Customer Review
- Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2012I had been searching for my new keyboard for awhile. I am a computer engineer and use my computer for everything from programming to typing reviews like this to gaming. I wanted a simple keyboard that wasn't over the top with bells and whistles. I came from a Logitech G15, which was a great keyboard but I'm not fan of an orange glow, and I never really used the G keys or the screen. I heard all the raving about mechanical keyboards but was a little skeptical, could it really be THAT much better? The answer is yes but I'll get to that. I have always used Logitech and love their quality and customer support but unfortunately they have not decided to make a mechanical keyboard but I still picked out a Logitech G110 to debate about, I liked it because it was simple and I missed my sound scroll wheel from my G11 and this one had one. The other one I looked at was the Razer Black Widow Ultimate Stealth Edition (long name right?). I read a ton of reviews about Razer varying in quality and their lack of customer support, but the ones that got a good keyboard loved them. I wanted the stealth edition so the keys were not really loud. I debated between these two for months, I did not want to spend my money on something that I would not like or replace down the road. I asked around on a couple forums for opinions. I looked at foreign keyboards, the Cooler Master ones (which I almost bought if it hadn't been for their textured logos on the keys), and then someone suggested I take a look at the Corsair K90. I said Corsair, the company that makes my RAM? I figured alright I'll look into it. The K90 seemed a little over the top to me, it had all those G keys I probably wouldn't use. Then I saw other items people viewed on amazon and saw the K60. I was perfect, the keys were mechanical and had quiet cherry red switches, it had the volume wheel!, and it was a simple elegant design. But then I realized the one thing it didn't have, backlit keys. This threw me around for awhile as I had wanted backlit keys (I was going to pay $50 more to Razer just for backlit on their Black Widows). So that night I decided to watch myself as I typed (kinda weird and hard to do) but I noticed, I don't look at my keys! If for some reason I forgot how to type my monitor was bright enough to illuminate my keys anyway. So I decided to order it and I could always return it to amazon if it didn't work out.
I received the keyboard and was very impressed at how great it looked. The brushed aluminum gave it a professional but cool look I hadn't seen before. The media keys were great especially the volume wheel. The lock keys have a white LED that signifies if they are on or off and look great with the brushed aluminum. The keyboard wasn't huge either, it was just the right size. The mechanical keys aren't embedded in the keyboard. So now time to see if mechanical makes a difference. At first I just opened a text document and started typing. I found out my pinky must be heavy because I was hitting ; and not meaning to. After a little bit I got used to it and wasn't accidentally hitting keys by using as much force as I used to have to (note: I think this varies greatly on what time of mechanical switch you have, some people don't like red but I do and am happy this keyboard uses it). It was amazing how much better and more efficient it seemed to make typing. When I typed on both keyboards side by side I think the mechanical was slightly louder but not annoyingly so, and now I don't really notice it. I then launched some games and everything just felt smoother with a mechanical keyboard.
I think it is important to note that there are regular keys that you can replace the red textured keys with. I think the red looks ugly and that's the main reason I don't use the textured keys. I tried them out and did not find them that helpful anyways but it is all preference.
The left wrist pad that it comes with was odd to me at first. Although the pictures don't show it, you do not have to have it attached. I debated about using it but then just threw it on anyways. Some reviews say that they didn't like it and that it was raised to high. I do like it, it feels great especially for gaming. I thought it might be a little weird for normal typing if I was using the rest on one side but it doesn't affect my typing. This is also a compartment for the textured keys and has a handy key remover tool to swap them out.
I am aware that the F keys and key area with insert and delete are not mechanical but this does not bother me at all. I do not use those keys frequently enough for it to affect me, but I don't see why they didn't just make it all mechanical.
Suggestions: Even though I said I could do without, backlit keys would be nice, especially if they were white like the lock keys had. The wrist pad is great during gaming and okay for normal typing, I wish that it did not lock onto the bottom of the keyboard for quicker and easier removal / putting it back on (maybe I'll break the little locks off).
I highly recommend this getting this keyboard if you are an everyday user, programmer, or gamer. I'd recommend taking a look at the K90 if you really want backlit keys or G keys, as it is the same keyboard just with a little more added onto it.
Update 2/28/2013: I am still using this keyboard and no problems. I have used it quite frequently if that attests to its build quality. I have since changed desks and took the wrist pad off since it didn't sit right on my new desk. I would still recommend this keyboard for its simple function and polished looks. It is worth noting that Logitech now has a mechanical keyboard. Logitech G710+ Mechanical Gaming Keyboard with Tactile High-Speed Keys - Black (920-003887) Right now it's on sale for $99 so an equivalent price to the Corsair. It's definitely worth the look for the backlit keys, G keys if you use them, and it has the scroll wheel.
