Popularity problem

Cherry MX switches have a problem: popularity.  It’s a good problem to have, I suppose.  Since Cherry is the only company that supplies genuine Cherry MX switches, they are having trouble keeping up with the demand.  So, there are talk of advanced order for at least one year at some point.  As how the market works, there are a few ways to correct this problem without impacting the supply curve (namely, changing price).

So, a company facing an entrenched competitor have a few options.  One, they can build a better or cheaper mouse trap.  Two, they can invent a new kind of mouse trap, namely a new way to do the same job.  Route two is a rather disruptive path and rarely taken, but companies such as Microsoft, Apple and Google have done so just to name a few.  After the MX switch patents have expired, there are quite a few cloners that popped up.  Kailh is one of the best copies out there, but there many of them who can also match the Cherry’s ability to produce switches massive quantities and while costing less.  Thus, there is no big surprise that some of the keyboard companies have gone to cloners instead of Cherry.  Das Keyboard for example decided to go with Kalih with their latest TKL keyboard and so has Truly Ergonomic Keyboard with their new TECK models.  The other way is to outdo Cherry at their own game by making a better mouse trap.  That’s the route Logitech and Omron have chosen apparently regardless of the motivation behind it.  Omron brings a lot of switch making expertise to the table since not only have they mastered micro-switches, apparently, they have made keyboard switches before as well.  Given Logitech’s mindshare in the peripheral market space, this is a potent alliance that just might tip things in their favor against the mighty Cherry.  This is definitely worth keep an eye on since those guys are likely in for the long game.