In case you landed on this post without context, this is a follow-up to my post Keychron K3 Max after 6 months of daily use.

During the last 6 months, I completely stopped using the built-in MacBook keyboard. Using the K3 Max is overall a pleasurable typing experience, but it does have some drawbacks that I will share in a minute.

As expected, I went a bit further down the rabbit hole and decided to get an extra keycap set to change the default look of the K3 Max. I quickly grew tired of the original keycaps color, which is just grey with two orange keys (Esc and Enter).

So I went ahead and got a Double Shot PBT LSA keycap set with the Knight color. And here's how it looks:

Now, as promised, here's a list of drawbacks that I usually bump into while using the K3 Max. Please note that some of these are not exclusive to the K3 Max keyboard and may apply to any external mechanical low-profile keyboard.

Keys are too close to each other

Sometimes I have my fingertip a bit off the center of the key and also end up slightly pressing the key right next to it. And because I'm using linear red switches, which require very little force to press, most of the time that key also registers.

Maybe this could be improved with tactile brown switches, since they require a bit more force to press? I'm not sure, but I'll definitely try those.

Another related issue is that arrow keys are not spaced out from the rest of the keys, making them hard to touch type. For instance, it's common for me to hit the right shift key when I intend to press the up arrow key. I learned that layouts that have such spacing are named "Exploded" layouts, and it seems that I unknowingly had a preference for them.

USB-C port placement

I don't mind using the keyboard wired, but when I'm away from my usual desk setup, I like to place it on top of my laptop. The problem is that the USB-C port is positioned facing north, causing the cable to hit the screen and not leaving enough room for the keyboard to rest over the built-in keyboard. This issue can be fixed with an angled USB-C cable.

Key repeat issue

Very occasionally, some keys start repeating with a single press. This happens in both wired and bluetooth mode. I think this may be some switches slightly coming off their socket, because when I press the key firmly, it stops happening.

Conclusion

Overall, I'm very happy with my decision to switch to a mechanical keyboard, and the Keychron K3 Max is definitely a good portable option.

After 6 months of daily use, I find myself consciously avoiding the laptop's built-in keyboard most of the time.

Another important point is that this switch to a mechanical keyboard also marks my transition to using a US ANSI layout. Initially, it was a bit frustrating because I've spent my career using the PT-pt layout. However, I am now fully adapted to the ANSI layout and would never go back.

In summary, my experience so far has been very positive. If you're looking for a good portable mechanical keyboard, the K3 Max might be a great choice for you. Alternatively, if you prefer a smaller (65%) layout and can live without the F keys, the K7 Max should provide a very similar experience.