iRocks K83BR Review: A Sleek, Multimodal Mechanical Keyboard for Windows and Mac with Bluetooth Connectivity

The irocks K83BR, a sleek mechanical keyboard designed by iRocks, caters to the modern trend of using multiple devices across different operating systems. It seamlessly switches between Windows and Mac OS, offering a versatile connectivity experience with USB-C wired, 2.4G wireless, and Bluetooth options. Notably, it can connect up to four devices, including two Bluetooth connections.

Engineered with Kailh Choc low-profile Brown switches, the K83BR promises an ergonomic typing experience. Its short keystroke mechanics and slim, suspended keycap design reduce wrist strain. The keys require minimal force for activation, with a 3mm travel and a 1.5mm actuation point, enabling faster typing and prolonged use without fatigue.

Specifications of iRocks K83BR Keyboard:

  • Model: i-Rocks K83BR Thin Mechanical Keyboard (Three-mode wired and wireless)
  • Switch Brand: Kailh Mechanical Low Profile
  • Switch Types: Brown and Red
  • Key Travel: 3.0 mm
  • Lifespan: 50 million keystrokes
  • Key Count: 87 keys
  • Multimedia Keys: 15
  • Connectivity: USB-C wired, 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth 5.1 (supports switching between two devices)
  • Cable Length: 1.8 meters
  • Charging: Voltage DC 5V
  • Dimensions: 354 x 128 x 33.5 mm
  • Weight: Approximately 552 g
  • Supported Systems: Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11, Mac OS 10.14 and above, USB port required
  • Battery: Rechargeable 2000 mAh lithium battery
  • Package Contents: Wireless keyboard (with Traditional Chinese keycaps), mini receiver, quick start guide, USB-C charging and data cable
  • Receiver Size: USB 18.8 x 14.5 x 6.3 mm
  • Wireless Range: Approximately 10 meters

Unveiling the K83BR Keyboard: A Triple-Mode Marvel with Brown Switches and Essential Accessories

The box highlights the keyboard as a wireless low-profile mechanical keyboard, emphasizing its tri-mode capability with options for 2.4G wireless, Bluetooth, and wired connectivity. It also specifies the use of Brown switches, which are known for their tactile feedback, making them popular among typists and gamers for their balance between typing and gaming performance. This product seems to be well-suited for users who value both aesthetics and functionality in their computer peripherals.

The contents of the iRocks K83BR keyboard package are laid out on a surface. Included in the package are the K83BR keyboard itself, a quick installation guide, and a USB-C cable for charging and data transfer. The image showcases the keyboard’s sleek design and the included accessories, which are essential for immediate setup and use. This visual presentation reinforces the product’s focus on providing a comprehensive user experience right out of the box.

Exploring the K83BR Keyboard: A Compact 80% Layout with Kailh Brown Switches, Adjustable Magnetic Stands, and Elegant Design

The iRocks K83BR keyboard is a tenkeyless (TKL) or 80% keyboard, distinguished by the absence of a number pad, which is present on a full-size or 100% keyboard like the K69M. It shares a similar aesthetic with the K69M, featuring an aluminum alloy sandblasted panel that gives it a sophisticated matte finish. The white keycaps add to its understated elegance without being overly flashy.

A notable design feature of the K83BR is its magnetic feet, which allow users to adjust the keyboard’s height to their liking easily. This functionality not only enhances the ergonomics of the keyboard but also adds an element of customization for the user, catering especially to gamers who may spend prolonged periods using the keyboard and therefore require a comfortable typing angle.

The keyboard presents a clean and modern aesthetic with white keycaps that contrast nicely against the aluminum sandblasted faceplate, giving it a sleek and premium look. The layout is compact due to its tenkeyless design, which omits the number pad, making it more space-efficient on a desk.

The keyboard appears to be well-suited for both Mac and Windows users, as evidenced by the presence of ‘Option’ and ‘Command’ keys typically found on Mac keyboards, alongside the standard ‘Ctrl’ and ‘Alt’ keys used in Windows environments. This indicates the keyboard’s versatility and its ability to cater to a wide range of user preferences. The overall design is minimalistic, with a focus on functionality and style, ideal for users who appreciate a clean and uncluttered workspace.

The underside of the iRocks K83BR mechanical keyboard. This view highlights the keyboard’s design features focused on stability and adjustability. The base is equipped with magnetic feet, which are a unique feature that allows users to easily adjust the typing angle to their comfort. This ergonomic design is a thoughtful addition, indicating the manufacturer’s attention to user experience.

The bottom also contains regulatory compliance markings, such as the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) label, indicating that the product has been evaluated to meet specific safety and electromagnetic interference standards for electronic devices. There are rubber pads at each corner to prevent slipping and to keep the keyboard securely in place during use.

Overall, the bottom design of the keyboard is consistent with the sleek and minimalist design seen on the top, emphasizing functionality and user comfort.

