Corsair announce Strafe RGB MX silent keyboard

As expected, Corsair is the first one out of the gate with the new Cherry MX silent switch based keyboard.  The characteristics of the new switches are described in previous blog posts, so I won't bore the readers again.  However, to summarize, the new switches are like the gamer oriented linear switches like the red or black.  Instead of using O-rings to dampen the noise, Cherry decided to use some fancy high tech plastic to do the work, built into the switch itself.  So, this is a very interesting concept.  I wonder if this new mechanism will migrate over to the other switches as well.

In any case, Corsair Strafe keyboard is a pretty high end gaming keyboard, costing $170 USD.  This is definitely in the higher price range with all the bells and whistles such as RGB LED lighting, key reassignments, fancy key caps for WSAD, etc.  Looks like everyone is positioning their high end Cherry MX based keyboard in that range now.  Here's Corsair's Youtube introduction video.  Enjoy!

More information surfaced about Cherry MX silent key switches

More information are now surfacing around tech news sites such as Anandtech about the new Cherry MX silent switches.  Apparently not only the MX Red switch is getting a silent treatment, so is the MX Black version.  So, the linear switches are the first ones to get the noise reduction technology.  Based on the descriptions thus far, it's a new double shot injected plastic part that dampens the down stroke as well as the upstroke.  I am guessing that the technology is similar to Matias's doggy bone design, except Cherry's version is integrated via double shot manufacturing method rather as a discreet part.  It's probably some sort of rubber material and according to Anandtech, it's indeed a rubbery thermoplastic elastomer.  This part will likely do the same job as some of the custom O-rings or dampening pads, which have to be inserted manually.  As anticipated, Corsair will have a 6 month timed exclusive to these new silent switches.

One thing to note is the key travel has reduced slightly down to 3.7mm rather than the traditional 4mm.  This is likely to accommodate the silencing module.  0.3mm difference is not likely to be picked up by someone like me.  However, some gaming pros or high speed typists may notice the change.  Other than that, there's supposedly no difference.  I wonder if the MX brown will get the silencing feature in the future.  It probably won't make sense for the clicky switch like the MX blue, but you never know.....

Cherry announced a new member to the MX family

Cherry has just announced a new MX switch, dubbed, the MX Silent.  Here's the announcement video via YouTube.  Given the timing with Gamescom, taking place in Cologne, Germany, one should not be surprised that this is likely a gamer-centric switch.  Indeed, it is their new RGB linear switch like the MX red that is silenced by some technology that Cherry wasn't ready to share in the video.

Not too much known at this time, but Corsair, one of the partners closest to Cherry is supposed to have a keyboard ready for the market soon called STRIFE RGB, retailing for around $150 USD.  STRIFE RGB has the traditional 104 keyboard format.   From the look of it, Corsair is the exclusive customer for the new switch.  I am guessing that this is a timed exclusive agreement, like the MX RGB switches before.  Now that Cherry MX RGB switches are no longer Corsair's alone, Corsair will need something new and this is probably what Cherry came up with to share with Corsair.  On the product website, Crosair specifically named Black Widow Chroma and G910 Orion Spark as competitions.  This should be interesting to watch because I am pretty sure Razer and Logitech, I mean, Logi are not just standing around and let Corsair have all the fun....