The Cherry MX Board 6.0 Mechanical Keyboard Review
by E. Fylladitakis on January 27, 2016 8:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Keyboard
- Cherry MX
- Mechanical Keyboards
We frequently review mechanical keyboards here in AnandTech. Over half of them come with mechanical switches from Cherry, and for good reason. If you are keeping track of our recent reviews, you should have noticed that Cherry's switches generally are more consistent than any other type we have tested to this date. Cherry is virtually the inventor of the modern mechanical keyboard switch (not to be confused with the classic buckling spring), manufacturing and marketing them since nearly three decades ago. It is only because their patent expired that other manufacturers were able to copy their switch designs.
With all of that said, Cherry is not only supplying their switches to other keyboard manufacturers. As a matter of fact, the company has a significant line-up of their own keyboard and mouse products. On the other hand, Cherry's products are almost exclusively aimed towards professionals and for specific applications, such as keyboards with biometric or magnetic card readers for security. Considering the target market of their products, naturally their keyboards were using just plastic black or beige parts and never looked like anything special. However, Cherry is taking a huge leap of faith and releasing a new keyboard, the MX Board 6.0, which a mere glance upon it is enough to reveal that it is nothing like their previous products.
Cherry MX Board 6.0 Keyboard - Key Features and Specifications
- The world's fastest keyboard – with Cherry MX and Cherry RK
- CHERRY MX RED – Gold Crosspoint precision keyswitch for all keys »Made in Germany«
- Aluminium housing with sanded finish and grease resistant coating
- CHERRY RealKey technology – fully analog signal processing
- All keyswitches are read simultaneously
- 100% anti-ghosting - No inputting errors
Packaging & Bundle
The packaging of the MX Board 6.0 is the perfect example of the company's market philosophy; very sturdy, completely plain and painfully serious. It could be run over by a car and there would not be any damage to the keyboard or the rest of the contents, but there is almost nothing eye-catching about it. As a matter of fact, those who do not know of Cherry might not even realize that there is a keyboard inside the box without closely inspecting it.
Inside the box, we found the keyboard inside a very nice and soft pouch-cover, a large wrist rest and a basic manual. The manual is small and simple, but it is clearly written and more than enough for the few extra functions of the MX Board 6.0.
Finally, retail prices for the MX Board 6.0 are hovering around $200, with a price of $198 at the time this article was written.
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BurntMyBacon - Thursday, January 28, 2016 - link
@529th: "This lack of interest in the ONE thing that separates this board from others screams for your resignation and or being fired."Seems a little harsh. I agree that the review would have been much better with in-depth examination and comparisons, particularly of the new Real Key technology and its competition. However, as it is, this review is no worse than a hundred other keyboard reviews I've read at various sites. Certainly not resignation worthy. Perhaps he'll take your feedback and include such comparison in his next review. It would certainly help it stand out from the crowd more. Perhaps it is too much to ask, but I'd be really happy to see an update to this review to include said content.
Ancillas - Wednesday, January 27, 2016 - link
I had keyboards with macro buttons for years, but I never used the feature.Kepe - Wednesday, January 27, 2016 - link
Same here. I used to have the original Logitech G15 that had 18 macro keys. The only things I used those macro keys for were my e-mail address and password, which was the same everywhere. I've now had a Func KB-460 with Cherry MX Red switches for a couple of years. It does have macro functionality, but it's tied to the fn key so I don't use them. And I play A LOT of games. Never felt the need for keyboard macros in any game.I like the red switches, they're very light and when I type I don't usually press the keys all the way to the bottom. Very good for gaming, as well.
Kepe - Wednesday, January 27, 2016 - link
Hmm, Func has been bought by Fnatic ;oThe Fnatic Rush seems to be exactly the same keyboard as my Func KB-460, they've just changed the logo.
cm123 - Wednesday, January 27, 2016 - link
I was lucky enough to get one of the very early released MX 6.0 keyboards from Cherry so I've had mine for awhile now. Simply the best keyboard I've ever used period (used lots of keyboards from Razer, Corsair, Logitech, and many others). Though its main purpose for me is First Person Shooters as well as general typing. Love the hand rest and how smooth the reactions feel, even have become a fan of the reds (I was a brown only person before this keyboard).NeilPeartRush - Wednesday, January 27, 2016 - link
I actually bought most of the CherryMX switches (Red, Black Brown and Blue) and compared them to my IBM Model M, Matias (Alps) and Topre Keyboard. I grew up with the Model M at home and the Apple Extended Keyboard II (Alps) at school, so I have a fondness for well-done mechanical keyboards. My ranking:1. Topre - the perfect blend of tactile, comfort and noise for me. I use it at work.
2. Cherry Brown - not quite as good as the Topre but easier to find and thus more affordable. I use it at home in an LED-backlit variety; it represents the best balance among the Cherry switches for me.
3. Model M - if you can get past the noise there is nothing quite like it. Not my favorite anymore for everyday, but I keep one around with an old Windows 98SE/DOS machine for classic gaming (along with a Trinitron CRT).
4. Matias - I just find the build-quality somewhat lacking and these new Alps not quite as good as the old Apple Extended Keyboard. Gave it to a buddy who loves Alps.
5. Cherry Red - very fast but not the best for my style of typing; I tend to produce unintended keypresses due to the low actuation force and lack of detent. My wife loves it.
6. Cherry Blue - nice, tactile response that is very audible, and that is my biggest gripe. I am sensitive to noise and the sound of these just affects me negatively; I also prefer the feel of a buckling spring. Gave it to my buddy who will use nothing but Blues.
7. Cherry Black - my least favorite mechanical switch. The Brown is the most versatile for me, the Blue is the best for typing (among the Cherry models) and the Red is FAST and nimble. The Black just ends up being the worst for my typing style and finds no niches for me. It feels slow and airy everyone I lent it to hated it, except one guy - now it's his...
I have the green and clear Cherry switches in a little tester unit, and they are not for me, but I would be willing to give them a shot in a full-size keyboard.
jmunjr - Wednesday, January 27, 2016 - link
If you're an old school gamer like me using any macro is cheating. This is the perfect keyboard for us originals...Mr Perfect - Wednesday, January 27, 2016 - link
I guess I'm the only one who's bugged by not having that right Windows key. It might be weird, but the whole thing is a pass without it. I couldn't spend that kind of money on something that would annoy me a couple times a day.Murloc - Wednesday, January 27, 2016 - link
I only use the left one really since the hand rests on the WASD area when I'm using the mouse or ctrl+c-ing stuff around.The only bad part is not being able to Windows+L with one hand when leaving the table.
Kepe - Wednesday, January 27, 2016 - link
How small are your hands? Win + L is easy to reach with pinky and thumb. I can reach Tab + P with one hand, and I have small hands compared to pretty much every one of my friends.