Cherry KW 9200 Mini review: A stylish, compact, and practical keyboard

Price When Reviewed

$64.99

Best Prices Today: Keyboard Cherry KW 9200 MINI

Cherry is a model that for the initiated wants no introduction.

For these of you who haven’t heard of this producer, it’s best to know that it’s famend for having developed and patented the Cherry MX switches used for a lot of keyboards, and for creating tech equipment (microphones, headphones and mice, amongst others).

In this text, we check out the KW 9200 Mini, a hybrid scissor-switch keyboard with a small footprint and three-way connectivity. Let’s check out what it appears like, its capabilities and worth for cash. It would possibly simply be the one you’ve been on the lookout for.

Design

• Minimalist design
• Lightweight
• Carrying case included

This Cherry exterior keyboard lives as much as its ‘mini’ title by measuring simply 295.49 x 129.03 x 15.86 mm; its small dimension means it will possibly simply discover a place in your backpack or purse for that matter, in addition to in your desk, and observe you wherever you go.

It’s discreet when it comes to its dimension, but in addition when it comes to its model: it’s merely black on a purple background, as are the USB-A outputs and the storage pouch. It makes an impression, nevertheless it’s not too eye-catching.

Don’t get me flawed, though this colour scheme is paying homage to a gamer’s model, the keys will not be backlit (which is a disgrace).

Foundry

What we actually like concerning the design is that the black keys don’t present fingerprints.

On the again, you’ll discover two ft to lift it up, three glides to maintain it from slipping off surfaces, a dongle (inserted in its port) to supply a 2.4 GHz radio connection, a USB port for its cable, an LED to point the state of the battery, and eventually the ability button.

To obtain this small dimension, Cherry has disbursed with the numeric keypad and moved the FN key to the underside right-hand nook close to the course arrows, so that you simply don’t get misplaced when altering keyboards (from full to compact).

Finally, Cherry has offered a tender, recycled plastic case so that you can retailer it neatly or take it with you.

Use

• Multi-platform connection
• Hybrid connection (dongle, Bluetooth and wired)
• Quiet, comfy typing

To sum up the usage of the KW 9200 Mini, we’d say it’s easy and efficient, nothing extra. In reality, this workplace keyboard comes with no software program to supply further features. Its solely particular options are its smaller dimension and its connections/compatibilities.

Foundry

However, we should stress that we drastically appreciated the truth that it may be used with Windows and Chromebook computer systems, and even Android gadget, based on the model. If you might have a Mac, you’ll need to adapt because the Cmd key isn’t there.

Finally, we welcome the truth that it may be paired with as much as three gadgets concurrently. This is a significant benefit, and a really sensible one for those who typically change from one related gadget to a different. In our check, this was a bit difficult, however solely at first.

If you’d slightly keep away from the two.4 GHz waves and connections with the dongle and Bluetooth 5.0 low latency, then you definitely’ll be happy to know that there’s the wired technique. Its cable is another, but in addition means that you can make up for the (sudden) lack of battery energy. It’s a great size (over a meter), which is lengthy sufficient to be optimum in all circumstances.

You gained’t be coping with a loud scissor keyboard, so your typing might be fairly quiet, at about the identical noise stage as that of a laptop computer’s built-in keyboard. This is as a result of kind of keyboard: this can be a chiclet (rubber) keyboard slightly than a mechanical one, and its keycaps are fabricated from ABS plastic (which is softer and extra sturdy). So don’t fear about utilizing the Mini within the workplace/dwelling, in a practice carriage, a café or a public library, you gained’t disturb the folks round you.

The keys are spaced far sufficient aside to present you a brief, exact, even keystroke that’s the identical as on a traditional keyboard. It’s fast and simple to adapt.

Battery life and charging

• Sensational battery life
• Charges by way of USB-C

The Cherry KW 9200 Mini rounds off its listing of excellent factors with an extended battery life, together with the absence of backlighting. This keyboard can final you many weeks with out recharging. However, even when it runs out of energy (as indicated by the LED), it gained’t abandon you, as you possibly can depend on its USB-C/A cable. Just plug it into your PC or a backup battery and also you’re again in enterprise!

Price and availability

The Cherry KW 9200 Mini keyboard prices about $65/£70 and is out there within the US from Amazon, and within the UK additionally from Amazon.

In our opinion the worth is a bit too steep for a easy gadget with no software program customization. In comparability, the Logitech K380 and K480 are presently priced equally. On the opposite hand, it’s value noting that Apple’s Magic Keyboard, unique to be used with Macs, is costlier.

Verdict

Cherry has give you an outstanding mini-sized workplace keyboard, ideally suited for travelling. It’s obtained the whole lot: design, consolation, connections, compatibility and battery life. Nevertheless, there are just a few minor disappointments, akin to the dearth of backlighting to be used in low-light environments, the dearth of a macOS model with the Cmd key, and the excessive value.

Admittedly, it’s a great gadget, nevertheless it’s a easy one with no further features, which makes it laborious to justify its value, though it’s decrease than the Magic Keyboard, for instance.

Specs

• 442g
• 295.49 x 129.03 x 15.86 mm
• USB-C to USB-A
• Scissor expertise
• Bluetooth, wired and encrypted 2.4 GHz radio connection by way of dongle
• Carrying case

This article was initially printed in French on Tech Advisor French Edition.