Corsair K100 RGB Optical-Mechanical Wired Gaming Keyboard - OPX Switches - PBT Double-Shot Keycaps - Elgato Stream Deck and iCUE Compatible - QWERTY NA Layout - Black

I replaced my Corsair K70 RGB (the OG one) with the K100 Air. Ever since I started working from home- i.e. using multiple computers throughout the day- I've been wanting a better keyboard.My old, wired (with GIGANTIC dual USB cables) K70RGB had fantastic feel and features. But I wanted to move it around more than the cables would allow. Also a somewhat less gargantuan footprint would be appreciated; I still need the 10-key though. Enter the K100 Air.- Still mechanical keys (more on this later)- Wireless = more mobile- RGB, G-keys (macros), 2.4Ghz or Bluetooth (or single USB wired)SO- I went for it on Day One, despite the *astronomical* price (nearly $300).• The K100 Air has made my life easier. I can now use my own PC much more easily; I'm typing this on it now. Moving the keyboard has also given me much more mousing room on the desk. (I use another computer for work, with 2 monitors; it's to the right of my main PC (also with 2 monitors).It recharges via USB-C; when it's low on battery the lighting turns red. Or you can check in iCue and it shows the battery % charge. iCue also works fine for applying lighting- be sure you have version: 4.29.203 or newer, otherwise it won't recognize the keyboard. If you just see the wireless dongle in iCue but not the keyboard, update your software.• For the feel and 'mechanical' keys: it feels like the best laptop keyboard ever, but it does NOT feel like the mechanical Cherry switches you get on gaming keyboards. The keys feel very solid and predictable, but they aren't at the same level as Corsair/Razer/Logitech mechanical keyboards. I will say, the Corsair's keys are better than the (somewhat) low-profile keys on the Logitech G line (715, 915 etc). The Logitech ones feel (and sound) more springy, which isn't that great for typing. (or gaming)• As far as build quality, this thing does look and feel like an expensive item. It's metal on top, I believe plastic on the bottom. The lighting shows through the keys very well, but it doesn't shine out from under the keys like a full-sized gaming keyboard. It has a spot to store the dongle when it's plugged in. I've only used it via 2.4Ghz wireless, and it has been flawless as far as connection. You can plug the dongle into the back of a nearby PC directly and no connection problems. Also no interference with multiple keyboards and mice also on 2.4Ghz. The RGB lighting is adjustable from the keyboard, independent of the software. Brightness and lighting patterns (pre-saved onto the keyboard via iCue) are controllable without software. There's also a charge light, so you'll see it blinking and/or changing color when power is low. The iCue software also puts up an alert when it needs a recharge, this happens before the lighting turns red. Works well. I have to charge it about 1.5 times per week, with the computer on 24/7 and asleep for about half that time.• One thing about waking up from sleep: the keyboard takes about 4 to 5 seconds to wake up. In the time you press the first key to when the lighting comes on, the keys still work and are read by the PC, but it's disconcerting to be typing on a black keyboard. It does wake up fine, the lighting is just a bit slow.• Now, the key (ha) question: is it worth the money? As far as I can tell, this is the best low-profile wireless gaming keyboard available. It has many nice touches, gives me more features than I can use, and beats the competition in both the hardware and usability. Yes- it's really expensive. But for something that is your main interface to a system you use constantly, it is probably worth paying the premium. If I hadn't already got a Logitech for my work PC, I would get another one of these. That probably tells you everything you need to know.

I've owned tons of Corsair's previous keyboards starting with their early monocolor white led k95 to the various other iterations of the K70 and K95 that were released over the years. I've always had some issue with them that made me hope that it would be fixed. The first K95 had problems with the black on the keycaps wearing off and the led lights dying quickly. Later RGB versions seemed to fix the LEDs dying, but introduced issues with a single key press registering multiple keystrokes. Then the quality of the keycaps of newer releases seemingly degraded and were completely loose out of the box. So loose that if you tapped a key too quickly, the keycap would fly off the board. That got old very quickly. Then the K95 RGB Platinum also had the issue of some of the LEDs starting to become really dim compared to the other keys. I switched to the EVGA Z20 after I got fed up with the various issues, but found it had its own host of problems including random disconnecting from the computer and losing power regardless of what USB port I plugged it into.I discovered that Corsair had a new keyboard with a new type of optical switches and decided to give their keyboards one more chance. After some months of use, I have to say this keyboard is fantastic so far and all my previous issues with their keyboards appear to be gone.- The keys feel just right when typing.- The fonts used on the keyboard look a lot better and the keyboard overall has a classier look to it.- The keycaps are not loose in the slightest. They are snugly fitted to the switches and actually takes a bit of effort to pull them off so I'm not worrying about them flying off the keyboard anymore mid-game or while chatting.- There hasn't been a single instance of a single keypress registering multiple keystrokes. So far, the LEDs for these OPX switches have been holding up over the months and I hope they stay that way.- The keycaps are double shot so I don't have to worry about the paint on the keys coming off.- Not really a past issue per se, but perhaps due to the new OPX switches, it's not as loud when the keys bottom out while typing compared to the Cherry MX switches. An improvement in my opinion, but some people might prefer the louder clickety clack of the Cherry MX switches.As an added bonus, the wrist rest is also their best yet. It must use a memory foam inside as it has yet to flatten out even after applying a lot of pressure on like resting my elbows on it frequently. It's a huge improvement over the hard plastic wrist rests with the rubberized coating. It also conveniently snaps right onto the keyboard with magnets.If I were to list any cons, they would be:- Price. This is one expensive keyboard. I have had no issues with it so far, so I'll take it over having a cheaper keyboard with problems.- Easy to accidentally press a key if you're not careful as they are linear and don't require a whole lot of force. Also, they have a VERY short actuation distance.- I find the scroll wheel to only be mildly useful, but that's just my based on my own needs and usage.