![]() ![]() This review will focus on the Keychron K8 with Gateron Red (linear) switches, RGB lighting, and a plastic case. The Keychron K8 with its original keycaps (backlight off). Thankfully, companies like Keychron now offer models like the K8 designed to serve equally well as a gateway to the hobby, or as a ready-made solution. That said, not everyone has the time, funds, or initiative to delve so deeply into what can be an expensive and complex pastime. Mechanical keyboard modding is, without exaggeration, one of the deepest rabbit holes in consumer tech. Linear switches, in particular, may seem like a strange creation, but they are among the most popular for gamers and speed-focused typists due to the few milliseconds per keypress one can save by avoiding the obstacle of a tactile or clicky bump.īeyond choosing one of these mainstay switch types mechanical keyboard enthusiasts will tweak everything from the material of the keyboard’s case and mounting plate, the type of plastic used in switch housings, the density and type of lube used on each individual switch, and many other factors. The three most common switch types today are “clicky” switches, which make an audible sound when they actuate “tactile” switches, which are quieter, but still include an eponymous tactile bump to provide physical feedback for their actuation and “linear” switches, which provide quiet, completely smooth key travel with no auditory or tactile indicators of actuation. In addition to these benefits, switches can also be customized in countless ways to alter their sound, the depth at which they actuate, the weight of their spring resistance, and many other variables. ![]() More: Keychron Q1 QMK custom mechanical keyboard review: A premium, affordable experience built for you ![]() Today’s switches still rely on a metallic spring to provide keys with rebound, but the mechanisms have been entirely revamped to include tiny metal contact leaves for greater longevity, superior accuracy, and more responsive typing than their rubber dome counterparts. People collect, refurbish, and use these tank-like, 20-year-old keyboards to this day (including yours truly). In fact, some of the first consumer-focused PC keyboards were mechanical, including IBM’s iconic Model M series. They’ve been around for over two decades. Mechanical keyboards earned their name by way of the switches and springs they use. There are also scissor and butterfly switches, mostly found in laptops, but we’ll be focusing on stand-alone keyboards. Most budget keyboards tend to use small rubber domes to help their keys compress and rebound. But, we’re here to review just one model, so I’ll provide the briefest summary possible. This question could take an entire article to answer, if not a series of articles. Let’s see if the K8’s balance of size, functionality, and pricing can convert the remaining mechanical keyboard skeptics out there. Today we’ll be looking at Keychron’s K8, one of the most popular offerings from a company that has earned a reputation for building high-quality, reasonably-priced boards that are ideal as either entry points into the hobby of mechanical keyboard modding, or as plug-and-play boards for gamers and office workers. However, as gamers began looking for office-friendly mechanical solutions, and more non-gamers began to understand the benefits these keyboards can provide, companies made a name for themselves by offering understated, well-made mechanical boards at affordable prices. For a time, these were your best bet for acquiring an affordable mechanical keyboard. These tend to be focused on pleasing gamers with fast, lightweight key switches bright RGB lighting low-latency, corded connectivity and what some may consider overly-flashy aesthetics. Logitech, Corsair, Razer, and others offer numerous models of mechanical keyboards. Several big-name companies have gone after this trend, especially within their respective gaming keyboard lines. But, many users are so particular about the sound, feel, and customizability of their boards that a custom-designed mechanical keyboard is an absolute must. This may be shocking to those contentedly typing away on $20 keyboards for years on end. High-end models, especially small-batch releases and group buys, can skew into several hundreds of dollars, if not over $1,000. Mechanical keyboards can be an intimidating area of electronics. Keychron K8 review: A satisfying, sub-$100 gateway to mechanical keyboards ![]()
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