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  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Dimensions
    2. Build Quality
    3. Ergonomics
    4. Backlighting
    5. Cable & Connector
    6. Wireless Versatility
    7. Extra Features
    8. In The Box
  5. Typing Experience
    1. Keystrokes
    2. Typing Quality
    3. Typing Noise
    4. Latency
  6. Software and Operating System
    1. Software & Programming
    2. Keyboard Compatibility
  7. Comments

Keychron K3 vs System76 Launch

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Keychron K3
System76 Launch

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Nov 16, 2023 08:59 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Jun 06, 2022 08:13 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Keychron K3 Picture
System76 Launch Picture

Variants

  • K3 (K3B3 - Black)
  • Launch (Gray)

Our Verdict

Keychron K3

System76 Launch

The Keychron K3 and the System76 Launch are two different mechanical keyboards, but they're both designed for office and productivity use. The Keychron is a low-profile, wireless keyboard, so it has better ergonomics and supports multi-device pairing with up to three devices using Bluetooth. On the other hand, the System76 is a wired-only keyboard, but you can completely reconfigure the key layout. Also, it has four additional USB ports, meaning it can act as a USB hub, and it has companion software, which the Keychron lacks.

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Main Differences for
Gaming

Threshold 

0.10

Gaming 

8.0
7.9

Operating Force 
 

51 gf
70 gf

Software & Programming 
 

0.0
7.6

Build Quality 
 

8.0
9.0

Full Comparison

Design

Dimensions 
 

Top Picture  

Keychron K3 Top Picture
System76 Launch Top Picture

Size 
 

Compact (75%)
Compact (75%)

Height 
 

1.1" (2.7 cm)
1.2" (3.1 cm)

Width  

12.0" (30.5 cm)
12.2" (31.0 cm)

Depth 
 

4.6" (11.6 cm)
5.3" (13.6 cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest 
 

N/A
N/A

Weight 
 

0.88 lbs (0.397 kg)
2.18 lbs (0.988 kg)
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

8.0
9.0

Build Quality Close Up  

Keychron K3 Build Quality Close Up
System76 Launch Build Quality Close Up

Keycap Material  

ABS
PBT
Show Text 

Ergonomics 
 

7.0
6.5

Side Picture  

Keychron K3 Side Picture
System76 Launch Side Picture

Board Design 
 

Straight
Straight

Minimum Incline 
 

Medium Incline 
 

N/A
N/A

Maximum Incline 
 

N/A

Wrist Rest  

No
No
Show Text 

Backlighting 
 

9.3
9.9

Backlighting Picture  

Keychron K3 Backlighting Picture
System76 Launch Backlighting Picture

White Shot 
 

Keychron K3 White Shot
System76 Launch White Shot

Brightness Max 
 

Keychron K3 Brightness Max
System76 Launch Brightness Max

Brightness Min 
 

Keychron K3 Brightness Min
System76 Launch Brightness Min

Backlighting  

Yes
Yes

Color 
 

RGB
RGB

Individually Backlit Keys 
 

Yes
Yes

Color Mixing 
 

Ok
Good

Effects 
 

Yes
Yes

Programmable 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Cable & Connector  

Connectivity  

Wireless
Wired

Detachable 
 

Yes (Wired Mode and Charge)
Yes (Wired Only Keyboard)

Length  

4.0 ft (1.2 m)
4.9 ft (1.5 m)

Connector (Keyboard side) 
 

USB type-C
USB type-C
Show Text 

Wireless Versatility 
 

10
0.0

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
No

Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing 
 

3
No

Proprietary Receiver 
 

No
No

Battery Type 
 

Rechargeable
No Batteries
Show Text 

Extra Features 
 

Extra Features  

Keychron K3 Extra Features
System76 Launch Extra Features

Media Keys 
 

Hot Keys
Hot Keys

Macro Programmable Keys 
 

No
No

Trackpad / Trackball  

No
No

Wheel  

No
No

USB Passthrough 
 

No
Yes

Numpad  

No
No

Windows Key Lock 
 

No
No

Lock Indicator  

Caps Lock
No Indicator
Show Text 

In The Box  

Bundle Picture  

Keychron K3 Bundle Picture
System76 Launch Bundle Picture
Show Text 
Typing Experience

Keystrokes 
 

Key Switch Actuation Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Key Switches 
 

Gateron Low Profile Brown
Kailh Box Royal

Mechanical 
 

Yes
Yes

Feel 
 

Tactile
Tactile

Operating Force 
 

51 gf
70 gf

Actuation Force 
 

48 gf
43 gf

Pre-Travel 
 

1.7 mm
1.7 mm

Total Travel 
 

2.7 mm
3.7 mm
Show Text 

Typing Quality 
 

7.5
8.0
Show Text 

Typing Noise 
 

Typing Sample  

Noise 
 

Quiet
Loud
Show Text 

Latency 
 

7.0
6.9

Latency Video  

Latency Wired 
 

14.6 ms
16.8 ms

Latency Receiver 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency Bluetooth 
 

22.1 ms
N/A
Show Text 
Software and Operating System

Software & Programming 
 

0.0
7.6

Software Picture  

Keychron K3 Software Picture
System76 Launch Software Picture

Software Name  

No Software
System76 Keyboard Configurator

Account Required 
 

No Software
No

Profiles 
 

No Profile
6+

Onboard Memory 
 

No
Yes

Cloud Sync 
 

No
No

Macro Programming 
 

No
No

Ease Of Use 
 

No Software
Easy

Software Windows Compatible 
 

No
Yes

Software macOS Compatible 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Keyboard Compatibility 
 

9.2
8.2

Windows  

Full
Full

macOS  

Full
Full

Linux  

Partial
Full

Android  

Full
No

iOS  

Partial
No

iPadOS  

Partial
No
Show Text 

Keychron K3

System76 Launch

Comments

  1. Comparison

Keychron K3 vs System76 Launch: Main Discussion

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