Corsair K68 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

[VSG]

The Corsair K68 is a full size mechanical keyboard featuring genuine Cherry MX Red switches, full keyboard backlighting, support for their powerful Corsair Utility Engine software driver, and IP32 rated dust and spill resistance - all at a sub-$100 price point.

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[Xzibit]

This is just a full size K63. Too expensive. Should have came with MX Silent switches.

Especially when you can get RGB K70s or competitors products with RGB for $10-$20 more.

 

[Tsukiyomi91]

under $100 price tag with MX Red Switches, IP32 rating, looks of an updated STRAFE. Doesn't look that shabby IMO for those who drinks or eating snacks while playing a game.

 

[bug]

May I suggest an addition to the keyboard (and mouse) reviews?
Since software for these is quite often abysmal and without exception it doesn't work on Linux, would it be possible to highlight which models come with internal memory to save your settings? I would go as far as listing this as a pro, but ymmv.

I mean, I love that I can program my mouse once and then forget about the software. When I boot to Linux, most of the functionality is still there, the led stays off...

 

[MustSeeMelons]

The red only back-light kills it for me..

 

[Tsukiyomi91]

maybe there will be a RGB variant for it... but it'll costs a little more, which will be no surprise...

 

[VSG]

May I suggest an addition to the keyboard (and mouse) reviews?
Since software for these is quite often abysmal and without exception it doesn't work on Linux, would it be possible to highlight which models come with internal memory to save your settings? I would go as far as listing this as a pro, but ymmv.

I mean, I love that I can program my mouse once and then forget about the software. When I boot to Linux, most of the functionality is still there, the led stays off...

I usually mention it in the penultimate page, but sure that can be emphasized further. The only Corsair keyboard with hardware playback is the K95 Platinum, and the others rely on CUE being open for the extended features.

 

[bug]

I usually mention it in the penultimate page, but sure that can be emphasized further. The only Corsair keyboard with hardware playback is the K95 Platinum, and the others rely on CUE being open for the extended features.

Thanks. I know this isn't widespread, that's why I thought that those who do have the feature may be worth a pro.

 

[bug]

The red only back-light kills it for me..

Now that you mention it, my laptop has non customizable red lighting, too. It's as helpful as any other colour. Unless you're looking for a specific look (to match the rest of your setup, perhaps?), red is not bad.

 

[MustSeeMelons]

Now that you mention it, my laptop has non customizable red lighting, too. It's as helpful as any other colour. Unless you're looking for a specific look (to match the rest of your setup, perhaps?), red is not bad.

I find that red is harder on the eyes and it is the de facto "gamer" color, ruins a otherwise neat looking keyboard in my opinion. It's like those big wings on cars which really don't need them..

 

[bug]

I find that red is harder on the eyes and it is the de facto "gamer" color, ruins a otherwise neat looking keyboard in my opinion. It's like those big wings on cars which really don't need them..

Depends on the eye, I just told you mine are fine with red. I think it's more a matter of light intensity though.

 

[Air]

The red only back-light kills it for me..

For me too. People seem to hate RGB, its s lot better than fixed option.

But if RG is not offered, standard backlighting should be white, not red. Its fine if red happens to be your color, but it will not be for everyone (for me its the worst option of all), while white is neutral. There is a reason all notebooks are like that.

Oh right, I forgot, this is a "gaming" keyboard, so red is needed. I guess it represents blood or dragons or some other bullshit?

 

[VSG]

A lot of single color keyboards go red or blue because people respond to these better in low light conditions. I personally prefer white if it had to be single color but clearly I am a weirdo like that.

 

[Air]

A lot of single color keyboards go red or blue because people respond to these better in low light conditions. I personally prefer white if it had to be single color but clearly I am a weirdo like that.

While that explaination may be valid, i can't say I'm convinced, because I've never seen a red backlit keyboard that isn't a "gaming" one. So i think that's more related to this generic "gaming culture".

I'm not entirely sure we, non red-lovers, are weirdos or most people actually do not like it that much, but just accept it because it's the mostly widely available. After all it's a color that normally indicates alarms, emergency and failure in machinery in general (remember the xbox360? It's pretty easy to guess that the red lights do not indicate anything good).

Even though "show your rig" threads around the web are mostly overflowing with red, recently thanks to the RGB trend I'm actually seeing a lot more variety in color schemes.

