Monday, June 20th 2022
CHERRY Announces Cherry MX Ultra Low Profile Tactile Switches
CHERRY MX, the market leader and expert for mechanical switches in keyboards, is expanding the MX Ultra Low Profile series (ULP) with a tactile version without an audible click. The manufacturer of innovative switches thus offers end customers another option in the areas of "high-end laptop keyboards" and "ultra-thin desktop keyboards". The CHERRY MX Ultra Low Profile Tactile comes with all the unique features and distinctive characteristics for which the series is known worldwide. Since the ULP switch is not only an absolute technical masterpiece but has also set a patented standard and allows new technical possibilities for designing ultra-low profile laptop and desktop keyboards within the premium segment, the product received the "German Innovation Award". This makes CHERRY MX an award-winning innovation leader.
In March 2021, the MX Ultra Low Profile switch was introduced as a completely new development and a milestone in switch development: With an overall height of just 3.5 millimeters, CHERRY MX unveiled the shallowest model in its product range. Particularly for laptops, this allows the realization of fully mechanical high-end keyboards that clearly stand out from previous solutions in terms of pleasant tactile feel, intensive feedback during gaming or typing, and increased reliability as well as greater durability without changing the format. The CHERRY MX ULP also opens up new possibilities for desktop keyboards that were previously technically unfeasible. The exclusive and patented switch design incorporates the feature set of CHERRY MX switches that have been proven for decades, ensuring maximum precision and perfect function even in the new design.
New version without a click: MX Ultra Low Profile Tactile
With the MX Ultra Low Profile Tactile, the ULP series has now been expanded to include a new variant: unlike the MX ULP Click, which is characterized by tactile switching characteristics including acoustic feedback similar to the MX Blue, the MX ULP Tactile is similar to the MX Brown. Thus, the new variant of the MX ULP abandons the distinctive click noise but continues to offer tactile actuation. The CHERRY MX Ultra Low Profile Tactile, therefore, meets the preference of users who prefer a quieter typing experience without the acoustic feedback of their laptop or desktop keyboards. In addition to gamers and eSports teams, this also includes avid typists working in the (home)office and content creators of all kinds who want to rely on the highest precision and a pleasant, noticeable typing feel at all times. Especially the latter target group enjoys massively increasing user numbers: Every day, countless creators worldwide attract hundreds of millions of viewers in front of their screens.
The characteristics of the CHERRY MX Ultra Low Profile
Characteristic for both variants of the ULP switch is a total travel of 1.8 millimeters and the tactile switching point at 0.8 millimeters. This also results in an ergonomic overtravel of 1.0 millimeters. The required actuation force at the tactile point amounts to 65 centinewtons. As with all MX switches, the leading, world-exclusive, high-precision, and durable gold crosspoint technology with corrosion-resistant gold contact points form the heart of the new switch variant. This is a crucial quality feature that, combined with the long-life mechanics, ensures superior durability and consistent actuation quality.
Space-saving and cost-efficient SMD design
The MX Ultra Low Profile is a mechanical SMD key switch from CHERRY MX that can be soldered directly onto the PCB thanks to corresponding connection pads. This space-saving solution allows particularly slim keyboards for laptop as well as desktop applications since the components can be placed on only one side of the PCB. In addition, this implementation is also easier for manufacturers to handle and enables a high level of automation in production.
Balanced RGB lighting
Due to the unique design of the MX Ultra Low Profile, the respective SMD LED (RGB or single color) is located directly under the switch. In interaction with the translucent polymer parts, a balanced and homogeneous illumination is achieved, resulting in a luminous display of all 16.8 million colors of the RGB spectrum. This means that the keycap is also evenly illuminated. There is also the option of programmable individual key illumination.
Developed and made in Germany
Like every MX switch, the MX Ultra Low Profile Tactile was designed by the experienced development team at the headquarters in Auerbach in der Oberpfalz, Germany. The high-precision and exclusive manufacturing of this model is exclusively performed in Germany. This guarantees the highest reliability and precision, ensured by permanent and strict tests at the in-house laboratory. CHERRY also relies on complete product control in-house, which includes all critical components and processes.
MX Ultra Low Profile as a winner of the 2022 German Innovation Award
The MX Ultra Low Profile has been awarded the "Gold" award of the German Innovation Awards 2022 for groundbreaking excellence. The ultra-low-profile solution from CHERRY MX prevailed in the "Excellence in Business to Business" segment of the competition against other candidates in the "Office Solutions" category. The judges based the award on the first-class typing feel, the fantastic development performance of CHERRY MX, and the new standard set by the MX Ultra Low Profile in the keyboard segment, creating entirely new technical and design possibilities.
The German Innovation Award is the prize that makes innovation visible
The German Innovation Award honors forward-looking solutions in all industries and offers equal opportunities to those who drive innovation forward. In doing so, the panel of judges - consisting of independent, interdisciplinary experts from the fields of technology, digitization, science, associations, and institutions - looks for solutions that clearly stand out due to their added value for users and the environment. Therefore, the German Innovation Award offers all innovation drivers equal opportunities and makes their achievements visible to a broad audience.
CHERRY MX Ultra Low Profile in laptops from leading manufacturers
In the meantime, the MX Ultra Low Profile has established itself on the market as a first-class innovation and is used by well-known manufacturers in laptop and desktop keyboards. Especially the top models of mobile gaming notebooks or workstations are equipped with the fully mechanical key switches: Alienware, for example, offers the M15 R4 and M17 R4 series with the CHERRY MX ULP option. MSI delivers the new Titan GT77 with the MX Ultra Low Profile tactile variant. Corsair also relies on the switch for the Voyager a1600. XMG also includes a high-end keyboard based on CHERRY MX technology in its upcoming flagship laptop.
