[IC] Keychron K8 Pro - Wireless/Wired TKL with QMK/VIA support

[cheswick]

K8 Pro
by Keychron
Keychron 
Discord

• TKL layout
• Wireless and Wired useable
• Connects up to 3 devices via Bluetooth
• Out of the box QMK & VIA support
• 5Pin ANSI/ISO hotswap PCB [southfacing]
• Added sound absorbing foam and silicone bottom pad
• South facing LEDs
• Physical switch to switch between layers *Explanation down belown
• Two-level adjustable feet

The Keychron K8 Pro is our newest addition that may revolutionize the way you use a mechanical keyboard. For the first time ever, you can enjoy both wireless connectivity and QMK/VIA customization capabilities on a Keychron keyboard right out of the box. The K8 Pro is designed to take productivity to the next level.





*You don't have to use this switch, you can also switch through the layers purely by using VIA, it's just something on top where u can switch between 2 set layers.
As an example:
Switch state 1: VIA layer 1
Switch state 2: VIA layer 3




Options

Board options

• K8 Pro Hot Swappable RGB Backlight Barebone - Black $79
• K8 Pro Hot Swappable White Backlight - Black $89*
• K8 Pro Hot Swappable RGB Backlight - Black $99*
• K8 Pro Hot Swappable RGB Backlight Aluminum Frames - Black $109*

* version including Gateron Pro switches and PBT keycaps OSA profile


Size

• Width: 127mm
• Lenght: 359mm
• Front Height: 25.12mm
• Back Height: 34.01mm
• Feet Height: 2.7mm
• Angle: 6 and 9 degree
• Weight: 0.91 Kilogramm

Informations
We are working on the first prototypes; this will be an unlimited run of the board, and real-life photos of the boards will be available later.
The estimated launch for this board is expected to be Q1 2022

[te-ce]

please put the USB Port somewhere on the back. All the K-Series boards with the USB port on the side look do not look good..

[of_sam]

Silence brand.

[Rafa_n]

In terms of pricing, this doesn't seem competitive at all even with your own Keychron Q3

[cheswick]

In terms of pricing, this doesn't seem competitive at all even with your own Keychron Q3

K8 Pro is for the people who dont need a heavy board made out of full alu. And who want to use it in wireless mode. Q3 dont offer this option atm. Q3 is more labeled for peoples home workstation for a single PC.

[the flying penguin]

Where's the battery?

[kahlilnc]

Where's the battery?

I owned a K6 in the past. The battery from I remember was in the board, on the left side closest to the usb port and windows/mac toggle.

[SDKCAMPING]

The fact that this will come with a set of OSA keycaps is great, I am sold

[Kaernos]

That's not an IC, there's no room for feedback. That's an announcement.

[HappyB0T]

Can a mod please create a vendor forum for Keychron? Thanks.

[phinix]

25.12mm front height?!
I would need a ladder to type on this... and break wrists after a minute.

[cheswick]

That's not an IC, there's no room for feedback. That's an announcement.

If there is feedback, than this will be implemented, we started with the Q1, took feedback and made a lot of changes for it and even pushed back the release multiple months. This is just the baseline we have right now.

[JQ27]

Currently use a K8 as my beater board for work so loving to see it's getting some upgraded features. Would be nice to see slight differences, such as F13 or 7u bottom row. Make it stand out a bit more. Otherwise loving the ISO support you guys do. Said it before, will say it again. Thanks for it! Much appreciated.

[xuyiguanyinsi]

oh,,fianally QMK and wireless

[unusuaL_]

Price kinda high for a board that is not much different to other boards in your lineup, namely the C1 and the K8. Haven't even started on the injection-molded plastic boards that are much better value.

[cheswick]

Price kinda high for a board that is not much different to other boards in your lineup, namely the C1 and the K8. Haven't even started on the injection-molded plastic boards that are much better value.

- Better switches
- double shot PBT caps insteat of ABS
- new and way better stabs
- silicon pad + new foam
- Better chip which is compatible with QMK/VIA and BT
 

Its an increase of 30USD

[deadwolfbones]

Are the stabs plate mount or screw in?

[atl22033]

Are the stabs plate mount or screw in?

screw in it looks like from the pcb

[4milk]

Are they paying you yet cheswick? 18 million in revenue last year

[cheswick]

Are they paying you yet cheswick? 18 million in revenue last year

My "payment" is 20 boards per released board Im giving them all away trough giveaways or to others who want one etc. My main job is paying pretty good and I get the chance to test out a lot of stuff like cnc cases, anodizing and other stuff without having to pay a single cent. So for me atleast to this point its fair imo but thats a personal decision I guess.

[cheswick]

Price adjustment:

• K8 Pro Hot Swappable RGB Backlight Barebone - Black $79
• K8 Pro Hot Swappable White Backlight - Black $89*
• K8 Pro Hot Swappable RGB Backlight - Black $99*
• K8 Pro Hot Swappable RGB Backlight Aluminum Frames - Black $109*

* version including Gateron Pro switches and PBT keycaps OSA profile

[Handke]

too many keyboards, each one with a lower quality than the other

[cheswick]

too many keyboards, each one with a lower quality than the other

Lower quality? Keychron released the Q2 and everyone who tested it will tell you it improved, check any review out there. And those are all ICs its not those will be released all in the next 2 weeks

[Handke]

too many keyboards, each one with a lower quality than the other

Lower quality? Keychron released the Q2 and everyone who tested it will tell you it improved, check any review out there. And those are all ICs its not those will be released all in the next 2 weeks

When I see your website, I understand immediately that there's no clear direction in keychron work, there are what, 20 different keyboards? They want the lower tier of the market, and the enthusiasts; they offer cnc, but not in WKL because there would be too many versions while the enthusiasts want WKL because they have OG sets. It's like a schizoid timeline, with keyboards made from some OEM following the trend of the moment. They don't understand what the market wants, so they sell half finished products and see which one sells the most, and then decide to make that one and to throw away the others; it's quite crazy.

[HungerMechanic]

I'm weirdly curious about this board. How well does the factory-dampening work?

It could be a basis for silent switches, or quiet down Ergo Clears. My Archon AK89 does that.

Someone commented on the height of the board. Would this be awkward on a high desk?

[WhatsForLunch]

The high outside edge makes it look fugly ngl.

[Handke]

The high outside edge makes it look fugly ngl.

Looks like a cheap frame from ikea. Screws, dust and all. Should have made the plate ticker, to stay on the same level of the border, cnc'd to 1.5mm to make the switch click in place.

Sometimes it's inspiration, sometimes it's just perspiration.

[synchromatik]

The high outside edge makes it look fugly ngl.

Plus complete dust catcher. Pair that with some non-box switches and an average family with a kid/pet - you got yourself a maintenance nightmare of a keyboard.

[cheswick]

K8 Pro on Kickstarter is live: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/keytron/keychron-k8-pro-qmk-via-wireless-mechanical-keyboard?ref=b22f1w
Over 675 orders in the first hours

[Handke]

The high outside edge makes it look fugly ngl.

Plus complete dust catcher. Pair that with some non-box switches and an average family with a kid/pet - you got yourself a maintenance nightmare of a keyboard.

+1 This keyboard is horrible and ignores any aestethic standard. Plus it's going to be dirty and impossible to clean.

[Ryohka]

So finally we have some brave people trying QMK and bluetooth together?