Corsair K100 RGB Keyboard Overview
The design of the K100 RGB is very similar to what we’ve seen on previous K95 keyboards. This design is proven and as they they if something is not broke don’t fix it! You basically have the same layout, although we do have a few changes and new additions. As you can see this is a full-size keyboard so you have a full compliment of keys as well as a full number pad. Like previous designs you have an aluminum top-plate, which means you really won’t have any flex in the keyboard.
Like other K95 keyboards you have a row of six “G” keys or macro keys. These are all programmable and have a gunmetal color to them. The keycaps themselves are actually ABS, not PBT and they are raised on the left side, which makes them easy to access and so your finger does not fall off.
A new addition to the K100 is the new iCUE Control Wheel on the top left. This includes a jog wheel and a center button. The center button will allow you to switch between different actions. The entire control wheel is fully programmable. It also has a button on either side, one is a profile button and the other is a Windows lock key.
On the opposite side of the keyboard you have your multimedia controls which include a dedicated mute button, volume roller, as well as stop, back, play/pause, and forward buttons.
Corsair has carried over the PBT double-shot keycaps from the K95 RGB Platinum XT. PBT keycaps are typically found on more expensive keyboards and if you’ve ever used them you know it is night and day when comparing to typical ABS keycaps. The PBT material is resistant to wear, shine, and is 1.5mm thick for stability. Each keycap is molded with a two-shot process that prevents the legends from fading.
Under those keycaps you have Corsair’s new OPX optical-mechanical key switches. For those not familiar with optical switches they use an optical light sensor inside the switch. Upon pressing a key, you allow a receiver to be activated by this light signal, instantly actuating the switch command. These type of switches are considered faster and more accurate than mechanical switches. The switches do use standard Cherry MX stems so you can easily switch out the keycaps if you want. The Corsair OPX switches have a 1.0mm actuation point, 3.2mm smooth & linear travel, and zero debounce actuation, which makes them very similar to Cherry’s MX Speed switches. The switches are guaranteed for 150 million key presses.
Corsair has changed the palm rest to a magnetic detachable leatherette palm rest. It has a soft texture and memory foam cushioning. Being magnetic makes it easy to install and remove.
Looking at the keyboard from the side we can see there is a slight angle to it, but it sits pretty flat at its default orientation. Using the pop-out feet we can set it at more of a drastic angle.
Coming out of the top center of the keyboard is a the 6ft braided USB cable. It starts as a single cable and then splits off into two separate cables. The extra USB cable is for the USB 2.0 pass-through port. This is great to have for flash drives or even your mouse or USB headset.
Flipping the keyboard over we can see rubber feet on both the keyboard itself and and palm rest. We can also see cable-routing cut-outs if you wanted to route your mouse, headset, or other cables under your keyboard.
