MCHOSE GX87 vs Varmilo Minilo75 ProAluminum vs Plastic Build

The MCHOSE GX87 has a significantly larger 8000mAh battery, double the 4000mAh capacity of the Varmilo Minilo75 Pro. According to the manufacturer, the Varmilo's battery offers over 20 days of working time with lights off, but the GX87's larger cell should provide substantially longer usage between charges, especially with RGB enabled.

Yes, the Varmilo Minilo75 Pro is compatible with Mac OS. The manufacturer states you can press Fn+Tab for 5 seconds to switch between Windows and Mac modes. The keyboard also comes with three additional keys and four Mac OS keycaps for the Command and Option keys.

Yes, both keyboards are hot-swappable, allowing you to change switches without soldering. The MCHOSE GX87 comes pre-built with either Matcha Latte V2 or KTT Vintage White switches depending on the model. The Varmilo Minilo75 Pro supports 3-pin and 5-pin switches and offers factory-lubed Kailh Prestige Silent or Prestige Voice switches as options.

The Varmilo Minilo75 Pro is better for international typists. It supports numerous ISO layouts, and the manufacturer provides replacement keycap sets for languages including Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, German, Danish, and Norwegian. The MCHOSE GX87 is listed as ANSI-only, which does not natively support these European language key layouts.

Yes, both the MCHOSE GX87 and Varmilo Minilo75 Pro support QMK and VIA firmware. This open-source software allows for extensive key remapping, macro creation, and lighting customization without relying on proprietary drivers that run in the background.

The primary material difference is the case. The MCHOSE GX87 uses a full CNC machined 6063 aluminum body. The Varmilo Minilo75 Pro uses a plastic case with a soft skin-like texture, but it incorporates a 4mm thick CNC metal inlay frame around the top for aesthetic detail and a premium feel.

The Varmilo Minilo75 Pro's listing includes a more comprehensive accessory set: a dust cover, cable with 2.4GHz dongle, extra keycaps (for ISO layouts and Mac), a manual, and a key/switch puller. The MCHOSE GX87 includes a keyboard, manual, Type-C cable, a keycap/switch puller, two spare switches, a dust cover, and 10 silicone leaf-springs for the Ultra version only.

Both use PBT keycaps in a Cherry profile, which are generally more durable and resistant to shine than ABS. The MCHOSE GX87 specifically uses PBT double-shot keycaps. The Varmilo Minilo75 Pro uses dye-sublimated PBT keycaps for its ISO layouts, which some users note can differ in texture from double-shot, but its ANSI keycaps are also PBT.

Disassembly depends on the model. The GX87 Ultra version features a quick-disassemble case with no screws, allowing for easy access. The Lite and Max versions do not have this quick-disassemble feature, so taking them apart would likely require removing screws, though the vendor description does not provide specific instructions for those models.

The MCHOSE GX87 uses a 5-layer system including Poron sound-absorbing foam, IXPE foam, PET film, another Poron foam layer, and an anti-static PET layer. The Varmilo Minilo75 Pro uses a gasket mount structure with Poron plate foam, an IXPE pad, Poron PCB foam, and a soft case silicone layer for dampening.

For both keyboards, the 1000Hz polling rate is achieved in wired and 2.4GHz wireless modes. The MCHOSE GX87 vendor page explicitly states its Bluetooth (wireless) mode operates at 125Hz. The Varmilo listing does not specify a different polling rate for its Bluetooth 5.0 mode.

The Varmilo Minilo75 Pro, with its 75% layout, is more compact. The manufacturer states it saves 20% space compared to a normal TKL size keyboard, which is the category the 80% MCHOSE GX87 falls into. Its dimensions are 325mm x 142mm, making it a space-efficient choice.