The focus is on the iRocks K83BR keyboard, showcasing the default height setting. The magnetic foot is an innovative design element that allows for quick and secure adjustments to the keyboard’s angle, enhancing the ergonomic experience for the user. This feature ensures a stable and comfortable typing position, which is beneficial for long typing sessions. The use of magnets for this purpose is a modern approach that makes changing the keyboard’s incline simple and tool-free, contributing to the overall practicality and user-friendly nature of the keyboard’s design.

A close-up of the magnetic foot of the iRocks K83BR keyboard rotated 90 degrees to demonstrate the adjustable height feature. This detail illustrates how the magnetic foot can be pivoted to increase the keyboard’s elevation, allowing users to customize the angle for their ergonomic comfort. The magnetic attachment is designed for ease of use, providing a stable and secure grip when in the raised position. This adaptability is a key ergonomic feature, as it can reduce strain during prolonged typing sessions by allowing users to find the most comfortable position for their wrist and hand alignment.

The magnetic foot of the iRocks K83BR keyboard is positioned at an angle, likely to give an elevated stance for the keyboard. This angled placement of the magnetic foot is designed to provide an additional height option, further enhancing the keyboard’s ergonomics. It allows users to tailor the keyboard tilt to their individual comfort level, which can contribute to a better typing posture and potentially reduce fatigue during extended use. This feature underscores the keyboard’s design emphasis on user comfort and adaptability.

The iRocks brand logo is subtly imprinted above the arrow keys on the iRocks K83BR keyboard, integrating branding directly onto the keyboard’s surface. This detail adds a touch of brand identity without overwhelming the keyboard’s overall minimalist design. The logo’s placement is strategic, ensuring visibility without interfering with the functionality of the keys or the user’s typing experience. The keyboard maintains a sleek, professional look with its muted color palette and clear, legible key labels.

The iRocks K83BR mechanical keyboard with some keycaps removed, revealing the underlying Kailh low-profile Brown switches. These switches are recognized for their ‘3mm’ short travel distance and ‘1.5mm’ actuation point, which facilitate quicker key responses. The shorter key travel ensures that less movement is required to register a keystroke, which can enhance typing speed and reduce finger fatigue.

The Kailh Brown switches are designed to provide a tactile bump without the loud clicky feedback commonly associated with Blue switches. This characteristic allows for a satisfying typing experience that’s quieter than traditional mechanical keyboards, making it suitable for both office and gaming environments where noise can be a concern.

Regarding the switch mechanism, the keyboard features stabilizers, shown under the larger keys like the space bar, to ensure smooth and stable keystrokes without tilting or wobbling. The keyboard’s switch housings are clear, likely to enhance the distribution of any backlighting throughout the keyboard.

This attention to detail in the switch design, including the promised 50 million keystroke lifespan, contributes to the K83BR’s reputation for reliability and user satisfaction, catering to those who prefer a mechanical keyboard with a softer sound profile and a lighter touch.

A closer look at the longer keys on the iRocks K83BR keyboard, such as the space bar, shift, enter, and backspace keys, which are equipped with balance bars, also known as stabilizers. These stabilizers are crucial in ensuring that the longer keys do not tilt or wobble when pressed from the sides or corners, providing a consistent and stable keypress regardless of where the key is actuated.

The presence of stabilizers is a mark of quality in a keyboard as they contribute to a more uniform typing experience, which is particularly appreciated during fast typing or gaming sessions. This design element showcases the attention to detail in the construction of the iRocks K83BR, aiming for durability and reliability, alongside comfort for the user.

A side view of a keycap from the iRocks K83BR keyboard, which features a trapezoidal profile. This design is often used to create a sloped typing surface that can enhance ergonomics by matching the natural sweep of fingers across the keyboard. The shape can help in guiding the fingertips to the center of the keys, reducing the chance of mistyping and increasing typing efficiency. It’s a detail that reflects consideration for the user’s typing experience, contributing to comfort during prolonged use.

K83BR Wireless Mechanical Keyboard: Versatile Connectivity with USB-C, 2.4G, and Dual Bluetooth Options, and Easy Switching Between Windows and Mac OS

The iRocks K83BR wireless mechanical keyboard is equipped with a rechargeable lithium battery, providing flexibility with USB-C wired, 2.4G wireless, and Bluetooth connectivity options. This keyboard is notable for its ability to pair with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously, offering users the convenience of connecting multiple devices.

The K83BR is designed with dual operating system support, allowing seamless switching between Windows and Mac OS, which is particularly beneficial for gamers and professionals who work across different platforms.

Switching between modes and operating systems is designed to be effortless. On the keyboard, there are dedicated switches for selecting the connection mode and operating system. These switches are conveniently located at the front of the keyboard, along with a 2.4G receiver compartment and a USB-C port. Users can easily toggle these switches to their desired settings for a tailored user experience that adapts to their workflow and gaming needs.

A clear view of the side panel of the iRocks K83BR keyboard, where several important functional switches and ports are located. There’s a power switch with labeled positions for ‘OFF’, ‘BT1’, and ‘BT2’, indicating the keyboard’s ability to switch between two Bluetooth devices. Next to it, there are switches for selecting the operating system, labeled ‘Win’ for Windows and ‘Mac’, which allows users to easily switch between compatibility modes for Windows and macOS, ensuring that the keyboard functions correctly with key mappings for each OS.

