Keychron Q8 Alice QMK Custom Hot-Swap Barebone Keyboard Blue

The Keychron Q8 Alice QMK Custom Hot-Swap Barebone Keyboard Blue is a 65% sized keyboard that features an alice split layout, double gasket-mounted hot-swappable design, programmable knob, sound-absorbing foam, screw-in PCB stabilisers, hot-swappable PCB that supports 3-pin and 5-pin switches, south-facing RGB LEDs, USB-C interface, Windows and macOS mode switch, all on a CNC aluminium body and is compatible with QMK and VIA software.

Please note: This keyboard is a barebone edition - assembly is required and only requires switches and keycaps (sold separately).

Features

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Keychron Q8

Keychron Q8 is a 65% Alice layout all-metal mechanical keyboard. With its all-metal CNC machined body, a full-size layout, double-gasket design, QMK/VIA support, and knob option, the Q8 meets all your practical needs and gives you a high-end typing experience.

 

A refined piece of metal art

The entire metal body is crafted with 6063 aluminum that is processed through CNC machined, polished, anodized, sandblasted, and undergoes 24 more manufacturing stages to make this solid metal piece of art that is the Q8.

All-round customisable keyboard

To build a fully customizable keyboard, we designed every component easily assembled. Therefore, you can customize and adjust each component you want.

Double gasket design

The Double Gasket Design is a new innovative structure in the industry. In addition to the gaskets on the plates, we added silicone pads between the top and bottom cases to significantly reduce the sound resonance between the metals and reduce the noise of the impacted metals. This design allows the keyboard to maintain the flexibility of the gasket structure and improves the overall typing sound.

An epic core inside the keyboard

A brand new ultra-low-power MCU Arm structure that is powerful and armed with 128K Flash to provide more flexibility for developers. The polling rate is up to 1000 Hz out of the box, which makes latency non-existent for the competitive game.

Switch layouts between macOS & Windows

Built with the Mac users’ experience in mind while still retaining compatibility for Windows devices, the Keychron Q8 comes with a system toggle and an additional set of customized keycaps for both Windows and macOS systems. You can now save two different layouts on the keyboard, one for each system.

Programmable knob

Designed to enhance your creative workflow, the premium rotary encoder allows you to easily customize your favorite keys and macros on the knob through the VIA software.

You can easily customize the Q8's knob to your desired key or macro commands such as: zooming in/out, adjusting screen brightness, brush size, volume, selecting video clips or photos, or backlight hue.

Program Q8 with QMK & VIA

With full QMK and VIA support, you can easily program and remap each key on the keyboard. The open-source firmware means endless possibilities for keyboard layouts, shortcuts, backlight effects, even the knob, and more.

Hot-swappable

The hot-swappable sockets are mounted on the PCB, so you can install or change the switches without soldering. The PCB supports both 3 pin and 5 pin MX mechanical switches.

Note: The Q8's top case has sharper corners to make it much more compatible with third-party keycaps.

South-facing RGB LED lights

The south-facing RGB LED is designed to better illuminate the keyboard backlight from the typist’s angle with the premium non-shine-through PBT keycaps installed. The south-facing RGB is also free from interference when the users install OEM or Cherry-profile alternative keycaps on the keyboard.

Pre-lubed Gateron G Pro switch

The optimized molded switch with more precise positioning and less wobble will undoubtedly improve the feel at your fingertips. With the fully assembled Q8 version fitted with factory pre-lubricated Gateron G Pro switches, a smoother travel experience is guaranteed for you.

All new screw-in PCB stabilisers

The screw-in design increases stability and makes it easier for changes and upgrades. Precise craftsmanship makes the stabilizers more stable and less shaky. The big keys’ (space bar, shift, enter, delete) typing experience is now more stable and smooth. The Keychron Q8 also supports third-party stabilizers, including Cherry or Durock.