Keychron C3 Professional QMK/VIA customized gaming keyboard assessment

The Keychron C3 Pro QMK/VIA Custom Gaming Keyboard is hands-down one among my favourite entry-level mechanical keyboards . For lower than $70, it affords a number of gaming features , together with full QMK/VIA help, RGB lighting, sturdy PBT keycaps, and several customization options.

Take into account it among the finest entry-level keyboards for exploring totally different switches and layouts with out spending a whole bunch of {dollars}.

Advisable

Keychron C3 Professional

$25 $37 Save $12

The Keychron C3 Professional mechanical keyboard is a standout alternative for avid gamers and typists alike

Professionals

• Compact Design
• Customizable keys
• Sturdy construct

Cons

• No wi-fi possibility
• Loud
• Lacks media management keys

Value, availability, and specs

The Keychron C3 Professional is priced at $36.99 at a number of on-line e-commerce retailers, together with Amazon. It really works with each Home windows and macOS and options USB-C connectivity for blazing-fast efficiency. The keyboard additionally consists of hot-swappable switches, full RGB backlighting, PBT keycaps, and quite a few customization choices.

What I appreciated in regards to the Keychron C3 Professional

Extremely customizable with QMK/VIA help

The Keychron C3 Professional stands out as a consequence of its QMK and VIA firmware help, which drastically enhances its customization capabilities. QMK firmware is open-source, permitting customers to program a big selection of combos. This flexibility is especially interesting to those that get pleasure from tailoring their keyboard to their particular wants.

As an example, QMK permits even probably the most devoted gamer to remap any key and create completely new keyboard layouts. VIA affords a extra user-friendly method to customization, making it simpler to regulate settings while not having to reconfigure firmware. This makes VIA a superb alternative for avid gamers looking for a customized workflow with out diving deep into technical changes.

With QMK and VIA, customers can create customized shortcuts, assign a number of features to a single key, develop macros, and retailer numerous keymaps for various working methods (e.g., Home windows, macOS, Linux). Moreover, you may personalize RGB lighting with dynamic results and enhancements, akin to assigning particular colours to key combos or particular person keys. Sizzling-swappable switches for enhanced customization

One other key function that elevates the Keychron C3 Professional is its hot-swappable PCB, which permits customers to swap switches effortlessly with out soldering. Whether or not you favor a tactile or clean press really feel, this keyboard allows you to combine and match switches in line with your duties. Changing worn-out switches is simple, requiring no soldering and guaranteeing your keyboard stays in tact. This function is particularly helpful for learners exploring totally different change varieties and for fast fixes that don’t require specialised instruments.

And talking of keys, in contrast to the ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) keycaps generally discovered on on a regular basis gaming keyboards, the Keychron C3 Professional options PBT keycaps, identified for his or her sturdiness and resistance to put on and tear. They’ve a matte end and tough texture that gives a premium really feel that minimizes fingerprints. These keycaps additionally produce a satisfying sound, with a deeper, extra resonant tone in comparison with the higher-pitched sound of ABS keycaps.

A further spotlight of the Keychron C3 Professional is its 65% structure. This compact design is smaller than full-size keyboards, omitting a number of pointless keys such because the quantity pad. This structure not solely saves desk area but additionally permits customers to place their mouse nearer, which might improve consolation throughout prolonged work or gaming periods. The keyboard’s small profile additionally matches simply right into a backpack, making it an acceptable possibility for cellular workstations. Whether or not you are working at a spacious residence workplace desk or a extra cramped workspace, the Keychron C3 Professional adapts seamlessly.

What I did not like in regards to the Keychron C3 Professional

No wi-fi possibility and media keys are lacking

One notable draw back of the Keychron C3 Professional is that it should all the time be related by way of a wired USB-C connection. It lacks Bluetooth and a pair of.4GHz wi-fi connectivity, which might restrict placement choices and motion freedom. This restriction means you may’t use the keyboard too far out of your laptop or laptop computer.

Though the Keychron C3 Professional boasts vivid RGB backlighting, its customization choices are considerably restricted. You’ll discover predefined choices with a restricted variety of static colours, respiratory modes, and primary colour results. For extra superior RGB customization, akin to intricate lighting results and sport synchronization, you would possibly wish to discover higher-end fashions.

When you can remap media controls utilizing QMK/VIA, customers ought to know that the Keychron C3 Professional lacks devoted media keys. This implies you will want to make use of perform key combos to regulate media playback, which may very well be cumbersome when you’re a frequent multitasker.

Moreover, the keyboard’s stabilizers may very well be improved. Bigger keys, such because the Shift and Enter keys, might wobble and rattle often. This will have an effect on the typing expertise, though it may not be noticeable to learners. Making use of some lubricant periodically will help decrease rattling and enhance stability.

Do you have to purchase the Keychron C3 Professional?

The Keychron C3 Professional is a well-rounded alternative for anybody in the hunt for an reasonably priced mechanical keyboard with in depth customization choices. With options akin to QMK/VIA help, hot-swappable switches, premium PBT keycaps, and a compact design, it caters to each novice customers and devoted avid gamers. Should you can handle with out wi-fi connectivity and do not thoughts the absence of devoted media keys, the Keychron C3 Professional is a stable alternative for on a regular basis use.

Advisable

Keychron C3 Professional

$25 $37 Save $12

The Keychron C3 Professional mechanical keyboard is a standout alternative for avid gamers and typists alike