Verdict
Though certainly equal to of looking the part on the right desk , the snappy switches of the Cherry KW x ULP might be a picayune too solid and uncompromising for fast typists . Take your time , though , and you ’ll love each exact stroke .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
It ’s mutual to see thicker keyboard attempting to replicate the past with chunky keycaps and satisfying switches . We ’re even start to see slim , chiclet - style ceiling on shrivelled - down mechanically skillful switches to satiate a specific pauperism for boards still little in stature .
What ’s different with the Cherry KW X ULP is that it ’s a slim keyboard with a long body and snappy switches . It ’s a peculiar mixture of traditional , retro , and forward - facing ideas .
At around £ 200/$200 , though , who is it for ?
Design
Sporting a iniquity , brushed alloy backplate beneath slim , black keycaps , the Cherry KW X ULP is n’t done justice on my beech desk and colourful cartoony pad . There ’s a reason the merchandising site places it atop architectural draught .
The same slim keycaps allow for a relatively weak glow to luxate through to the legend from the RBG LEDs underneath . The caption itself is n’t the easiest to see even during the sidereal day , lending a indigence to have the LEDs turned on throughout .
Being a full - sized control board , it would appear that Cherry wanted the absolute longest chassis it could muster . The edge feature a thin , rounded flatware finish to congratulate the professional looks .
There ’s rich spacing between each key , which certainly limits missteps and rollovers , but there are even wider gaps separating each zone : like the arrow key editorial , number pad , and the function row ; which includes shortcuts for brightness , chain mail apps , medium control , and connection toggles .
It ’s more than half the breadth of my 27 - inch monitor and does n’t leave much way for a computer mouse even on a prominent desk pad .
Underneath , you ’ll see a welcome third steady leg between the two alternate - out ones you expect to see . Without it enlist , even the surprisingly sturdy backplate ca n’t help but deeply flex with heavy strokes .
Though they click into position once fully put out , they ’re inflexible enough to adapt to higher angles without slip out or snap back into engaged or unpromised status .
There ’s a USB - C port just around the bend of the scroll button for cable use or bill , an on / off yellow-bellied terrapin to its right , and a cubby for the wireless receiver on the far left .
Performance
While it lists gaming as a use - pillowcase on the Cherry web site , there ’s no sensitiveness to that beyond its ultra down - latency association and snappy switches in unsubdivided chopine games .
Where I can see the Cherry KW X ULP serving a purpose is on the middling office desk . If exact typing is paramount , the short travelling of the lively switches , pair off with the generous spacing between them , push a slow but steady typing experience .
Like a power - assisted doorway , the keys only give way once enough pressure is applied ( around 0.14 lbs ) , shooting straight down its 1.8 mm locomotion aloofness and straight off springing back up the instant you lift your digit .
If you ’re a fast touch typist who relies on feel the suave flow between each stroke , the short , snappy travel and large crack between each key fruit might mean you struggle to get up to speed with this one . In a professional setting with unlike devices , rapidly switching between mode is a high spot . The F - key modifier is in the top - correct box , while the mode switch buttons are in the top - left .
It ’s easy to arrive at for the compounding quickly to shift from pumped up use on your main machine to a Bluetooth or 2.4Ghz gadget by your side .
Cherry does n’t let out the battery detail of this one , which is odd , but I can at least confirm that the 500mAh barrage is more than enough for lengthy general use . Aggressive power - saving method acting , like dimming the backlight mere seconds after your last input , helped it to keep drop dead for the whole hebdomad of our testing period . A short recharge via USB - C will get you several more weeks of utilisation .
Software and Lighting
Through the Cherry Keys software , you ’re able to manage the connection mount of the Cherry KW X ULP and reassign the bid on the F - Keys to things like recorded macro instruction or cite user - specified vane pages for gismo .
There ’s no way to commute the LED patterns or colours to personalize thing further . Most key can only give off a affectionate livid glowing , with the Windows keys and engaged modifier like Caps Lock using red as an indicator instead .
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Should you buy it?
So long as you congratulate yourself on accuracy over speed , the Cherry KW X ULP will attend you well across a miscellanea of devices .
While warm and stable , the keys on the Cherry KW X ULP have too much spacing and drink down to allow for explosion of creativity you ’ll go back to desexualise later on . It ’s big on occasion and well made , but it feel sluggish .
Final Thoughts
Despite the welcome mechanically skillful tech in a slim and complete form factor , the cost of the Cherry KW X ULP is a major sticking level .
At around £ 200/$200 , it ’s as expensive as some of thebest mechanical keyboardsout there . Other option in this price square bracket are either portable and distance - saving or too heavily focused on gaming . That avail Cherry receive its recession , but it ’s uncomfortable to typewrite on speedily for longer periods .
It ’s suited to slow down and steady Day type in customer details , writing scripts , and inputting exact data . For fast and frenzied gull sitting , rapid reports , or timely publications , it ’s too space out and inert .
If you gage in your spare time , theKeychron Q1 Maxis the way forward . You could also save money with theCorsair K65 Plus Wireless , or if wireless connectivity and multi - gadget support are n’t necessary , theDas Keyboard 6 Prois sublime and quite a bit cheaper .
Trusted Score
How we test
We employ every keyboard we try for at least a week . During that time , we ’ll check it for easiness of purpose , comfort and performance of the switches .
We also check each keyboard ’s software to see how loose it is to tailor-make and place up .
FAQs
Yes , you’re able to stash away the slim 2.4Ghz dongle in a cubby on the back of the machine .
Yes , the Cherry KW X ULP include a USB - A to C cable for charging the keyboard and using it over rotational latency - free wired .
