Cherry’s new VIOLA key switches aim to make mechanical keyboards cheaper – CES 2020
Cherry’s new VIOLA key switches aim to make mechanical keyboards cheaper – CES 2020
The only problem with Cherry MX keys is their cost, which is why keyboard manufacturers from around the world have attempted to emulate Cherry’s designs. Now, Cherry has announced a new key switch that promises to make mechanical keyboards more affordable.Â
Meet Chery’s VIOLA key switch, a fully-mechanical (not a mechanical membrane key hybrid) linear key switch design that’s will allow cherry to create more affordable mechanical keyboards. RGB fans will be glad to know that cherry has already integrated RGB lighting support into their switch designs.Â
Cherry’s VIOLA key switches are designed to sit in a new category which Cherry calls “CrossLinear”, which means that 45cN of force is required to actuate the key to activate the switch. While this switch offers a design that’s very different to Cherry’s existing MX series switches, their VIOLA key designs can support today’s cross-stem keycaps, a factor which will allow these new switches to support existing keycap designs.Â
Cherry’s VIOLA key switches are designed to enable RGB mechanical keyboard designs for well under $100, which means that these switch designs have the potential to shake up the £40-75 keyboard market thoroughly.Â
Cherry has also announced that new Cherry MX keys will feature a reliability rating of over 100 million actuations, doubling their reliability. This design change will impact all MX switch types and maintain MX as Cherry’s premium keycap line.
You can join the discussion on Cherry’s new VIOLA series of key switches on the OC3D Forums. Â