System76 Launch Keyboard Review

The System76 Launch keyboard is a compact 75% board that keeps dedicated function and arrow keys but removes the Numpad and a portion of the navigational cluster to free up more space on your desk.

The System76 Launch keyboard has an outstanding build quality. The chassis and baseplate are one piece of aluminum with a metal plate on the bottom to keep the interior hidden, so there's no flex at all. The keycaps are PBT with dye-sublimated legends, so you won't have to worry about them fading after prolonged use. On the bottom, there are four rubber feet, which do a good job of keeping the board in place, and the magnetic lift bar feels very secure when attached and it also has two rubber feet. The keys themselves feel stable, and what little wobble there is isn't distracting or noticeable while typing.

The System76 Launch keyboard has okay ergonomics. It has a straight profile and comes with a magnetically attachable lift bar that acts as a single incline setting. Although it lacks a wrist rest, it's not necessarily needed since the keycaps have an XDA profile, so they're all the same height. Additionally, the key design allows for easy reconfiguration of the layout, so you can get the key layout that feels most comfortable for you.

The System76 Launch keyboard has full RGB backlighting with individually-lit keys. The color mixing is impressive, so the whites look pure. It's also fully customizable in the companion software, but you can also adjust some settings on the keyboard itself using hotkeys. Unfortunately, the key legends aren't shine-through, so they'll be hard to read in the dark.

The System76 Launch keyboard comes with two braided cables: one USB-A to USB-C and one USB-C to USB-C cable. The measurement above is from the USB-A cable, but both cables are roughly the same length. Unfortunately, they both retain kinks from the packaging.

The System76 Launch keyboard has additional ports on the top of the board. There are two high-speed USB-C ports and two high-speed USB-A ports, so the keyboard acts as a USB hub, allowing you to plug in different devices for charging or use. You can control the media and backlighting using hotkeys outlined in the user documentation, and it has full N-key rollover to ensure each keypress is registered. Additionally, it's also hot-swappable, so you can change out the stock switches for any you prefer without needing to solder. Although this keyboard comes with software, it doesn't support macro-programming. However, you can set macros if you use the QMK firmware.

• System76 Launch keyboard
• USB-C to USB-C cable
• USB-C to USB-A cable
• Dual keycap and switch puller
• Lift bar
• Additional keycaps
• 3x large Esc keys
• 2x small Esc keys
• 1x large beige Shift key
• 1x large beige Bksp key
• 1x large beige Fn key
• 1x small grey Fn key
• 1x set of red arrow keys
• 1x set of blue arrow keys
• User documentation

The System76 Launch keyboard comes with your choice of tactile Kailh Box Royal and clicky Kailh Box Jade switches. The Kailh Box Royal switches have a short pre-travel distance and a firm tactile point that requires quite a bit of force to overcome, resulting in a heavy typing experience that could cause finger fatigue during long periods of use. However, you're less likely to have typos because of the force it takes to overcome the tactile bump.

The System76 Launch keyboard offers a very good typing experience. The keycaps are smooth PBT plastic, which feels nice on the fingertips. They have an XDA profile, so they're all the same height, which could take some getting used to. The keys feel stable, with no distracting wobble during use, though they do feel a bit cramped due to the board's compact size. While the keyboard feels nice to type on, it does take some getting used to because of the split Space Bar and the small Shift, Enter, and Backspace keys. Also, the Kailh Box Royal switches may not be for everyone, as they offer substantial resistance during a keypress and have a "rough" feel to their tactile bump. They also take a lot of force to operate, so you'll likely experience finger fatigue during extended periods of use.

The System76 Launch keyboard is loud to type because it lacks sound-dampening foam. It also has a floating-key design, which is louder as there's no insulation around the switches. Though the Kailh Box Royal switches are tactile, they're still loud when installed on this keyboard. However, you can swap out the stock switches, and the typing noise will change depending on what switches you install.

The System76 Launch keyboard has alright latency. It's suitable for casual gaming and everyday writing tasks, but it's too high for competitive or fast-paced games.

The System76 Launch keyboard comes with software that lets you customize the RGB backlighting and remap keys. You can program up to four layers of remapping, including setting non-QWERTY layouts. Unfortunately, the software doesn't allow you to program macros onto the keyboard. However, this keyboard is supported by QMK, and you can use QMK to program macros, though it may not be as user-friendly or intuitive. This companion software is open-source, as is the firmware and design of the keyboard, meaning that you can design, build, and program your own keyboard if you have the proper equipment.

The System76 Launch keyboard is fully compatible with all major operating systems, meaning all keys and software features work as intended. Since this keyboard comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable, you can technically use it with mobile devices that have a USB-C port, and all keys work as intended with Android devices that support a USB-C connection. However, this will drain your device's battery quickly, and there's no companion app or software to adjust any settings on the keyboard.