The Sharkoon PureWriter W100 is a slim mechanical keyboard with a full 3-block layout that can be operated via 2.4-GHz wireless or a USB-C cable. It uses quiet low-profile switches from Huano, features a 2,000-mAh battery for up to 160 hours of use, and has an aluminum top panel. It is available now at a MSRP of 59.90 euros.
Key Features at a Glance
- What: Sharkoon PureWriter W100, mechanical low-profile keyboard with a 3-block layout
- Switches: Huano Linear Silent, linear, 40 g actuation force, 50 million keystrokes
- Connection: 2.4 GHz wireless via nano receiver or USB-C cable; no Bluetooth
- Battery: 2,000 mAh, up to 160 hours
- Price: 59.90 euros (MSRP), available now in stores
Dual-mode: Wireless via nano receiver or cable
The W100 operates in two modes. In wireless mode, it uses a 2.4 GHz nano receiver, which Sharkoon claims has a range of up to 15 meters. If you prefer the low latency of a cable or want to recharge the battery, use the included 180-centimeter USB-C-to-USB-A cable. The polling rate is up to 1,000 Hz in both modes, and N-key rollover is also supported.
However, Bluetooth is missing. This means you can’t conveniently switch between multiple devices, a feature many office keyboards now offer. In addition to Windows PCs, Sharkoon lists the PlayStation 4 and 5 as compatible platforms. Those looking instead for an office keyboard with hot-swap sockets and PBT keycaps will find the Sharkoon OfficePal KB70W —a model from the same manufacturer with a significantly different approach.
Quiet Low-Profile Switches from Huano
Underneath the keycaps are Huano Linear Silent switches in a low-profile design. They have a linear actuation, require 40 ± 10 grams of actuation force, and trigger at 1.4 ± 0.4 millimeters. The total travel distance is 3.1 millimeters, and Sharkoon specifies a lifespan of at least 50 million keystrokes. Damped contact points are designed to reduce the clacking sound that is otherwise noticeable, especially on flat keyboards with their short residual travel.
For frequent typists, this is the most interesting change compared to the original PureWriter, which was available with red and blue Kailh switches. We described how the low-profile design feels in everyday use back when we reviewed the Sharkoon PureWriter RGB TKL. The W100’s keycaps are made of ABS plastic and feature laser-etched lettering, but they sit on cross-shaped stems and can therefore be swapped out for standard low-profile keycap sets.
Aluminum Top Panel, Volume Wheel, and RGB
The chassis is 27 millimeters high, 430 millimeters wide, and 122 millimeters deep. Without the cable, the keyboard weighs 616 grams, which speaks to the benefits of the aluminum top plate: it keeps the chassis flat while still providing torsional rigidity. Above the numeric keypad is a volume control dial, a feature rarely found in this price range.
The RGB lighting can be customized with multiple effects, and the keyboard stores four LED profiles in its 32 kB of onboard memory. The rest of the configuration is handled via the FN layer, which includes media and Office functions as well as lighting control. Sharkoon does not include any software, and the key assignments cannot be freely customized. Those who need macros and remapping are better off with a more compact keyboard like the Corsair Clipper Pro Mini 60.
Battery: 2,000 mAh for up to 160 hours
The built-in lithium-ion battery has a capacity of 2,000 mAh. The 160 hours specified by Sharkoon apply to wireless operation without active lighting. With RGB lighting turned on, the battery life decreases significantly, as is the case with any backlit wireless keyboard. Charging is done via the same USB-C cable used for wired operation, and you can continue typing while it charges.
Technical Specifications of the Sharkoon PureWriter W100
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Layout | 3-block layout, 104 keys (ANSI) or 105 keys (ISO) |
| Switches | Huano Linear Silent, low-profile, mechanical |
| Actuation force | 40 ± 10 g |
| Actuation distance / total travel | 1.4 ± 0.4 mm / 3.1 mm |
| Service life | at least 50 million keystrokes |
| Keycaps | ABS, low profile, laser-etched |
| Top | Aluminum |
| Connection | 2.4 GHz (nano receiver, up to 15 m) or USB-C |
| Polling rate | up to 1,000 Hz |
| Rollover | N-Key Rollover |
| Battery | Lithium-ion, 2,000 mAh, up to 160 hours |
| Backlight | RGB, customizable effects, 4 profiles |
| Memory | 32 kB onboard |
| Controls | Volume dial, FN layer |
| Dimensions | 430 × 122 × 27 mm |
| Weight | 616 g (without cable), 662 g (with cable) |
| Cable | USB-C to USB-A, 180 cm |
| Compatibility | Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 |
| Color | Black |
| MSRP | 59.90 euros |
Price and Availability
The Sharkoon PureWriter W100 costs 59.90 euros and is available now, including at Alternate. The price comparison on Geizhals currently lists it starting at around 59.85 euros. It’s also worth checking out on Amazon.
Price-wise, that’s quite a statement. Sharkoon had announced the model back in the spring for around 70 euros, but the final price came in at 59.90 euros. That’s the same price the first PureWriter cost back in 2017, but now it comes with wireless connectivity, a rechargeable battery, quiet switches, and an aluminum deck.
Conclusion
The Sharkoon PureWriter W100 fills a gap that has been open for a surprisingly long time: a slim, full-size mechanical keyboard that’s wireless, quiet, and available for under 60 euros. ABS keycaps, the lack of Bluetooth, and the non-customizable key mapping show where cost-cutting took place. For a setup where typing is the main activity and gaming is just a side activity, however, this is a very reasonable trade-off.
Sources: Sharkoon,
