When it comes to keyboards, Corsair is without a doubt at the top of the gaming keyboard. Often equipped with exclusive Cherry switches and robust workmanship, there are reasons for this. This autumn, the manufacturer is booming with two new models, the new high-end flagship K100 RGB and the much cheaper K60 RGB Pro, the latter again with new Cherry switches.
Corsair K60 RGB Pro
If you like it minimalist, you can choose the K60 RGB Pro. Although, at least the price is not that minimalist, but anyone who knows Corsair knows that there is value for the money. The K60 is a comparatively light full keyboard at 880 grams with dimensions of 441 x 137 x 35 mm. But you don’t have to do without an aluminum frame.
The keyboard equipment is rather manageable. There are no special keys, USB passthrough or other gimmicks such as multimedia keys. A palm rest is also not included. After all, RGB lighting is apparently indispensable, the configuration is done, as usual with Corsair, via the iCUE software. Thanks to the free-standing buttons and the transparent switch housing, the lighting looks pretty chic. The height adjustment of the keyboard is standard, the anti-slip rubbers, which give the keyboard a secure stand, are good.
The specialty of the keyboard are the brand new Cherry Viola switches. The German manufacturer designed the new switches primarily for keyboards in the lower price segment, among other things to open up an alternative to the inexpensive rubber dome keyboards. Corsair’s version of a budget keyboard is, however, more expensive than some mechanical keyboards.
So it might be. The Viola Switches consist of fewer components than conventional mechanical switches and are designed so that the lighting is via SMD LEDs directly on the keyboard circuit board. In addition, there is a new, self-cleaning contact system that is also easier to manufacture and therefore incurs lower costs.
The typing feel of the Viola Switches is quite unusual thanks to the behavior that Cherry describes as cross-linear. In the first two millimeters up to the trigger point, the necessary impact pressure is 45 cN, which is significantly lower than in the last two millimeters up to the total stroke of four millimeters. In other words, you have something like two levels of resistance, each with a linear behavior.
That feels a lot different than with tactile or linear switches. But once you get used to it, it works very well, especially when writing. We especially like the fact that the keyboard is relatively quiet. What is less nice, however, is that the space bar in particular emits a clear spring noise when it is pressed hard, as does the enter key, albeit to a somewhat more tolerable extent.
Corsair K100 RGB
All in all, the K60 turns out to be a rock-solid keyboard, largely limited to the bare essentials, with good workmanship and – after a short period of familiarization – pleasant typing behavior for frequent writers and casual gamers. More ambitious gamers are unlikely to get too warm with the behavior of the switches.
