron Magnetic Jade Professional as a substitute.
In contrast to regular switches, magnetic switches function in a very totally different means. Fairly than closing a circuit contained in the swap, the magnetic switches include a magnet.
The concept is {that a} sensor on the circuit board contained in the keyboard detects the magnetic subject utilizing the Corridor Impact. As you press the important thing, the space between the magnet and sensor modifications, and so do the magnetic fields.
Syntech Chronos 68 evaluation – Spare switches, a keycap puller and a brush, included within the field
In impact, the keyboard can measure the space the important thing has travelled, which can be utilized in numerous methods. For a begin, you need to use the net configuration software program to regulate how far every key will be pressed earlier than it counts as an actuation.
The net configurator permits you to say how far within the 0.1mm to three.5mm of journey that constitutes a press, in addition to how far up once more it’s important to launch the important thing to depend as not “Urgent” it.
This will sound bizarre for typing, however this form of factor will be helpful for players to change to enhance their gameplay. Different options embrace Snap Faucet, which can be utilized for route switching, whereas Tremendous Faucet permits you to arrange 4 macros or actions on one key, relying on the way you press it.
As standard, you can even arrange extra commonplace macros within the software program, in addition to handle the lighting.
There’s even 8 KHz polling, to maximise the response time between your button press and one thing taking place on-screen. Once more, that is extra of a gaming function reasonably than one for basic typists.
Syntech Chronos 68 evaluation – The bottom view features a assist QR code
This may be all overwhelming, but additionally doubtlessly inconvenient when you use the keyboard for each gaming and typing. Nonetheless, urgent Operate then House switches between typing modes, as indicated by the nook LED.
That means, you may have the keyboard arrange in a custom-made format with macros and totally different key sensitivities for gaming, or a extra typical model for regular typing.
Syntech Chronos 68 evaluation – RGB and keycaps
As a gaming keyboard, it has lights constructed into it. These are often set to be always-on, however you may change it within the configurator.
Apart from brightness, you can even introduce totally different animations and even do extra concerned lighting edits.
A neat RGB-related function seems while you press the Operate key. Doing so kills no matter RGB impact is, in favor of a format that has a white illumination round every key that can do one thing when pressed with the Operate key.
Syntech Chronos 68 evaluation – The format with RGB shining by means of the important thing glyphs
That is nice for remembering that there is a shortcut for a operate, however you do not essentially know the place it’s. A minimum of it narrows down the listing of doable mixtures so that you can strive.
Usually, this could be the top of the dialogue for RGB, however the keycaps come into play this time.
The PBT double-shot keycaps mix opaque white with clear plastic, which is used for the glyphs on the highest of the keys. With RGB turned off, they’re good and clear darkish gray glyphs, however in addition they shine the sunshine by means of the glyphs too.
The texture of the keys is pretty typical, with a barely concave high to them. There’s a little bit little bit of texture on the tops, which has endured for fairly a little bit of typing utilization.
Syntech Chronos 68 evaluation – The aspect view
In the case of really typing with it, the presses are passable, however the sound is just too. This mixture of keycap, pre-lubed magnetic switches, and the layers of poron, PCB, and PET contained in the keyboard leads to a mid-tone tapping sound, which is not too loud but additionally not too high-pitched to sound hole.
It is bodily light-weight as a keyboard, however the audible parts do not betray that reality to the consumer.
Syntech Chronos 68 evaluation – Gamer, however nearly Mac-friendly
So far as mechanical keyboards go, the Syntech Chronos 68 does numerous issues effectively. As a magnetic swap keyboard, it’s an extensively configurable system, able to establishing macros and different modern-day necessities of computing.
It is also obtained a really minimal styling. One that’s distinctly nonetheless gamer in nature, however in a barely muted style.
Syntech Chronos 68 evaluation – The wrist relaxation is straightforward however works
When you may disguise essentially the most onerous gaming parts by switching the escape and enter keys for others, additionally, you will have to alter some extra as effectively. It is a Home windows keyboard, so there are CTRL, WIN, and ALT keys to take care of.
For finish customers, they’ll remap the keys in software program to get the Mac key mapping, however correct substitute keys could be wanted for a full conversion.
It will’ve been good for Syntech to have Mac-specific keys included within the field. It will at the least permit for key substitute with out having visibly odd keys, and rule out shopping for a very new keycap set to interchange every thing.
These Mac-specific issues apart, there’s lots to love in regards to the Chronos 68. It isn’t a premium-priced keyboard, however the magnetic switches make it punch means above its weight.
Syntech Chronos 68 evaluation – Professionals
- RGB shines by means of keycaps
- Minimal measurement with indicators in nook
- Magnetic swap configuration
Syntech Chronos 68 evaluation – Cons
- A bit of gentle in weight
- Gamer-centric spotlight keycaps
- Lack of overt Mac assist
Ranking: 3 out of 5
This rating is assuming you are an Apple consumer. There are cheaper mechanical keyboards that go well with Apple customers higher out of the field. These magnetic switches are good, however an overt lack of Mac keycaps within the field is an issue for Apple customers.
Should you do not care in regards to the Command keycap, then the keyboard is a 4 out of 5.
The place to purchase the Syntech Chronos 68
The Syntech Chronos 68 is on the market from the corporate straight, for a retail value of $179.99. As this evaluation goes stay on June 24, 2025, it’s presently on sale for $139.90, which makes it a bit extra palatable to Mac customers.