For more information, visit the product page.
In March 2021, the MX Ultra Low Profile switch was introduced as a completely new development and a milestone in switch development: With an overall height of just 3.5 millimeters, CHERRY MX unveiled the shallowest model in its product range. Particularly for laptops, this allows the realization of fully mechanical high-end keyboards that clearly stand out from previous solutions in terms of pleasant tactile feel, intensive feedback during gaming or typing, and increased reliability as well as greater durability without changing the format. The CHERRY MX ULP also opens up new possibilities for desktop keyboards that were previously technically unfeasible. The exclusive and patented switch design incorporates the feature set of CHERRY MX switches that have been proven for decades, ensuring maximum precision and perfect function even in the new design.
With the MX Ultra Low Profile Tactile, the ULP series has now been expanded to include a new variant: unlike the MX ULP Click, which is characterized by tactile switching characteristics including acoustic feedback similar to the MX Blue, the MX ULP Tactile is similar to the MX Brown. Thus, the new variant of the MX ULP abandons the distinctive click noise but continues to offer tactile actuation. The CHERRY MX Ultra Low Profile Tactile, therefore, meets the preference of users who prefer a quieter typing experience without the acoustic feedback of their laptop or desktop keyboards. In addition to gamers and eSports teams, this also includes avid typists working in the (home)office and content creators of all kinds who want to rely on the highest precision and a pleasant, noticeable typing feel at all times. Especially the latter target group enjoys massively increasing user numbers: Every day, countless creators worldwide attract hundreds of millions of viewers in front of their screens.
The characteristics of the CHERRY MX Ultra Low Profile
Characteristic for both variants of the ULP switch is a total travel of 1.8 millimeters and the tactile switching point at 0.8 millimeters. This also results in an ergonomic overtravel of 1.0 millimeters. The required actuation force at the tactile point amounts to 65 centinewtons. As with all MX switches, the leading, world-exclusive, high-precision, and durable gold crosspoint technology with corrosion-resistant gold contact points form the heart of the new switch variant. This is a crucial quality feature that, combined with the long-life mechanics, ensures superior durability and consistent actuation quality.
Space-saving and cost-efficient SMD design
The MX Ultra Low Profile is a mechanical SMD key switch from CHERRY MX that can be soldered directly onto the PCB thanks to corresponding connection pads. This space-saving solution allows particularly slim keyboards for laptop as well as desktop applications since the components can be placed on only one side of the PCB. In addition, this implementation is also easier for manufacturers to handle and enables a high level of automation in production.
Balanced RGB lighting
Due to the unique design of the MX Ultra Low Profile, the respective SMD LED (RGB or single color) is located directly under the switch. In interaction with the translucent polymer parts, a balanced and homogeneous illumination is achieved, resulting in a luminous display of all 16.8 million colors of the RGB spectrum. This means that the keycap is also evenly illuminated. There is also the option of programmable individual key illumination.
Developed and made in Germany
Like every MX switch, the MX Ultra Low Profile Tactile was designed by the experienced development team at the headquarters in Auerbach in der Oberpfalz, Germany. The high-precision and exclusive manufacturing of this model is exclusively performed in Germany. This guarantees the highest reliability and precision, ensured by permanent and strict tests at the in-house laboratory. CHERRY also relies on complete product control in-house, which includes all critical components and processes.
MX Ultra Low Profile as a winner of the 2022 German Innovation Award
The MX Ultra Low Profile has been awarded the "Gold" award of the German Innovation Awards 2022 for groundbreaking excellence. The ultra-low-profile solution from CHERRY MX prevailed in the "Excellence in Business to Business" segment of the competition against other candidates in the "Office Solutions" category. The judges based the award on the first-class typing feel, the fantastic development performance of CHERRY MX, and the new standard set by the MX Ultra Low Profile in the keyboard segment, creating entirely new technical and design possibilities.
The German Innovation Award is the prize that makes innovation visible
The German Innovation Award honors forward-looking solutions in all industries and offers equal opportunities to those who drive innovation forward. In doing so, the panel of judges - consisting of independent, interdisciplinary experts from the fields of technology, digitization, science, associations, and institutions - looks for solutions that clearly stand out due to their added value for users and the environment. Therefore, the German Innovation Award offers all innovation drivers equal opportunities and makes their achievements visible to a broad audience.
CHERRY MX Ultra Low Profile in laptops from leading manufacturers
In the meantime, the MX Ultra Low Profile has established itself on the market as a first-class innovation and is used by well-known manufacturers in laptop and desktop keyboards. Especially the top models of mobile gaming notebooks or workstations are equipped with the fully mechanical key switches: Alienware, for example, offers the M15 R4 and M17 R4 series with the CHERRY MX ULP option. MSI delivers the new Titan GT77 with the MX Ultra Low Profile tactile variant. Corsair also relies on the switch for the Voyager a1600. XMG also includes a high-end keyboard based on CHERRY MX technology in its upcoming flagship laptop.
For more information, visit the product page.
5 Comments on CHERRY Announces Cherry MX Ultra Low Profile Tactile Switches
Hopefully we'll see affordable keyboards using these or at least good DIY a availability. These look tempting to build with.
I'd like to see low profile keyboards with these switches, but I won't buy a laptop just for the keyboard.
I don't think they make a big profit by selling the switches strictly to OEMs.