Most computer users take their keyboards for granted, especially laptop owners who have little choice on the matter anyway, at least when not at home or in the office. For those whose lives and livelihoods depend on typing away on a keyboard most of the day, however, choosing the right keyboard is almost like a religion. In addition to the comfort promised by ergonomic keyboards, there are also other factors like key travel and even acoustics that drive some people nuts if they aren’t right. Although it’s difficult to create a keyboard that suits all users, this mechanical keyboard allows buyers to mix and match pieces and has a better sustainability story thanks to its unique design.
Designer: Keychron
Mechanical keys are still controversial. Some people complain about the louder sound they produce compared with regular keyboards. Conversely, many professional computer users, from programmers to writers, swear by this kind of keyboard because of the accuracy and comfort they actually provide by using mechanical switches instead of rubber membranes. If those are still not enough, this customizable keyboard may be for you.
Although you can buy a fully assembled Keychrone Q3, its real appeal is the ability to mix and match the parts that you want, including the keycaps and the switches underneath. This allows you to choose how loud your keyboard sounds, from softest to most powerful, and even the material of its keycaps.
Unlike your typical keyboard, however, the Keychron Q3 can almost be considered a work of art as well. That is thanks to its all-metal body, specifically 6063 aluminum that is CNC machined, anodized, sandblasted, and more. Keychron made sure that noise was not a problem for anyone in the room.
Even though there is still plenty of plastics used here, the aluminum body and the customization options make this keyboard a bit more sustainable than most of its peers. The body itself will last a long, long time and can be recycled when its end of life does arrive. But since the other parts can also easily be replaced, it will take an even longer time before it has to be retired from service in the first place.
The Tenkeyless (TKL) Keychron Q3 isn’t just all looks and sounds, of course. The design was created for programmers and designers and includes many features users can adjust to suit their work flow. There’s even a physical knob that can be mapped to changing the volume to changing brush size. The Keychron Q3 almost sounds like the keyboard lover’s dream, no pun intended, and looks handsome on your minimalist desk to boot.
