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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 11, 2026

HP Class 1800 Southpaw vs Dot Works Layer75

Get the Dot Works Layer75 for hot-swappable and via.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

HP Class 1800 Southpaw

Rules this board out

  • Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.

Get the

Dot Works Layer75

Hot-swappable

Build quality in the top 10% of 75% boards under $200.

What actually differs

The differences that matter

Skip the 40-row spec sheet. These are the specs that change how each board feels, sounds, and fits your desk.

HP Class 1800 Southpaw

Dot Works Layer75

  • Hot-swappable

    No

    Yes

    Switch changes without soldering

  • Ergonomics

    Southpaw

    Standard

  • Mount style

    Top Mount

    Gasket Mount

  • Weight

    4,200 g

    2,000 g

    Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel

  • VIA

    No

    Yes

    GUI remapping without compiling firmware

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • HP Class 1800 Southpaw
  • Dot Works Layer75
Performance
49
51
Build quality
66
87
Productivity
49
73
Customizability
59
89
Portability
41
60

What they share

  • Case material: Aluminum
  • QMK
See every spec side by side

Full specs

HP Class 1800 Southpaw vs Dot Works Layer75 specs

Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.

8 of 17 specs differ

HP Class 1800 Southpaw

Dot Works Layer75

Typing & switches

Hot-swappable

No
Yes

Mount style

Top Mount
Gasket Mount

Sound dampening

No
Yes

Layout

Layout size

—
75%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Southpaw
Standard

Display

None
None

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Wired
—

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
Aluminum

Plate material

—
Aluminum, FR4

Weight

4,200 g
2,000 g

Typing angle

7°
7°

Backlight

None
None

Firmware & software

QMK

Yes
Yes

VIA

No
Yes

VIAL

No
Yes

Extras

Released

2025
2024

Where to buy

Compare prices

Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.

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