Keychron’s authorized distributor in Japan, Kopec Japan, announced the release of the Keychron K7 low-profile mechanical keyboard (US layout model) on Twitter on November 2, 2022.
A Japanese-language model will also be released on December 16, 2022.
Purchases can be made through Rakuten Ichiba as well as SUPERKOPEK.
The Keychron K7 US layout is now in stock. This wireless mechanical keyboard is ultra compact, yet does not compromise on Keychron’s features and functionality. It is conveniently sized to carry around and use every day. Of course, it is Mac/Win compatible and can be used wirelessly or wired. https://t. co/wTmwxjNGOB pic.twitter.com/d23566Es0V
– KOPEK JAPAN (@KOPEK_JP) November 2, 2022
Representative of GreenEchoes Studio
He launched his own media as a site operator and web writer, and now plans and manages multiple corporate media. He often types heavily in his work, and in his search for greater efficiency, he became addicted to the keyboard swamp and established “GreenKeys”.
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What is Keychron K7?
Keychron K7 is a keyboard that utilizes “low-profile mechanical switches,” which are shorter than typical mechanical keyboards.
The K7 is a “65% layout” keyboard that omits the topmost function keys, and its compactness has made it popular among “HHKB users” and others.
Another popular advantage is its portability, making it easy to use on the go.
Users who are particularly particular about typing often adopt the “sonji style” of using their favorite mechanical keyboard on top of the laptop computer’s keyboard (on top of the keyboard bridge), even when on the road, and the author is one of these users.
However, a regular keyboard, because of its certain thickness, inevitably puts a lot of strain on the wrist and is never something that can be used with pleasure.
This is where low-profile mechanical keyboards come in.
As shown in the photo above, a low-profile mechanical keyboard allows comfortable typing without wrist pain because the keyboard itself is thin.
Low-profile keyboard available in noble style
- NuPhy｜Air60/Air75/NuType F1
- Logitech｜MX Mechanical Mini/MX Mechanical Mini forMac/MX Keys Mini/MX Keys Mini for Mac
- Keychron｜K3/K7
Of these, Air60 is the only other option that can be comfortably used in a 65% layout.
This has expanded the range of options with the release of K7.
The K7 also offers a Japanese-language model, which is highly recommended for those who were not satisfied with the NuType F1.
Keychron K7 has a choice of optical switches
Keychron K7 offers a choice of hot-swappable “optical switches” only on the “RGB Light” model.
(Only Gateron low-profile key switches are selectable with white LEDs)
Currently, there are very few low-profile mechanical key switches on the market, and only three companies, Gateron/Keycheon/Kailh, offer them.
I did not like Gateron/Kailh because no matter which axis I chose, “the feel of the press is distinctly different” from that of the normal profile. In particular, it is slow to come back after pressing.
The Keycheon Optical switch, on the other hand, has a firm “come back” feel.
Keychron Lowprofile Optical Swithces
| Red Switches | Blue Switches | Brown Switches | White Switches | Yellow Switches | Green Switches | |
| key load | 40±10gf | 48±10gf | 57±10gf | 30±10gf | 57±10gf | 67±10gf |
| Movement to operation | 1.1±0.3mm | 1.1±0.3mm | 1.1±0.3mm | 1.1±0.3mm | 1.1±0.3mm | 1.1±0.3mm |
| Overall movement | 2.5±0.3mm | 2.5±0.3mm | 2.5±0.3mm | 2.5±0.3mm | 2.5±0.3mm | 2.5±0.3mm |
| reaction | linear | clicky | tactile | linear | early bump tactile | early bump tactile |
| sound | quiet | clicky | gentle | quiet | gentle | gentle |
sound sample
My current on-the-go keyboard is a NuPhy Air 60 (Gateron brown axis), but I think I’m going to flirt with the K7.
I am very confused about whether to use the banana or mint axis.
Added on November 5, 2022
I ended up buying a banana axis and a mint axis.
In addition, I bought a PBT keycap.
