Keychron's 100-key macro pad comes with 8 kHz polling and a blank slate

Keychron has introduced the C100 8K, a macro pad that stands out with a hundred-key grid layout, transparent ASA keycaps, and per-key RGB backlighting. The device supports an 8 kHz polling rate, a figure typically associated with gaming peripherals, yet the company frames it as a tool for far more than just gaming.

The layout is a ten-by-ten grid, giving users a full hundred keys. Of those, 96 are fully programmable, while the remaining four are dedicated to lighting controls. Out of the box, the pad does nothing at all — every function has to be assigned by the user. In that regard, it behaves more like a grid controller for music production, such as the Novation Launchpad or Akai Force, than a conventional gaming macro pad.

The C100 lets users configure the speed of keystroke sequences, including delays between inputs, and supports macro repetition both while a key is held and after a single press. Configurations can be saved directly to the device's onboard memory, so the pad works without additional software once set up.

Beyond gaming, the company suggests the device is a fit for office workflows. Programmable keys can automate repetitive sequences of keystrokes, which is useful for tasks that involve entering the same commands over and over. The combination of a large grid and deep customization makes the C100 a flexible input device, though its blank-slate nature means it will take time to set up before it becomes useful.