The keyboard itself is pretty decent and feels well-made for a plastic body. That being said, quite a few flaws that would have made me hesitate to buy this.
- Certain keys do not work with Mac (like fn). These are coded in such a way that you can't remap them.
- There's a persistent issue with keys double pressing. It's somewhat mitigated by upping the key repeat delay, but you may not want to do that.
- The white coating on the metal is super easy to scratch off with the included keyswitch puller. After two switch changes, it's quite noticeably damaged around many keys.
Keychron Q3, Black, Hotswap With Knob
The Q3 is a fully customizable mechanical keyboard to push your typing experience to the top. With the classic tenkeyless layout, full aluminum CNC machined body, double-gasket design, and QMK/VIA support, the Q3 is designed for premium typing comfort and endless possibility.
Premium Aluminum Body
This keyboard is not just a tool, but a piece of art on your desk. The Q3 is created with a 6063 aluminum CNC machined body, polished, anodized and sandblasted finish, and twenty-four manufacturing processes. A real sturdy, heavy and premium build quality.
Double-Gasket Design
The gasket design provides the board with a nice, flexible typing feel and a satisfying typing sound. In addition to the gaskets on the plates, the Q3 features silicone pads between the top and bottom cases to significantly reduce the sound resonance between the metals and reduce the noise of the impacted metals.
Programmable Knob
Designed to enhance your creative workflow, the premium rotary encoder allows you to customize your favorite keys and macros through the innovative VIA software with ease. Customize the Q3's knob to your desired key or macro commands like zooming in/out, adjusting screen brightness, brush size, opacity, volume, selecting video clips or photos, or backlight hue.
Hot-Swappable PCB
The Q3 hot-swappable PCB allows you to easily swap out switches without disassembly and de-soldering, so you can use your favorite switches or try out new switches without the risk of damaging the keyboard. The PCB supports both 3-pin and 5-pin MX mechanical switches.
Gateron Screw-In PCB Stabilizers
The screw-in design increases stability and makes it easy for changes and upgrades. More precise craftsmanship makes the silver-plated stabilizers more stable and less wobbly. The big keys’ (space bar, shift, enter, delete) typing experience is more stable and smooth and rattling is significantly reduced. The Q3 also support third-party stabilizers including Cherry or Durock.
South Facing RGB
A unique RGB feature where the LED’s are located at the bottom of the switch rather than the top, which make them appear brighter because they are facing the typer. It’s also good for the PBT, Cherry profile, and non-shine-through keycaps which are popular for customized keycaps.
Sound Absorbing Foam
The Q3 features a sound-absorbing form that reduces vibration and drastically improves sound signature.
Mac OS and Windows Support
Built with the Mac users’ experience in mind while still retaining compatibility for Windows devices, Keychron Q3 comes with a system toggle and an additional set of customized keycaps for both Windows and macOS systems. It also allows you to save two different layouts in the keyboard, one for each system.
QMK and VIA Support
If customizing the looks and feel of your Q3 is not custom enough, with full QMK and VIA support, you can program and remap each key on the keyboard with ease. The open-source firmware means endless possibilities for keyboard layouts, shortcuts, backlight effects, and more.
OSA Profile Double-Shot PBT Keycaps (Fully Assembled Version Only)
The fully-assembled version of the Keychron Q3 comes pre-built with Double Shot PBT keycaps and it includes additional Mac and Windows-specific keycaps. The OSA profile has a similar height to that of the OEM profile and has an SA-like shape. The PBT keycaps will provide excellent oil resistance, enhance the type feel, and prevent the legends from fading out.
**Only the fully assembled version comes with keycaps, the barebone version does not include keycaps**
Pre-Lubed Gateron G Pro Switches (Fully Assembled Version Only)
Every detail counts when it comes to a premium typing experience. The factory pre-lubed Gateron G Pro switches deliver a great feel and sound: **Only the fully assembled version comes with switches, the barebone version does not include switches**
Available in Three Colorways
The Keychron Q3 is available in three colors: Black, Grey, Blue
Cases Available in Three Colors (Barebone)
The cases are also available in three colors: Black, Grey, Blue
Specifications.
**The barebone edition does not come with switches or keycaps**
**This Keyboard does not have wireless connectivity**
Width: 137 mm
Length: 365.1 mm
Front Height: 19.7 mm (without keycaps)
Back Height: 32.6 mm (without keycaps)
Feet Height: 2.4mm
Angle: 5.2°
Weight: 2000 g ± 10g (Fully Assembled Version)
Body Material: Full CNC machined aluminum
Plate Material: Steel
Polling Rate: 1000 Hz
Keycaps (Fully Assembled Version): Double-shot PBT keycaps, not shine-through, OSA Profile (OEM height, SA shape)
MCU: Ultra-low-power Arm Cortex-M4 32-bit STM32L432 (128KB Flash)
Switches: Gateron G Pro (Fully Assembled Version)
Backlight: South-facing RGB LED
Switch Support: Hot-swappable (5 pin & 3 pin)
Stabs: Screw-in PCB stabs
Connectivity: Type-C
Cable: Type-C cable + Type-A to Type-C adapter
Operating Environment: -10℃ to 50℃