The System76 Launch is a configurable, compact 75% keyboard for productivity or general use. You can purchase it with your choice of Kailh tactile Box Royal or clicky Box Jade switches, and it has a hot-swappable PCB. It comes with several additional, differently-sized keycaps, as it's designed to be completely reconfigurable, so you can change the key layout to suit your personal preferences. It also features two high-speed USB-A and two USB-C ports so it can act as a USB hub.
Our Verdict
The System76 Launch is a very good gaming keyboard. It feels very well-built and sturdy, and its keys are individually-lit with full RGB backlighting. The Kailh Box Royal switches have a short pre-travel distance, but they need a bit of force to overcome the resistant tactile bump. Since it has a hot-swappable PCB, you can change these stock switches out for any you prefer without having to solder. Unfortunately, it isn't easily macro-programmable, and its latency is too high for anything but casual gaming or daily tasks.
- Hot-swappable PCB.
- Feels very well-built.
- Additional high-speed USB-C and USB-A ports.
- Keys aren't easily macro-programmable.
- Key legends aren't shine-through.
The System76 Launch isn't recommended for use with mobile devices as it's wired-only and quite heavy to carry around. However, it does come with a USB-C to USB-C cable, so you can use it with mobile devices that have a USB-C port, though this will drain your device's battery rather quickly.
The System76 Launch is a good office keyboard. It's fully compatible with all major operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux, and it feels nice to type on, thanks to the premium materials used in its construction. You can get this keyboard with your choice of clicky Kailh Box Jade or tactile Kailh Box Royal switches, but the board is hot-swappable, meaning you can change the stock switches out for any you prefer. The Kailh Box Royal stock switches are heavy to press and offer very resistant tactile feedback; they're also fairly loud to type on, so they may not be the best option for an open office environment. With the base layout, the ergonomics are only okay, but you can reconfigure the keys and place them where they feel most comfortable for you.
- Hot-swappable PCB.
- Feels very well-built.
- Additional high-speed USB-C and USB-A ports.
- Fully compatible with all operating systems.
- Wired-only.
- Lacks sound-dampening components.
The System76 Launch is a good keyboard for programming. It offers a nice typing quality and feels very well-built. It's also fully compatible with all major operating systems, and has additional USB ports on the top, so it acts as a USB hub. The RGB backlighting adds a nice splash of color to your setup, but the key legends aren't shine-through, so they'll be harder to read in the dark. Unfortunately, it doesn't support multi-device pairing, and you can't easily program macros to it.
- Hot-swappable PCB.
- Feels very well-built.
- Additional high-speed USB-C and USB-A ports.
- Fully compatible with all operating systems.
- Keys aren't easily macro-programmable.
- Wired-only.
- Key legends aren't shine-through.
The System76 Launch is inadequate for a home theater PC setup because it's wired-only, meaning you'd have to run the cable from the keyboard to the PC. It lacks any trackpad or tool to navigate on-screen menus. Also, while it does have full RGB backlighting, the key legends aren't shine-though, so they may be difficult to see in the dark.
- Feels very well-built.
- Wired-only.
- Key legends aren't shine-through.
- No trackpad for on-screen navigation.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The System76 Launch keyboard comes with your choice of clicky Kailh Box Jade or tactile Kailh Box Royal switches. We purchased and tested the unit with Kailh Box Royal switches, and you can see the label of our unit here.
Popular Keyboard Comparisons
The System76 Launch is a customizable keyboard with a hot-swappable PCB to allow you to swap out the stock switches for any you prefer. It differs from other hot-swappable keyboards, like those from Keychron or Ducky, because it acts as a high-speed USB hub with two additional USB-A and two additional USB-C ports along the top. Another distinct feature is its range of customization. You can completely change the layout of the keyboard and swap around larger keys like the Backspace, Alt, Function, and even the two Space Bar keys. It includes many different keycaps of varying sizes to help you get the configuration you want.
If you're interested in other options, check out the recommendations for the best mechanical keyboards, the best keyboards for typing, and the best RGB keyboards.
The System76 Launch and the Keychron Q1 are two compact, hot-swappable, mechanical keyboards designed for productivity. However, they have very different features. The System76 comes with four additional USB ports and can act as a USB hub, and it uses PBT keycaps instead of ABS. It also has better backlighting and a unique, split spacebar. You can also completely change the layout of the keys to suit your preferences. On the other hand, you can program macros on the Keychron, and its latency is better. Both keyboards are wired-only.
The GLORIOUS GMMK PRO and the System76 Launch are two wired-only, hot-swappable mechanical keyboards that come in a compact size. However, the GLORIOUS is for gaming use, so it has significantly better latency, the ability to program macros, and a rotary encoder knob in the top right corner. On the other hand, the System76 is better suited for productivity uses, so it has better ergonomics as it comes with one incline setting, and it has extra USB ports, meaning it can act like a USB hub. Also, you can completely reconfigure the key layout to best suit your preferences.
The Ducky One 3 and the System76 Launch are both hot-swappable mechanical keyboards, but they're for different uses. The Ducky is a gaming keyboard, meaning it has significantly better latency, macro-programmability, and a Windows lock feature. It also comes in a wider range of sizes and colorways. On the other hand, the System76 is for productivity use, and it's reconfigurable, meaning you can change the layout of the keyboard however you see fit. It also has companion software, which the Ducky lacks.
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.
Test Results
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