Review
The Wombat Pine Professional stands out where it counts the most. While it might not be a household name, this mechanical keyboard surpasses many well-known brands, and I’m surprised it hasn’t gained widespread recognition yet.
Three key aspects make this keyboard impressive. Firstly, it boasts a sleek design, particularly appreciated by Mac users. The full-sized keyboard maintains a slim profile, making it appealing, especially for iMac 24-inch owners. Secondly, it delivers a reliable and comfortable typing experience, catering to even the most discerning keyboard enthusiasts. Lastly, it comes with a range of features not commonly found in more popular keyboards.
Despite its strengths, the Wombat Pine Professional has some drawbacks, such as the absence of backlighting, which may inconvenience users in the dark. Additionally, there’s a slight delay when transitioning from wireless sleep mode.
The keyboard’s form factor is noteworthy, featuring a full-sized 108-key footprint without the bulkiness of its counterparts. The build quality is commendable, utilizing durable PBT keycaps and a high-quality aluminum top case. The floating keycap design, although lacking backlighting, doesn’t detract from the overall keyboard experience.
To cater to diverse preferences, Wombat offers the Pine Professional in various colorways, aligning with the aesthetics of iMac 24-inch and MacBook laptops. While designed for Mac users, it’s compatible with Windows, Android, Linux, and iOS devices, catering to a broad user base.
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Multi-connectivity
The keyboard supports multi-connectivity, featuring wired USB-C, 2.4GHz wireless, and Bluetooth options. It can connect to up to five devices simultaneously, providing flexibility for users with multiple systems.
While not primarily marketed as a gaming keyboard, the Wombat Pine Professional performs well in casual gaming. It includes special function keys for gaming purposes, on-the-fly macro recording, and full-key N-key rollover.
Primarily designed for productivity, the keyboard incorporates features like a number pad with simulated mouse mode, quick access function keys, and special keys for calculator, calendar, browser, and voice assistant. It also includes additional keycaps with cute wombats for added fun.
In terms of performance and comfort, the Wombat Pine Professional excels. The 1000mAH battery lasts impressively long, providing a reliable wireless experience. The Red Cherry MX version, tested here, offers a smooth linear key switch experience, with options for Tactile Brown switches for those who prefer a bit of bump.
Despite a minor delay in waking from sleep, the keyboard demonstrates responsiveness and accuracy in both wireless and Bluetooth modes. It features noise and vibration absorption technology and pre-lubed stabilizers, enhancing the overall typing experience.
Specifications Wombat Pine Professional
| Keyboard Layout | Full |
|---|---|
| Switch Type | Red / Brown Cherry MX switches |
| Programmable Keys | Available |
| Dimensions | 440 x 144 x 39 mm |
| RGB Backlighting | Absent |
Pros And Cons Wombat Pine Professional
| Advantages | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
| Exceptional typing comfort | Brief delay upon waking |
| Sleeker profile compared to other | Absence of backlighting |
| mechanical keyboards | |
| Abundance of convenient shortcuts | |
| Compatibility across multiple | |
| platforms | |
| Versatile connectivity options |
Price And Availability Wombat Pine Professional
- How much does it cost? The Wombat Pine Professional is priced at $159.99 (approximately £130 / AU$240).
- When is it available? It is available for purchase right now.
- Where can you get it? You can find it in the US, UK, and Australia.
Similar to other high-quality mechanical keyboards, the Wombat Pine Professional doesn’t come with a budget-friendly price tag. While it won’t break the bank, it still carries a cost of $159.99 (around £130 / AU$240), which some might consider a bit high for a keyboard.
However, if you’re aiming for both quality and value, this price range is typical. Plus, you get numerous features with this keyboard that you won’t easily find in others. Additionally, it’s slightly more affordable than alternatives like the Logitech MX Mechanical, which is priced at $169.99 / £169.99 / AU$279.
Design And Build Wombat Pine Professional
The Wombat Pine Pro offers a choice of five color combinations, all appealing yet grounded. I received the Space Grey variant, featuring a two-tone mix of dark and light grey keys, with three keys (ESC, main Return, and numpad Enter) in a bold red. The other options, Light Green, Light Blue, Pink, and Silver, showcase vibrant two-tone or single-color designs.
Built robustly, the Pine Pro has a durable plastic bottom half and an anodized aluminum top part surrounding the mechanical keys. You can opt for linear or tactile switches, providing a subtly different typing experience based on your preference.
Compared to the standard (mostly membrane) keyboards that come with most Macs, the Pine Pro stands out without being as flashy as RGB-lit gaming-focused mechanical keyboards. It strikes a good balance between different worlds and tastes.
Wombat claims this to be ‘the last keyboard you’ll ever need,’ and while I can’t verify that with a long-term review series spanning decades (talk to my editor if you want that weirdness), I can confirm its impressive build quality and key setup. The keyboard is rock-solid with no flex, thanks to the aluminum top frame. It’s also bottom-weighted, staying firmly in place on your desk.
