Varmilo APT87 Beijing Opera vs APT87 Dreams On Board
Choose based on your preferred color theme and current availability, as the core specifications are identical.
Which one should you get?
Get the
Varmilo APT87 Beijing Opera
- Unique Beijing Opera themed keycaps with black, grey, white, and red accents.
- Features double-layer silicone sound absorption for a quieter typing experience.
- Offers a 3-way cord channel for flexible cable routing.
- Uses north-facing RGB LEDs, which can cause interference with certain Cherry-profile keycaps.
- Limited to Varmilo's proprietary web app for programming, not compatible with QMK or VIA.
Get the
Varmilo APT87 Dreams On Board
- Distinct Dreams On Board themed keycaps with purple and white color scheme.
- Features double-layer silicone sound absorption for a quieter typing experience.
- Offers a 3-way cord channel for flexible cable routing.
- Uses north-facing RGB LEDs, which can cause interference with certain Cherry-profile keycaps.
- Limited to Varmilo's proprietary web app for programming, not compatible with QMK or VIA.
- Was listed as out of stock at the time of this comparison.
The Varmilo APT87 Beijing Opera and Dreams On Board are the same keyboard in different clothing. Your decision should be guided by which colorway—black/red opera theme or purple/white dream theme—you prefer for your setup. Before deciding, check current retailer stock, as availability was a differentiating factor at the time of writing. There is no performance or feature-based reason to choose one over the other.
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.
- Varmilo APT87 Beijing Opera
- Varmilo APT87 Dreams On Board
- Performance
- 8383
- Build quality
- 5456
- Productivity
- 7980
- Customizability
- 7272
- Portability
- 7575
- Layout size: 80%
- Hall effect (magnetic)
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Case material: ABS
What will you mostly use it for?
Across all common use cases, the Varmilo APT87 Beijing Opera and Dreams On Board are functionally identical. The shared feature set, including hot-swap capability, triple-mode wireless, and sound-dampened design, makes them equally suitable for gaming, office work, programming, and travel. The choice does not affect performance or productivity, leaving aesthetics and purchase availability as the sole deciding factors.
It's a tie
- Both offer a 1000 Hz polling rate in wired mode for low latency.
- Both feature N-key rollover to prevent ghosting.
- Both have the same 2.4 GHz wireless mode with a 250 Hz polling rate.
Varmilo APT87 Beijing Opera vs APT87 Dreams On Board specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
0 of 20 specs differ
Varmilo APT87 Beijing Opera
Varmilo APT87 Dreams On Board
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Display
Media keys
Connection
Max polling rate
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Backlight
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
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Varmilo APT87 Beijing Opera vs APT87 Dreams On Board: your questions
The only differences are aesthetic. The Beijing Opera model has a black case with grey, white, and red keycaps, while the Dreams On Board model has a purple case with white and purple keycaps. All technical specifications, features, and build materials are identical.
Yes, both the Beijing Opera and Dreams On Board models feature a hot-swappable PCB. This allows you to easily change the mechanical switches without soldering, as they support standard MX-style switches.
Both keyboards offer triple-mode connectivity. You can connect via a USB-C cable, Bluetooth 5.1, or a 2.4 GHz wireless dongle. The manufacturer lists different polling rates for each mode: 1000 Hz for wired, 250 Hz for 2.4 GHz, and 133 Hz for Bluetooth.
Yes, but only through Varmilo's proprietary web application. According to the vendor listings, these keyboards are not compatible with the popular open-source firmware platforms QMK or VIA.
Yes. Both models were listed with Cherry MX Silent Red switches as an available option. Combined with the internal double-layer silicone sound absorption, this provides a quieter typing experience suitable for shared spaces.
Both keyboards come with thick, dye-sublimated PBT keycaps. PBT plastic is known for its durability and resistance to shine over time compared to ABS plastic.
The LEDs are north-facing. This orientation can cause interference with the sound and feel of certain Cherry-profile keycaps, as the keycap may hit the top of the switch housing.
The keyboards feature an ABS plastic case and plate, thick PBT keycaps, and internal sound-dampening silicone. The vendor description also mentions a flex cut PCB and a two-step kickstand for angle adjustment.
The product listings confirm compatibility with Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. Console compatibility is not specified, so it would depend on the console's support for standard USB or Bluetooth HID keyboards.
Neither model has a gaming advantage. Both offer the same 1000 Hz wired polling rate, N-key rollover, and 2.4 GHz wireless mode with a 250 Hz polling rate. Your choice should be based on color preference.
Yes, the vendor characteristics specify that the keyboard has a USB-C port on the device and includes a cable with a USB-A connector on the computer end for wired connection and charging.
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