Cherry’s new mechanical switch is based off an 11-year-old forum post

Cherry's MX Ergo Clear switches are like tactile Browns, but lighter.



For the happily obsessed mechanical keyboard enthusiast, there's no detail too minor on the journey to the perfect switch. Perfect key feel is worth poring over switch specs or even splicing parts from one mechanical switch with another to create the ideal Frankenswitch, as they've been named. One particular mod has attracted so much attention since being shared on a forum 11 years ago that Cherry turned it into a real product.

Cherry, the inventor of mechanical switches, announced the Cherry MX Ergo Clear this week, describing it as landing between tactile Brown and Clear switches. All three switches have 4 mm total travel and actuate at 2 mm, but the Ergo Clears require about 55 g of force to actuate, with that required force dropping to about 40 g at the switch's operating point. Clears, on the other hand, require 65 g before dropping to 55 g, while Browns require about 55 g and 45 g, respectively.


Cherry announced RGB and non-RGB versions of 3- and 5-pin MX Ergo Clears (four versions total).

What Cherry MX Browns SHOULD Have Been: Ergo Clears Review

Cherry announced its community-inspired MX Ergo Clear mechanical switches this week.

Availability
True Ergo Clears are of course made by enthusiasts by combining parts from other switches.

Cherry had stated that they would actually produce Ergo Clears in a slider-colour of choice, with a minimum order of at least 750,000 switches.

Official
Announced on October 17 2022 on Cherry's Cherry MX blog. The stem colour is however, translucent white like (or similar to?) the original Cherry MX Clear.
https://www.cherrymx.de/en/cherry-mx/mx-spe...ergo-clear.html

Cherry’s new mechanical switch hails from ’80s terminal keyboards


Nicknamed Nixies, they're like MX Blacks, but stiffer and, purportedly, smoother.


Cherry, the original mechanical switch maker, is continuing to tap the mechanical keyboard community for new product ideas. Its new mechanical switch, the Cherry MX Black Clear-Top, is a nod to enthusiasts who would love to turn in their modern-day clacker for an old-school terminal keyboard with extra-smooth typing.

’80s roots
Before Cherry's Thursday announcement of plans to release the MX Black Clear-Top, the switch was known to hobbyists as the Nixie switch. Cherry made the switch in the 1980s for German office machine-maker Nixdorf Computer AG. The German switch maker was tasked with creating a version of its linear MX Black switch with "milky" upper housing, a 63.5 g actuation force rather than 60 g, and "the relatively rare solution at the time of having a diode integrated into the switch for n-key rollover," Cherry's announcement explained.

What’s so special about this switch?
But what's so great about typing with this switch? The switch formerly known as Nixie is like an MX Black switch but with a heavier actuation force requirement and a more striking appearance. The linear switches each have 4 mm of travel and 2 mm of pre-travel; however, the MX Black Clear-Top switches require more force to start depressing (40 g versus 30 g for MX Black switches).


Like with many mechanical switches, obsession is based on reportedly admirable smooth travel and what Cherry described as "decent acoustics."

Switch reviewer ThereminGoat, described the Nixie switch as "absolutely" smoother than "most" Cherry switches.

They also said the switch makes a "solid, muted, and deep bottoming out noise; whereas, the topping out noise is ever so slightly thinner and shifted toward a higher pitched sound." Curious ears can check out Chyrosran22's review of the Nixdorf CT06-CT07/2 M Softkeys on YouTube (among others) to hear more.

With a nearly mythical reputation like that, you might wonder why Cherry decided to rebrand the Nixie to a name with much less imagination.

Cherry said it renamed the Nixie switch to reflect "enhancements" it made. The switch looks like it used to, but Cherry will sell it with Krytox GLP 205 Grade 0 Grease inside for "lower-friction actuation with optimized acoustics without negatively affecting the typing feel" or durability claims. This a popular lubricant, especially for linear switches like the MX Black Clear-Top.


This may be a wise investment, as ThereminGoat said the Nixies were "not free from scratch," and not as impressively smooth compared to some of today's switches, which, of course, include much more than Cherry brand options.

For those who prefer a different type of lubrication or to do it themselves, Cherry is also releasing a lube-free version of the MX Black Clear-Top.

Additionally, some (although not Cherry) might say the switch's descriptive name falls more in line with how Cherry's other switches are named (MX Black, MX Red, MX Brown, et cetera).

The new name also hints at the switch's connection to the MX Black.

Overall, Cherry claims the switch improves on the '80s design because it's made with modern manufacturing techniques, enabling a 50 million actuation warranty. It goes without saying that switches harvested from a decades-old keyboard you found at a thrift store or on eBay do not have comparable durability claims.



