Today we have a look at another great combo keyboard and mouse set from Cherry. This is a wireless pair that packs a rechargeable power source in both elements. This sounds like a perfect choice from a minimalist design point of view that should offer also a great typing experience as well.
CHERRY – AT HOME ALL OVER THE WORLD
CHERRY, with its headquarters in Auerbach in der Oberpfalz, Germany, is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of computer input devices with an emphasis on office, industrial and security markets, as well as switches for mechanical keyboards among others for PC gaming.
Prices and Availability
You can grab a kit from Amazon.co.uk for around £83.
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Presentation and Specification
*Courtesy of their website*
The CHERRY DW 9000 SLIM desktop set stands out due to its innovative functions, excellent workmanship and trendy, flat design.
The mouse and keyboard can be connected using the 2.4 GHz wireless USB receiver included with the set, or by Bluetooth®. You can switch connection types in an instant using a switch on the mouse or keyboard. This allows e.g. a laptop to be operated using Bluetooth®, as well as allowing a PC to be operated using the same desktop by means of a wireless connection with AES encryption. The data are transferred using an AES-128 encryption in both cases.
* Optionally connected using Bluetooth® or a 2.4 GHz wireless unit – both with AES-128 encryption
* Lithium batteries in the mouse and keyboard can be recharged via micro USB
* Status LEDs show low residual battery charge, charging status and mouse resolution
* Additional status LEDs for the CAPS LOCK, NUM and SCROLL keys
* Extra-small nano receiver for wireless operation
* 6 mouse buttons and a scroll wheel
* Precise sensor with three-level adjustable resolution up to 1,600 dpi
* Durable abrasion-proof laser inscription
* Solid metal plate in the keyboard for maximum stability
* Precise scissor mechanism for an ideal operating feeling
* Rubber feet for individual height adjustment
The main highlights we should be interested are: the ability to be recharged, you can connect them via the included USB receiver or even Bluetooth, the mouse has 3 selectable levels of dpi and that they come with a 2 year warranty.
Packaging and Visual inspection
The Cherry DW 9000 Slim kit comes in a simple box with a white background while the main products are depicted on the front.
If we have a look at the back, we get an overall presentation of the specs in multiple languages.
Inside, the keyboard is nested in this plastic cover sheet, while the mouse is on the right, in that Cerry branded cloth pouch.
The accessories are as follows: one instruction manual, one warranty leaflet, one microUSB cable, the cloth pouch for the mouse and a pack of height adjustable pads for the keyboard.
Let’s start with the wireless mouse. It has a stone finish applied to the plastic covers which gives an interesting grip feeling. It is a symmetrical design so you can use it with both hands and it has a total of 6 buttons.
The lower half of the mouse has this abstract tile pattern which gives extra grip while using the mouse. We can see the front and back buttons for when interacting with a browser for example.
On top we have the dpi selector button with three levels (600, 1000 and 1600 dpi) with a notification LED in the middle of it. Blue light is to notify you that you have activated the Bluetooth connection, while red is for the USB receiver. The same color is also used when charging the mouse and to notify you when you cycle through dpi levels.
This is where you will charge the wireless mouse. It caries a 550 mAh non-removable lithium-ion battery.
The mouse uses a PixArt optical sensor. Just below it we have the controls for how we will connect the mouse to other devices. The first position is OFF, the second one RF which is for the integrated USB receiver while BT, you guess it is to activate the Bluetooth 4.0. The last button is for the BT to start the pairing sequence.
Love elegant solutions like this – a simple magnet to make the integrated USB receiver secure inside the mouse.
As for size a size comparison perspective, here is the Cherry mouse next to a modular gaming mouse.
Now its’s time for the keyboard to be under the microscope. It has the standard keyboard layout with a numb-pad included. Cherry only introduced 6 additional new keys like quick access to sound controls, web pages etc.
Love that font which is laser engraved and it is easy to read and identify. The keys, they use a scissor type/SX mechanism and are quoted for over 10 million key strokes.
The keyboard is reinforced via a metal plate that gives it extra sturdiness to usage even on the fly like on your knees without warping for example. On the back we have an all bronze accent and we see the stock rubber 8 pads which are really god at stopping the keyboard from sliding. The included extra pads give a few mm of extra clearance if you so desire.
Just above the arrow keys we have the Cherry logo.
Now for the last part which is the way it connects. It has the same sequence and levels of choices as seen in the wireless mouse.
Red LED notification is for the included USB receiver. The microUSB charging port is on the far right. The included battery is rated for 650 mAh.
The Bluetooth connection has the blue LED light and the button in the middle is for the pairing sequence.
The mandatory size perspective overview – here it is next to a gaming Sandberg Hailstorm keyboard.
The Cherry DW 9000 SLIM kit makes a great pair from a minimalist point of view.
Testing, impressions and feedback
As usual, with peripherals, they are used in the process of writing the actual review about them besides the regular tests.
The keyboard.
If you are after that subtle feedback you would get from a laptop keyboard, then this is exactly that. Quiet, subtle, easy and quick to type keys make for a fast and pleasant typing experience. Then the build construction is great with a nice minimalist deign. The buttons are perfectly delimited and placed so no problems of reach or miss-typing. That integrated metal plate does the job and as I mentioned it is so easy to use everywhere since it will not bend or flex.
The wireless mouse.
Since this is basically the same mouse as from this review, please head over there for the same feedback I would write now. The only differences are in the visual department and plastic finish.
Even thought these are mostly for an office environment aka a lot of typing that doesn’t necessarily mean it will not work for some light casual gaming. I did almost an hour on the new Far Cry title, New Dawn and it was a blast. No lag or discomfort from the mouse nor keyboard. They simply work with games as well.
Conclusion
Cherry slowly but gradually are offering besides their famous industry standard mechanical keys, an ever growing inventory of mice and keyboards. Yet again, this wireless kit is a great example of how it should be done, executed and how it should feel and work. I can’t fault them besides the price which is on the high side but that is up to you to decide if it is worth it.
The Good:
+ Excellent typing experience
+ Silent typing
+ Minimalist design
+ Extra height pads included
+ Built-in rechargeable power source
+ Dual connection options – Bluetooth or USB receiver with individual notification light colors
+ Excellent signal reception via both methods
+ Magnetic retaining system for the USB receiver
The Bad:
– Not a big fan of that bronze accents but that is entirely subjective
– A bit on the expensive side
Glob3trotters “Great !” Award 4 out of 5
A lot of thanks to CHERRY for supplying us with another great combo !
