Cherry Gentix Desktop review: Affordable, quality combo for the home or office

Cherry Gentix Desktop Source: Windows Central

It'south been a while since I didn't spend my days typing on a mechanical keyboard. They're certainly my preferred mode of working, just I'll admit that, occasionally, I wish I had something much quieter, wireless, and softer to type on. Simply the all-time keyboards aren't always the flashiest, most expensive, feature-packed choices you tin can find.

Therefore, the Cherry Gentix Desktop is a big departure from what I'1000 used to. Information technology'south also fabricated by a manufacturer with a legendary reputation in keyboards, so taking a closer look was a no-brainer. This wireless set comes with both a keyboard and a mouse, and having used both for a couple of weeks at that place's only one fourth dimension my regular mechanical keyboard has come up back out.

If you're looking for a consummate set up with minimal fuss and great quality, this might be the one.

Cherry Gentix Desktop

Red Gentix Desktop

Bottom line: Perhaps boring to look at simply for those seeking a high-quality office fix for not much coin, this will certainly fit the bill.

Pros

Ambidextrous mouse design
Only a unmarried dongle required
Dedicated media and app shortcut keys
Remappable buttons
Soft, tranquillity keys
Affordable price

Cons

No Bluetooth
Mouse scroll wheel direction tin't be reversed
Slim wrist residue
Sketchy availability

Cherry Gentix Desktop: Price and availability

The Cherry Gentix Desktop came out on March 2, 2022 and immediately marketed itself equally a super affordable keyboard and mouse set for those on a budget, with a retail price of €45. Unfortunately, the Gentix Desktop, like many PC accessories these days, is pretty hard to get hold of, both in the U.M. and the U.S. Ruby has enough of authorized resellers listed on its website, but nigh just aren't stocking it at the time of this article'south publication. If folks tin't buy information technology, so it doesn't actually matter how good it is.

In the meantime, you tin bank check Cherry'southward website to see where it's in stock.

What you'll like virtually the Cherry Gentix Desktop

Cherry Gentix Desktop Source: Windows Primal

The Cherry Gentix Desktop is a complete wireless desktop set comprising a full-sized keyboard and mouse. Given the low asking price, that makes this a pretty solid value package earlier you even kickoff to consider what's really proficient virtually information technology.

Perhaps the showtime matter worth highlighting is that information technology only requires a unmarried dongle for both the keyboard and the mouse. There's no setup involved either, simply pop the batteries in, attach the wireless dongle to your PC, and off you go. It'south completely plug and play.

The Gentix Desktop does take companion software though, downloadable from Carmine's support site. While it isn't required, it does permit you to reconfigure the buttons on the mouse as well as keys on the keyboard. By default, the keyboard comes with defended shortcut keys to lock your PC, open the default browser, fix your default electronic mail app, and access the reckoner. Merely you can change these to something else if you'd prefer inside the app.

Cherry Keys Source: Windows Central

The app also allows y'all to map some more advanced shortcuts. For case, I mapped a button to automatically open up a fresh tab and load upwards the Windows Central homepage. That's pretty neat for an affordable keyboard.

The Gentix Desktop has a second Windows cardinal, which is more than useful than you lot might call up.

Those aren't the just shortcut keys on the Gentix Desktop. At that place are half dozen media control keys: volume down, mute, volume upward, previous track, play/break, and next rail. I of the more than peculiar additions, simply not necessarily a bad one, is a 2d Windows primal to the right of the infinite bar. There are no role keys on the Gentix Desktop — they're non needed for anything — then this is actually pretty handy. Because of the style I blazon, information technology'due south become more convenient to tap the right-hand Windows key with my right pinky finger than movement my left manus or bend my thumb nether. Maybe there's something to this.

Design-wise, neither the mouse or keyboard are especially exciting, simply neither are bad, either. The same tin be said of the structure. The Gentix Desktop is sturdy feeling, with three fold-out feet below the keyboard for a super stable time, even if you lot're a heavy typer similar myself. The keys are naturally membrane, and there's a fairly long cardinal travel greeted by a soft, cushioned bear on as you striking the lesser. Noise is minimal; even if yous're really jumping on the keys you won't be irritating any co-workers. Information technology feels superb to type on, and in the grade of several 1000 words over the review catamenia, I've been surprisingly happy with how this keyboard feels having come from regular mechanical use.

