Introduction

It was just a short while ago that TechPowerUp had visited iKBC at Computex and covered their then upcoming full-size keyboard release via a news post. They had shared a large booth with Mistel Keyboard and Vortexgear, and all three brands seemed to think that wireless mechanical keyboards were going to be the norm for the enthusiast keyboard market in 2018. Indeed, iKBC decided to go beyond most others who had a smaller form factor wireless keyboard prototype on display and instead showcased the CD108 BT, a full-size keyboard based on their existing CD108 keyboard. This precursor keyboard, if you will, is a more budget-friendly option that still provides a good user experience, and I was more than intrigued to take a look at the CD108 BT when it was out. Turns out, it was basically ready to go in June itself, and here we are with a review sample already! Thanks again to iKBC for providing a sample to TechPowerUp.


The CD108 BT is a 108-key keyboard, as the name suggests, with a modified US ANSI layout, at least for the sample I have here. The extra four keys over the 104-key layout are taken up by volume control and a calculator key, curiously enough. The only indication we get about this being a wireless keyboard from the image above is due the indicator LEDs right underneath, with markings for BT and battery status as well. It is definitely a subtle keyboard in terms of looks, something iKBC excels at. Let us begin our more detailed examination of the keyboard by starting with the specifications below.

Specifications

Packaging and Accessories

Packaging here is typical of iKBC; a predominantly black cardboard box with pinches of color as relevant. Indeed, here we see green, blue, and white used, which works well in my opinion. On the front is the iKBC logo, in green, in the top-left corner and with a marketing feature (PBT keycaps) printed in white underneath. There is also the mention of Cherry MX switches being used on their CD keyboard series, of which this CD108 BT is a part of, with the main feature—Bluetooth connectivity—displayed in the bottom-right corner in blue. This continues on the back and sides with some more specifications, including a sticker that mentions the exact switch on the unit. A double flap in the middle helps with keeping the contents inside in place.


Opening the box, we see the keyboard immediately underneath multiple layers of more packaging for protection against shipping and handling mishaps, including a plastic cover shaped to go over the 108 keys. There is also a semi-open cardboard box above that contains accessories that come with the keyboard, and we see iKBC providing a good collection of them even here.


Based on what we knew already from our time at Computex, the CD108 BT uses user-replaceable batteries to power the keyboard instead of an internal battery. I was not expecting iKBC to include batteries, and perhaps it is because I am jaded by years of manufacturers saving wherever they can as far as accessories go. It was a pleasure then to see two AAA-sized alkaline batteries to get you started, and I do recommend getting some good rechargeable batteries if you plan to keep this keyboard for a long time. There is also a cable for when you want to bypass the Bluetooth connectivity, and this is a standard 6' long cable that terminates in a gold-plated male USB Type-C connector on one end and a gold-plated male USB Type-A connector on the other. I appreciate the use of Type-C connectivity here and encourage all keyboard makers to adopt this henceforth over micro-USB.


Also included with the keyboard are two sets of five thick PBT replacement keycaps, in blue and red, and a nice wire-style keycap puller. The OEM profile used here has a couple of these keycaps conforming to R4/row D and the rest to an in-between of R3 and R2, which fits most rows on the keyboard without the keycaps seeming out of place. There is no backlighting through these, so it is more for aesthetics and functionality so long as you can discern the slight change in sculpture at the top if used for the WASD or arrow keys. There is also a quick start guide in English and Mandarin underneath the keyboard itself, and I strongly recommend going through it as it explains the process of not only pairing the keyboard with multiple devices, but also includes information on any assigned functionality out of the box.