Apos GK6 vs Kono 67°: Ortholinear Kit vs Wireless 65%

Compare Apos Gizmo Engineering GK6 vs Kono 67° Differences Side by Side

This comparison is for buyers deciding between a unique, high-end DIY experience and a practical, feature-rich pre-built. The Apos GK6 is a niche ortholinear kit with a unibody aluminum case and deep QMK programmability, while the Kono 67° is a standard-layout 65% keyboard offering tri-mode wireless and a volume knob straight out of the box. The choice hinges on your willingness to build, your need for wireless, and your preference for an ortholinear versus standard layout.

Model
Rating	0.0 stars (0 reviews)	0.0 stars (0 reviews)
Purchase Options
Main differences	Available in a Numpad layout Offers Ortholinear ergonomics Compatible with both Mac and Windows Supports QMK firmware Supports Wired, Wired only connectivity Weighs about 810 g Sized at 31 x 250 x 116 mm Made with a Steel, Aluminum case Offers Yes, Rgb RGB lighting	Has Tactile, Linear switch options Available in a 65% layout Offers Normal ergonomics Comes with a knob Features N-key rollover Uses a Plate Mount mounting style Supports Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless connectivity Equipped with a 2400 mAh battery Made with a Plastic, Steel case Offers Yes, Rgb, North-face, Rgb North-face RGB lighting
Score	Scores Performance: 65.5 Build Quality: 72.2 Productivity: 85.4 Customizability: 80.3 Portability: 77.1	Scores Performance: 72.6 Build Quality: 65.1 Productivity: 63.6 Customizability: 62.9 Portability: 84.6
Name	Name Apos Gizmo Engineering GK6	Name Apos Kono 67°
Release year	Release year 2024	Release year 2024
Switch Options	Switch Options -	Switch Options Tactile, Linear
Profile	Profile Normal Profile	Profile Normal Profile
Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable
Layout Size	Layout Size Numpad	Layout Size 65%
Layout Standard	Layout Standard ANSI	Layout Standard ANSI
Layout Ergonomics	Layout Ergonomics Ortholinear	Layout Ergonomics Normal
Knob Support	Knob Support	Knob Support
Display Support	Display Support	Display Support
Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support
Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys
USB-C	USB-C	USB-C
USB passthrough	USB passthrough	USB passthrough
Connection	Connection Wired, Wired only	Connection Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless
Polling Rate	Polling Rate -	Polling Rate -
Battery capacity	Battery capacity -	Battery capacity 2400 mAh
Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support
QMK Support	QMK Support	QMK Support
VIA Support	VIA Support	VIA Support
VIAL Support	VIAL Support	VIAL Support
N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover
Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger
Mount Style	Mount Style -	Mount Style Plate Mount
Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers
Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening
Backlight	Backlight Rgb	Backlight Rgb, North-face
Case Colors	Case Colors	Case Colors
Case Material	Case Material Steel, Aluminum	Case Material Plastic, Steel
Keycaps Material	Keycaps Material PBT	Keycaps Material PBT
Dimensions	Dimensions 31 x 250 x 116 mm	Dimensions -
Weight	Weight 810g	Weight -

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0.0 stars (0 reviews)

Available in a Numpad layout
Offers Ortholinear ergonomics
Compatible with both Mac and Windows
Supports QMK firmware
Supports Wired, Wired only connectivity
Weighs about 810 g
Sized at 31 x 250 x 116 mm
Made with a Steel, Aluminum case
Offers Yes, Rgb RGB lighting

Has Tactile, Linear switch options
Available in a 65% layout
Offers Normal ergonomics
Comes with a knob
Features N-key rollover
Uses a Plate Mount mounting style
Supports Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless connectivity
Equipped with a 2400 mAh battery
Made with a Plastic, Steel case
Offers Yes, Rgb, North-face, Rgb North-face RGB lighting

Scores

Performance: 65.5
Build Quality: 72.2
Productivity: 85.4
Customizability: 80.3
Portability: 77.1

Scores

Performance: 72.6
Build Quality: 65.1
Productivity: 63.6
Customizability: 62.9
Portability: 84.6

