CHERRY KW X ULP Assessment score keyboard
Resume
The Cherry KW X ULP is undeniably a fantastic keyboard. It appears to be aimed particularly at skilled/workplace customers, and I believe it is an excellent alternative for them.
Benefits
- Significantly better typing expertise versus membrane, scissor or the Apple butterfly switches
- Excellent construct high quality
- Glorious connectivity
Cherry introduced the brand new KW X ULP keyboard in Might. Because the title suggests, that is an ultra-low-profile keyboard and makes use of the brand new Cherry MX ultra-low-profile tactile mechanical switches, which have been introduced final 12 months.
Capabilities
- Extremely-slim mechanical keyboard: As aesthetically pleasing and smooth as slim keyboards, but mechanical – appropriate for frequent typists and programmers, whether or not within the workplace or gaming
- Multi-device keyboard for as much as 4 completely different units: two Bluetooth 5.2 channels, one 2.4 GHz wi-fi channel (every with safe AES-128 encryption), and one cable channel
- CHERRY MX ULTRA LOW PROFILE Switches: Solely made in Germany, as much as 50 million keystrokes, absolute precision and incomparable typing really feel
- Engaging white illumination of the keys and extra coloured LEDs for standing and particular keys (+ RGB LED within the CHERRY key for show of the cost degree)
- Rechargeable: Removable USB-A to USB-C cable for charging and use in wired mode (keyboard is well rechargeable even whereas in use)
Cherry MX ULP Switches
Cherry has two ultra-low-profile mechanical switches, the Click on and the Tactile. They’re basically the identical switches, however the Tactile has an audible click on.
The MX Extremely Low Profile Tactile is similar to the MX Brown swap in that it additionally gives tactile suggestions. With its noticeable actuation pressure, brief journey distance and extremely low peak, this swap is properly fitted to numerous functions, similar to notebooks and low-profile keyboards. It gives quick responsiveness and dependable enter even in compact areas, making it a fantastic worth.
Cherry MX ULP Tactile Options:
- 65 cN working pressure
- 0.8mm journey
- 1.8mm whole suspension journey
- No click on
Cherry has said that this has superior sturdiness in comparison with rubber dome switches. The brand new Cherry MX ultra-low profile mechanical switches have a lifespan of fifty million keystrokes versus 10 to twenty million for rubber dome switches.
Cherry KW X ULP vs Corsair K100 AIR
It’s considerably ironic that Corsair carried out the Cherry MX ULP switches on a nondescript keyboard earlier than Cherry did.
It is onerous to not examine the 2 keyboards; they each share lots of the identical options, together with the flexibility to attach through USB-C, Bluetooth, or wi-fi (2.4GHz with Cherry and SLIPSTREAM Sub-1ms Wi-fi with Corsair).
The Corsair has fairly a number of benefits, and these are more likely to attraction extra to players and residential customers, whereas I believe the Cherry KW X ULP is extra interesting to workplace {and professional} environments.
The Corsair has full RGB keys, whereas the Cherry is primarily white LED. It then makes use of Corsair iCUE to handle the RGB and numerous keyboard capabilities. The iCUE software program means that you can retailer as much as 50 RGB profiles on board.
The Corsair additionally has extra keys, together with devoted media keys and a quantity curler.
The extra options of the Corsair K100 AIR make it a bit greater and heavier. It’s 17mm at its tallest vs 16mm and weighs 1.27kg vs 0.63kg.
Design and construct
The ultra-thin design of this keyboard is clearly the standout characteristic of the Cherry KW X ULP. Nevertheless, all the things about it’s spectacular. The keyboard may be very sturdy because it makes use of a steel body; it feels fairly heavy, though it’s only 0.63 kg.
On the rear prime edge is the ability swap, the USB-C port and the two.4GHz USB dongle, which is held in place with magnets.
On the backside of the keyboard are three fold-out legs; the center leg is to supply extra stability and forestall bending when typing.
The keys are backlit, however most of those are white LEDs. You then have purple LEDs for a number of the perform keys. RGB often is the pattern nowadays, however I believe easy white LEDs give this a extra skilled look.
The perform keys double because the media keys and swap connectivity. For Bluetooth, you’ll be able to pair it with two completely different units.
You then have a particular lock key and a Cherry key that may be programmed to carry out numerous capabilities utilizing the Cherry Keys software program.
A full-size keyboard may exit of favor with house customers and players, however I believe it is preferable for knowledgeable/office-oriented keyboard. I take advantage of the numeric keypad every day and I refuse to present it up.
In use
It is all the time onerous to present an goal opinion a few mechanical keyboard as a result of we are likely to have preferences for the precise sort of mechanical swap.
For me I’ve been utilizing the JamesDonkey RS2 since August 2022, which makes use of the Gateron Crimson linear switches, and earlier than that I used the Thermaltake TT Premium X1, which used the Cherry MX Blue clicky switches. I all the time thought I most popular tactile and clicky switches due to the good faucet really feel and sound, however the linear keys gained me over as a result of I felt I typed quicker on them and was extra productive.
