The Best Entry Level Keyboard? Monsgeek M1W Unboxing & Review

[@drewfisher4413]

This man deserves more subs. His video quality is just amazing.

[@dill-keebs]

Thank you! It means the world!

[@macca8393]

another great video

[@MangoTangoFox]

The M1W with the very expensive POM Kailh Purple Ice Cream switches was 107 for a while on Ali. That value is pretty crazy, but for the normal pricing and the piano/yellow/blue switch versions... I think there are better boards and better value out there. The Monsgeeks have very poor gasket performance because of the stiff silicone and these hard rubber cubes stuck to the bottom of the PCB... Replacing with poron foam and removing the cubes is possible, but the original gaskets are what keep the plate alligned, so without them it tends to slide around in the case. There is also basically zero room inside the case, so without replacing the bottom foam with polyfill it's not going to flex regardless. The Wireless and original CN-region non-QMK version both have a problem where the knob pressed down doesn't mute, and it is impossible to change it in software, so if you press the knob it not only doesn't mute, but then stops it from controlling volume as it's in RGB brightness mode instead which is completely useless when FN+Arrows already does that. The side accents are removable because they always planned to release replacements in different colors, including clear versions, as all the M1 PCBs have always had support and the PCB traces for side-RGB, they just didn't put the actual LEDs on for whatever reason. Monsgeek do have an upcoming groupbuy where they're offering the M1 in extra colors, now with weights (not sure if external or internal), different side accents, and the side-RGB leds included. The V75/LMK81 version of that Cidoo board you reviewed before sounds pretty fantastic with tape mod, very comparable to Zoom boards which are over double the price. The Monsgeeks have a slightly cleaner aesthetic, I really like the look of my silver one, but they stopped offering white which is available on the LMK81, and overall I much prefer the sound and software experience of the Zuoya/Cidoo ones. There's also a number of other cheaper and/or better sounding boards such as the Leobog Hi71 (likely upcoming Hi8 as well), Xinmeng M71, VXE75, etc.

[@dill-keebs]

Great insights. It’s a shame the monsgeek does lack in those areas, I did notice the rubber cubes stuck to the back of the PCB too but just assumed they were for support. As for the side wedges, hopefully Monsgeek addresses this in their upcoming group buy and future designs better incorporate it. I do enjoy the Cidoo still too, the retro look is ironically pretty unique in this market, outside of boards like the class80, but its good to see there are plenty of competitive entry level options that will attract people for different reasons. Appreciate the comment

[@ImOnMy116]

crazy to think how many options there are in this space now, also crazy to see wireless and qmk/via support on entry boards now when even a year ago seemingly almost no boards offered that, it’s a good time to be joining the hobby at the entry level

[@dill-keebs]

Exactly, I think this is exactly what the hobby needs, both the realisation that prices have been inflated over the last few years due to demand and lack of previous supply, but this market of low cost yet good products will also push designers and creators to explore, create and hopefully bring the hobby further along. Competition is good in that sense.

[@ImOnMy116]

@@dill-keebs Absolutely! Crazy to think that I paid easily twice this much for a Tofu60 build back in the day, and got an arguably far less feature rich product

[@rickhickling]

Great video, thank you. I have just received mine in the post and love using it, however, a complete tech illiterate question. 1. Is there a way of turning it off and on or is it an automatic thing through use/no use and 2. Pressing fn + space should show battery life in colours but mine is permanently on red, even though it is USB connected to my Mac. Any help would be appreciated, thank you.

[@thxddvs]

I have one M1W but older version come with Akko Cream v3 switches, the stock plate-mount stab very bad but with pbc-mount screw in stab come in the box I do the holee mod and it really nice. I also change to aluminum plate, MMD Princess Tactile switches and wob keycaps. M1W not a really good keyboard for entry people u need experience to do some mod for make it better. Waiting for QK60 R2 review form u cuz I decied to have one 60% keyboard. Btw great video mate. Thanks.

[@Omega-EP]

I'm looking for information about this board if ALL keys are reprogrammable and that includes the knob. I need a new board in 75% format, but I also listen to music quite frequently, so being able to use the knob as a pause/play button feels like an essential to me. If you still have the board, is there any way you can test this out for me? And, great video! The quality is top notch. Good work.

[@sielo6279]

yes you can program the knob like that

[@Omega-EP]

@@sielo6279 Awesome! Thanks.

[@jammies701]

Nice vid mate

[@xaviertyz]

How do you check battery level for this?

[@EpineCA]

Am also curious

[@Lord_SlowMo]

When will you review the true best entry level board, the Razer BlackWidow?

[@YoshilinTV]

Not brave enough to critique it

[@dill-keebs]

I am waiting on Razer to contact me :P

[@jammies701]

What's the keycap set on the foam board?

[@dill-keebs]

Thats DMK Vintage, Tripleshot ABS and my first keycap set, its so nice, totally recommend.

[@jammies701]

@@dill-keebsinteresting. I have Silent Forest R1 from them, and the quality is just not all the way there with the printing. However, the sound it puts out is fairly unique, and I really liked it on FR4 with Oil Kings. Haven't been able to replicate that sound with anything else

[@KingOfAwosemeVille]

Thocc Daddy

[@dill-keebs]

Yeah u like dat thocc