CHERRY MX 10.0N RGB

Opening: To start off the review of this mechanical keyboard I would like by starting with some context. I have used mechanical keyboard since the 1980’s including all of the modern keyboards with the majority of the major branded switches. Packaging: Now that is out of the way, I would like to start by the packaging. The Cherry MX 10.0N RGB keyboard comes in a slim box with a picture on the front and some tech specs on the back. Opening the box reveals a very minimal but sustainable packaging. The keyboard itself is in black almost tissue paper and the only plastic is on the USB C cable end connector. The only other two items in the packaging are the warranty booklet and the operator’s manual, both of which are brief. Keyboard itself: Once you remove the keyboard from the packaging the very first thing that you can feel and notice is the amazing workmanship and weight of a fine quality keyboard. The all-aluminum keyboard is matt black with matt black ABS keycaps. Turning the keyboard over on its back you will find rubber feet and a spring-loaded height adjustment stand that is also the same aluminum as the keyboard itself. The height adjustment stand that folds forward and stays open when the keyboard is sat onto a flat surface. Once you lift the keyboard off the flat surface the height adjustment stand will slowly and graciously fold back underneath the keyboard. The only other item on the underneath side of the keyboard is the Cherry Red label including the serial number and model number. The keyboard has a removable USB cable that also included in the box. The USB C to USB A cable is rubber coated and has the Cherry Logo on the USB A end of the cable. Connecting the cable to the keyboard is straight forward just plug the USB C end into the keyboard and the USB A side into your computer of choice or device. Negative: Now, my only negative for this keyboard is that the USB C port of the keyboard is so slim that, the USB cable Cherry included is proprietary. I have numerous USB C cables from a wide range of well-known brands and non could fit into the USB C port of the keyboard. I would like to see Cherry offer replacement cables for sale so that you could take this keyboard on the go without having to take your original cable with you. Features: Depending on what device or computer that you use this keyboard with, you do not need a Windows based keyboard to control the RGB. You will need a Windows based computer to use the Cherry software to program macros into the built-in memory of the keyboard. I chose to connect my Cherry keyboard to a Windows 10 computer. Upon first power on of my computer I was greeted with very vibrant and beautiful RGB. As stated before, you can use the FN key to cycle through different RGB affects and modes. After download and installing the Cherry Software (found on Cherry official webpage), I was able to address the several modes of RGB lighting including changing individual key colors and of coarse macros. The other options in the software are the option to disable the RGB completely and to change the brightness of the RGB LEDS. Last but not least is the option to change polling rates in the software. The software defaults to 1000Hz which should be ample for anybody except maybe the Flash? The other features of the keyboard is full Anti-Ghosting and N-K Rollover. The RGB lighting as stated before is very bright and vivid and shines well through the keycap legends. The RGB is very even and I did not find any dead zones. Keycaps and Switches: The keycaps themselves are smooth double shot ABS plastic that feels very sturdy and solid under your fingers. Finally, the switches; this particular black version of the keyboard comes with the Cherry MX Low Profile Speed Switches. Cherry website states that the white version comes with Cherry MX Low Profile Red Switches but to my knowledge I could not find the white version of this keyboard here in the USA. The Cherry MX Low Profile Speed Switches in this keyboard are rated at 100 Million Actuations! The switches to the touch are incredibly light feeling almost feather light and sensitive to the touch. Since these are low profile switches the travel of the switch is very short. These are Linear switches so no bump and a very smooth and precise keystroke on every switch. There is no spring ping or loud stabilizer bars on the keyboard, just a smooth experience! The keyboard is all aluminum so there is absolutely no keyboard flex or feeling of compromise when typing hard on this keyboard. The keyboard is very low profile and in my opinion is a true low-profile keyboard and not just a keyboard with low profile switches. Because of the low profile of the keyboard itself the keycaps are mostly flat with a slight concave center. Other than that, the keycaps are smooth with no texture to speak of except for the two home keys. All in all, if you are looking for a true low profile Extremely High Quality keyboard that is suitable for typing, coding, and gaming, look no further than this Cherry Keyboard.

First, I did not buy this keyboard to be a gaming keyboard. I prefer a fast keyboard for writing and typically use a membrane/flat style keyboards, but I've found my typing accuracy on these has gone down in recent years. I don't usually like mechanical keyboards because of the sound and the super tactile feedback - which I don't need, I need speed. Pros: This keyboard is superbly crafted. Solid, heavy construction means it stays where you put it. The keys are fast, the "click" is really soft, and every stroke is a solid hit. You barely have to touch these keys to type. Not only is my accuracy improving since I started using this but the feel of typing on this keyboard is truly a dream - my fingers feel like they are floating over the keys rather than having to hit every keystroke deliberately. The lighting is beautiful. Easily on par with Razer for brightness and quality. It's bright enough to see well even in daylight, but not so bright that the glare at night makes bothers me. The Cherry Utility app did not work for me - it has an overlay problem on my large monitor that overlays the keyboard on top of the customization options and I can't adjust the settings, however Cherry was thoughtful enough to include the ability to customize the lighting through the keyboard itself. You get a basic set of lighting options this way. All I care about is the rainbow wave, so if you're a gamer or someone looking for greater customization of key colors and lighting effects, just know the app is not the best. Other people have mentioned how small the keyboard is and how close the keys are. This is true. I have small hands so this doesn't bother me, everything lines up really nice for me and I actually prefer the closeness. They keys are slightly concave but the pressure it takes to activate these switches is extremely minimal. You've been warned, if you are a lazy typist or a gamer and you like to let your fingers rest on the keys, this is not the keyboard for you - you'll be sending keystrokes if you do that. If you have large hands or you are not a regular typist, you may not like this keyboard.

The keyboard is super solid and feels very high quality. I do like it and it feels nice to type on, however, I don't think this would be for everyone. The switches are very sensitive and some people are definitely going to have an issue with that. Not an issue for me. The RGB is easy to control through the keyboard, which is good because the software doesn't work. I have a wide screen monitor. Maybe that's causing the issue, but the app doesn't display or work correctly. Personally, I have three complaints. 1) They layout is very compact, but I wish there was some gap between the different areas. The upper right has a key that brings up the calculator. I hit that almost every time I try to use the minus key. Function keys are directly above the top row. If you're used not looking, you may have some problems. 2) For the price, this should be hot-swappable. 3) The USB cable. Others have mentioned this too. The spot where it plugs into the keyboard is made specifically for the USB cable that come with it. If it has to be replaced, good luck. If you swap out different keyboards, you're going to have to use the cable that came with this one. Update: The Cherry Utility software has been updated and works now!

Basic written manual, no e-manual and extremely poor software. Was expecting more from CHERRY, returned for full refund.