Thu, 24 May 2012 Cherry KW 6000 keyboard for iPad review
No thrills Bluetooth keyboard does a fine job of making the iPad more productive
- Manufacturer: Cherry
- Distributor: CPC
- Pros: Productive, comfortable, responsive keyboard, compact, lightweight, useful travel companion, two-year warranty, forty year plus pedigree.
- Cons: No iPad stand or dock included, lacks travel case for added protection on the go, not the most attractive keyboard on the market.
- Min specs: Size approx. 260.7 x 127.8 x 8.8 mm, weight approx. 286 g (keyboard with batteries).
- Price: £40
- Star rating:
Cherry may not be the most high profile of computer accessory companies, but the German owned manufacturer has been developing and producing keyboards since 1967. The KW 6000 is their latest model, which embraces both Bluetooth wireless technology and Apple's best selling iPad. With a slightly smaller footprint than Apple's iMac keyboard, the KW 6000 is clearly aimed at those on the move who want to improve productivity without much additional weight or bulk. As a desktop companion it's also neat enough to sit just about anywhere.
After charging via the supplied USB cable, the keyboard needs to be 'introduced' to your iPad, a painless process that is made even simpler by only needing to be done once. A small connect button on the back of the keyboard needs to be held down briefly for the two to be introduced before the iPad asks for a Bluetooth confirmation code to be entered. The process takes less than a minute and has the potential to save hours using a real keyboard rather than Apple's virtual one. Writing anything for any length on iPad, iPhone or iPad touch is frankly slow, tedious and prone to making errors, something that Apple acknowledged with the introduction of the Dictation key on its virtual keyboard.
The KW 6000 keyboard feels responsive and comfortable during extended use, although it lies flat to your work service rather than slightly raised, which may be an issue from some. The keyboard also lacks a built in iPad stand or dock so you'll need someway of keeping your screen in view during use. Battery life appears to be good, we are still typing on the initial charge after a few days, and you can turn the keyboard off when not in use. Despite a decent built quality, the keyboard lacks a dedicated sleeve or cover, which would be useful for additional protection when travelling or in storage.
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