At some point , Corsair is going to turn tail out of upgrade to cram into its top - of - the - line keyboards , but it seems that sentence has n’t arrive quite yet . That ’s because by taking its previous high-pitched - end keyboard and upgrading it with newfangled optomechanical switching and add a new control wheel , theCorsair K100has created a A-one responsive keyboard to suit both private-enterprise gamers and big - fourth dimension streamers alike . The only major downside to the K100 is that starting at $ 230 , it is a bit high-priced for anyone who is n’t a hardcore keyboard nut like our residentTopre fanatic and sometimes editor program Alex Cranz .
The K100 ’s design is basically the same as the K95 including its aluminum deck of cards , keycaps , and occur through USB - A port wine . You also still get Corsair ’s handy media control in the top right boast a jog wheel for adjusting loudness and a Seth of dedicated keys for Stop , Skip Back , maneuver / Pause , and Skip Forward . The detachable wrist rest is a piece softer than before , but overall , it ’s a tried and test build that has worked for years , and Corsair is probably chic for not shaft with the formula too much .
Corsair K100 RGB
Photo: Sam Rutherford/Gizmodo
What is it ?
Corsairs top - of - the - line of credit mechanically skillful keyboard with optical switch
terms
The new iCue control wheel features a center button to toggle through various functions which includes adjusting the keyboard’s brightness, switching apps, and more.Photo: Sam Rutherford/Gizmodo
$ 230
Like
Sturdy build up , clean design , new iCue command cycle , vivid per - key RGB lighting , magnetic wrist quietus
The new iCue control wheel features a center button to toggle through various functions which includes adjusting the keyboard’s brightness, switching apps, and more.Photo: Sam Rutherford/Gizmodo
Do n’t Like
Do n’t Like Pricey , Elgato desegregation only forge with left macro keys , control cycle could use wider compatibility
Furthermore , with per - key RGB lighting scatter across 44 configurable zones , the K100 is a whirlwind of color . frankly , some of the predetermined color schemes like Rain and Rainbow Spiral are downright mesmerizing , and I ’ve caught myself staring off into the depth of the switches like that one guy from The Matrix . If you want a keyboard that will fulfil your craving for RGB , the K100 will redeem .
Photo: Sam Rutherford/Gizmodo (In-House Art)
However , beneath its key , the K100 has swap over from standard mechanically skillful switches to Corsair ’s fresh OPX optomechanical linear ( that means no bump when adjure a key ) electrical switch that rather of relying on physical atmospheric pressure to detect a key stroke , uses little laser position beneath every key that can tell on the dot when something gets pressed . And I do intend precisely , because with an actuation point of just 1 mm ( and an actuation force play of 45 gigabyte ) , the K100 is seriously raw . It almost seems like lightning just hang through your finger and set off the sensors , that ’s how tight we ’re peach .
For people looking for a keyboard that ’s extremely reactive , this is it . Keystrokes get registered instantly , no ghosting or jail to vex about . However , for masses used to keyboard with farseeing propulsion points , the learning bend for Corsair ’s OPX switches can experience kind of disconnected because even just resting your digit on the keys with the lightheaded imperativeness can end up registering as a full keypress .
Keystrokes are also incredibly stable , there ’s practically no cornmeal mush or wobbling unless you bottom out hard , but at that I must let in I ’m really nitpicking . It ’s a quality typing and gambling experience , which is essential , because at this toll there ’s no room for subpar switches . ( Note : you’re able to also get the K100 with Cherry MX Speed substitution if you desire . ) One thing I do want to point out though is that I sort of wish Corsair had included a way to customize the K100 ’s propulsion points like you could on the SteelSeries Apex Pro , which is one of the K100 ’s lineal competitors and cost $ 30 less .
That say , unlike the Apex Pro , the K100 comes with a handy row of macros identify on the left-hand side of the keyboard and Corsair ’s fresh iCue control cycle in the top left over corner , which can be customise to control a reach of different functions bet on what app you ’re using . By using Corsair ’s freeiCue app(which is also what you ’ll apply to make macros and configure its lighting ) you’re able to set up different color - coordinated profile for the command cycle , so you’re able to do things like adjust the brightness of the K100 ’s lights , scroll down websites , chaparral through video , switch apps , and more .
The restraint cycle is super adjustable and remind me a pot of the telephone dial found onLogitech ’s Craft keyboard , but with a bit less focus and digest when it come to productiveness and content macrocosm . Still , it ’s really handy , and by simply press down on the button in the eye you may quickly toggle between various role . My only regret is that between its placement and some limitation in the iCue app , it ’s not quite as useful for real gaming as I ’d hoped .
If you ’re a streamer , you’re able to even use the K100 ’s pull up stakes macro instruction key to trigger specific commands or functions in the Elgato Stream Deck app , so you’re able to do things like cursorily switch between windows , shift nidus , alteration overlays , and more . Just keep in psyche that you will have to set up the iCue and Stream Deck apps separately , and for some grounds only the K100 ’s macro keys are digest . That ’s unfortunate because I could easily see some streamers need to turn their numpads into a dedicated streaming ascendance panel . Maybe that ’s something a future update can accost .
Photo: Sam Rutherford/Gizmodo
In the end , by from lacking customizable actuation points , the Corsair K100 has pretty much everything you could want in a fancy mechanically skillful keyboard , and then some . For competitive gamers , the K100 ’s optomechanical triggers offer a fuzz - trigger answer , while the new ascendency wheel is a utile instrument for controlling your microcomputer and or adjusting keyboard preferences with a round-eyed flick . And with its pretty RGB light , the K100 looks damn sound , disregarding of whether you ’re in the middle of a match or if it ’s just sitting idle on your desk .
at last , for streamers ( or mass thinking about getting started ) the K100 ’s Stream Deck desegregation make it just a bit easier to insure your broadcast . So while there ’s no abnegate the K100 is expensive , it ’s still a desirable competition to keyboard like theSteelSeries Apex Pro . And if you do n’t care about all those duplicate , you’re able to always save some hard cash and get aK95 .
README
With a 1 mm propulsion level , the K100 ’s keys are REALLY raw , especially for anyone not already used to more esports - focused switches .
I ’m in person not a immense fan of passthrough USB on keyboard anymore , but the K100 has it if you call for it .
The iCue ascendence cycle is really ready to hand for scrub up through videos and a few other things , but it ’s not really something you ’re gon na use while gaming .
Corsair says its OPX optomechanical switches are more accurate and indestructible than received mechanically skillful switches .
If you do n’t care for its running optical switches , the K100 is uncommitted with Cherry MX speeding switches too , though at that level you ’re probably skilful off save some money and getting the Corsair K95 .
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Photo: Sam Rutherford (In-House Art)
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