The Corsair Gaming K100 RGB Keyboard Review: Optical-Mechanical Masterpiece
by E. Fylladitakis on November 19, 2020 8:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Peripherals
- Corsair
- Mechanical Keyboards
- RGB
Conclusion
The K100 RGB is the keyboard that Corsair developed as the successor to their highly successful K95 RGB Platinum. Even though most companies would be content with releasing a new product with just one additional feature or a subtle design change, Corsair overhauled several key components of the keyboard. Thus, the K100 RGB ditches traditional mechanical keys entirely, and is instead based around new optical-mechanical switches. Coupled with that is a much more powerful processor, a second rotary wheel, more iCUE configuration options and support for the Elgato software, and even a better wrist rest to round out Corsair's premium keyboard package.
The switch to optical-mechanical switche is a significant and beneficial one, but it does come with a learning curve. In order to maximize the potential of the K100 RGB, users need to press the keys softly, so that the keycap will move only a little more than a millimeter below its resting point. It takes quite a bit of time for someone who is used to a typical mechanical or, worse, membrane keyboard to acclimate to the delicate OPX switches. However, once that happens, I find that the OPX switches are more comfortable and feel more responsive than any mechanical switch available today.
The quality of the K100 RGB is, as we expected, fantastic. Overall, the keyboard is made of very high quality materials, with a very rigid frame and an excellent assembly job inside and around it. The new OPX switches also are naturally more reliable because of the replacement of mechanical parts (contacts) with electronics (optical sensors). Our only concern lies with the softness of the wrist rest, as it can be damaged with relative ease.
Aesthetics are a subjective matter, yet we believe that the Corsair K100 RGB has something to offer to nearly everyone. Its design and lighting configurability allow for the end user to decide whether they want to keep things traditional or go for an extravagant, colorful scheme. No matter what direction one decides to go, the impeccable craftsmanship of the K100 RGB is always going to be evident.
Overall, considering how stale the commoditized keyboard market has become over the past couple of years, the Corsair K100 RGB Optical Mechanical keyboard is a refreshing addition. It offers something truly different than the now run-of-the-mill mechanical keyboards that fill the gaming keyboard market – and that difference is something we think makes for a better keyboard. Nevertheless, the $230 retail price is is truly a premium price, and most users can probably get the job done with a good keyboard that costs significantly less. If, however, what you want is one of the most versatile keyboards available, then the Corsair K100 RGB should definitely be on your shortlist.
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Leeea - Saturday, November 21, 2020 - link
It is out of my price range.But I have reached the point in life where I realized video gaming is really cheap. Boating, Flying, 4x4ing, pick your recreation of choice, nearly all vastly more expensive.
So $230 on something you will use everyday for work and play? Completely justifiable.
I know one thing for sure, I get more use out of my keyboard then I do my boat. Do you know what BOAT stands for? Bust Out Another Thousand. It really is that bad.
So a few hundred for a keyboard? For a certain type of buyer, completely reasonable.
artifex - Thursday, November 26, 2020 - link
I've heard people say that the best two days in your life as a boat owner are the day you buy your boat and the day you sell it.Cellar Door - Thursday, November 19, 2020 - link
Is Anandtech done with GPU reviews? I'm curious as well as to why, nothing from the new generation has been covered beyond simple announcements.Dug - Thursday, November 19, 2020 - link
They are too busy tweeting and not giving any context on what the tweet is about, instead just giving links to other threads that also need context. So they just post conversations that 99% don't have any clue what they are talking about.This site needs to get back to it's roots, and produce quality like Anand did.
alphasquadron - Friday, November 20, 2020 - link
It's 2020 bro. Twitter rep/fame is the life goal now man. Also Anand is gone. Get with the times old timer.dotes12 - Thursday, November 19, 2020 - link
It's possible Anandtech doesn't have large enough of an audience for Nvidia or ATI to make the decision to spare a card that's in short supply for them to do a review with. The problem is that they weren't shipped a card to do a review on to begin with, it's not like one is sitting on their receiving dock with nobody opening it. Their management must have made the decision not to try and buy one on their own, since they need to review with free product samples to make money, not going out and buying their own stuff to review on top of paying their staff.Ryan Smith - Thursday, November 19, 2020 - link
I have the cards. Just not the time. AMD and NVIDIA have been nothing but spectacular in making sure I have all the hardware I need (which ironically, is kind of part of the problem).Luminar - Thursday, November 19, 2020 - link
I can email you my resume and you can hire me to do GPU reviews.velanapontinha - Monday, November 23, 2020 - link
Hi, Ryan.long time fan and reader, here.
I'm sorry, but after 2 months over the official launch, not having enough time does not sound reasonable.
catavalon21 - Sunday, January 23, 2022 - link
I can only imagine how you feel more than a year later and nothing has changed.