The Cherry MX 3.0S keyboard looks like a great gaming keyboard, but requires some work
As a writer and gamer, there’s nothing like the touch of a great machine. keyboard. There is something very satisfying about each keypress “thwok” when I go to the battlefield or create the next story. Surprisingly, however, it may be difficult to find a keyboard that is great to exist both Gaming keyboards and daily keyboards – at least at a reasonable price.
The name Cherry may be recognized as the manufacturer of the switch of the same name, which has dominated the world of mechanical keyboards for nearly 70 years. A while ago, I started making my own keyboard and recently released it Cherry MX 3.0s Game mechanical keyboard. It’s a fairly affordable entry point into the world of wireless gaming mechanical keyboards, but I’m not sure if it works as the best dedicated game keyboard.
What I like about Cherry MX 3.0S Mechanical Keyboard
Cherry was one of the first and certainly was a manufacturer of mechanical keyboard switches for decades. And for good reason, the switch is clickable, tactile and robust. Many keyboard enthusiasts still prefer them over the countless other brands that have appeared over the years.
As a keyboard tester, I have used many other switches and for a while I have been using the great one OnePlus brand keyboard. When I returned to the MX 3.0S cherry switch it felt very sweet. It was like going home. I forgot what I was missing until I used them again. The MX red switch on the MX 3.0S sample is linear. It’s not as clicked as the Brown Switch. This is also available, but still offers quite a touch of touch. This is perfect for the game as you can get more detailed feedback with each key press.
design
At first glance, the MX3.0S doesn’t stand out very well. If you look closely at it, you can see a slightly unusual design. Something like the aluminum casing at the bottom wraps around the center of the keyboard from the back to the front, folding and lifting the edges. You won’t actually notice unless you can lift the keyboard and see it, but it’s better than the flat side.
The metal casing gives it a good weight, but the sides and I think the single gasket is also plastic. I am assuming a single gasket, as you can hear a little of the spring when you type. It’s not a distraction, but you can hear it if you’re listening. RGB per key is excellent, with several patterns available. It’s useful because it brightens up to see all the icons on the key, and even lower icons. Even at that level of brightness, the MX 3.0S battery life is very impressive. Starting with a full charge, I’ve been using it for a few weeks with the LED fully turned on, but the tank has 30% left.
Available in both wired and wireless versions of MX 3.0. The wireless version provides all the connectivity you expect. You can pair up to three devices via Bluetooth. 2.4GHz wireless dongle is also included. Dongle isn’t hidden in the board like everyone else. This is easy to find, although I won’t lose them, at least the cherry made it red.
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What’s the good thing about Cherry MX 3.0S mechanical keyboard?
I think the biggest disappointment of the MX 3.0S is that it doesn’t really distinguish it from other gaming keyboards, except for switches that can be easily obtained and installed on the entire range of keyboards. Nothing will be added to the gaming experience. You can program macros for keys, but you can do that on almost any gaming keyboard, and unlike many of them, no programmable keys have been added.
MX 3.0S supports full n– With key rollover, you won’t lose input by pressing two keys at the same time, and support anti-ghosting, but these are course pars using most modern gaming keyboards.
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delay
I ran into some bugs when using the MX 3.0s wirelessly. For starters, if you connect through a docking station, the dongle will be quite delayed. Yes, it could have been my docking station, but the other keyboards I used didn’t have that problem so I’m happy to bet it was a keyboard.
Also, with Bluetooth, it could either randomly reconnect itself several times or even be completely disconnected from the computer. When using Bluetooth, there were also some ghost presses and some sticky keys. Again, I’m not entirely saying that it’s because of the keyboard, but these are not the issues I encounter on almost every other keyboard I’ve used.
Software leaves a lot to be desired
When I first started writing this review, Cherry’s utility software was pretty rough. The UI was outdated and the functionality was very limited. You can adjust the lighting and add macros, but that’s about it. That’s pretty basic. You can create the best nine profiles, but again, customization is limited. Additionally, it detects the keyboard only when it is physically connected across Bluetooth or dongle. This means that every time you change the settings, you will need to do it manually using a few keypresses or dig out the cable. Neither is ideal.
To Cherry’s achievement, the software was undergoing a major renovation on the day I literally finished this review. It looks much better than that, but it didn’t add any features, which is a shame. The keyboard supports dedicated keys to launch the software, but it doesn’t work unless you plug it in, so the software doesn’t work very well, which makes it feel like a waste of keys.
price
Cherry priced this as a little too expensive for what you’d get. The full retail price is $160. However, at the time of writing, $100 on Amazon For white models with red switch. For me, it’s a much better price and probably closer to what Cherry should charge it. I’m not sure if it would be a recommendation for $160, especially considering the competition.
Should I buy a Cherry MX 3.0S mechanical keyboard?
Like most things, it depends. If you want a reliable mechanical keyboard that offers the goodness of these cherry switches, yes, but only if it is available for sale. A solid build and a great typing experience are worth $100. For me, it works well as both a gaming keyboard and a daily keyboard. However, if you want a more dedicated gaming keyboard that offers more game-specific features and customizations, Look somewhere.
While it’s hard to beat the Cherry Switch typing experience, unless you know you’re selling the MX 3.0, you can’t stand out from other mechanical keyboards. If you’re looking for a dedicated gaming keyboard, there are better options. If you want a solid mechanical keyboard, there are also more affordable options.