At first we would like to thank CHERRY for sending out a sample of their KC 200 MX 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:

 

Minimalist mechanical keyboard with anodized aluminum surface

High-quality design with anodized metal plate, slim dimensions and original CHERRY MX2A switches under shaped keycaps — this mechanical office keyboard is an impressive product. The CHERRY KC 200 MX offers unrivaled precision and comfort while typing. In addition, the wired keyboard is equipped with four hotkeys and tasteful white status LEDs — all in all, an excellent choice for programmers, content creators and gamers.

Stylish design meets high-quality workmanship

The CHERRY KC 200 MX immediately catches the eye with its elegant aluminum surface. The metal plate not only gives the mechanical keyboard an elegant look, but also makes it durable and robust. It is also equipped with white status LEDs in the CAPS LOCK, SCROLL LOCK and NUM LOCK keys. This enables you to see at a glance when one of these keys is activated. The slim dimensions and clean lines round the whole thing off nicely.

MX becomes MX2A: Beautifully smooth typing experience and enhanced acoustics

We proudly present: Our new CHERRY MX2A mechanical switch that replaces the current MX full-size switch range. Every aspect of the switch has been refined with targeted improvements to provide an unsurpassed operating experience. Like its predecessor, the MX2A is manufactured exclusively in Germany. However, this new version features a premium, factory applied lubricant, redesigned springs and many other optimizations. The CHERRY MX2A promises smoother operation for a more responsive and satisfying typing experience, improved acoustics for a more pleasant sound and—depending on the selected switch variant—a guaranteed service life of more than 100 million keystrokes. Our CHERRY KC 200 MX mechanical office keyboard is available with the following switches: MX2A BROWN or MX2A SILENT RED.

Practical additional keys and individual key assignment

The keyboard is equipped with four additional keys, which are located directly above the number pad. These useful additional keys provide quick access to the calculator app and volume control. You can easily assign your own shortcuts, macros and more to the F-keys of the CHERRY KC 200 MX. To do this, you only need our free CHERRY KEYS software, which you can use to adapt the keyboard to your individual requirements.

 

 

Product Specifications:

 

Operating system: Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows 7, Windows 8

Width of product without packaging: 121 mm

Warranty: 2 years warranty

Weight main product: 830 g

Height of product without packaging (mm): 39 mm

Cable length: 160 cm

Max. storage temperature: 65 degrees Celsius

Min. storage temperature: -25 degrees Celsius

Length of product without packaging: 430 mm

Scope of delivery: Manual, Keyboard

Software support: CHERRY KEYS

System Requirements-Hardware: USB-A

Reliability: yes

Keyboard

Illumination: no

Anti-ghosting yes

Response Time : 1ms

Adjustable feet: integrated

Integrated metal plate: yes

Palm rest: Palm rest not available

Internal memory: no

Service life per key (in million strokes): 100 mio. actuations

Max. current consumption (mA) of keyboard: 100 mA

N-key rollover: N-Key Rollover

Special key functions: FN, Unmute/Mute, Volume up, Volume down

Status LEDs: in keys

Keyboard format: Full-size (100%)

Key technology: Mechanical

Key encryption: no

USB hub: no

Sealing: yes

 

 

With the new keyboard product release from CHERRY, we are getting an initial feel of the MX2A Silent Red switches, which do feature a linear switching characteristic without click noises. These do require an initial force of about 30 cN, the end force of about 100 cN, do have an initial travel of about 1.9 mm and a total travel path of 3.7 mm; the actuation force of the MX2A Silent Red is 45 cN. These come with an updated design versus the previous, with highlights such as an updated spring geometry, ring lubrication on the socket dome, an updated stem geometry, a new socket dome geometry design but also glide-optimized guidance ribs.