 

[VSG]

While that explaination may be valid, i can't say I'm convinced, because I've never seen a red backlit keyboard that isn't a "gaming" one. So i think that's more related to this generic "gaming culture".

I'm not entirely sure we, non red-lovers, are weirdos or most people actually do not like it that much, but just accept it because it's the mostly widely available. After all it's a color that normally indicates alarms, emergency and failure in machinery in general (remember the xbox360? It's pretty easy to guess that the red lights do not indicate anything good).

Even though "show your rig" threads around the web are mostly overflowing with red, recently thanks to the RGB trend I'm actually seeing a lot more variety in color schemes.

The whole "gaming" industry is where the money is, and companies are targeting customers in. The red/blue color I mentioned was based off surveys of potential customers in this market as well so my reference of weirdos was more tongue-in-cheek regarding that I may not necessarily be the target customer. That said, I'll take RGB backlighting gladly.

 

[bug]

While that explaination may be valid, i can't say I'm convinced, because I've never seen a red backlit keyboard that isn't a "gaming" one. So i think that's more related to this generic "gaming culture".

I'm not entirely sure we, non red-lovers, are weirdos or most people actually do not like it that much, but just accept it because it's the mostly widely available. After all it's a color that normally indicates alarms, emergency and failure in machinery in general (remember the xbox360? It's pretty easy to guess that the red lights do not indicate anything good).

Even though "show your rig" threads around the web are mostly overflowing with red, recently thanks to the RGB trend I'm actually seeing a lot more variety in color schemes.

Read my first post. My cheapo, all-purpose Acer laptop has red lighting for the keyboard. I was relly on the fence when I bought it, but it turned out to be ok. It didn't turn me into a red colour fan, but it doesn't hurt my eyes.

 

[MustSeeMelons]

Depends on the eye, I just told you mine are fine with red. I think it's more a matter of light intensity though.

Once you go white you never go back

 

[Air]

Read my first post. My cheapo, all-purpose Acer laptop has red lighting for the keyboard. I was relly on the fence when I bought it, but it turned out to be ok. It didn't turn me into a red colour fan, but it doesn't hurt my eyes.

Which one is it? Yeah, i know many people will be just fine with red, I'm just questioning it's choice as the standard for "gaming", instead of white.

 

[SaltyFish]

While that explaination may be valid, i can't say I'm convinced, because I've never seen a red backlit keyboard that isn't a "gaming" one. So i think that's more related to this generic "gaming culture".

I'm not entirely sure we, non red-lovers, are weirdos or most people actually do not like it that much, but just accept it because it's the mostly widely available. After all it's a color that normally indicates alarms, emergency and failure in machinery in general (remember the xbox360? It's pretty easy to guess that the red lights do not indicate anything good).

Even though "show your rig" threads around the web are mostly overflowing with red, recently thanks to the RGB trend I'm actually seeing a lot more variety in color schemes.

Red is less painful for the eyes in dark/low-light conditions (when you're most likely to use the back light). It's why submarine and emergency lighting tends to be of a warmer/redder colour. Blue light tends to be painfully glaring in the dark since your eyes dilate in the dark to better pick up what little there is and blue light carries higher energy so all of that floods your eyes. It's also why people put electrical tape over their router and disk activity lights (blinking blue lights in the dark... urgh). Oh, and there's that that recent bit with late-night smartphone activity and the rise of display temperature adjustment programs like f.lux. So yeah... more choices are nice (a practical reason for RGB!), but I'm glad red lighting is as available as it is despite the rise of bright blue LEDs on electronics everywhere these days. Remember old computer cases with green and amber LEDs? I miss those. I guess blue LEDs are cheaper which is why they're everywhere.

In case it's not obvious, I am a shameless red-lover.

On the product itself, it's a glorified refresh of the K65 with some extra physical reinforcements. I certainly hope the electronics got a durability upgrade as well.

 

[VSG]

Not a K65 refresh given the plastic body. It's more of a STRAFE refresh with dust and spill resistance.

 

[StrayKAT]

I could have used this recently. Spilled Coke on my K65...

But at the same time, I like the older Vengeance styling. I'll be using that case for a long time yet.. so I like peripherals to match.

But yeah, not exactly a refresh. 65 doesn't have a number pad for one.