Switching to the Cherry KW X ULP took some getting used to. It is not a lot that they are tactile versus linear keys, however typing on a ULP swap feels a lot completely different. You’re looking at a distinction of over 2mm in whole journey between these ULP switches and a traditional MX Brown swap.
The brief journey distance makes the general typical expertise really feel very completely different from a traditional mechanical keyboard. It is significantly better than a membrane, however it simply does not really feel as good as a mechanical keyboard.
The shorter distance and no clicking noise make this keyboard very quiet to sort on. My JamesDonkey might have linear switches, however when writing I nonetheless make fairly a little bit of noise from absolutely urgent the important thing and the impression sound it makes; the Cheery remains to be audible however a lot quieter. I do not actually care in regards to the noise working from my house workplace, however I can perceive how annoying it may be when working in knowledgeable workplace setting, so the Cherry could be a more sensible choice than a daily mechanical keyboard on this state of affairs.
Typing accuracy was good from the beginning, however it took me some time to benefit from the really feel of the keyboard. Nevertheless, it grew on me and over time I realized to love utilizing the keyboard.
I sort quicker than common, sort about as quick as I communicate, and I had no points with this keyboard’s efficiency. It performs equally properly in gaming, together with quick FPS players, although I admit I am not a lot of a gamer nowadays.
One of many massive changes for me was how low the keyboard was. It did not really feel very ergonomic to have my fingers so low on the desk, however once more, it was simply because I am used to utilizing a a lot thicker keyboard. If I may enhance something on the typing expertise, I believe I would just like the legs to be a bit longer to create a steeper typing angle.
The keyboard’s three legs assist enhance the general stability of the keyboard and forestall bending within the center. Relying on my temper and caffeine degree, I can sort fairly heavy-handedly, so this added stability is welcome.
Since it is a full keyboard, I might have most popular devoted media keys to them being accessible through the FN key, and I am an enormous fan of a devoted quantity knob on my keyboard.
I additionally examined the efficiency of the keyboard, switching between wired, Bluetooth and a pair of.4 Ghz. I did not discover any vital distinction in general responsiveness or efficiency basically. Typically, although, I want to keep away from Bluetooth at any time when doable.
When you’re already utilizing a skinny keyboard just like the Apple keyboard then shifting to a keyboard like this will likely be an enormous improve, the typing expertise is so significantly better with constant and responsive keystrokes.
Value and various choices
The Cherry KW X ULP was stated to have an RRP of £220, however at present stands at £250. It was simply £176 when it first launched. Within the US, it was diminished to $200 as a part of the Prime Day offers.
The Corsair K100 AIR RGB gaming keyboard is out there with the MX Extremely Low Profile Switches. This has an RRP of £289, however on the time of writing it is £240.
The Vissles LP85 is maybe the most effective various I can consider. I take advantage of this as my journey keyboard as a substitute of a full-time keyboard, and I find it irresistible. It is solely 75% keyboard, and it makes use of low-profile optical, mechanical switches moderately than absolutely mechanical ones. The keys supply 1.2mm of pre-travel and a pair of.5mm whole, so you will have a bit extra journey, however actuation pressure is much less at 50cN. It is Bluetooth or wired, not 2.4 GHz. At £140 I nonetheless assume it is fairly costly, however a lot lower than the Cherry or Corsair.
Cherry has the KW 9100 SLIM, which may be very comparable in design however makes use of SX scissor keys which are not as nice to sort on. That is less expensive at round £57.
Basic
The Cherry KW X ULP is undeniably a fantastic keyboard. It appears to be aimed particularly at skilled/workplace customers, and I believe it is an excellent alternative for them.
The MX ULP switches are an enormous enchancment over membrane switches, scissor switches or the Apple butterfly mechanism. On the identical time, its unobtrusive tactile nature minimizes noise produced whereas typing, so I believe this is able to work particularly properly in an workplace setting.
It is onerous to disregard the very excessive general worth and the truth that the Corsair K100 AIR is about the identical worth. For players and residential customers, the Corsair appears to be a more sensible choice. It has superior lighting, devoted media keys and superior customization through iCUE, however I do not assume these will likely be massive promoting factors in workplace environments.
With not a lot competitors from some other keyboard, I believe the Cherry KW X ULP will likely be a preferred alternative for its goal market, and I can simply suggest it (for those who can justify the value).
I’m a UK tech blogger and have been within the trade for over 10 years now Mighty Gadget and its sister websites and contributions to different websites on the Web. I’m captivated with all know-how, together with cell, wearables and residential automation. I am additionally a health buff so I cowl health tech as a lot as doable.
Final replace on 7/15/23 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Pictures from Amazon Product Promoting API
