5/17/2023 0 Comments Keychron k2 v2 battery indicator![]() ![]() What really surprised me when I took the keyboard out of the box was how light it was. This is a nice touch as it gives the keyboard a pop of color, breaking up the monotony of the different shades of grey. Right out of the box, the Keychron K3 is a rather sleek-looking keyboard featuring grey accents for the modifier keys, and a dark grey finish for the alphas, with a single reddish-orange Esc key. Top: 60%/HHKB layout Bottom: Keychron K3 75% layout It also supports various platforms such as Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. It sports a 75% form factor, low-profile switches and keycaps, and also support for Bluetooth connectivity, a bit of a rarity when it comes to mechanical keyboards. ![]() With the Keychron K3, this is the latest entry in the company’s lineup of keyboards. The company creates affordable mechanical keyboards that don’t break the bank and are perfect for those who want a more tactile keyboard or if you’re just diving into the mechanical keyboard hobby for the first time. Introductionįor gamers or typists who are after a mechanical keyboard, Keychron is a company that you might be familiar with. Is this the keyboard for you? Read on to find out. That being said, the folks at Keychron have sent over their latest keyboard – the Keychron K3 which features a low-profile design that’s wireless and features a hotswap design. Some might prefer full-sized layouts with numpads, while others might prefer something smaller like a 60% keyboard, while others can’t live without dedicated arrow keys.īasically, there’s something for everyone and there really isn’t a “right” choice. There is no “right” form factor and it boils down to personal preference. Both color schemes feel retro, but the white one is even more so. Plus, the white/non-backlit version has a bright look that lets you see the thicker legends with ease-even the gray legends for the function row and media keys.Mechanical keyboards come in a variety of form factors, with each person preferring one form factor over the other. I much prefer the appearance of the non-backlit version. Keychron sent me a non-backlit K14 with white keycaps as well as the priciest option, which has dark gray keycaps and RGB backlighting. K14s with a backlight have ABS plastic keycaps, and those without a backlight use tougher doubleshot ABS plastic.įinally, in order to get Gateron-brand mechanical switches instead of Keychron's, you'll need to order the K14 with the darker keycaps. Oddly, a backlight results in a keycap downgrade. ![]() Gateron Red, Blue, or Brown switches are also available. More expensive SKUs, including the mid-priced K14 I tested, let you add hot-swappable mechanical switches so you can easily pop them out with an included tool. That means you would need a soldering iron and a lot of patience to change the keyboard's mechanical switches. The cheapest version of the K14 has no backlight (except for a red indicator light for Caps Lock), and it comes with Keychron-brand switches that are soldered in. Keychron Red, Blue, or Brown, hot-swappableĮxtra keycaps: 1x Esc, 1x Windows, 2x Alt 1x USB-C to USB-A cable 1x keycap pullerĮxtra keycaps: 1x Esc, 1x Windows, 2x Alt 1x USB-C to USB-C cable 1x keycap puller 1x switch puller Gateron Red, Blue, or Brown, hot-swappable For keyboard enthusiasts seeking the finest craftsmanship from sight to sound, though, some of the K14's features fall short. At $59–$99, the K14 is a good candidate for someone seeking a budget- to mid-priced wireless keyboard with mechanical switches, and it's even better for those who want Apple-ready legends. The K14 even throws in some wireless luxuries, like the ability to pair the board with up to three Bluetooth devices and toggle between them, plus USB-C charging and the option to use the keyboard with a cable. The result is a compact clacker with an option for white or RGB lighting and hot-swappable switches to get the exact typing feel you want. The K14 is a 70 percent wireless mechanical keyboard, meaning that it ditches the numpad (but not the navigation keys) and forgoes a dedicated function row. And not only can you buy a wireless mechanical keyboard that works with Apple computers, but in the case of the Keychron K14, you can get one that comes with a Mac layout out of the box (don't worry, Windows keycaps are also included). But the market has come a long way, and you can now pick up mechanical keyboards, including cable-free options, for under $100. Options are limited further for budget-minded buyers if they want a wireless device, especially if they're looking for a Mac-specific board. A common complaint about mechanical keyboards is that they're too expensive. ![]()
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