Mechanical keyboard: why Keychron models still appeal to writers

Lucas, a senior writer at the technology site TechCrunch, explains in an opinion piece why mechanical keyboards remain appealing for people who spend long hours at a desk. He has used a Keychron K2 for two years and says he would not go back to an ordinary keyboard.

Keychron is one of the best-known makers of mechanical keyboards. The company started in 2017 with a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign and has since produced dozens of keyboards and keypads, as well as several mouse models.

Setup and models

A mechanical keyboard needs little setup: you unbox it, plug it in and start typing. The K2 comes with a USB cable, and a Bluetooth option is also available, which the author recommends for anyone who wants a clean, minimalist workspace. The package also includes small tilt legs that change the typing angle.

Over the past two years Keychron has released several new models with different features and prices. The K2 costs $60. The K8 HE Wireless Magnetic Switch Custom Keyboard has an all-wood body and an LED backlight, and costs around $200. The C0 HE One-Handed 8K, a keypad aimed at gamers with an industrial look, is currently sold out. The company has also updated its K, Q and V series, many of which cost between $100 and $200.

Why people like them

One advantage is customization: key caps can be swapped for others or made by hand, and a whole sub-market has grown around them. Sound matters too. Some people dislike the loud clacking, but the author enjoys it, and for many buyers it is a key selling point. The sound has even found its way into ASMR videos.

For the author, Keychron's biggest draw is its retro design, which recalls an earlier era of electronics. He considers it a good home office purchase, giving a desk the look of something from the 1990s.

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