CHERRY Launches Cherry MX Ultra Low Profile Tactile Switches

In March 2021, the MX Ultra Low Profile switch was introduced as a completely new development and a milestone in switch development: With an overall height of just 3.5 millimeters, CHERRY MX unveiled the shallowest model in its product range

New version without a click: MX Ultra Low Profile Tactile
With the MX Ultra Low Profile Tactile, the ULP series has now been expanded to include a new variant: unlike the MX ULP Click, which is characterized by tactile switching characteristics including acoustic feedback similar to the MX Blue, the MX ULP Tactile is similar to the MX Brown. Thus, the new variant of the MX ULP abandons the distinctive click noise but continues to offer tactile actuation. The CHERRY MX Ultra Low Profile Tactile, therefore, meets the preference of users who prefer a quieter typing experience without the acoustic feedback of their laptop or desktop keyboards. In addition to gamers and eSports teams, this also includes avid typists working in the (home)office and content creators of all kinds who want to rely on the highest precision and a pleasant, noticeable typing feel at all times. Especially the latter target group enjoys massively increasing user numbers: Every day, countless creators worldwide attract hundreds of millions of viewers in front of their screens.

The characteristics of the CHERRY MX Ultra Low Profile
Characteristic for both variants of the ULP switch is a total travel of 1.8 millimeters and the tactile switching point at 0.8 millimeters. This also results in an ergonomic overtravel of 1.0 millimeters. The required actuation force at the tactile point amounts to 65 centinewtons. As with all MX switches, the leading, world-exclusive, high-precision, and durable gold crosspoint technology with corrosion-resistant gold contact points form the heart of the new switch variant. This is a crucial quality feature that, combined with the long-life mechanics, ensures superior durability and consistent actuation quality.

Space-saving and cost-efficient SMD design
The MX Ultra Low Profile is a mechanical SMD key switch from CHERRY MX that can be soldered directly onto the PCB thanks to corresponding connection pads. This space-saving solution allows particularly slim keyboards for laptop as well as desktop applications since the components can be placed on only one side of the PCB. In addition, this implementation is also easier for manufacturers to handle and enables a high level of automation in production.

Balanced RGB lighting
Due to the unique design of the MX Ultra Low Profile, the respective SMD LED (RGB or single color) is located directly under the switch. In interaction with the translucent polymer parts, a balanced and homogeneous illumination is achieved, resulting in a luminous display of all 16.8 million colors of the RGB spectrum. This means that the keycap is also evenly illuminated. There is also the option of programmable individual key illumination.

CHERRY MX Ultra Low Profile in laptops from leading manufacturers
In the meantime, the MX Ultra Low Profile has established itself on the market as a first-class innovation and is used by well-known manufacturers in laptop and desktop keyboards. Especially the top models of mobile gaming notebooks or workstations are equipped with the fully mechanical key switches: Alienware, for example, offers the M15 R4 and M17 R4 series with the CHERRY MX ULP option. MSI delivers the new Titan GT77 with the MX Ultra Low Profile tactile variant. Corsair also relies on the switch for the Voyager a1600. XMG also includes a high-end keyboard based on CHERRY MX technology in its upcoming flagship laptop.