This year, I’ve found myself traveling far more than I have in recent memory – almost exclusively for work. While that’s a blessing in itself, it’s also a bit tricky when it comes to packing a bag. Among the considerations in terms of tech, there’s my MacBook Pro and/or my iPad Mini, a camera and extra lenses, hard drives, chargers, etc. I don’t particularly like carrying my laptop on shorter trips (less than 5 days), but typing on the iPad has always been a terrible experience, and carrying a dedicated keyboard never felt easy enough to do – until now. The Keychron B11 has changed the way I pack for those shorter trips.
Keychron B11 Pro Key Features
- Ultra-slim, foldable design makes it easy to pack and carry
- Three connection options: Bluetooth 5.3 which can be paired to three devices, 2.4GHz wireless connectivity with included dongle, and wired USB-C
- Fully programmable keys with ZMK and Keychron’s Launcher web app
- Universal compatibility – MacOS, iOS, Android, and Windows
- Hall Effect Sensor automatically powers off the keyboard when folded
- Low-profile scissor switches
- Split-fold Alice layout for improved ergonomics
If you’re looking for a truly slim and portable keyboard design, the Keychron B11 Pro ticks off just about every box. As someone that spends quite a bit of time at keyboard (maybe too much time), the fact that the B11 Pro incorporates a more ergonomically friendly Alice layout makes this a unique keyboard in a sea of sameness.
Living with the Keychron B11 Pro
Let me just say that the Keychron B11 Pro scratches a very particular itch. I’m in the very small category of computer users that puts this much thought into a keyboard. Most people I’m sure are quite content with the included keyboard on their laptops or simply don’t use a tablet for much more than what can be accomplished with a few taps of the screen. As someone who spends their days writing articles, emails, and other documents, my time behind the keyboard requires optimized comfort to help avoid carpal tunnel-related injuries. The B11 Pro seems perfectly fit for my lifestyle and the way I use my computing devices.
The obvious thing that brought me to the B11 Pro in the first place was the folding design. Upon taking the keyboard out of its box, I was a bit surprised by just how light it felt. It was neatly folded in its packaging with a very unassuming “Space Grey” finish that looked like it was intended to go along with my MacBook Pro. The textured finish on the “cover” acts as a mat to keep the keyboard in place as you type on a desk, coffee shop table, or any other flat surface. I’m not going to lie, when I first opened the keyboard, I felt that the hinge butterflied open a bit too easily, but after a couple months of use, it continues to work without issue or degradation to material that holds the gap together.
What’s an Alice Layout?
Historically, ultra-portable keyboards have been a nightmare for ergonomics. To make a keyboard fold up and fit into a pocket, manufacturers usually force the keys into a tiny, ultra-cramped rectangle. If you have broader shoulders, typing on a standard travel keyboard feels like trying to write an email while trapped in an airplane middle seat—your elbows pin to your ribs, and your wrists kink outward. The Alice layout is a fascinating piece of keyboard design. Originally popularized in the enthusiast mechanical keyboard community, it takes the standard, flat rows of keys and splits them into an inverted-V shape. The Alice layout angles the keys to match the natural, relaxed V-shape of your arms when you rest them on a desk, significantly reducing that tension.
That said, there might be something of a learning curve when you first start using the B11 Pro. For one, if you’ve developed poor typing habits, don’t be surprised if you find yourself making some errors or hitting the gap instead of a key. For example, if you’re the type of person who uses their right hand to reach for the “B” or “T” key, you’ll likely end up hitting the gap instead. Additionally, if you’re not used to the strict, proper hand placement when typing, you’ll notice a drop in typing speed as you get acclimated to the Alice layout.
For the most part, you’ll get used to the layout in a few days with regular use. If you’re someone who excelled at touch-typing, you’ll have this down in an hour. I’m really happy for you if you are – no I’m not jealous or anything.
Final Thoughts: a Game-Changer for Travel
Keychron has built a massive reputation in the mechanical keyboard world, but the Keychron B11 Pro is a total curveball. Instead of a thick, heavy mechanical deck, this is a razor-thin, foldable travel keyboard explicitly designed to pack flat and throw into a bag. Not being content with just the size, Keychron also combined the ergonomic Alice layout and high-end MacBook styled switches into a folding design that’s perfect for travel. The B11 Pro breaks from what you’d expect in a travel keyboard – no cheap, mushy, crappy-to-use keyboards with limited customization, and all for around $65 USD (Keychron). Finally, Keychron managed to build a travel keyboard that’s built for digital nomads.
