NuPhy’s Field 75 Is A Gaming Keyboard For Macs And PCs

Are you an Apple Mac user who likes to play games but is tired of only ever seeing gaming keyboards for PCs? If that sounds like you, this brand-new keyboard from NuPhy could be the answer to your prayers. Although NuPhy is best known for its sleek and low-profile mechanical keyboards, the company has launched its first mechanical gaming keyboard made for PCs and Macs.

The NuPhy Field 75 keyboard has an ANSI 75% layout and offers a choice of Bluetooth, RF and wired connections. When using the wired connection, the Field 75 has a polling rate of 1000Hz, which is the same polling rate when using the keyboard’s dedicated 2.4GHz USB RF dongle. And for those who just want an excellent keyboard for general-purpose typing, there’s Bluetooth connectivity offering a polling rate of 125Hz wit up to three devices.

The NuPhy Field 75 has a full set of function and media keys that work with both PCs and Macs. In addition, a knurled metal volume knob and eight customizable buttons can be programmed using NuPhy’s Console software. Those customizable buttons are quite easy to trigger accidentally, so you might need to alter your typing position slightly. Initially, the Console software will only be available for Windows, but I hope NuPhy will make a macOS version because this keyboard is far too good not to have that option.

To create the Field 75, NuPhy joined forces with AKIRA40K from CIY Studio to breathe fresheness and excitement into the keyboard. As well as injecting a heavy dose of dieselpunk, iAKIRA40K also added a metal handlebar and 1970s-style DIP switches for changing operating modes.

The Field 75 features an asymmetric design that looks delightfully quirky and has a slight military theme. Three RGB LEDs shine from portholes on the underside of the keyboard to create a floaty effect. A pair of click-out legs can be used to switch the typing angle of the Filed 75 from 3.5 to 8.5°.

When it comes to colors and finishes, the Field 75 is available in a ‘traditional’ electro design alongside three space-themed designs: Gravity, Ethereal, and Noether. And they all look great.

The Field 75 is NuPhy’s first 1000Hz polling rate keyboard and it’s powered by a Nordic NRF52833 chip for higher throughput and resistance from wireless interference. When used in USB-wired mode, the Field 75’s internal ‘hub’ can function as a repeater to amplify the 2.4GHz RF signals used by a mouse.

Cherry manufactures the keycaps that ship with the Field 75. The veteran German keyboard brand has made the keycaps with PBT while the legends are double-shot for a crisper text with more vibrant colors. NuPhy claims the keycaps are both grease and scratch resistant to ensure they look good, even after extensive use. NuPhy also offers optional shine-through keycaps in four colors to create a great atmospheric effect in a darkened gaming room.

The mechanical switch type is the most critical component of any gaming keyboard. NuPhy offers two new switches in the Field 75: Polaris and Fleeting Gold. The Polaris switches have a pre-travel distance of 1.2mm, which is less than the 1.5 – 2mm common with other linear switches. The Fleeting Gold switches are an early tactile design for users who want maximum precision and feedback.

NuPhy uses polyketone stems on all its switches and they are pre-lubed. The switches feel robust and they should be able to withstand the punishment of intense gaming sessions. NuPhy also provides the option of specifying Cherry switches such as RGB Speed Silver and RGB Ergo Clear switches. Both these designs are Cherry’s first pre-lubed switches.

All the Field 75’s switches are hot-swappable, which means you can replace or upgrade any of them without using a soldering iron. NuPhy provides six bonus mechanical switches in the box so you can test the different switch types or even replace a damaged switch if necessary.

For many fans of mechanical keyboards, the soundthe keyboard makes is everything. To enhance the typing sound, NuPhy has added a high-density metal switch plate to the construction to deliver a deeper and lower-pitched sound. The Field 75 certainly sounds satisfying. I loved the deadening effect the isolating plate had on the keyboard. The Field 75 won’t unduly annoy colleagues when used in an open office.

Backlighting is another area where gamers can be notoriously picky. To ring the LED changes, the Field 75 has a gear-shaped knob that can be turned to select any of Field 75’s 18 lighting effects. The brightness of the LEDs can also be adjusted using the knob. Further options are available for changing the color of the LEDs ranging from turning them off entirely, to altering the speed of the animation effects. The lighting can also be customized using NuPhy’s Console software.

Although most mechanical keyboards are aimed squarely at PC users, the Field 75 is possibly the first model I’ve seen that is also aimed at Mac users. NuPhy has paid particular attention to the multimedia keys on the Field 75 so they can work with macOS and Windows. The macOS implementation includes dedicated keys for Spotlight and Dictation. NuPhy adds that it is committed to finding more ways to support macOS features in the future.

Verdict: The NuPhy Field 75 is a superb mechanical gaming keyboard. I think it’s an ideal keyboard for writers like me, who spend all day typing away on Microsoft Word. The keycaps are well made adn the switches feel excellent. I love how you can easily hot-swap the switches to give the Field 75 a totally different feel. The volume knob is a neat additiojn and much better than using keys to raise or lower sound levels. If I have one criticism, it’s the lack of customization software for macOS. This keyboard is so good I want to be able to program those eight shortcut keys with different time-saving macros. Currently, the short-cut buttons trigger audio and music controls but they could do so much more. If you want a top-flight gaming keyboard for your Mac (or PC), the NuPhy Field 75 is an excellent choice.

Pricing & Availability: The NuPhy Field 75 is available now and costs $159.99.

More info: nuphy.com

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