Whatgeek KEBOHUB EE01 combines mechanical keyboard with USB hub

With the Whatgeek KEBOHUB EE01, a particularly exciting mechanical keyboard is currently financed via Kickstarter. The keyboard features a TKL layout, RGB lighting, replaceable keycaps and switches, and includes a 5-port USB hub.

The Whatgeek KEBOHUB EE01 in detail

Whatgeek has designed the mechanical keyboard together with 3inuS and specifically adapted it to Mac devices. Nevertheless, the Whatgeek KEBOHUB EE01 is also compatible with Windows devices.

The keyboard features 87 keys in a space-saving TKL layout and offers the possibility to replace both the keycaps and the mechanical switches quickly and easily thanks to hot-swap capability. It is compatible with all switches that have a 3-pin and 5-pin connector.

Via Kickstarter, you have a choice between red linear switches, brown tactile switches, and blue clicky switches, though the manufacturer doesn’t specify who the switches are from. The Whatgeek KEBOHUB EE01 is also supposed to have a particularly high-quality design and be made of robust materials. The manufacturer states up to 70 million keystrokes as the lifespan.

5-in-1-USB-Hub

A special feature of the Whatgeek KEBOHUB EE01 is of course marked by the 5-in-1 USB hub. Besides the power cable for the keyboard, you have one USB-C 3.0 with 5 Gbit/s, three USB A 3.0, also with 5 Gbit/s, and one HDMI 2.0 for image playback in 4K with 60 Hz at your disposal.

The manufacturer also promises that all devices, including the notebook, can be charged directly via the keyboard – details about the charging speed are not mentioned, so I doubt that a MacBook Pro or a gaming notebook can be charged reliably, but who knows.

RGB lighting with 18 lighting effects is also offered, which can be adjusted in terms of effects, brightness, speed and direction. The keyboard itself measures 353.5 mm x 124 mm x 44 mm and weighs 788 grams.

High-quality mechanical keyboards:

• Keychron Q3 review: excellent mechanical keyboard with minimal criticisms
• Ducky One 3 review: classy mechanical keyboard with a penchant for custom keyboards

Price and Availability

The mechanical keyboard complete with USB hub, Whatgeek KEBOHUB EE01, is currently being funded via Kickstarter. 28 days remain for the campaign, which has already significantly exceeded its goal. At least around 79 euros will be due in the Super Early Bird offer.

For that you get, in addition to the keyboard, 4 Windows keycaps, gray keycaps, 4 switches and the necessary switch and keycap pullers. Normally, you’d have to pay around 105 Euros for the keyboard. Various keycap versions are available as add-ons, just like further Gateron swichtes in the form of the G Pro Yellow or Gateron Oil King. Delivery is scheduled for June 2023.