Closer Examination

The CIDOO ABM0845 is an 84-key, 80% keyboard in a modified US ANSI layout. This means that you get the vast majority of the 87 keys in the US ANSI TKL size, with CIDOO opting to lose Print Screen, Scroll Lock, and Pause/Break in favor of two multimedia keys and a large aluminium knob with a knurled finish going over a rotary encoder for a volume wheel. The two keys and the wheel also have another operating mode whereby now they can control LED brightness and lighting effects too, further sweetening the deal. I do like this volume knob a lot with its slight taper from the bottom up. The color scheme also matches the rest of the keyboard well and this is an opportune time to mention you can get the ABM084 in a few different colors. There's a black version with black-red gradient keycaps in the so-called KDA keycap profile, a white version with green/cream/yellow keycaps in the same KDA profile, and this white/gray version with Cherry profile keycaps. The former two also use TTC switches, and are more expensive, but otherwise this review should be fairly representative of the entire lineup.

The keyboard is hefty at 1 kg, owing to the use of thick plastic panels for the case and a lot more going on inside. This version has a glossy finish applied to the ABS plastic case which, with its rounded corners, can be mistaken for a cheap keyboard—at least before you start using it. I am pleased to confirm this is a solid feeling keyboard with no flex and good build quality overall. There are uniform and thin bezels all around the keyboard with the only branding coming in the form of the truncated logo on the volume knob itself. I also appreciated the indicator LEDs above the arrow key cluster here, although the keycaps could have used larger legends given they are opaque after all. The legends are placed closer to the bottom left corner on this version whereas the other two have more centrally-placed legends, although all of them go with secondary legends alongside the primary ones in an even smaller font size. CIDOO is also aiming to attract macOS users, with the bottom row having dual OS legends as seen above.


Turning the keyboard around reveals the usual certification sticker in the middle. There are four long rubber pads at the corners to add friction against the resting surface, and the keyboard also has two sets of feet for a total of three elevation options to choose from. These feet also have rubber pads on the bottom.


A cutout in the case on the bottom contains the expected low profile USB dongle for 2.4 GHz connectivity, held in place via magnets for safe-keeping when not in use. There is a dedicated on/off switch on the side to place the keyboard in wireless mode, with the default being wired mode when the cable is connected. Note also the Windows/macOS switch alongside that explains the keycap legends. The provided Type-C cable is used for charging the internal battery as well as for wired connectivity, and it plugs into an inset Type-C port on the top left corner facing away from the user. The cable is in white to better match the keyboard, sleeved well, the usual 6' in length, and plugs into an available USB Type-A port on your PC, where USB 2.0 will suffice for power and data alike.


A look from the side shows the default elevation of the keyboard with two more options available courtesy the keyboard feet. I'd classify the CIDOO ABM084 as a medium-high profile keyboard that also has non-floating keycaps as a result of the two-piece case design. The provided keycap puller works well in helping extract some for a closer examination without scratching their sides as with the likes of the cheaper plastic ring keycap pullers. Doing so confirms the same style of PBT plastic keycaps with dye sublimed legends. These use the Cherry profile, and are opaque to where any lighting on the keyboard will be for accent lighting only.


The Cherry profile version comes with Gateron Pro switches (or Epomaker switches if purchased from Epomaker) as opposed to the more expensive TTC or Kailh BOX switches on the other two versions. I have the Gateron Pro Yellow linear switch on this review sample, with north-facing LEDs that thankfully do not interfere with the Cherry profile keycaps. The larger keycaps use plate-mounted stabilizers using a rarely seen translucent teal housing, and the stabilzer bar itself comes well-lubed out of the box to enhance the typing experience.


The switch remover tool comes in handy to take the switches off for closer examination or swapping, courtesy the use of a 5-pin hot-swap mechanical switch socket here. We also get a closer look at the Gateron Pro Yellow switches now, with the aptly colored stem/slider that is installed on the transparent top housing and white base. This is a 3-pin switch that works well with the keyboard and is a linear switch we have covered before.


Before we head on, seen above is the CIDOO ABM084 with the replacement keycaps installed. There is no real logical manner to use all four 1u keycaps at the same time, but the Esc and Enter keycaps are easy enough to replace for some color and fun alike.