Cherry Gentix Desktop Source: Windows Central

The mouse is as well made, with a solid feel and a decent size. For smaller or larger easily it'll be a good fit and the rise at the rear helps position your palms comfortably for a long 24-hour interval'south use. The scroll bicycle has good resistance, at that place is a DPI switch and two programmable buttons on the left. Information technology'due south besides ambidextrous, and while the boosted buttons are less comfortable to use for left-handers, the mouse tin be used perfectly well. You but have to opposite the master push button in the companion app.

It'due south been comfortable to apply as well, which admittedly I was worried about when I first saw the shape. I've felt no boosted discomfort or strain over my regular mouse at all. The weight is absolutely fine, it has a little heft but nothing dramatic, and the buttons accept a super satisfying click to them.

What you'll dislike about the Cherry Gentix Desktop

Cherry Gentix Desktop Source: Windows Central

When you lot consider the price of the Gentix Desktop package it's difficult to really complain. That said, there are some features I wish were included or merely washed a trivial better.

The beginning is that in that location'southward no Bluetooth at all. It's either a wireless dongle or nothing, and that goes for if you lot wanted to employ the mouse on its own likewise. If y'all wanted to pack the mouse in your laptop handbag you have to have the dongle too. Fortunately, you tin at least shop the thing in the mouse'south battery compartment, but make sure y'all don't lose it when y'all're out and nearly. If you practise, you'll have to buy a whole new set.

No Bluetooth does feel like a fault.

This is no doubt partly downwards to toll. Afterwards all, every boosted feature adds to the asking price. Merely for as user-friendly as it is to have a unmarried dongle for both devices on the desktop, information technology essentially rules it out equally a dual-purpose setup to utilize with a laptop. Of class, to employ it with many laptops or 2-in-one PCs similar the Surface Go 2, y'all'll need a dongle to adhere your dongle anyhow.

The 2d matter I don't similar might come up downwardly to personal perference, merely it makes it difficult to truly love using the mouse. The scroll wheel direction can't be reversed in the companion app. I always set my scroll wheel to deed as if it were a phone screen or a trackpad — in other words, the opposite of how every standard scroll wheel is by default. It's one of the reasons I've stuck with Razer mice for and so long because I just have all this stored in the deject to use on any new mouse.

Cherry Gentix Desktop Source: Windows Central

The fact you can change so much within the software but the coil bicycle direction is locked out feels like a mistake. I might exist an outlier, merely it's made a significant change to how I operate, specially since I keep forgetting and coil the wrong mode.

The built-in wrist rest is also a little disappointing. It's very slim and nearly like it's non meant to exist a wrist rest. Simply the slope is perfect to residuum upon while typing, and it'southward been OK since I have smaller hands. Unfortunately, larger easily won't be and so lucky. Since this is clearly an office production aimed at long-term typists, a adept wrist residuum is almost mandatory.

Carmine Gentix Desktop: The contest

Microsoft Bluetooth Desktop Source: Microsoft

At that place is plenty of contest within the keyboard and mouse space and the nearly obvious alternative to the Ruddy Gentix Desktop is the Microsoft Bluetooth Desktop. Like the Cherry-red Gentix, you lot become a wireless keyboard and mouse combo, and information technology'due south priced very similarly.

The Microsoft option does look a lilliputian meliorate, just has shallower keys and hides media functionality backside an extra press thanks to the function button. The mouse is a little smaller and less ergonomic equally well as having no DPI switch or additional programmable buttons.

The primal divergence, though, is the Microsoft Bluetooth Desktop has, you guessed it, Bluetooth.

Should you purchase the Blood-red Gentix Desktop?

Cherry Gentix Desktop Source: Windows Central

Y'all should buy this if ...

You're on a budget
Want something other than a mechanical keyboard
You want some customization for your mouse and keyboard
You want a wireless keyboard and mouse that but needs one dongle

You shouldn't buy this if...

You want Bluetooth connectivity
You prefer mechanical keyboards
Need a stronger wrist rest

I was surprised by how much I've enjoyed using the Blood-red Gentix Desktop, and not but with a reviewer's head on. Information technology's going to stay on my desk for the foreseeable future as my everyday keyboard and mouse combination. I've gained a USB port back over what I was using previously and I'grand actually enjoying the quiet, soft typing feel.

At that place are withal times for mechanical keyboards but the sort of person in the market place for a keyboard and mouse like this probably won't exist all that interested. What you lot're getting here is remarkable value, with not bad battery life, a solid product, and a bunch of actress features to help you really tailor it to your everyday needs.

Cherry Gentix Desktop

Lesser line: The Ruddy Gentix Desktop ignores existence flashy and instead simply concentrates on being good at what it needs to exercise, creating a quality package for the abode and especially the role from a well-respected brand in keyboards.

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