Cherry is well known for its mechanical switches and at a time, dominated the mechanical keyboard market. Today up for review is one of their full-size mechanical keyboards in the Cherry MX Board 1.0. This was released in November 2018 and is one of their latest products. For those wondering, it does come with Cherry MX switches, but let’s find out what else the Cherry MX Board 1.0 has to offer…
Cherry MX Board 1.0 Keyboard Specifications & Features
Layout (country or language):
• UK layout
Housing colour:
• Black
Key colour:
• Black
Weight (product):
• Approx. 1165 g
Total weight (with packaging):
• Approx. 1510 g
Cable Length:
• Approx. 1.80 m
Storage Temperature:
• -20°C to 60°C
Operating Temperature:
• 0°C to 50°C
Current Consumption:
• Max. 500 mA
Interface:
• USB
Product approvals:
• CE
• KCC
• WHQL
System requirements:
• USB connection
Delivery Volume:
• CHERRY MX BOARD 1.0 BACKLIGHT
• Wrist rest
• Operating instructions in hard copy
Dimensions (product):
• Approx. 470 x 165 x 25 mm (keyboard), approx. 470 x 95 x
25 mm (wrist rest)
Packaging dimensions:
• Approx. 520 x 200 x 48 mm
Keyboard:
• Key technology: Product dependant, see table “Models”
• Service life, standard key: > 50 million key operations
• Operation characteristics: Product dependant, see table
“Models”
• Inscription technology: Laser
• Inscription layout: Standard
• Number of Keys: 105+4
• Number of additional keys: 4
Warranty:
• 2 years
Key Features:
• Anti-ghosting – no inputting errors
• Corded keyboard with CHERRY MX switches and palm rest
• CHERRY MX technology – Gold Crosspoint precision
switches for all keys “Made in Germany”
• Uncompromisingly fast thanks to CHERRY MX and
high-speed key recognition
• Abrasion-resistant, laser-etched keycaps
• Full N-Key rollover – all keys are read simultaneously
• WIN key lockout
• Adjustable white backlighting with several lighting modes
• Additional feet for non-slip grip and custom height adjustment
in 3 steps
• Illuminated USB plug and elegant logo application
Cherry MX Board 1.0 Keyboard Closer Look
So when I cracked open the box for this keyboard, I was more than excited to get going on my review. I haven’t used Cherry MX Browns before and the Cherry MX Board 1.0 this particular sample has come with them. I am certainly looking forward to making use of this keyboard.
Opening the box was a delight, there wasn’t any extra unnecessary packaging which is always a welcome sight in the day and age of recycling and the small pamphlet for the keyboard on the top makes it easier to get going prior to plugging in. I have had it before where the instructions are tucked away underneath the item and it can make things mildly more frustrating during set up.
So now the unboxing is over and done with its time to see how the Cherry MX Board 1.0 is to use and feels, and oh boy, I think I can tell already that this will be a neat experience! The build quality is so good for this affordable keyboard. Even though its a plastic chassis, the Cherry MX Board 1.0 is such a sturdy and quality feeling bit of kit.
The included wrist rest was a nice surprise too as not many keyboards come with this anymore. It’s only a sturdy plastic wrist rest but the fact there’s a decent wrist rest is a bonus for me. There is also an interesting setup for the feet of the keyboard too, with the option of rubber blocks or the standard flip-out feet which gives 3 different positions for the Cherry MX Board 1.0.
As with nearly every Cherry Keyboard, you can easily pop the caps off; and with this version of the Cherry MX Board 1.0 popping the keycaps reveal the lovely Cherry Brown Switches. These are pretty neat as they are the backlit Brown switches too and the light phases the keycaps just right. It helps keep the lettering nice and crisp indirect light or in the dark.
The rubberised grips of the keyboard do a brilliant job keeping the Cherry MX Board 1.0 nice and stable on most surfaces, I had this keyboard sat on top of a desk mat and it didn’t budge at all I was impressed, plus the wrist rest made typing this review up so much more comfortable compared to my other reviews, so that is a huge plus in my book!
The Cherry MX Board 1.0 mechanical keyboard has been a pleasure to use and it’s nice and responsive when typing like a normal pc user; don’t let its subtle looks put you off as its pretty damn capable when it comes to gaming too! It might not be on the level of an out and out gaming keyboard but it isn’t a deficit in any way either, it certainly didn’t give me any bad luck in games even though I don’t have the best of luck anyway!
As an all-around keyboard I can happily recommend the Cherry MX Board 1.0 but for pure writing, it is definitely top of the list, I could only wish that the wrist rest had a small level of padding on it or a soft material cover would make the rest a lot more comfortable but the fact its there is a huge win on the list for me. I’m also totally on board with the minimal lighting, just a backlight plain colour is more than suitable for any keyboard I mean don’t get me wrong I’m a fan of RGB but a plain white backlight is perfect for a change and to be different at a Lan should you ever take the Cherry MX Board 1.0 keyboard with you.
The Cherry MX Board 1.0 Keyboard Review: The Verdict
So you made it to the end, now for the closing thoughts and such which again I’m happily writing away on the Cherry MX Board 1.0 and I will be putting this on my top ten keyboard list once I get to having reviewed ten keyboards of course! So this price clocking it around £70 to £80 online in various retailers I have spotted on the web so it is certainly a case of bargain hunting for this Keyboard that much I can tell you but its certainly worth the price.
Plus it’s affordable for what you get, not many keyboards include a wrist rest in the package! I have enjoyed typing away and am very tempted to make the Cherry MX Board 1.0 my daily keyboard at work as it is so nice to use. There’s no software to worry about installing as its a plug and play affair, its brilliant for an in-place keyboard upgrade plus its just a damn fine keyboard for its price! Quite happily awarding the Cherry MX Board 1.0 a platinum award for how good a time I’ve had using it and its general performance!
What’s hot:
- No RGB which makes a change!
- Included wrist rest out of the box.
- No need for any fancy software, it’s just plug in and go.
What’s not:
- The wrist rest could do with padded material
- Being able to map macros would be a bonus.
Overall the Cherry MX Board 1.0 is a definite yes from me, it can handle medium gaming sessions, its so good to write with and it’s not a massive hit to the wallet for a pure cherry keyboard. So what are your thoughts, tick any boxes for you or do you have any questions?
Thanks to Cherry MX for sending a sample of the Cherry MX Board 1.0 Keyboard in for review.
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