Cherry said MX Black Clear-Top mechanical switches will be available from "all official distributors worldwide" at the start of 2023.

The switch is the second release from Cherry that was recently inspired by community interests. Last month, it announced the Cherry MX Ergo Clear, based on a so-called Frankenswitch (a mechanical switch that combines parts from different switches) design shared by an enthusiast in a forum post in 2011.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/11/che...inal-keyboards/

Linux-ready Launch Heavy is a $300 mechanical keyboard for number crunchers

System76's $300 Launch Heavy has open source hardware and software, plus a USB hub.

Prebuilt mechanical keyboards often neglect Linux support. Users frequently report success in getting a mechanical keyboard's basic functions to work, but many of these peripherals don't accommodate software for controlling advanced features, like macros, with Linux. Since last year, System76's Launch keyboard has been trying to address that problem. But number crunchers will be much more interested in the new Launch Heavy.

Released this week, the Launch Heavy is a numpad-equipped version of the 84-key Launch. As detailed in our System76 Launch review, the keyboard is one of the most customizable Linux-focused mechanical keyboards one can find. However, an absent numpad made the Launch an immediate 'no' for many. Now, the newly released Launch Heavy is addressing many, but not all, of its smaller counterpart's shortcomings.


As you can see, the Launch Heavy's 105 keys aren't a traditional layout. System76 had its way with the keys to the left of the numpad, getting rid of some completely. But compared to the Launch, the Launch Heavy adds keys above the numpad for media control. Unfortunately, there are still no buttons for controlling the volume out of the box.

System76 was gracious enough to update the mechanical switches offered with its keyboards since we reviewed the Launch in March. In addition to the supremely stiff clicky Kailh Box Jades and tactile Box Royals (each require 75 grams of force to actuate), you can get the Launch Heavy and the rest of the lineup with quieter, tactile Kailh Box Silent Browns (50 g) or lighter, linear Silent Pinks (35 g).

You don't have to stick with any of those, though, since the keyboard's switches are easily removable sans soldering iron. But for $300, you'll probably want to start off with switches you're happy to use right away.

Oh, did we forget to mention the Launch Heavy's price? It's only $14 more than the smaller Launch but still a massive ask for a keyboard. Many will prefer one of the best wireless mechanical keyboards, something with volume keys, or building their own mechanical keyboard for that price range instead.

Still, the Launch Heavy (2.8 lbs, to be exact) has some standout features for those willing to spend the money.

System76's Launch mechanical keyboards, which also include the 70-key Launch Lite, represent some of the few mechanical keyboards that claim Linux support (they work with Windows and macOS, too). The vendor pushes its Pop!_OS Linux distribution by having the Launch Heavy support keyboard shortcuts within it, such as organizing tiled windows without a mouse or opening apps.

The Launch series is also an admirably tinker-friendly one, from its open source, QMK-based software for programming its keys and open source chassis and PCB to the hot-swappable switches, which include two for the split spacebar. Perhaps the series' handiest feature is the hub on the top of the keyboard's edge with four increasingly omitted USB-A ports.

While the Launch Heavy's price is still overwhelming, there's enough here for it to be a unique consideration for number crunchers, especially Linux users, seeking a customizable mechanical keyboard.

you can also use the key tester in qmk toolbox, and via (web)

The OnePlus Featuring Keyboard 81 Pro is already visible on OnePlus’s Malaysian website. It appears that only the Winter Bonfire model with tactile switches and PBT keycaps will be offered for sale here.

this is very affordable indeed. the main downside for beginners might be that it's a soldered prebuilt. however, to those who just want a board with gasket-mount typing feel, this might be a good choice.

well, a 35usd tkl that is supported by via (c3 pro qmk source code is in the pull request queue now. it should be available very soon), it's a good beginner option tbh.

Exclusively available on Amazon, not offered for sale on the Keychron website.

i would recommend monsgeek m series. get variants that have qmk support. the total costs might be higher, but there are relatively richer options for a user to play with, e.g., plates, and various foams.

as for switches, it doesn't matter when the user is new to the hobby.

as for switches, it doesn't matter when the user is new to the hobby.

There is 1 major difference between the RKM75 and Monsgeek M1W.

Monsgeek M series is made from a solid block of aluminum.
That itself have several advantage
- it does look more premium
- it certain weighs a whole lot more premium too
- it actually changes the sound profile of the keypress quite significantly.

Nothing wrong with getting the RK M75 especially if you want a complete package ready to be gifted.