corsair RGB release (info inside)

[Jixr]

http://api.viglink.com/api/click?format=go&jsonp=vglnk_jsonp_14017338634937&key=7777bc3c17029328d03146e0ed767841&libId=c9fc42d5-44e2-4e9e-ba50-277c262ae1af&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.overclock.net%2Ft%2F538389%2Fofficial-mechanical-keyboard-club-because-saving-money-is-boring%2F25320%23post_22355825&v=1&out=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anandtech.com%2Fshow%2F8097%2Fcorsair-launches-k70-and-k95-cherry-mx-rgb-keyboards-m65-rgb-mouse&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.overclock.net%2Fusers%2Fsubscriptions%2Findex%2Fview%2Factivity&title=%5BOfficial%5D%20Mechanical%20Keyboard%20Club%20-%20Because%20saving%20money%20is%20boring.%20-%20Page%202533&txt=Anandtech

Take it as you will, i'm disappointed. Corsair made big promises about all new designs, planning on using standard sized keycaps, and other features people were requesting. Now we get a colored re-hash of old inventory.

k95 version: $190
K70 version: $170

[Kayla]

Why are you disappointed..? This is still pretty insane. Fully open source software. The price tag is understandable and the mock-up model you saw on Tech Tips looked nice enough to sell.

Also the prices are funny. 170 for the 70 and 190 for the 95. Tack an extra 5 dollars on for flavor.

[Jixr]

I briefly  had the k95 ( returned it because it had the early production 'wobble' issue.

Mainly the keycap size, which makes it hard for any aftermarket caps to be found ( as the stock ones are crap )

If they are just going to rehash it, I would have liked to see some changes made to the frame, because it does have a few problems.
price is another. I have keyboards with cap sets and alum cases that cost me less than this thing.

[user 18]

I'm disappointed because I dislike the aesthetic of that particular board. Nonstandard key sizes are also a no-no. Did that once, never doing it again.

[Neo.X]

I'm disappointed for they are still using that layout which makes it's impossible to find the replace space bar. 

[Kayla]

Oh yeah I forgot about the awful non-standard space bar. Curse you CM Storm and Corsair!

[user 18]

Oh yeah I forgot about the awful non-standard space bar. Curse you CM Storm and Corsair!

Why CM Storm? Most of their boards have standard spacing -- the TK doesn't because of its form factor, but I can't think of anything else of theirs with weird spacing.

Max Keyboards Nighthawk x8 was what I was referring to. I believe it has the same spacing as the k95

[Kayla]

Because of the TK

[quake4mhg]

I like the backlit freedom, but don't like ABS ..
Don't worry guys, they gonna release a tenkeyless version later to compete with others.

[Lastpilot]

Meh, seems like the new generation of factory boards is bleh.

[aref]

Nothing enticing about Corsair's linked example.; perhaps gamers might
find the latest release(s) worthy of note. I don't game, so I can't comment.

The Corsair K65
The company should standardize its bottom-most R1 key caps; then
offer the K65 with additional MX key switches. By not doing this, Corsair's
driving prospective buyers to Cooler Master (~the same price as a K65).
Checked Cooler Master's TKL sales lately, Corsair?

[Puddsy]

But I can get a Filco for less than that...

No thanks

[user 18]

CM's TKLs (QFR in particular) are my go-to cheap solid board. Lots of switch types, easy to find used, all around decent boards.

Very modder-friendly too.

[FoxWolf1]

Interesting that I haven't heard any talk around here about Rosewill's RGB board, which is a TKL with standard-size keys and a $100 price tag (currently), and comes out tomorrow.

Admittedly, it's not using Cherry switches (Kailhs according to the video on Newegg), but still, you'd think people would at least mention it. Anyway, with Cherry now allegedly refusing to supply switches to some manufacturers, we might have to start being more open-minded about alternatives...

[James35]

Interesting that I haven't heard any talk around here about Rosewill's RGB board, which is a TKL with standard-size keys and a $100 price tag (currently), and comes out tomorrow.

What is this that you speak of?

[FoxWolf1]

Interesting that I haven't heard any talk around here about Rosewill's RGB board, which is a TKL with standard-size keys and a $100 price tag (currently), and comes out tomorrow.

What is this that you speak of?

This.

[aref]

Where can one find detailed information or a review on Kailhs key switch(es)?

[James35]

This.

Woa, that is really nice. I see what you mean about the price too. Can Kailhs be swapped out with Cherry's?

[C5Allroad]

Not gonna lie.... Tempted to get one.

[user 18]

I can't seem to tell if the rosewill board comes with per-key backlighting or if it's one colour on the whole board. If it's the latter, the Corsair board still has it beat on features.