 

The KC 200 MX is marketed as an office keyboard, without RGB, wireless and other gaming-specific features. It is shipped inside a slim cardboard enclosure, which does show a photo of the product in the middle:

 

 

 

A closer look does reveal some of the highlights, represented as small icons on the left:

 

 

 

The area on the right does highlight the use of the new MX2A switches:

 

 

 

The seal stickers do inform the user the keyboard is equipped with an US International layout, featuring the Euro symbol:

 

 

 

The switch information is present on the other seal, which shows that we are dealing with MX2A Silent Red, with a durability of 50 million actuations and a linear (no click and quiet) characteristic. We also have the option to choose the MX2A Brown version, with a targeted and tangible feel and a tactile characteristic, that one having a durability of 100 million actuations:

 

 

 

On the side of the box, we will note another photo of the product:

 

 

 

The opposite side does include a sticker with the product manufacturing date, the serial number, the supported standards, box contents and more:

 

 

 

On the bottom area of the box, we will note some extra explanations on the product features, in multiple languages:

 

 

 

After unsealing the box and opening the top cover, we will note the KC 200 MX sitting inside and completely wrapped in a paper layer. The manual is also included here:

 

 

 

 

CHERRY does explain in multiple languages how to connect the keyboard, how to customize via the dedicated software, how to clean the product, but also how to access the dedicated keys:

 

 

 

 

KC 200 MX comes with a stylish machined anodized aluminum top plate, enforcing the build and the main layer where the switches are fixed. The all-black keycaps with no RGB lighting give the keyboard a professional look, while the overall height is optimal, not requiring the use of a wrist rest:

 

 

 

The dedicated keys are placed on top of the numeric pad, allowing for volume control (increments of 2), but also for opening the calculator application:

 

 

 

A black CHERRY logo is present in the upper area of the directional keys:

 

 

 

The bottom layer of the keyboard is made of black plastic:

 

 

 

A side view will show the small angle at which the keyboard rows of switches are placed, before raising the kickstands:

 

 

 

In the front, we will note only the USB cable, which is not removable; CHERRY did not use here an USB hub for not making the chassis thicker and also to keep the cable as slim as possible:

 

 

 

On the bottom area, CHERRY has employed a familiar design, noted with other CHERRY models as well:

 

 

 

The middle sticker does show the internal product name, the serial number and more:

 

 

 

Speaking about the feet, we will note non-rubber, but plastic feet on the top, which is not ideal and would facilitate some keyboard drifting on the table. The drifting is minimized by the bottom rubber feet, but we would have preferred to have such feet on the top area as well, without raising the kickstands:

 

 

 

 

The kickstands save the situation though, with the rubber tips, which eliminate the drifting completely:

 

 

 

Three keys do feature white LEDs, for easy identification when these are enabled:

 

 

 

 

Since we are dealing with an office keyboard which is not meant to be moved around frequently, CHERRY did not employ braiding; the cable is 1.6m long:

 

 

 

The custom USB connector does feature the CHERRY branding:

 

 

 

CHERRY Keys is the universal application which can be used for remapping some keys, but it is quite limited in functionality. The new functions which can be used are listed in the lower area:

 

Run Program

Open File/Folder

Open Web Page

System

Macro Recorder

Text Block

Multimedia

Disable button

Reset Key to Default

 

KC 200 MX is a pleasure to type on when used for productivity featuring MX2A SILENT RED switches, an upgraded version of the MX Reds, while keeping the noise at a minimum. We are dealing with a standard layout in terms of keys, with only four extra over the numeric pad, which take care of volume controls but also for opening the most used app, Calculator. The keyboard also comes with anti-ghosting and N-key rollover capabilities, while the key legends are laser-etched for additional durability.

 

CHERRY Keys software helps with remapping some of the keys for extra customization. The two negative aspects regarding this keyboard are the fact that in the top area does not have rubber feet unless we are raising the kickstands, the keyboard having a tendency to drift a bit on the table; also, the paint on the legends does seem to wear off after some weeks of use, but the laser etching remains intact.

 

The KC 200 MX is available online for about 90 Euros; it is a huge upgrade in terms of typing experience versus OEM-style models which are usually used in companies, so it gets a thumbs up from us! The new CHERRY switches are smooth when actuated and do not annoy the nearby colleagues when typing large documents or chatting in the usual apps.

CHERRY KC 200 MX Mechanical Keyboard is Recommended for:

 

 

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