Corsair K70 CORE RGB Keyboard Review – An Above Average Experience At An Entry Level Price

Keyboards are an essential part of the gaming experience, and a good one can get expensive. The newest keyboard from Corsair, the K70 CORE RGB Keyboard is an entry level mechanic keyboard that comes in at RM499, still a little pricey, but relatively affordable when compared to the higher end keyboards packed with high-end features.

Still, there are many affordable entry-level keyboards out there, so the Corsair K70 CORE RGB needs to have features that make it to stand out from the crowd to justify getting it.

Simple And Nice Design

The Corsair K70 CORE RGB has a relatively simple design, with not much going on, even when compared to other Corsair Models. Personally, I have no issue with with the simpler design, as it wouldn’t have an effect on the user experience.

In terms of build, the overall build of the keyboard is nice and sturdy, which is great for typing. The chassis of the keyboard being made of plastic, and the top cover is an aluminium plate which contributes to its sturdiness. The bottom part of the keyboard is also magnetic, which is for an attachable palm rest.

It also sports a complete layout, which is great for someone who needs it. As someone that’s currently using a TKL Keyboard, there are times where I wish I had the number pad, an issue I didn’t have with this one. But being a full sized keyboard means there’s less room for your mouse, which can get in the way at times, with the large frame of the keyboard being less than ideal.

One design element I disliked was the USB not being detachable, which means the keyboard would be rendered useless if something were to happen to the cable. The cable isn’t exactly high quality as well, just being a generic cable. Despite the keyboard being relatively affordable, it’s not something I can replace every so often because of the cable breaking.

Also, only one keyboard feet angle is available. Thankfully, the level is to my liking, but it may not be for those who prefer higher settings.

Overall, I found the design of the keyboard to be decent, exactly what I’d expect from a keyboard at this price point.

Smooth And Silent Typing

The only option for switches are the Corsair MLX Red Linear switches, which have similar properties to the Cherry MX Red. For those who are used to brown or tactile switches, it could feel a little off, as brown switches tend to feel more precise for typing. The switches are not hot-swappable either, as it would make the keyboard a lot more expensive.

It makes sense for a gaming keyboard to use red or linear switches, as gamers often look for speed in their keyboards, and linear switches are typically more suited for the job when compared to the other types of switches. This can be seen when playing games like Counter-Strike where you jiggle peek for info, linear switches are practically silent, a way better experience when compared to the annoying clicking sound of other switches.

They also lubed the switches, and the addition of sound dampening EVA foams make the keyboard sound great. Pinging can be really annoying when typing, but the stabilizer on this keyboard was pretty good, never pinging when pushing the big key.

Switches aside, the K70 CORE RGB offers and above average typing experience to those looking for a linear switch keyboard. Corsair did put in effort into improving the typing experience for the user. Even as someone who has a preferences for brown switches, I still had a great time typing using the keyboard.

Customization

In terms of customisations, You need to download the iCue software by Corsair. There are several things you can do within the application, such as changing the function of the media control keys and knobs, RGB, and more. It does take time to learn, but its smooth sailing once you get the hang of it.

The customization options were a nice touch, though I would’ve liked if the instructions were clearer as there were situations where the knob as it would do different things, making it confusing to figure out.

I would’ve also preferred if the customization options weren’t locked behind firmware updates. Even little customizations like changing the RGB or the media control key requires a firmware update, which is unnecessary.

But there are also upsides to the iCue Software, such as the ability to provide firmware updates to fix any issues that might arise. The biggest problem I had with this keyboard was an issue with the keys registering inputs twice, but issue was fixed by updating the firmware via iCue, the customization software for the keyboard. I had a much better time after the issue was fixed, which showed that having dedicated software can prove to be advantageous.

Despite the being tedious at times, I still enjoyed the freedom that was given to me when it came to customizations on this keyboard, as the customization options did improve my experience, adding a layer of personalization to the keyboard.

Verdict

Because the mechanical keyboard community often insists on getting the highest end keyboards, it can get intimidating to try one out due to the exorbitant price tags. This keyboard serves as a good entry level keyboard that lets you try out a mechanical keyboard without breaking the bank.

For a keyboard that costs RM499, the experience you get from it definitely exceeds those in the same price range, and because this keyboard is plain and simple, it doesn’t feel like you’re overpaying for any high-end features.

I really enjoyed the smoothness of the keys, being quick and responsive, which is perfect for gaming. The customization options were also pretty good, with programmable buttons and knobs that can be adjusted to suit your needs. You can even remove and change the keycaps if you’re feeling adventurous.

Most of the issues I had with the keyboard just comes down to personal preferences or can be fixed by firmware updates, though I would’ve liked it if some of the fixes weren’t necessary to begin with.

Overall, the K70 CORE RGB is a really well made entry-level keyboard that can satisfy those who just want a keyboard for gaming.

The Corsair K70 CORE RGB is available now on the official Corsair website.

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