[James35]

Not gonna lie.... Tempted to get one.

Hehe yeah.  I wish it was the traditional ALT, WIN, FN, CTRL on the right side of the keyboard.  I never use the menu key.

[Tempest790]

Good to see it finally coming out, but I didn't even know about the Rosewill keyboard.  I definitely would love to map each key individually though.

Me thinks the waiting game would be good for this though.  I think I can tough it out for a year and see what the competition will bring.  Plus, I'm sure Rosewill will continue to tweak and add to their line as well.


The Rosewill keyboard does not support per key color mapping.  If you read the bottom of the box (zoom in on the picture) it has the text which states only "one backlight color at a time."

[nubbinator]

My first thought on seeing the article: Typical Corsair pricing, meaning overpriced for what you get.

My second thought on seeing the article:  Typical Corsair design, making proprietary non-standard elements making it harder to use non-Corsair made stuff with it.  They've talked about Corsair key caps in the past.  Now I bet we'll see some $100+ thin ABS caps being sold for too much because they're "Corsair".

And why do they insist on those low quality painted caps for the keyboard?  If I wanted those, I'd get a MaxKeyboard.

[C5Allroad]

Not gonna lie.... Tempted to get one.

Hehe yeah.  I wish it was the traditional ALT, WIN, FN, CTRL on the right side of the keyboard.  I never use the menu key.

Ducky needs to hop in on this.....

[HipsterPunks]

Ugly boards, those media keys are a huge turnoff a little off topic about keyboards but i see they are releasing a new m65 RGB mouse in aluminum with these. I may finally get to try a corsair mouse out atleast i can be stoked about something from them.

[sovano]

I'm so tempted to buy the Corsair RGB, since this is exactly what I had wanted out of a keyboard for years (RGB leds)...but why did Cherry have to pair up with Corsair on this?  Granted the price isn't bad, I'll give them props for that (at least if you compare it to Ducky keyboards). Hopefully Ducky gets in on this once the exclusivity deal expires, but that seems like it'll take forever. I think they would've done a better job on this.

[Razor Lotus]

I'm so tempted to buy the Corsair RGB, since this is exactly what I had wanted out of a keyboard for years (RGB leds)...but why did Cherry have to pair up with Corsair on this?  Granted the price isn't bad, I'll give them props for that (at least if you compare it to Ducky keyboards). Hopefully Ducky gets in on this once the exclusivity deal expires, but that seems like it'll take forever. I think they would've done a better job on this.

Same here for years. If this came out way earlier, I would've actually bought it and not go into this mech kb hobby and ended there.

I'm still looking forward for when I can have RGB backlighting on my 60% but I think that would still be a long wait

[strict]

Interesting that I haven't heard any talk around here about Rosewill's RGB board, which is a TKL with standard-size keys and a $100 price tag (currently), and comes out tomorrow.

What is this that you speak of?

This.

meh ... half the features aren't even functional at launch; only ~220 colors, cant rainbow the board, very limited LED functionality(eg. cant follow key presses). Besides that, it has a ****ty rubber coating, it uses cheap knock off switches (and only clicky switches?), comes with a crappy key puller, software looks pretty lame, and I'm sure the build quality is as laughable as all the other rosewill stuff we've seen. It might be only $100 but it looks like you get what you pay for with that thing.

There's a good reason everyone recommends Filco and not Rosewill. Save your money and buy a quality product once instead of getting cheap crap that doesn't last.

I was going to look at the link the OP posted but since it's a direct link to an advertising domain (viglink) it didn't make it past pixelserv on my router. The OP should update his post to the featured article instead of that ad ****.

[Tempest790]

Also, does anyone have specifics on the exclusivity agreement between Cherry and Corsair?

In the FAQ, Cherry stated that Corsair had a one year exclusive but stated that was 2014.  Does it end at the end of the year or one year after Corsair finally releases their product?

Might only have to wait a few months (early 2015) if that's the case.

[badman5]

im consideringgetting onenof these. Are you guys saying i can't replace the keycaps? none of them or just the spacebar? id like a cherry mx brown k95 thou.

[tbc]

im consideringgetting onenof these. Are you guys saying i can't replace the keycaps? none of them or just the spacebar? id like a cherry mx brown k95 thou.

everything except the bottom row.

spacebar is near impossible and you need a moogle + tsangan for for other keys.

[False_Dmitry_II]

Matias switches have always been RGBable, but nobody has made one yet.

[bazh]

and we have switches that cost more than Nixdorf now

[berserkfan]

Am not that excited. I think Corsair is going to disappoint again. They're a superior version of Razer in the way they do business.

