Introduction

Tesoro is a company we here at TechPowerUp have been familiar with for years. I remember when they had just brought out the first Gram keyboard, for example. It is 2019 as I write this, and the Gram lineup now has sub-divisions in the Gram Spectrum, XS, and SE Spectrum, in addition to other Tesoro keyboard lines. We have examined all of them before, with each offering something different, be it via new switches, a low profile form factor, or even support from a new unified software driver. Tesoro did realize that most of their products were on the higher side of average as far as pricing goes and there remains a customer base that simply wants Cherry MX switch keyboards. In recognition of this, they announced the new Gram MX ONE series late last year. It targets the North American market first and foremost, and thanks again to Tesoro for sending along a review sample.


The Gram MX ONE lineup consists of keyboards in the 104-key US ANSI layout only, and in white or black color schemes. Each also comes with two switch options—the Cherry MX Brown and Cherry MX Blue—and aims to interest those looking for a well-built minimalist keyboard. No RGB backlighting to be seen here, nor is there a software driver. Tesoro instead wants to let people know that the Gram MX ONE has onboard controls which, combined with the rest of the feature set, should be plenty attractive enough for many to keep on reading. The review begins, as per usual, with a look at the specifications below.

Specifications

Packaging and Accessories

Tesoro's packaging has been revamped in recent years, with an emphasis on a clean, more minimalist design to go along with their design philosophy for keyboards as a whole. We see here a predominantly white packaging wrap on the cardboard box underneath, with the company and product name as well as a large illustration of the keyboard and some salient features mentioned on the front. This continues on the back and sides to where it also makes for a good retail package for customers in brick-and-mortar stores.


Two double flaps on the side help keep the contents inside in place during transit, and opening the box, we are greeted by the keyboard itself. I have here the white version, and the keyboard has cardboard all around it for some added protection before it gets to you. Underneath the keyboard, which arrives in a clear plastic wrap, is the included quick start guide. This is a multi-language manual that walks you through the onboard controls, and it is well worth the read, at least initially. For those interested, an online copy can be found here.


The other accessory is the detachable keyboard cable in its own little compartment as seen above. The cable is color coordinated to the keyboard, white in this case thus, and braided. It has a male mini-USB connector on one end and a male USB Type-A connector on the other, which points to the mini-USB port on the keyboard itself. I would have much rather seen USB Type-C here, but the number of connect/disconnect cycles is arguably not really a factor in this application and just a matter of preference in terms of having accessible cables that can be used with other devices. The connectors are gold-plated to add corrosion and metal-oxidation resistance.