Introduction

Lately, CORSAIR has been releasing new keyboards like there is no tomorrow, be it with MK.2 updates to the STRAFE and K70 or just new wireless keyboards as we saw last year with their K63 Wireless. The latter was their very first wireless mechanical keyboard, no doubt one of many to come. Since then, many others have come up, with 2.4 GHz and/or Bluetooth-enabled wireless mechanical keyboards targeted at general hybrid gaming and living room use cases. Today, we take a look at the CORSAIR K83 Wireless, a keyboard designed solely for the living room. Thanks again to CORSAIR for sending us a review sample.


The promotional images CORSAIR sent as a reference all feature the living room strongly, be it in a group setting using the keyboard as a general access tool for an HTPC or even to help navigate a smart TV. A quick look at the preview image above reveals this keyboard to be very different to any other CORSAIR keyboard to date, with a compact 76-key layout on the left and an actual trackpad with mouse action buttons on the right. But wait, there's more. We have dedicated media controls, a joystick for navigation, and two function modes that also help dictate the purpose for two more buttons on the side and back. This is a wireless keyboard not necessarily meant to be used for gaming, but, rather, general productivity and as a replacement for a keyboard and mouse combination in the living room. We will go over the various features of the K83 Wireless in this review and begin with a look at the specifications below.

Specifications

Packaging and Accessories

CORSAIR operates a web shop in the USA for those inclined to go first-party when purchasing a product. However, this sample came from a marketing hub, so we begin with a look at the product packaging. A plastic wrap covers the packaging, which I maintain is not very practical, and removing it shows off the product box in more detail. We have the usual CORSAIR black and yellow color scheme with a large illustration of the keyboard and the company and product name. I do like how they make no qualms about this being a general entertainment keyboard right away as well. Specifications and marketing features continue on the back and sides in multiple languages, along with another printed illustration that highlights some of the salient aspects of the keyboard. The "Lounge Wizard" on the side can come off as trying too hard, however, if I say so myself.


There are two seals as well as flaps on the sides to help keep the contents inside in place during transit. Opening the box, we see the keyboard itself in a plastic wrap front and center. The accessories are housed in separate layers of the cardboard packaging, including some in a neat package at the top, between foam pieces that add protection to the keyboard. This pouch contains a detailed manual, a safety and compliance guide, and warranty information. The review was written before the product was announced, but there will no doubt be an online copy to the manual when the product page is up. I highly recommend reading it since it goes through the various functions of the keyboard, making it an enabler for end users to make the most of the product.


The other accessories are located underneath the keyboard, including the 2.4 GHz dongle in a plastic clamshell inserted into the cardboard packaging and the keyboard cable in a layer of its own. The cable is the standard 6 feet long, detachable as expected for wireless peripherals, and flat for transportation and storage. It goes from a male micro-USB connector on one end, presumably mating with the keyboard, to a male USB Type-A connector on the other and is best used to charge the keyboard to make the most of the wireless connectivity options. The USB dongle is fairly small in size—on par with similar dongles to help pair recent CORSAIR wireless peripherals—and comes marked clearly so you know which dongle is for which product.