On the far right, we see the USB-C port, which serves for charging the internal battery and can also be used for a wired connection to a device. This thoughtful layout of switches and ports underscores the K83BR’s design philosophy of convenience and multi-device functionality, catering to users who require a flexible and efficient workflow.

The animated GIF illustrates the side panel of the iRocks K83BR keyboard, where the connectivity mode switch is visible. This switch allows the user to easily transition between different connection types: ‘OFF’, ‘2.4G’, ‘Bluetooth 1’, and ‘Bluetooth 2’. This feature provides the flexibility to shift between wireless modes, enabling the keyboard to connect to multiple devices and switch between them as needed. It’s a convenient functionality for users who want to use their keyboard with various devices, such as switching from a computer to a tablet or smartphone.

The upper left corner of the iRocks K83BR keyboard, where the ‘Esc’ key is located next to an LED indicator light. This indicator light displays the current connectivity mode through different colors and blinking patterns. As described, a steady green light signifies a 2.4G wireless connection. In the context of this keyboard, a slowly blinking blue light would indicate Bluetooth connection 1, and a quickly blinking blue light would indicate Bluetooth connection 2. The green light shown in the image confirms that the keyboard is currently set to a 2.4G wireless connection. This visual cue is a user-friendly feature, allowing for at-a-glance confirmation of the keyboard’s connection status.

The image illustrates the ‘Esc’ key area on the iRocks K83BR keyboard with a blue LED indicator light illuminated. This blue light indicates that the keyboard is currently using a Bluetooth connection. The difference between Bluetooth 1 and Bluetooth 2 modes is distinguished by the blinking rate of this blue LED. A slower blinking pattern typically signifies Bluetooth 1, while a faster blinking rate indicates Bluetooth 2. These visual indicators are a convenient feature that allows users to easily identify which Bluetooth device the keyboard is connected to without having to check the device settings or keyboard software.

For gamers and users who switch between Windows and Mac OS, it is important to note that the function keys (F1 through F12) serve different multimedia purposes when used with the Fn key, depending on the operating system. Here is a breakdown of the functions of each system:

Windows:

  • Fn + F1: Decrease screen brightness (if supported by the device system)
  • Fn + F2: Increase screen brightness (if supported by the device system)
  • Fn + F3: Task view
  • Fn + F4: Open folder
  • Fn + F5: Search
  • Fn + F6: Lock the computer
  • Fn + F7: Previous track
  • Fn + F8: Play/Pause
  • Fn + F9: Next track
  • Fn + F10: Mute/Unmute
  • Fn + F11: Volume down
  • Fn + F12: Volume up
  • Fn + PrtSc: Media player
  • Fn + ScrLk: Calculator
  • Fn + Pause: Open web browser

Mac OS:

  • Fn + F1: Decrease screen brightness
  • Fn + F2: Increase screen brightness
  • Fn + F3: Mission Control
  • Fn + F4: Spotlight
  • Fn + F5: Search
  • Fn + F6: No function assigned
  • Fn + F7: Previous track
  • Fn + F8: Play/Pause
  • Fn + F9: Next track
  • Fn + F10: Mute/Unmute
  • Fn + F11: Volume down
  • Fn + F12: Volume up

The specific functions for Windows and Mac OS are designed to align with the common system shortcuts and features that users typically require. It is important to familiarize oneself with these differences to utilize the keyboard’s full capabilities effectively when switching between operating systems.

The key layout of the iRocks K83BR mechanical keyboard features a compact, tenkeyless design. This layout includes the function keys along the top row, which double as multimedia keys when used with the Fn key, as previously described.

The keyboard design caters to both Windows and Mac users, as evidenced by the ‘Alt’ and ‘Option’, as well as ‘Command’ keys, which are characteristic of Mac keyboards. This dual-system compatibility is a significant advantage for users who operate across both Windows and Mac environments, allowing them to switch between systems without the need to change keyboards.

The clean, white aesthetic of the keycaps against the sandblasted aluminum faceplate gives the keyboard a modern and stylish look, while the clearly printed characters on the keys suggest ease of use and readability. The overall design indicates that the keyboard is built for both functionality and appearance, making it a suitable choice for gaming, professional work, and everyday typing tasks.

Summary

The iRocks K83BR mechanical keyboard boasts an elegantly understated design with its overall white color scheme and sandblasted aluminum panel, offering a touch of sophistication without being ostentatious. Despite its slim profile, the keyboard delivers satisfying tactile feedback and operates quietly, making it ideal for use in quiet environments.

One of the key features of the K83BR is its dual-system support, greatly enhancing user convenience for those who work with both Windows and Mac OS. Priced at NT$2690, the iRocks K83BR is an excellent choice for gamers who prefer low-profile switches but still desire the distinctive feel of a mechanical keyboard.

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Title: iRocks K83BR Review: A Sleek, Multimodal Mechanical Keyboard for Windows and Mac with Bluetooth Connectivity

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