Sometimes less is more. In today’s flooded market with “RGB everything”, this can get a little overwhelming especially if you are not into that type of look. If you are more on a minimalist approach don’t want to overspend without sacrificing too much quality, this might be the keyboard and mouse combo for you. Especially the mouse which as you will see, offers a very interesting ergonomic feature. All of these, from a company which is a big name in the gaming community for their famous mechanical switches.
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
The KC 6000 SLIM keyboard is offered in two color schemes (silver with white keys and teal accents and black with black keys and red accents) and in a variety of key layouts.
As for the wireless mouse, this is to be found only in black.
Presentation and Specification
Let’s start with the keyboard which is designed for style-conscious typists that prefer a laptop-style keyboard over a full-size desktop counterpart, the main difference being in the key travel, shorter on the laptop style.
The CHERRY KC 6000 SLIM keyboard impresses with its precise scissor mechanism, compact dimensions and state-of-the-art design. A sturdy keyboard with an integrated metal plate, it is a particularly attractive addition to the desk of the style-conscious user.
* Exceptionally compact, slim housing
* High-quality scissor mechanism for perfect keystroke
* Status LEDs for the CAPS LOCK, NUM and SCROLL keys
* 6 practical additional keys
* Sturdy construction with integrated metal plate
* USB cable length of approx. 1,80 m
* Dimensions approx. 440 x 130 x 15 mm
* Weight approx. 660 g
* Key technology: SX
* Service life, standard key: > 10 million key operations
* Warranty: 2 years
Now for the mouse. The main highlight here is the 45° layout which means that you do not need to place your hand completely flat on the CHERRY MW 4500. They claim that this results in a more natural hand position, which allows you to work without fatigue and with fewer problems with your wrist and tendons.
The resolution can be adjusted to one of 3 levels, with a maximum resolution of 1200 dpi, allowing precise navigation, and is easy to adapt to your preferences. Two additional thumb buttons allow you to jump to the next page or previous page in your Internet browser by touching a button. The extra small nano receiver can remain in your laptop without problems, or will find space in the bottom of the mouse. An all-rounder for the office or for home use!
* Particularly ergonomic form in a 45° design
* Precise sensor with 3-level, adjustable resolution
* Status LED indicates low battery charge
* 6 buttons and a scroll wheel
* Pleasant to the touch due to abrasion-proof surface finishing
* Extra small nano receiver
* Dimensions approx. 115 x 60 x 35 mm (mouse), approx. 42 x 18 x 8 mm (receiver)
* Weight approx. 120 g (mouse with battery), approx. 5 g (receiver)
* Transmission range approx. 10 m
* Frequency range: 2.400 GHz – 2.4835 GHz
* Scanning: Optical
* Resolution: 600 / 900 / 1200 dpi (adjustable)
* Number of Keys: 6
* Mouse wheel design: Scroll wheel with key function
* Connection: USB
* Warranty: 2 years
Packaging and Visual inspection
Both have a visual depiction of the actual products on the boxes. The keyboards will feature an extra sticker to denote the region language and keys’ layouts.
On the back we have a quick brief of some of the features. Same as for the mouse.
The keyboard only comes with a quick manual while the mouse generously also includes two AAA batteries to get you started right away.
The wireless mouse docks underneath the battery tray the nano USB adapter. An ON/OFF button is present as well.
This is the front and you can clearly see the 45 angels all around which by normal mouse standard this is a very weird one.
The “go back” and “forward” buttons are present just above your thumb; thus easy to reach. The brand logo is displayed as separating middle ground between the sides.
Here we have the left/right buttons, scroll wheel and the dpi selector button with three settings raging from 600, 900 to 1200 dpi. There is a light on the other side that will flash briefly when the battery is low or you changed the dpi settings.
The mouse basically gives your hand a normal resting angle.
Here it is compared to a gaming mouse but with the standard orientation.
Now let’s explore the keyboard. It has a 180 cm long but thin USB cable. We have a full keyboard layout with dedicated lights for the CAPS, SCROLL and NUM buttons and up to 6 more dedicated media keys. (calculator, control the volume etc.)
It features a metal plate inside which gives it more structural strength.
With 8 anti slip pads, trust me, the keyboard will stay put and will not move not even under the most intense typing sessions.
Above the arrow keys we have the brand logo. Another important fact is that all the keys are laser engraved thus you won’t have to worry about stickers rubbing off over time.
As for a size perspective, here it is next to a Sandberg Hailstorm gaming keyboard.
Testing, impressions and feedback
The minimal footprint is a great bonus for those who have a limited work desk area or just like the Apple MAC look of the keyboard.
Build quality of the keyboard is really god at this price range. Now regarding the SX scissor-style keyswitches mechanism, we know the rubber dome switches on the KC 6000 Slim are rated for 10 million keypresses and require 65 cN of force to actuate with a key travel distance of 2.5mm. By comparison, a standard Cherry MX Blue switch travels 4mm and requires 50 cN of force to fully actuate.
Basically, if you wanted the laptop feel keyboard in a desktop one, Cherry did just that with the KC 6000 SLIM. The keys are very quiet especially when compared to my daily driver, a Blue Outemu equipped keyboard which are an equivalent for the Cherry MX Blue’s which have a very tactile feel and are very clicky but make a lot of noise as a trade off.
Overall I enjoyed the typing experience of the Cherry KC 600 Slim and wrote this whole review on it. No complains there. Did some light gaming as well and the WASD and arrow keys are very well distributed and had not problems whatsoever.
The MW 4500 is next under the microscope. As above, I used it for the whole duration of the review.
The whole idea here was for a more comfortable hand position. At first it will seem weird but after a few minutes it will feel natural. Just don’t switch hands between regular mice and this one, since that’s when you will be like what’s happening with my hand. Also with this angle you can rest you hand further across the table.
Took it for a spin in games as well and it feels like you are guiding a small gun since it is taller and basically you would hold it almost like a small firearm. Again, it depends how fast you get accustomed to it. Signal was good, didn’t notice any lag or interruptions on all of the three dpi settings.
Conclusion – Cherry KC 6000 Slim Keyboard
The Good:
+ High build quality
+ Great value for money
+ Metal plate construction
+ Minimal footprint
+ Great silent typing experience
+ Laptop like feel
+ Minimalist design
The Bad:
– Flimsy/too thin USB cable – plus would recommend to avoid the white model since the cable will get dirty really quick
Glob3trotters “Must Have” Award 4.5 out of 5
Conclusion – Cherry MW 4500 “Angled” Mouse
The Good:
+ Angled 40 degree ergonomic design
+ Offers a more natural and long term safes hand position
+ Included batteries
+ Great value for money
+ Adjustable DPI
+ Small USB dongle with decent signal range
The Bad:
– Takes a while to adjust to the new shape and hand position
Glob3trotters “Innovative” Award 4.5 out of 5
A lot of thanks to CHERRY for supplying us with this combo !
