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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FunBunny2 - Monday, November 23, 2020 - link
"acutation force correlates with travel disance"not even close to being true. my beloved IBM Model M is nearly as tough as a mechanical typewriter keyboard to press, and is much shorter than the bottoming necessary on your average rubber dome. so, no.
the total 'force', somehow measured, viz. pressure X distance may be so. those wafer thin keyboards with scissors type keys...
K_Space - Tuesday, November 24, 2020 - link
I actually agree FunBunny... you may have missed my correction on the next message (no edit/correct function as always in AT comments). Those who presume that acutation force correlates with travel disance would be correct if it wasn't for spring constant in Cherry MX keyboards (for the sake of simplicity you can think of it as a spring that modulate the pressure or force exerted on the keycap).The primary point of a mechanical keyboard (at least historically) was to be able to acutate the key WITHOUT buttoming out thereby allowing for increasing typing speed - therefore those short travel distances shouldn't be a suprise! In this respect your IBM Model M is seen as the mama of mechanical keyboards with its famous "buckling springs". Those things were loud though!
FunBunny2 - Wednesday, November 25, 2020 - link
"In this respect your IBM Model M is seen as the mama of mechanical keyboards with its famous "buckling springs". Those things were loud though! "and, oddly enough, when I dove into a schematic I discovered what blew my mind: the keyboard is just a rubber dome (sorta) implementation! the buckling spring actuation drives a lever arm into the dome. the keyset sits over a sheet of contacts. who woudda thunk it? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckling_spring
charlesg - Thursday, November 19, 2020 - link
I don't know how anyone can use a non ergo keyboard for an extended period of time.Ryan1981 - Thursday, November 19, 2020 - link
I'd like this keyboard to become mainstream: https://www.artlebedev.com/optimus/maximus/. They also do a keyboard that's basically a large display like a smartphone but somehow I don't think you can type blind on that (but never tried so who knows).phila - Thursday, November 19, 2020 - link
https://mountain.gg/keyboards/everest-max/ Mountain.GG keyboard has a few keys that are configurable like this. I find it pretty usefulJimios - Thursday, November 19, 2020 - link
Although briefly mentioned in the review, I would like to point out in case anyone missed it that this keyboard comes with double-shot PBT keycaps, which is arguably more important than other stuff analysed in more detail by the reviewer.Jimios - Thursday, November 19, 2020 - link
I personally recommend the Leopold FC900R for half the price, classier looking and without the RGB sillyness, which is built like a tank and I love using it daily for 2+ years now (office work with a LOT of typing).I would love to see Anandtech reviewing less popular (but likely better) mechanical keyboards, such as Leopold, Ducky, IKBC, Vortex, etc.
sonny73n - Friday, November 20, 2020 - link
Completely agree! I've been using a Ducky since 2011 and it's still good as new. I love it and I think it'll last forever.Arbie - Saturday, November 21, 2020 - link
From a quick search, the Leopold keyboards are $400 on Newegg; NA on Amazon.