Keychron K8 Pro QMK/VIA Wireless Mechanical Keyboard

My keyboard from the kickstarter arrived this past Monday. I've been using it at work to code all week and I'm absolutely loving it. Via works seamlessly setting up macros, assigning keys and setting the lighting. I'm curious to find out what more I can do with QMK when I'm not limited by a GUI with Via.

Though a longtime gamer and fan of mechanical switches (I had previously owned a "clicky" and "tactile" keyboards from a major gaming brand) I had never dabbled into customizable gear. After watching everyone else have fun with it (shout out to Badseedtech for the inspiration) I decided to buy a K14 as a gift for my brother. I was blown away with how much more "fun" his seemed and I loved the wireless option. I'm not a "good" gamer so I don't need lightning fast speed.

When the Kickstarter for the K8 Pro started, I knew I had to get on board. While I do want to dive into a fully custom model eventually, I knew my first attempt would have to be solid from the start if I was going to enjoy this hobby. Words cannot describe how much I love this thing. Compared to my older board from the aforementioned gaming brand, this is quieter, tighter, and feels better built. The wireless option is of course nice, but the better stabilizers and attention to detail really shine. Even my girlfriend admitted the K8 Pro is nice, and she thinks the hobby is a little dumb!

I think this is a great starting place for anyone getting into enthusiast keyboards. It feels sturdy, the Reds are smooth out of the box, and I like the sound. I'm also a big fan of the keycap profile! I would buy this keyboard for anyone who cares about typing quality and might dive a little deeper in the future!

I have a pre-assembled aluminum K8 Pro with Gateron G Pro Red switches and Keychron's OSA profile double-shot PBT keycaps, and it is completely worth the extra $20-30 to get this version over the barebones, especially if you don't yet have switches and keycaps to use. The G Pro Red switches are pre-lubed linear switches that are very smooth, and the included OSA profile keycaps are comfortable for typing and gaming alike. The stabilizers are incredibly well done, no rattle noises at all and it's almost like they aren't even there. The optional FR4 switch plate is very nice, I prefer the sound over the included steel plate, although the steel plate is still nice. Unfortunately, I don't feel like the aluminum bars on the sides of the case do much of anything, but I prefer the look compared to the non-aluminum version. The only downside that I can find is that the USB-C port is on the left side instead of centered on the top side, so routing a USB-C cable will be tricky or annoying for some, myself included. Otherwise, no complaints and I am very impressed with the K8 Pro!

I backed this keyboard via Kickstarter and received it within the window they said they would deliver. The keyboard itself is of excellent quality. I personally got the RGB Backlight with Aluminum Frame with Gateron Browns. I'm coming from a Keychron K10 with browns and there is a bigger improvement in the K8 Pro I was not expecting. It's nice and heavy which I really like and the typing experience is outstanding. The sound is excellent. She thockky. Works really well with VIA which is one of the biggest reasons I got this board. Lighting is easily controlled within VIA but it does come with a second layer to update all colors and dedicated light mode switch. I would recommend this keyboard.