The new Keychron K3 HE low-profile keyboard is finished with real rosewood endplates.
KEYCHRON
Today, Hong Kong-based keyboard brand Keychron announced that it is launching two new keyboards on Kickstarter. The company has decided to crowdfund its new K3 HE and K3 Ultra 8K models. These high-performance keyboards have a low-profile design with a 75% layout and are travel-ready. Each model features a minimalist industrial design built around a metal chassis and finished off with a natural rosewood frame.
Low-profile keyboards were initially designed to make them more portable, but these days consumers expect them to also offer the same kind of responsiveness, customization and acoustic refinement as a full-height keyboard. While people appreciate the slim look and portability, they are less willing to do without the high-performance that full-height models offer.
To respond to this latest trend in the keyboard market, Keychron has developed two new advanced and low-profile models, each addressing slightly different needs, but each with the same slim-line look while still offering the latest input technology and advanced wireless performance.
Keychron has used hot-swappable and ultra-fast Lime low-profile magnetic Hall-Effect switches on the K3 HE keyboard.
KEYCHRON
A Stacked Structure
Across both models, Keychron has used a multi-layer acoustic design that’s been engineered specifically for low-profile keyboards. Inside is a stacked structure consisting of keycaps, switches, plate and sound-absorbing foam for improved typing acoustics but without increasing the overall thickness or bulk of the keyboard.
Both models use LSA low-profile double-shot PBT keycaps and they also support low-latency 2.4 GHz wireless, Bluetooth and wired connectivity. Up to three devices can be connected to the keyboards at the same time and there is cross-compatibility with Mac and Windows systems.
Each keyboard has hot-swappable switches with dynamic backlight controsl, plus the can have their keys remapped and be programmed with shortcuts and macros using Keychron’s Launcher website.
The second keyboard being launched by Keychron on Kickstarter today is the K3 Ultra 8K. This is the company’s top-tier low-profile wireless keyboard and has 8000Hz polling rate.
KEYCRHON
“Our goal with these releases is to reduce friction between intent and action,” says Paul Tan, co-founder at Keychron. “Input can be tuned for precision or respond with ultra-low latency during extended wireless use, depending on how the keyboard is configured.”
Hall-Effect Switches
The K3 HE model is the first K3 magnetic-switch keyboard from Keychron and it’s aimed at competitive and enthusiast gamers. The low-profile design will also appeal to programmers and power users. The switches are Hall Effect magnetic sensing designs with contactless actuation, so both distance and trigger points can be customized by the user. Last Key Priority and Snap Click input modes are also included so that simultaneous key presses are processed by press order or depth.
Other features on the K3 HE include multiple commands with gamepad-style analog input support. Keychron has used ultra-fast Lime low-profile magnetic switches on the keyboard and 2.4GHz wireless connectivity for responsive and low-latency performance when gaming. Thanks to open-source QMK firmware, the K3 HE can be extensively programmed with the Keychron Launcher web app.
Keychron has used low-profile Milk POM mechanical switches which are pre-lubed for consistent performance and long-term durability.
KEYCHRON
Meanwhile, the second model being launched on Kickstarter today is Keychron’s K3 Ultra 8K. This is the company’s top-tier, low-profile wireless design and offers an 8000Hz polling rate. This keyboard is aimed specifically at users who are especially sensitive to a keyboard’s latency and responsiveness. The K3 Ultra 8K is extremely responsive and has the kind of endurance required for gaming, office use and working in multi-device workflows.
Ultra-Low Latency
Key capabilities of the K3 Ultra 8K include its 8,000Hz wireless polling rate with ultra-low latency input response that is as low as 0.125 milliseconds. There is up to 550 hours of battery life on a single charge in 2.4GHz wireless mode using efficient ZMK firmware.
Keychron has fitted the keyboard with low-profile Milk POM mechanical switches, which are pre-lubed for consistent performance and long-term durability. Like most of Keychron’s recent models, the K3 Ultra 8K is fully programmable using the Keychron Launcher web app.
If you like the look of the two new low-profile keyboards from Keychron, you can find out more over at Kickstarter.
KICKSTARTER
“Low-profile no longer has to mean limited,” says Tan. “With these K3 models, users can choose between magnetic precision or high-performance wireless input while keeping the same slim form factor and build quality.”
Pricing and Availability:
Early backers of the two new Keychron keyboards can get on board by supporting the campaign from today at Kickstarter. Prices start at $109.99. As with any crowdfunding campaign, carry out due diligence, as consumer protection isn’t always the same as retail outlets.
