IQUNIX Mag 75 and Mag 96 Review: Creamy Low Profile Keyboards With ISO Options

Introduction

Low profile keyboards have become a crowded space, but IQUNIX has carved out a distinct position with its latest releases. The Mag 75 and Mag 96 are two new low profile mechanical keyboards that aim to deliver a creamy typing experience in a sturdy aluminum frame. They also bring something rare to this category: ISO layout support for European users.

These keyboards start at $139 USD and go up to $179 USD depending on the configuration. The pro versions of both models add a side console with a volume knob and a four-way button, plus a 2.4 GHz wireless dongle. If you are coming from a laptop keyboard, the flat profile may feel immediately familiar. If you are used to a standard gaming keyboard with taller keycaps, the shorter travel distance will take some adjustment.

What Comes in the Box

Both keyboards arrive in semi-soft, semi-hard shell cases that feel more premium than the plain shipping box. Inside, you will find a set of accessories that varies slightly depending on the version. ISO versions include the extra keycaps needed for that layout, which is a thoughtful touch given how uncommon ISO support is in the low profile space.

There is also a metal accent keycap that adds a nice visual detail, and a coiled cable. The cable is one of the weaker points here. It is not coiled particularly well, and a poorly coiled cable can look tacky on a keyboard at this price point. A straight braided cable would have felt more appropriate.

One inconsistency worth noting: the Mag 96 includes a quick start guide that explains the keyboard’s features, while the Mag 75 does not. The hotkey details are available online, so this is not a deal breaker, but it is an odd difference between two products from the same lineup.

Layout Options: 75% and 96%

The Mag 75 is a 75% keyboard with 84 keys. It keeps the F row and arrow keys while compressing the overall footprint. This makes it a good fit for desks where space is limited, or for users who rarely need a number pad.

The Mag 96 is a 96% keyboard with 100 keys instead of the standard 108. It keeps the numpad, which will appeal to anyone who regularly enters numbers, but it tweaks a few key positions compared to a full-size layout. If you rely heavily on a numpad, this version is worth a closer look.

Both keyboards are built from aluminum that feels incredibly sturdy. The tray mount structure gives the boards a slight bounce when typing, which adds a subtle liveliness to the feel. The pro versions have a small side section that gives them more visual character than the standard models.

Low Profile Design and Switches

The flat profile is the defining feature of these keyboards. If you are moving from a laptop keyboard, the low travel distance may feel more natural and responsive. If you are coming from a standard keyboard with OEM or Cherry profile keycaps, the shorter travel could make it feel like you are pressing keys accidentally at first.

The switches are low profile gold red switches, which are linear and smooth. Interestingly, they are white in color despite the gold name, which is a small quirk. The linear press through feels very clean, and the switches are hot swappable, meaning you can remove and replace them if you want to experiment.

That said, the low profile ecosystem is relatively tight. There are not many keycap options available, and compatibility can be inconsistent. Switches from different brands may have pins in different positions, so do not expect the same level of customization you would get with a standard profile keyboard.

Pro Version Features and Connectivity

The pro versions of both keyboards cost $159 USD and add a side console. The bottom section of this console pops off to reveal a 2.4 GHz dongle, which is a clean way to store it when not in use. The keyboards support wireless over 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, and wired mode, and you can switch between them quickly with a hotkey press. Multi-device connectivity works seamlessly, which is a strong point.

The side console also includes a volume knob and a four-way button. The knob is useful, and the four-way button can be reprogrammed like a regular key. The button itself feels a little unsatisfying to press, but its functionality makes up for the feel.

The keyboards support VIA software for customization. Initial setup required flashing firmware from the IQUNIX website and loading a JSON file into VIA, which was a slightly awkward process. Once configured, however, the software experience was flawless. You can remap all keys, set custom knob actions, and assign the four-way button to media controls or other functions.

Sound and Typing Feel

Both keyboards sound creamy, which is the signature trait IQUNIX seems to be going for. The foam layers inside the case, combined with the smooth switches and PBT keycaps, produce a pleasant typing sound. The keycaps are shockingly nice for a keyboard in this price range.

There is a noticeable difference between the two models. Despite having a similar structure, the same switches, and the same amount of foam, the Mag 96 sounds remarkably more thocky. The Mag 75 has more of a creamy clack, while the Mag 96 delivers a deeper creamy thock. If sound character matters to you, this is a meaningful distinction.

The one disappointment is the spacebar. Both keyboards had a ticking spacebar out of the box, which is not great at this price point. Removing the spacebar and adding a little lube fixed the issue, but properly lubed stabilizers should be standard on keyboards in this range, even budget ones.

Who Should Buy These Keyboards

The Mag 75 and Mag 96 are best suited to a few specific groups. If you are in Europe and want a low profile keyboard with ISO layout support, your options are limited, and these keyboards stand out as one of the best choices available. The ISO DE and ISO UK versions are rare finds in this category.

If you are coming from a laptop keyboard and want a flat, responsive typing experience with a premium aluminum build, either model will feel like a natural upgrade. The creamy sound and smooth linear switches add to the appeal.

If you need a numpad, the Mag 96 is the obvious pick. If you prefer a compact footprint and rarely use a numpad, the Mag 75 will serve you well. The pro versions are worth the extra cost if you want the side console, the volume knob, and the convenient 2.4 GHz dongle storage.

Buying Advice

Before you commit, consider your typing background. The low profile design is a genuine adjustment if you are used to taller keycaps. The ticking spacebar is a minor flaw that you may need to fix with some lube. And if you want extensive keycap or switch customization, the low profile ecosystem will limit you.

For most users, the Mag 75 is the more versatile choice thanks to its compact size. The Mag 96 makes more sense if the numpad is essential to your workflow. Both deliver a creamy, pleasant typing experience in a sturdy aluminum frame, and the ISO support is a genuine differentiator for European buyers.

Conclusion

The IQUNIX Mag 75 and Mag 96 are strong entries in the low profile keyboard space. They offer a creamy typing feel, a sturdy aluminum build, and rare ISO layout support. The pro versions add useful features like a volume knob, a four-way button, and seamless multi-device connectivity.

The ticking spacebar and the limited customization ecosystem are worth keeping in mind, but neither is a deal breaker for the right buyer. If you are looking for a low profile keyboard with a premium feel and you value ISO support, these are two of the best options available.