[divito]

Really hope that this is the easiest and fastest way to market with RGB tech, and that other designs are simply in production. Otherwise that's a serious disappointment.

[flaming_june]

Hey badman5, I have the k95, the spacebar is abnormally small, so are some other keys in that row.  I have custom white pbt caps but they don't fit right (nor look right) on them.

Oh yeah I forgot about the awful non-standard space bar. Curse you CM Storm and Corsair!

Honestly don't think it's a problem.  I agree though, I wish these were brown.  God do I hate linear. 

[badman5]

im consideringgetting onenof these. Are you guys saying i can't replace the keycaps? none of them or just the spacebar? id like a cherry mx brown k95 thou.

everything except the bottom row.

spacebar is near impossible and you need a moogle + tsangan for for other keys.

so otherwise the F keys , letters numbers and al xan be swapped. Only the bottom row (row with space bar) is non standard? As far as i know all keys are chery includng G keys on the K95.

[user 18]

Bottom row is non-standard key size, but are still mx stems. G-keys are also MX, iirc, but you'll have trouble finding replacement keys there in the proper profile for a decent price.

[badboybry9000]

I'm not very excited about this either. Of course the idea of RBG back lighting is very interesting, but I really dislike the aesthetic of this keyboard.

[radio_killah]

It's Corsair they are going to have it their way. I don't think they will be using standard spacing on their keys anytime soon.

[RESPRiT]

Interested in the tech, not really all that happy with the execution. Corsair gonna Corsair.

[bazh]

well it's almost half way through 2014 now, hope we can get those switch in 2015

[qwack]

well it's almost half way through 2014 now, hope we can get those switch in 2015

I don't think it will be very useful for us modders, as we'll also need a controller to make the lighting magic happen. Complexity-wise, it looks like a fair step up from the usual tinkering with LEDs that we're used to.

[RESPRiT]

well it's almost half way through 2014 now, hope we can get those switch in 2015

I don't think it will be very useful for us modders, as we'll also need a controller to make the lighting magic happen. Complexity-wise, it looks like a fair step up from the usual tinkering with LEDs that we're used to.

Pretty sure he's just using "we" to refer to us consumers.

[qwack]

Oh, right. In this case, yes, I hope too that other manufacturers start offering quality boards with those switches as soon as they can.

[bazh]

I thought of custom things actually ) but yeah, some boards with standard layout after the exclusive relationship expired are great

[mouse.the.lucky.dog]

Where can one find detailed information or a review on Kailhs key switch(es)?

If you search you will find a review by "he who cannot be named on Geekhack" on ingmur.

[mouse.the.lucky.dog]

Admittedly, it's not using Cherry switches (Kailhs according to the video on Newegg), but still, you'd think people would at least mention it. Anyway, with Cherry now allegedly refusing to supply switches to some manufacturers, we might have to start being more open-minded about alternatives...

What is this about Cherry refusing to supply switches?
Other then the RGB's which are brand new, of course.

[FoxWolf1]

Admittedly, it's not using Cherry switches (Kailhs according to the video on Newegg), but still, you'd think people would at least mention it. Anyway, with Cherry now allegedly refusing to supply switches to some manufacturers, we might have to start being more open-minded about alternatives...

What is this about Cherry refusing to supply switches?
Other then the RGB's which are brand new, of course.

Just internet rumors at this point, but...

Sadly got the news from my college that Noppoo also stop producing Cherry keyboards cause CHERRY stopped offer switches to them. Thats sad enough!!! Another Chinese brand down

It is a hard decision for keycool to turn to some kailh switches. The production capacity of cherry company is so limited that most Asian companies unable to get them.

[False_Dmitry_II]

Admittedly, it's not using Cherry switches (Kailhs according to the video on Newegg), but still, you'd think people would at least mention it. Anyway, with Cherry now allegedly refusing to supply switches to some manufacturers, we might have to start being more open-minded about alternatives...

What is this about Cherry refusing to supply switches?
Other then the RGB's which are brand new, of course.

It's because mechanical keyboards are still exploding in popularity, including manufacturers new and old, and consumers - all while Cherry's capacity to make switches remains the same. Somehow Cherry MX switches are the only type of switch that exists as far as manufacturers can tell, and now Cherry is demanding 1 year lead times as well for how many a manufacturer wants. The automatic thing manufacturers do when they can't get cherry switches is to get something like kailh switches that function in the same way now that the patents are out.

Thing is, not only could they just use Matias switches instead, if they were particularly ambitious, the patents are likely also out for countless other switch types.