Introduction

We here at TechPowerUp have covered Cherry-branded keyboards before, including three from the MX lineup of mechanical keyboards which use their own Cherry MX mechanical switches. In the time since, Cherry Americas has distanced itself further from Cherry MX as a business unit, with the former effectively taking over all pre-assembled products and the latter sticking to DIY and switches. Cherry Americas' interests have been predominantly in the retail sector, serving up point-of-sales units rather than keyboards, but that has not stopped them from putting out more entries in the MX Board lineup. Today, we take a look at the latest entry, the MX Board 1.0 which comes in different options depending on your region.


The Americas get the TKL backlit version of the Cherry MX Board 1.0, and that happens to be what I have here as well. So do be aware that you may see something else—a full-size MX Board 1.0, perhaps, or even one without any backlighting at all. The MX Board 1.0 TKL does not necessarily mean much in the numbered scheme of things if you were expecting, say, an MX Board 2.0 or 3.0 to have more features. Indeed, at this rate, the numbers mean nothing, and it will be helpful for Cherry once they run out of single-digit numbers to use. The TKL in the name does mean that this particular version adopts a tenkeyless form factor, which aims to provide most of the functionality of a 104-key (US ANSI layout) keyboard while taking up less room on your desk. We begin the review, as always, with a look at the specifications below.

Specifications

Packaging and Accessories

Cherry continues with their usual black and red color scheme for the product packaging, albeit with a matte finish as opposed to a glossy wrap from before, as well as having minimal details on the front. Here, we see the company and product name along with the respective logos only, and it is again on the back that we see more details, including an illustration of the keyboard. Marketing features and specifications continue here and on the sides, and we also see a large single flap in the middle to help keep the contents inside in check.


Open the box and we see the keyboard in a plastic wrap, with the keyboard cable tucked away in the compartment at the top. Removing it, we get to take a look at the accessories that are provided with the MX Board 1.0 TKL. There is a multi-language manual that briefly describes the keyboard's functionality, which comes in handy because of all the pre-programmed functions built into the keyboard. Also provided is a set of two rubber feet covers that come in a plastic pouch and presumably clip into the back—more on this on the next page.