Keychron launches $84 K4 QMK V3 96% mechanical keyboard and 8 kHz polling M3 8K gaming mouse
Keychron has been updating a slew of its mechanical keyboards with new QMK firmware, updated acoustic materials, and other hardware changes, like switching to PBT keycaps. It has now done the same with the Keychron K4 Version 3, which is re-launching as the K3 QMK Version 3. Along with the relaunch of the K4 QMK V3, Keychron has updated its M3 gaming mouse with a new sensor and new capabilities.
Keychron K4 QMK V3 vs K4 V2 specifications
| Keychron K4 QMK V3 | Keychron K4 V2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Keycaps | Double-shot PBT, shine-through | Double-shot ABS, shine-through |
| Connectivity | Wired USB-C (1,000 Hz polling), Bluetooth 5.2 (125 Hz polling) | Wired USB-C (1,000 Hz polling), Bluetooth 5.1 (90 Hz polling) |
| Software customisation | QMK firmware for VIA and Keychron Launcher support | None |
| Case materials | ABS plastic, optional aluminium frame | ABS plastic, optional aluminium frame |
| Acoustic materials | IXPE switch pad, PET PCB film, EPDM case foam and PET film | None |
| Battery capacity | 4,000 mAh (up to 190 hours wireless use with no RGB, 100 hours with RGB on low) | 4,000 mAh (up to 240 hours use with no RGB, up to 72 hours with RGB) |
| Switch options | Keychron Super Red (linear), Brown (conventional tactile), and Banana (sharp tactile) | Gateron G Pro Mechanical Brown (tactile), Red (linear), and Blue (clicky) |
Much like its predecessor, the Keychron K4 QMK V3 is a compact 96% layout, meaning Keychron has squished a num pad and a cut-back navigation cluster into a slightly smaller package. This layout can take some getting used to, but it's ideal for users who are looking for a num pad but want to be as space-efficient as possible.
The new PBT keycaps are one of the biggest changes to the K4 Version 3, and the new materials should offer better durability, even if the keyboard's sound is somewhat higher-pitch as a result. The inclusion of acoustic treatments in the Keychron K4 QMK V3 is also a massive change and resolves one of the biggest complaints about the K4 V2. Unfortunately, the keyboard is tray-mounted, and it features an aluminium plate, which will result in a stiffer typing feel, although something like an o-ring mod can emulate a gasket mount fairly easily.
If you're looking for a gasket-mount 96% layout Keychron mechanical keyboard, check out the $104 Keychron V5 Max at Best Buy.
As the name suggests, the K4 QMK V3 also now officially supports QMK firmware, meaning remapping is possible with the browser-based Keychron Launcher, VIA, or QMK, if you're feeling adventurous.
The Keychron K4 QMK V3 is available in a handful of different configurations. The base model with white backlighting, a fully plastic construction, and soldered Keychron Super switches comes in at $84. Stepping up to the RGB backlight with a plastic frame and soldered switches increases the price to $94. Opting for the RGB PCB, aluminium frame, and soldered switches increases the price to $104, while the most expensive version, with RGB backlighting, an aluminium frame, and hot-swap Keychron Super switches, comes in at $114.
Keychron M3 8K wireless gaming mouse
A slightly less significant update comes in the form of the Keychron M3 8K wireless gaming mouse, which, as the name suggests, adds 8K polling — a 2× increase over its predecessor. The new version of the M3 wireless mouse features the Pixart 3950 sensor, which also enables it to have a maximum resolution of 30,000 DPI, a maximum tracking speed of 750 IPS, and 50 g acceleration. Both of those specs are an upgrade over the M3 4K's 26,000 DPI and 650 IPS.
What's perhaps more interesting is that Keychron claims the M3 8K can achieve the same 8K polling over wired USB-C mode and in 2.4 GHz wireless mode. The M3 4K also has a 125 Hz Bluetooth connection for productivity use, and Keychron claims that the 600 mAh battery can last up to 140 hours in Bluetooth mode.
In terms of ergonomics and design, the mouse has remained the same, with a symmetrical ergo design (albeit with customisable buttons on the left side and not the right). There are also switches on the bottom of the mouse to control DPI, connection mode, and polling rate without software, although the M3 8K is also compatible with Keychron's Launcher software. Launcher allows for button remapping, profile and macro creation, and DPI and lift-off distance adjustments. The Keychron M3 8K isn't all that lightweight, though, at 79 g, but that's still far from the heaviest gaming mouse around.
The Keychron M3 8K is available via the Keychron store at a price of $69.00. It is only available in black, and there is no RGB version available.
Source(s)
Keychron