The key symbols are dye-sublimated, deeply ingrained in the keys, ensuring they won’t wear off easily even with heavy use. This is a stark contrast to many other keyboards where symbols are printed and can peel or rub off quickly.
Features And Typing Experience Wombat Pine Professional
The Wombat Pine Professional keyboard is versatile and compatible with various operating systems, though it’s clearly designed with a focus on Mac users. The keyboard features Mac symbols alongside Windows ones on vital keys in a 108-key US layout, complete with a full tenkey and numpad setup. Additionally, there are ten programmable keys, and quick-start directions on the back facilitate easy switching between different OS setups.
You have the option to connect it via USB 2.0 or utilize the built-in Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity. With a 1000mAH LiPO rechargeable battery, it provides several days of wireless usage without showing any signs of running out, making it convenient for on-the-go use without worrying about carrying a cable.
Unlike many mechanical keyboards, it doesn’t have backlighting, but this is fitting for its design, which features nicely subdued yet clear-to-read keys. The keyboard addresses the common issue of clacking noise associated with mechanical keyboards by incorporating a built-in noise and vibration-suppressing mat, providing a satisfying typing experience without disturbing others.
While some mechanical keyboards can lead to fatigue after a few hours of use, the Wombat Pine Pro stands out. Perhaps owing to its vibration-reducing mat and keys that offer resistance without turning typing into a strenuous task, it provides an engaging typing experience without causing quick exhaustion. The tactile bump adds a sense of connection to your typing activities without causing fatigue.
I thoroughly enjoyed using it, and colleagues who borrowed it shared the sentiment, including my Apple-enthusiast editor. Its aesthetic appeal complements any setup, but it feels most at home in a Mac environment due to its color combinations and clean-cut, fuss-free design.
What I Like in Wombat Pine Professional
Oh, those key switches! They’re not Cherry MX browns, which provide a mid-keystroke silent tactile bump, but they’re quite close. The actuation distance is great, and the tactile bump is as nice to press as it is to not hear it. Each key switch feels just as good as the last, with excellent consistency across the board. They are far superior to any scissor membrane switch you might find on your MacBook keyboard or Magic Keyboard. They’re smooth like butter, yet offer a definite action and good finger feedback.
If you’re a ‘gamer,’ the Wombat website offers an option for more linear keys with red key switches. These red switches provide a smoother keystroke without the tactile bump of the browns, making it slightly easier to bottom out. While I didn’t get to try them, if they’re anything like these browns, they should be excellent.
On top of those key switches are some PBT keycaps with dye-sublimated legends. PBT is hard, giving the keyboard a more ‘tactile’ sound and feel. They make the whole affair more clicky and are super durable. The legend, or printing on the keys, is done through dye sublimation, ensuring a crisp and tight result.
There’s little chance of the print rubbing off because it’s heated into the keycap’s surface. It all sounds amazing, especially since it’s pre-lubed. Unlubed mechanical keyboards can sound scratchy, but this one does not. It’s slightly muted, enhancing the overall experience. Stabilizers for longer keys prevent wobbling and ensure a solid typing experience. These stabilizers don’t rattle, and each key has minimal play. Fabulous!
Foam Batteries
The deck itself is unreasonably solid, with a metal surround that feels great to touch. Lifting it up reveals its weight, packed with foam, batteries, and a big PCB. There’s no deck flex, just how I like it. Despite the plastic back panel, it doesn’t bend, adding to the premium feel.
This adds up to one of the best typing experiences I’ve ever had. The click is quiet and satisfying, making extended use less stressful on my fingers and joints. I can’t think of a better keyboard I’ve used.
The wireless feature is great, making my desk tidier. You can choose between Bluetooth or the wireless dongle. Both connections are super solid. Battery life is massive; mine lasted a month on 8% battery. When it needs charging, the USB-C connector allows wired use while charging, a true wired connection for gamers, reducing latency.
It’s a full-size keyboard with plenty of shortcuts, including Mac-specific ones for brightness, music, and volume controls. A Numpad is nice, even if I barely use it.
Lastly, the design is fine. It may not be amazing, but it’s simple and fits into most desk setups. The Space Gray version is my choice, but the other colors like light blue, mint green, salmon pink, and silver all look great. My copy has cool orange accents, adding visual fun to the deck.
Conclusion
While it might not be the least expensive keyboard available, it’s certainly among the top choices in its price range. Providing an exceptional typing experience, it looks sturdy on the desk as it does its job. Although it lacks backlighting, the wireless connectivity and effortless connection will quickly make you overlook its very minor shortcomings. The box claims it’s ‘The last keyboard you’ll ever need,’ and I’m inclined to agree.
This keyboard stands out as a superb choice, blending an exceptional typing experience with a robust design at a reasonable price. Despite its lack of backlighting, its wireless features and easy connectivity make it a compelling option, earning it the title of a reliable and enduring keyboard for various needs.
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