Keychron Announces K8 QMK V2 TKL Keyboard With Improved Customization and New Switch Options
Keychron, known for its often reasonably priced, customizable mechanical keyboards, has announced the second iteration of the K8 QMK. The new TKL (80%) keyboard sports updated internal materials for added sound dampening. The new K8 QMK is available with the usual selection of mechanical switch types and two different frame designs, catering to different market segments. Compared to the original K8 Wireless, the K8 Wireless V2 has updated Bluetooth connectivity, QMK support, and new, custom Keychron switches.
The new Keychron K8 QMK V2 shares many similarities with its predecessor, including the same $99 starting price, although there are some differences that are likely to make V2 an attractive option for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. The biggest physical change is the move from shine-through OEM profile ABS keycaps to shine-through double-shot Cherry profile PBT keycaps, which are bound to be a mixed bag in enthusiast communities. On the one hand, many enthusiasts prefer the sound of ABS keycaps, but the Cherry profile is often highly regarded for comfort and ergonomics. While the external physical changes are mostly rather moderate, the internals have been significantly more impressive, with QMK firmware—and Keychron Launcher customization support—being the most important of the functional changes. That QMK support apparently comes at a cost, though, since the new Keychron K8 QMK V2 comes with the same battery capacity but significantly lower battery life when connected wirelessly, despite the move from Bluetooth 5.1 to Bluetooth 5.2. Keychron claims that the K8 QMK V2 can last up to 190 hours on Bluetooth without backlighting and up to 100 hours with the backlighting at its lowest brightness. Meanwhile, the original K8 is capable of up to 240 hours with the backlight off, with RGB backlighting coming in lower than the new K8 QMK V2, at up to 72 hours with the backlight enabled. The K8 QMK V2 also has new inner foam layers for sound dampening, which might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it helps provide more customization options.
The new Keychron K8 QMK V2 shares many similarities with its predecessor, including the same $99 starting price, although there are some differences that are likely to make V2 an attractive option for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. The biggest physical change is the move from shine-through OEM profile ABS keycaps to shine-through double-shot Cherry profile PBT keycaps, which are bound to be a mixed bag in enthusiast communities. On the one hand, many enthusiasts prefer the sound of ABS keycaps, but the Cherry profile is often highly regarded for comfort and ergonomics. While the external physical changes are mostly rather moderate, the internals have been significantly more impressive, with QMK firmware—and Keychron Launcher customization support—being the most important of the functional changes. That QMK support apparently comes at a cost, though, since the new Keychron K8 QMK V2 comes with the same battery capacity but significantly lower battery life when connected wirelessly, despite the move from Bluetooth 5.1 to Bluetooth 5.2. Keychron claims that the K8 QMK V2 can last up to 190 hours on Bluetooth without backlighting and up to 100 hours with the backlighting at its lowest brightness. Meanwhile, the original K8 is capable of up to 240 hours with the backlight off, with RGB backlighting coming in lower than the new K8 QMK V2, at up to 72 hours with the backlight enabled. The K8 QMK V2 also has new inner foam layers for sound dampening, which might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it helps provide more customization options.