Name

Apos Gizmo Engineering GK6

Name

Apos Kono 67°

Release year

2024

Release year

2024

Switch Options

Tactile, Linear

Profile

Normal Profile

Profile

Normal Profile

Hot Swappable

Layout Size

Numpad

Layout Size

65%

Layout Standard

ANSI

Layout Standard

ANSI

Layout Ergonomics

Ortholinear

Layout Ergonomics

Normal

Knob Support

Display Support

Mac/Win Support

Multi-Media Keys

USB-C

USB passthrough

Connection

Wired, Wired only

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless

Polling Rate

Battery capacity

2400 mAh

Hall Effect Support

QMK Support

VIA Support

VIAL Support

N-Key Rollover

Rapid Trigger

Mount Style

Plate Mount

Screw in Stabilizers

Sound Dampening

Backlight

Rgb

Backlight

Rgb, North-face

Case Colors

Case Material

Steel, Aluminum

Case Material

Plastic, Steel

Keycaps Material

PBT

Keycaps Material

PBT

Dimensions

31 x 250 x 116 mm

Dimensions

Weight

810g

Weight

Pros and Trade-offs

Your primary need dictates the choice. If you want a unique, high-quality typing project and are willing to learn an ortholinear layout, the Apos GK6 kit offers superior materials and unmatched QMK customization. If you need a versatile, plug-and-play keyboard with wireless freedom for daily tasks and gaming, the Apos Kono 67° provides excellent value and convenience.

Apos Gizmo Engineering GK6

+Premium unibody machined aluminum case with Cerakote finish.
+Fully programmable via open-source QMK firmware.
+Ortholinear layout designed to reduce finger stretching.
+Hot-swap PCB supports multiple bottom-row layouts (split spacebar, etc.).
+Includes an optional silicone sound dampener for acoustics.

−Wired-only connectivity, no wireless option.
−Ortholinear layout has a significant learning curve for most users.
−Sold as a DIY kit, requiring assembly.
−Heavier weight of 810g and larger numpad-sized footprint.

Apos Kono 67°

+Tri-mode connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz with dongle, and wired USB-C.
+Pre-built and ready to use with Kailh switches and PBT keycaps.
+Includes a dedicated volume knob for media control.
+More portable 65% form factor with a 2400mAh battery.
+Uses proprietary Kono67 software for layout and lighting customization.

−Case uses a plastic outer frame instead of full metal construction.
−Lacks the deep, open-source firmware programmability of QMK.
−North-facing RGB LEDs may cause interference with certain Cherry profile keycaps.

Which Keyboard Is Better for Your Needs?

The Kono 67° wins for general office use, gaming, and travel due to its wireless connectivity, familiar layout, and pre-built convenience. The GK6 is the clear choice for programming enthusiasts and modders who value deep firmware customization and a unique ortholinear typing experience. For content creation, both offer useful tools, making it a tie based on whether you prefer hardware media controls or software-driven macros.

GamingApos Kono 67°

•The Kono 67° includes N-key rollover, a standard for gaming.
•Its standard 65% layout is more familiar for gaming keybinds than the GK6's ortholinear layout.
•It offers a lower price point for a pre-built gaming-ready board.

OfficeApos Kono 67°

•The Kono 67° has tri-mode wireless (Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, wired) for easy device switching.
•Its built-in volume knob provides convenient media control.
•It is a fully pre-built keyboard, requiring no assembly for immediate use.

ProgrammingApos Gizmo Engineering GK6

•The GK6's fully programmable QMK firmware allows for deep customization of layers and macros.
•Its ortholinear layout can reduce finger stretching for some typists.
•The hot-swappable PCB supports multiple bottom-row layouts for ergonomic customization.

TravelApos Kono 67°

•The Kono 67° is wireless with a 2400mAh battery, eliminating the need for a constant cable.
•Its 65% form factor is more compact than the GK6's numpad-sized footprint.
•It is lighter as a pre-built plastic and steel board compared to the GK6's 810g aluminum construction.

ModdingApos Gizmo Engineering GK6

•The GK6 is sold as a DIY kit, designed for assembly and customization from the ground up.
•It offers a choice between steel and aluminum plates, and an optional silicone sound dampener.
•Its QMK firmware provides extensive programmability at the firmware level.

Content CreationTie

•The GK6's QMK programmability is powerful for creating complex macro layers.
•The Kono 67° has a dedicated volume knob and customizable software for lighting and key mapping.
•Both feature RGB backlighting and PBT keycaps.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)