Cherry keyboard : Computer Hardware Buyers’ Glossary

Cherry is the legendary maker of keyboards and keyboard switches. I first heard about them circa 1975. Manufacturers of high end keyboards often use Cherry keyboard switches. Cherry also makes their own heavy duty and custom keyboards using gold crosspoint switches. Cherry switches come with four different feels (even more on special order). You really need to take keyboards for a test drive to see which feel suits you best. To complicate matters, you may change your mind after a few days of using a keyboard once you have had time to adjust to the feel.

Cherry Keyswitches

If you pop the keycap the colour of the stem the keycap rests on encodes the tactile feel:

• blue

  MX with pressure point click. 50 g to actuate. For those who like a clicky keyboard that you can’t press without seriously intending to.

• brown

  MX with pressure point ergonomic. Silent. 45 g to actuate. This would be the choice of a transcriptionist who needs a silent keyboard. This is what I have been using the last 20 years or so. It is a pleasing feel.

• clear

  medium stiff, tactile, non-click. Similar to brown, but with more exaggerated tactile bump.

• black

  MX with alternate action. Linear without the bump. 60 g to actuate. They might be the choice of a gamer who pounds the keyboard.

• red

  MX with linear actuation. Linear without the bump. 45 g to actuate. Preferred by some speed typists who like a very smooth feel.

Shopping for a Cherry Keyboard

electronic link to Cooler Master Storm QuickFire Rapid — Mechanical Gaming Keyboard GKCM1

	recommend electronic⇒Cooler Master Storm QuickFire Rapid — Mechanical Gaming Keyboard GKCM1
	asin	B007VDKLLM
SGK-4000-GKCM1-US. This keyboard has the legendary Cherry keyswitches, the silent brown style. Also available in Cherry blue and red style. This is a compact layout that makes mouse use easier since the mouse is closer to the home position. details.
Online electronic stores carrying Cooler Master Storm QuickFire Rapid — Mechanical Gaming Keyboard GKCM1 amazon.com bestbuy.ca amazon.ca canadacomputers.com amazon.de ncix.ca amazon.es newegg.ca amazon.fr www.staples.ca amazon.it tigerdirect.ca amazon.co.uk bestbuy.com junglee.com ncixus.com other stores newegg.com www.staples.com tigerdirect.com
Greyed out stores probably do not have the item in stock

electronic link to Cooler Master Storm QuickFire Rapid — Mechanical Gaming Keyboard GKCL1

	recommend electronic⇒Cooler Master Storm QuickFire Rapid — Mechanical Gaming Keyboard GKCL1
	asin	B0068INSUM
SGK-4000-GKCL1-US. This keyboard has the legendary Cherry keyswitches, the clicky blue style. Also available in Cherry red and brown style. This is a compact layout that makes mouse use easier since the mouse is closer to the home position. details
Online electronic stores carrying Cooler Master Storm QuickFire Rapid — Mechanical Gaming Keyboard GKCL1 amazon.com bestbuy.ca amazon.ca canadacomputers.com amazon.de ncix.ca amazon.es newegg.ca amazon.fr www.staples.ca amazon.it tigerdirect.ca amazon.co.uk bestbuy.com junglee.com ncixus.com other stores newegg.com www.staples.com tigerdirect.com
Greyed out stores probably do not have the item in stock

electronic link to Cooler Master Storm QuickFire TK — BackLit Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

	recommend electronic⇒Cooler Master Storm QuickFire TK — BackLit Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
	asin	B00A378L4C
GK-4020-GKCL1-US. This keyboard has the legendary Cherry keyswitches, the clicky blue style. This is a compact layout that makes mouse use easier since the mouse is closer to the home position. It features backlit keycaps so you can see the legends in the dark, or just look cool. In contrast, the QuickFile Pro only has some keys backlit. details.
Online electronic stores carrying Cooler Master Storm QuickFire TK — BackLit Mechanical Gaming Keyboard amazon.com bestbuy.ca amazon.ca canadacomputers.com amazon.de ncix.ca amazon.es newegg.ca amazon.fr www.staples.ca amazon.it tigerdirect.ca amazon.co.uk bestbuy.com junglee.com ncixus.com other stores newegg.com www.staples.com tigerdirect.com
Greyed out stores probably do not have the item in stock

electronic link to Cooler Master Storm QuickFire Rapid-i Fully Backlit

	recommend electronic⇒Cooler Master Storm QuickFire Rapid-i Fully Backlit
	asin	B00M562EQU
Cherry blue clicky mechanical switches. Compact. No numeric keypad. Each key separately back lit with white LED.
Online electronic stores carrying Cooler Master Storm QuickFire Rapid-i Fully Backlit amazon.com bestbuy.ca amazon.ca canadacomputers.com amazon.de ncix.ca amazon.es newegg.ca amazon.fr www.staples.ca amazon.it tigerdirect.ca amazon.co.uk bestbuy.com junglee.com ncixus.com other stores newegg.com www.staples.com tigerdirect.com
Greyed out stores probably do not have the item in stock