Keychron C3 Professional QMK/VIA customized gaming keyboard assessment

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

Think about it among the finest entry-level keyboards for exploring totally different switches and layouts with out spending lots of of {dollars}.

Advisable

Keychron C3 Professional

$25 $37 Save $12

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

Execs

• Compact Design
• Customizable keys
• Sturdy construct

Cons

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

Worth, 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 preferred concerning the Keychron C3 Professional

Extremely customizable with QMK/VIA help

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

For example, QMK allows even essentially the most devoted gamer to remap any key and create solely new keyboard layouts. VIA presents a extra user-friendly method to customization, making it simpler to regulate settings without having to reconfigure firmware. This makes VIA a wonderful alternative for players in search of a customized workflow with out diving deep into technical changes.

With QMK and VIA, customers can create customized shortcuts, assign a number of capabilities to a single key, develop macros, and retailer numerous keymaps for various working programs (e.g., Home windows, macOS, Linux). Moreover, you possibly can personalize RGB lighting with dynamic results and enhancements, reminiscent of assigning particular colours to key mixtures 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 like a tactile or clean press really feel, this keyboard allows you to combine and match switches in accordance with your duties. Changing worn-out switches is easy, requiring no soldering and making certain your keyboard stays in tact. This function is particularly helpful for newbies exploring totally different swap sorts 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, recognized 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% format. This compact design is smaller than full-size keyboards, omitting a number of pointless keys such because the quantity pad. This format 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 suits simply right into a backpack, making it an acceptable choice 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 concerning the Keychron C3 Professional

No wi-fi choice and media keys are lacking

One notable draw back of the Keychron C3 Professional is that it should all the time be linked through a wired USB-C connection. It lacks Bluetooth and a couple of.4GHz wi-fi connectivity, which might restrict placement choices and motion freedom. This restriction means you possibly can’t use the keyboard too far out of your pc 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 fundamental shade results. For extra superior RGB customization, reminiscent of intricate lighting results and recreation 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 may want to make use of operate key mixtures to regulate media playback, which might be cumbersome if you happen to’re a frequent multitasker.

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

Must you purchase the Keychron C3 Professional?

The Keychron C3 Professional is a well-rounded alternative for anybody seeking an reasonably priced mechanical keyboard with intensive customization choices. With options reminiscent of QMK/VIA help, hot-swappable switches, premium PBT keycaps, and a compact design, it caters to each novice customers and devoted players. When you can handle with out wi-fi connectivity and do not thoughts the absence of devoted media keys, the Keychron C3 Professional is a strong 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 players and typists alike