At first we would like to thank CHERRY for sending out a sample of their MX BOARD 1.0 BACKLIGHT Mechanical Keyboard for testing and reviewing.

 

 

About CHERRY:

"CHERRY GmbH, with its headquarters in Auerbach in der Oberpfalz, Germany, is one of the world's leading manufacturers of computer input devices with an emphasis on office, industrial and security markets, as well as switches for mechanical keyboards among

others for PC gaming. Cherry GmbH is a 100% subsidiary of the technology group ZF Friedrichshafen AG."

 

Product Features:

 

Corded keyboard with CHERRY MX switches and palm rest

CHERRY MX technology – Gold Crosspoint precision switch for all keys “Made in Germany”

Uncompromisingly fast due to CHERRY MX and high-speed key recognition

Abrasion-resistant, laser-etched key caps

Full n-key rollover – all keys are read simultaneously

Anti-ghosting – no input errors

WIN key lockout

Dimmable, white key illumination

Additional mounting feet for non-slip grip and custom height adjustment in 3 steps

Illuminated USB plug and elegant logo application

 

Product Specifications:

 

 

 

CHERRY has already launched a lot of peripherals of good quality, while maintaining a low price point; the MX BOARD 1.0 Backlight is no exception, by including the well-known MX switches. For this particular model, we can choose from either MX Reds (Linear, 45cN) or MX Browns (Tactile, 55cN) and different language layouts (Switzerland, Germany, Spain, France, UK or Pan-Nordic).

 

The keyboard is shipped inside a simple, all-black cardboard enclosure, with the product name and manufacturer logo on top:

 

 

 

The main product features are written on the side of the packaging, in multiple languages:

 

 

 

Our sample was shipped with an UK layout and MX Brown switches:

 

 

 

A photo of the full-sized keyboard in operation can be observed on the bottom box area:

 

 

 

For extra protection against transport damages, the keyboard is also wrapped inside a transparent plastic bag:

 

 

 

As accessories, we will receive the documentation, a set of extra rubber feet but also a palmrest:

 

 

 

The manual does offer general details on the keyboard usage, including how to attach the provided feet:

 

 

 

Here is a closer look on the supplied rubber feet accessories; these get installed over the kickstand assembly:

 

 

 

The plastic palmrest does feature a grippy texture, but not rubber coating as we have seen with high-end keyboards from CORSAIR:

 

 

 

A nice, debossed MX logo can be observed on the right side:

 

 

 

A look on the bottom area of the palmrest does reveal some rubber feet, but also the mounting plastic claws:

 

 

 

 

The keyboard features a plastic chassis with the CHERRY-specific design of the BOARD series:

 

 

 

 

 

The CHERRY logo is chromed and does not feature additional lighting:

 

 

 

On the right side, we can see the name of full name of the keyboard:

 

 

 

In the front, the design is simple, CHERRY not opting to include an additional USB hub:

 

 

 

The keycaps are laser-etched, which means that they are much more durable than printed ones:

 

 

 

These also feature a revised design, with updated fonts, which look more modern:

 

 

 

 

The bottom grey layer does feature a central red CHERRY sticker, with the product serial number, internal code name but also power rating:

 

 

 

The kickstands do also feature rubber tips, so the keyboard will remain on steady the surface during use:

 

 

 

 

In the lower area, we can observe the areas where the palmrest gets installed:

 

 

 

 

 

 

By using a key-puller, we can expose the CHERRY MX Brown switches:

 

 

 

This procedure also exposes the inner aluminum layer in which these are fixed:

 

 

 

The Function keys have additional functions as well:

 

-F1 = Volume Mute

-F2 = Volume Down

-F3 = Volume Up

 

 

 

-F5 = Backlight Down One Level

-F6 = Backlight Up One Level

-F7 = Backlight Down Ten Levels

-F8 = Backlight Up Ten Levels

 

 

 

-F9 = Backlight Toggle On/Off

 

 

 

The final set of keys come with the CHERRY Key logo (Windows Lock Key), Previous, Next and Play/Pause:

 

 

 

Unlike some other high-end peripherals, the cable does not feature braiding:

 

 

 

The USB connector does feature another cool-looking CHERRY logo:

 

 

 

The all-white lighting is pleasant to the eye, and the keycaps are easy readable:

 

 

 

 

What we did not expect was to see that the USB connector also lights up; this one can be clearly seen mainly when using a laptop:

 

 

 

Thanks to the included MX Brown switches, this keyboard is ideal for typing documents, by offering a tactile bump; it does not offer the RGB features of modern gaming keyboards, so it would fit better in offices where you perform your day-to-day activities. We are getting the full n-key rollover functionality (all keys are being read at the same time), while anti-ghosting makes sure that there will be no input errors. Despite the lack of software to drive the LEDs, we can always control these via the dedicated function keys and multimedia buttons are available for the user as well.

 

If you are no fan of macro programming and do not mind having a single-color lighting instead of RGB, with the MX BOARD 1.0 BACKLIGHT you are getting a good quality product, while the renown CHERRY MX switches with Gold Crosspoint precision will surely offer a pleasant experience and long durability.

 

If you feel that the MX Brown experience is not for you, CHERRY also has the Red Switch Silent variant available, with no less than 6 language options.

 

The product is available online for just about 74 Euros, which is excellent considering that we are dealing with an all-mechanical keyboard.

CHERRY MX BOARD 1.0 BACKLIGHT Mechanical Keyboard is Recommended for:

 

 

We would like to thank again to CHERRY for making this review possible!