NuPhy Air 60 Review. The definitive space-saving keyboard that works on top of your laptop computer!

Mechanical keyboards are increasingly being talked about these days.

Until recently, mechanical keyboards were often thought of as a product for gamers, but recently they have become very popular, with major keyboard brands such as Logitech entering the mechanical keyboard market.

Among these hot mechanical keyboards, the “low-profile mechanical keyboard” is the hottest genre.

The thin, lightweight, firm key feel characteristic of mechanical keyboards, and the fact that they can be carried around, have made them a hot topic of conversation.

Among such low-profile mechanical keyboards, we recommend the NuPhy Air 60.

This article will introduce the author’s favorite, Air60.

The successor model was launched on October 17, 2023.

NuPhy Air60 is recommended for

In conclusion, the Air60 is by no means a keyboard for everyone.

The critical reason for this is the lack of function keys.

A normal keyboard consists of six lines, but this model omits the top line in exchange for compactness, which means that the top line is typed with a combination of FN keys.

Frankly speaking, as for function keys, many people only have occasion to use “F7 (katakana conversion),” so they are not so much of a problem even if they are not actually present.

However, there will be some switching costs, as you will need to learn combination typing to replace function keys.

If you’re in love with its one-of-a-kind presence, buy it!

Advantages of NuPhy Air60

Let me tell you about the benefits I have experienced with Air60.

Looks super stylish and cute.

I don’t know if it’s possible to get through to you by saying “jackets,” but the Air60 is already super nice looking.

You won’t find a tiny, colorful board with a look that makes you excited to hold it anywhere in Japan.

That is how impactful the appearance of the unit is, which is its number one advantage.

I think that most people are attracted to this product by its appearance rather than by how easy it is to use.

Replacement keycaps are also being released, and there are other limited edition keycaps available, so you will be able to change your keycap every year. (New keycaps are released every year.)

Venerable style available without the need for a keyboard bridge.

One of the advantages of Air60 is the ability to practice the tutelary style without a keyboard bridge.

In this way, the firm keystroke feel characteristic of mechanical keyboards can be implemented on the go, greatly increasing work efficiency.

Seriously.

Have you ever heard of the “noble style”?

The name comes from the famous programmer Richard Stallman, who is revered as the “Venerable Master,” who typed with the HHKB on top of his Macbook.

Perhaps the name is only used in Japan.

Normally, to place a keyboard on top of the keyboard of a Macbook or other laptop computer, a part called a ” keyboard bridge” must be provided to prevent interference with the existing keyboard.

The Air60, on the other hand, has special rubber feet called AIRFEET, which are designed to fit perfectly into the space between the keys.

Moreover, it is surprising that it is compatible with Windows machines as well as Macbooks.

Ultra-compact design for a clear desk

The Air60 is much more compact than the original Mac Magic Keyboard.

For those who have a small desk or want a clear look, the small size of the unit is a great advantage.

While it is not as thin as its competitors, it is one line smaller in vertical width, which will make your desk area look much cleaner.

Comparison of weight between Air75 and Air60｜Air60 is lighter and easier to carry

The Air60 weighs less than 500g and has the advantage of being easy to carry.

Compared to the Air75 with function keys, it is more than 100 g lighter.

Hot-swappable and replaceable keyswitches

One of the best things about Air60 is the advantage of interchangeable keyswitches.

A mechanical keyboard is a form of input with physical switches.

Air60 is “hot-swappable,” meaning that the switches are not soldered directly to the substrate and can be replaced.

The red-axis keyboard has a “scuzzy” feel with no resistance, while the blue-axis keyboard has a “clicky” sound and click feeling that is typical of mechanical keyboards.

The brown shaft has a clicking sensation, but not as loud as the blue shaft.

Since NuPhy can be purchased at the same time as the main unit, it would be possible to use blue-axis keys only for keys with frequent typos.

sound sample

Other Features

• Key layout can be customized using NuPhy Console
• Compatible with both Windows /Mac operating systems. Of course, also available for iPad/iPhone.
• Sidelights and RGB backlight for a spectacular effect
• Keycaps from other low-profile mechanical keyboards such as Keychron can be used, but the space bar cannot be replaced due to the slightly different positioning of the space bar keycaps.
• Numerous genuine replacement keycaps available
• Replacement key switches also available for purchase
• The dedicated carrying case ( NuFolio V2) doubles as a simple stand.

Disadvantages of NuPhy Air60

As explained in the introduction, the Air60 is not a keyboard for everyone.

The detailed reason for this is its detailed reason equal disadvantage.

No function keys, so combination typing is required

Perhaps the biggest disadvantage of the Air60 is the lack of function keys.

While a typical keyboard should have “6 rows” horizontally, the Air60 has only “5 rows” horizontally.

Therefore, “Katakana conversion = F7”, which will always be used for Japanese input, must be pressed in combination with Fn and must be pressed in combination with Fn.

or the similar shortcut key “ control + (Mac) or “Ctrl K (Mac)” or “ Ctrl + (Mac) or I (Windows)”, a combination that you are not accustomed to typing.

Especially for those who have mastered the blind touch, it will be a difficult task to correct the habit of “Kana conversion = F7” because it is hard to break the habit of typing.

This is the number one hurdle to introducing Air60.

Products purchased from official overseas websites can only be used in Japan with a wired connection because they have not yet acquired technical qualification.

Previously, no authorized domestic distributor handled Air60, but recently “Sanyo Godo Kaisha” has started domestic sales of products that have acquired technical certification.

Therefore, wireless connection is possible without any problem if purchased from an authorized distributor.

Note, however, that it is more expensive than the official site (about 13,000 yen at 130 yen to the dollar on the official site).

If you use our coupon code, the price is calculated to be lower after taking into account the shipping cost from overseas.

If you want to use the product in the tutoring style, you will be able to use it stylishly without any problem by using the included cable or the short cable as shown below.

However, those using a desktop computer will definitely need to prepare a USB Type-C cable.

A curled cable would provide a fashionable look.

To purchase inexpensively, you need to use an international mail order service.

To purchase Air60 inexpensively, you need to buy it directly from NuPhy in Shenzhen, China.

The NuPhy website itself is all in English, and nowadays most parts of the website are translated into Japanese by the browser’s translation function, so you can purchase the product without any particular difficulty.

For more information on how to purchase, please click here.

Instruction Manual (Manual) for NuPhy Air60

As for the Air60 manual, it is not distributed on the official website.

I have placed a written version of the manual on hand for your reference.

NuPhy Air60 contents and specification details

summary

This has been my review of Air60.

We hope you can see so far that this is a very attractive keyboard.

However, it is also true that the habit is quite strong.

This product can be recommended for those who have no problem without function keys and are not afraid of the US layout.