If you’ve been following me, you’ll know that I absolutely love mechanical keyboards.
They are my weakness!
Why?
Well, since I spend a lot of time typing every day, having a fantastic keyboard makes my work much more enjoyable, especially when I have to write for hours.
Recently, I got my hands on the Keychron Q3 Pro Special Edition, which is the latest keyboard I’m reviewing.
Let me tell you, it’s really impressive and offers a lot of cool features for the price. This keyboard is made of solid metal and weighs 2.3 kilograms. It’s wireless too, so no tangled cables!
Want to know more about it?
Keep reading.
Specifications
| Specs | Details |
| Dimensions (W x L) | 144.16 x 414.98mm |
| Height | Front: 17.82mm (without keycaps)<br>Back: 31.37mm (without keycaps) |
| Feet Height | 1mm |
| Angle | 5.52° |
| Weight | 2.3kg ±10 g (fully assembled) |
| Case material | CNC machined aluminum |
| Plate material | Polycarbonate |
| Keycaps | KSA double-shot PBT keycaps |
| Switches | Keychron K Pro (fully assembled version) |
| Stabilizer | Screw-in PCB stabilizer |
| Backlight | South-facing RGB LED |
| Hot-swappable | Yes (3-pin & 5-pin MX) |
| MCU | Ultra-low-power ARM Cortex-M4 32-bit STM32L432 (128KB Flash) |
| Polling rate | 1,000Hz (wired) / 90Hz (wireless) |
| N-Key rollover (NKRO) | Yes (wireless and wired modes) |
| Battery | 4,000mAh rechargeable li-polymer battery |
| BT working time (backlit off) | Up to 300 hours |
| BT working time (lowest brightness) | Up to 100 hours |
| Bluetooth | Version 5.1 |
| Compatible systems | macOS/Windows/Linux |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth / Type-C wired |
Introducing the Keychron Q3 Pro Special Edition Keyboard!
The Q3 Pro has some great additions. It has double gaskets, which help with stability and reduce noise. The keycaps are made of a durable material called PBT, which means they won’t wear out easily.
Moreover, the stabilizers are screwed in for better performance. And it has a TKL design, which means it doesn’t have a numeric keypad on the right side.
But wait, there’s more!
The Q3 Pro Special Edition makes up for the missing numeric keypad with a column of keys on the left side that you can customize. You can assign different functions to these keys to make your life easier.
And there’s a really cool programmable knob made of aluminum that you can use for various tasks. So, even without a numeric keypad, the Q3 Pro SE is still quite big and powerful.
So, if you’re like me and love a good keyboard, the Keychron Q3 Pro Special Edition is definitely worth considering. It’s packed with features, looks stylish, and will make your typing experience a joy!
The Q3 Pro SE features a body crafted from a single block of 6063 aluminum, processed through CNC milling, polishing, anodizing, and sandblasting techniques, resulting in a luxurious finish. This keyboard exudes a sense of premium quality, boasting substantial weight and remarkable durability.
With the Q3 Pro SE, you have the freedom to personalize your typing experience. Its switches are conveniently hot-swappable, allowing you to effortlessly install 3- or 5-pin MX switches from renowned manufacturers such as Cherry, Gateron, Kailh, Panda, and more.
No soldering iron is necessary, granting you the flexibility to select and modify the sound and tactile feedback to your preference.
Keychron Q3 Pro SE: Customizable Keyboard with Advanced Features
The Keychron Q3 Pro keyboard is powered by an advanced ARM Cortex-M4 32-bit STM32L432 chip, which has 128K flash memory. This chip allows developers to program and customize the keyboard according to their needs.
When using the USB-C wired mode, the polling rate is 1,000Hz, ensuring quick and responsive input. In wireless mode, the polling rate is slightly lower at 90Hz, which is still fast enough for most users, except for very fast-paced gamers who may prefer a wired connection.
On the left side of the Q3 Pro SE, there are four rectangular macro keys that can be personalized using the VIA software.
In addition, these keys can be assigned different actions, making it easier to perform complex tasks or input combinations of keys. For example, you can set a single key to close and open windows, save documents, or put your computer to sleep.
The VIA software may take some time to get used to, but with a little practice, it becomes easier to navigate.
Above the four macro keys, there is a high-quality aluminum rotary encoder. This knob can be customized to perform various commands, such as zooming in and out, adjusting screen brightness, changing brush size, controlling volume levels, selecting video clips or photos, or changing backlight colors. The knob has clicking detents, providing a satisfying and precise tactile feedback when rotated.
Enhanced Tactile Feedback and Versatile Options
The Keychron Q3 Pro SE offers two options: ready-built or barebones. You can choose from Red, Brown, and Banana MX switches or even use your own switches. The Banana switches are particularly interesting as they provide an early tactile bump followed by a very smooth keystroke. I haven’t tried the Banana switches yet, but I’m curious to give them a go.
Not only this but Keychron has paid great attention to the tactile feedback of this keyboard. They have integrated PCB-mounted, screw-in stabilizers to enhance the typing experience.
These stabilizers help reduce wobbling, especially on larger keys like the space bar, shift, enter, and delete keys. If you’re into customization, you can replace these stabilizers with aftermarket ones.
Moreover, there is a row of 12 function keys at the top of the keyboard that can also function as media keys in macOS or Windows. These keys can be reprogrammed according to your preference. Additionally, there is a second layer of programmable keys that can be customized for both macOS and Windows.
What’s our verdict for it?
Typing on the Keychron Q3 Pro SE brings immense satisfaction. Compared to the basic Q3 version, this keyboard offers superior stability with minimal flex. The overall product exudes high quality, and Keychron has taken great care in every aspect.
If you desire a top-notch mechanical keyboard that delivers a similar experience to the outstanding Mode Sonnet model, the Q3 Pro SE is a worthwhile investment.
Furthermore, the customizable keys are a standout feature, although I do wish that the VIA software was more user-friendly for assigning macros to the special keys below the dial.
Price and Availability
The Keychron Q3 Pro Special Edition is currently available as a fully assembled option priced at $214. Alternatively, you can purchase the Q3 Pro SE as a bare-bones kit for $194. It comes in three finishes: Carbon Black, Olive Green, and Silver Grey.
