The Syntech Chronos 68 is a extremely customizable magnetic swap keyboard that, with some small Mac-specific points apart, isn’t 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 inconceivable with the choices accessible in the marketplace.
Add on new applied sciences like magnetic switches, and it turns into so much more durable to seek out one that may do all of it. Doing all that whereas probably not wanting fully misplaced on a Mac desktop turns into a problem.
Doing so with out breaking the financial institution is even more durable.
The Syntech Chronos 68 is a magnetic keyboard that’s, mainly, one supposed for gaming. Nevertheless, in the event you’re prepared to make some sacrifices, it might probably grow to be fairly a good selection.
Syntech Chronos 68 evaluate – 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 area bar, an Exit icon on the Enter key, and a radioactive icon on the Escape key.
Syntech Chronos 68 evaluate – The gamer aesthetic is in full show
The model despatched for evaluate is in a yellow and white colorway, with the yellow used for simply these three keys. A white and black possibility adjustments these standout keys to black, whereas the gamer glyphs are faraway from sight for the all-black possibility.
The 68 within the title refers back to the 68 keys, with the usage of a 65% key structure. You do not get the numpad, nor perform row keys, however the latter are accessed by utilizing 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 mild results will probably be somewhat bit extra seen.
Syntech Chronos 68 evaluate – 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 hold it in place. As it’s a wired keyboard solely, there isn’t any further battery weighing it down, however it stops wanting being too mild to be helpful.
Syntech Chronos 68 evaluate – There is not any wi-fi, however there’s 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 large, and 1.2 inches thick, it is definitely a compact keyboard, with little wasted area 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 prime proper nook, used to point capslock, the FN Lock mode, and “Typing Mode.”
Syntech Chronos 68 evaluate – Very neat indicators within the nook
Included within the field is a wrist relaxation, which is manufactured from plastic and is beneficial sufficient in the event you want further top in your wrist. There’s additionally a USB-C cable, 4 alternative switches, a keycap puller, and a small brush within the field too.
Syntech Chronos 68 evaluate – Magnetic switches and configuration
As a magnetic keyboard, it depends on a special sort of swap. Inside is the Outemo Magnetic Sealed Change, although there’s additionally the potential for utilizing a Gateron Magnetic Jade Professional as a substitute.
In contrast to regular switches, magnetic switches function in a very completely different manner. Somewhat 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 discipline utilizing the Corridor Impact. As you press the important thing, the gap between the magnet and sensor adjustments, and so do the magnetic fields.
Syntech Chronos 68 evaluate – Spare switches, a keycap puller and a brush, included within the field
In impact, the keyboard can measure the gap the important thing has travelled, which can be utilized in varied methods. For a begin, you should utilize the net configuration software program to regulate how far every key could be pressed earlier than it counts as an actuation.
The net configurator allows 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 you must launch the important thing to depend as not “Urgent” it.
This will likely sound bizarre for typing, however this type of factor could be helpful for players to change to enhance their gameplay. Different options embody Snap Faucet, which can be utilized for course switching, whereas Tremendous Faucet allows you to arrange 4 macros or actions on one key, relying on the way you press it.
As regular, you can too 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 somewhat than one for normal typists.
Syntech Chronos 68 evaluate – The bottom view features a assist QR code
This may be all overwhelming, but in addition probably inconvenient in the event you use the keyboard for each gaming and typing. Nevertheless, urgent Operate then Area switches between typing modes, as indicated by the nook LED.
That manner, you possibly can have the keyboard arrange in a custom-made structure with macros and completely different key sensitivities for gaming, or a extra standard model for regular typing.
Syntech Chronos 68 evaluate – RGB and keycaps
As a gaming keyboard, it has lights constructed into it. These are normally set to be always-on, however you possibly can change it within the configurator.
Apart from brightness, you can too introduce completely 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 structure that has a white illumination round every key that can do one thing when pressed with the Operate key.
Syntech Chronos 68 evaluate – The structure with RGB shining via the important thing glyphs
That is nice for remembering that there is a shortcut for a perform, however you do not essentially know the place it’s. At the very least it narrows down the listing of doable combos so that you can strive.
Usually, this is able to be the tip 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 additionally they shine the sunshine via the glyphs too.
The texture of the keys is pretty typical, with a barely concave prime to them. There’s somewhat little bit of texture on the tops, which has endured for fairly a little bit of typing utilization.
Syntech Chronos 68 evaluate – The facet view
In the case of truly typing with it, the presses are passable, however the sound is simply too. This mixture of keycap, pre-lubed magnetic switches, and the layers of poron, PCB, and PET contained in the keyboard ends in a mid-tone tapping sound, which is not too loud but in addition not too high-pitched to sound hole.
It is bodily light-weight as a keyboard, however the audible components do not betray that reality to the consumer.
Syntech Chronos 68 evaluate – Gamer, however virtually Mac-friendly
So far as mechanical keyboards go, the Syntech Chronos 68 does various issues effectively. As a magnetic swap keyboard, it’s an extensively configurable gadget, able to establishing macros and different modern-day necessities of computing.
It is also acquired a really minimal styling. One that’s distinctly nonetheless gamer in nature, however in a barely muted trend.
Syntech Chronos 68 evaluate – The wrist relaxation is straightforward however works
When you may conceal probably the most onerous gaming components by switching the escape and enter keys for others, additionally, you will have to vary 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 will remap the keys in software program to get the Mac key mapping, however correct alternative keys can be wanted for a full conversion.
It will’ve been good for Syntech to have Mac-specific keys included within the field. It will a minimum of enable for key alternative with out having visibly odd keys, and rule out shopping for a very new keycap set to switch every part.
These Mac-specific issues apart, there’s so much to love in regards to the Chronos 68. It is not a premium-priced keyboard, however the magnetic switches make it punch manner above its weight.
Syntech Chronos 68 evaluate – Professionals
- RGB shines via keycaps
- Minimal measurement with indicators in nook
- Magnetic swap configuration
Syntech Chronos 68 evaluate – Cons
- A bit of mild 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 swimsuit 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.
In the event 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 accessible from the corporate straight, for a retail worth of $179.99. As this evaluate goes reside on June 24, 2025, it’s presently on sale for $139.90, which makes it a bit extra palatable to Mac customers.
