PBTfans GT 80 vs Vortex Model MWired or Wireless
Choose the Vortex Model M for wireless connections and broader switch and firmware options, or the PBTfans GT 80 for its aluminum case and selectable plate materials.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
PBTfans GT 80
Build quality in the top 30% of 80% boards under $200.
- Aluminum case, compared with the Model M's ABS case.
- Three listed plate material choices: polycarbonate, aluminum, and FR4.
- VIA support and hot-swappable switches.
Get the
Vortex Model M
QMK
Build quality in the top 20% of 80% boards under $150.
- Wired, Bluetooth, and 2.4 GHz connectivity.
- QMK and VIA support, plus hot-swap sockets for 3-pin or 5-pin switches.
- FR4 plate with gasket mount, Poron plate foam, and IXPE switch pad foam.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
Choose the Vortex Model M if wireless connectivity, QMK support, and a choice of switch types matter most. Choose the PBTfans GT 80 if you prefer an aluminum case and want a choice of plate materials, while accepting wired-only connectivity. Check current availability before deciding, since the Model M listing shows no vendors in stock.
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.
PBTfans GT 80
Vortex Model M
Connection
Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Case material
Aluminum
ABS
Switch options
Clicky
Clicky, Linear, Silent, Tactile
QMK
No
Yes
The deep option when you want to remap every key
Plate material
Aluminum, FR4, Polycarbonate
FR4
- PBTfans GT 80
- Vortex Model M
- Performance
- 5173
- Build quality
- 6871
- Productivity
- 6690
- Customizability
- 5684
- Portability
- 5375
- Layout size: 80%
- Hot-swappable
- VIA
- Sound dampening
- Keycaps: PBT
What will you mostly use it for?
The Model M takes four categories, chiefly because its wireless modes and listed features suit varied desk setups and workflows. The GT 80 gets the modding pick for its documented plate choices and ball-catch structure. Gaming is also a Model M pick based on its connection options and N-Key Rollover, not a claim about measured latency. Both are pre-built, hot-swappable 80% boards, so the choice is less about layout and more about how much you value wireless use versus the GT 80's aluminum case.
Pick the Vortex Model M
- The Model M offers wired, Bluetooth, and 2.4 GHz connectivity, while the GT 80 is wired-only.
- The Model M lists N-Key Rollover, and its vendor description offers several switch types, including linear and silent.
PBTfans GT 80 vs Vortex Model M specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
10 of 20 specs differ
PBTfans GT 80
Vortex Model M
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Display
Connection
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Typing angle
Backlight
QMK
VIA
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
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PBTfans GT 80 vs Vortex Model M: your questions
No. Its listed connectivity is wired-only, so it does not offer the Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz modes found on the Vortex Model M.
Yes. The Model M vendor description lists Bluetooth 5.1 and 2.4 GHz wireless, as well as wired USB-C connectivity.
The Vortex Model M lists both QMK and VIA support. The PBTfans GT 80 lists VIA support.
Both keyboards are listed as hot-swappable. The Model M vendor description specifies sockets for 3-pin or 5-pin switches.
The GT 80 lists polycarbonate, aluminum, and FR4 plate materials. The Vortex Model M is listed with an FR4 plate.
The PBTfans GT 80 is listed with an aluminum case, while the Vortex Model M uses ABS. The GT 80 vendor description also lists aluminum top and bottom case components.
The product metadata lists RGB lighting for the Model M. The GT 80 is listed without RGB.
The Model M has north-facing LEDs, and its compatibility note warns that Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing. Consider that fit issue when choosing replacement keycaps.
The Model M is the stronger fit if QMK support matters, since it lists both QMK and VIA while the GT 80 lists VIA. Both are ANSI 80% keyboards with hot-swap support.
Its vendor description says it can connect wirelessly to up to four devices, with three over Bluetooth and one over 2.4 GHz. The description also lists a wired USB-C connection.
The Model M metadata lists clicky, tactile, linear, and silent types. Its vendor description names switch options including Cherry MX and Gateron G Pro variants.
The Vortex Model M vendor description says it includes a USB-C cable and a 2.4 GHz dongle. The GT 80 vendor description lists a JST cable among its included items.
Not sold on either?
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