Introduction

Creative has been around for over three decades now, with its conception in 1981 in Singapore and a focus on audio solutions for the consumer market under their famous Sound Blaster brand. They have since branched off into other peripherals last year with their first mouse, keyboard, and mouse pad all launching at the same time. These are marketed at gamers for a share of the ever-growing gaming peripherals market, and today, we take a look at their Sound BlasterX Vanguard K08 gaming mechanical keyboard. Thanks a lot to Creative USA for providing the review sample.


The Vanguard K08, as will be referred to henceforth in this review to save a mouthful, is a full-size, RGB-backlit keyboard with dedicated media buttons which include a volume scroll wheel. The most interesting thing, however, are the PRES (Perceive-React-Execute Switches) used here, which are manufactured by OMRON to Creative's specifications. This is a departure from the usual Cherry MX or MX clone switch variety in the mechanical keyboard market, with Logitech being the only other and first customer of Omron for consumer-grade mechanical keyboards. So let us now proceed with this review by taking a look at the specifications below.

Specifications

Packaging and Accessories

Creative operates a web store in the USA and thus, we begin with a look at their shipping packaging. The keyboard arrived in a well-sized box with over an inch of space on all sides, corrugated cardboard sheets, and packaging air bags surrounding the product box itself. No complaints here!


The product box comes in a plastic wrap, which reveals a black and red color scheme when removed. On the front are the usual company and product names, a photograph of the product, and a mention of its salient features, with more on the back with yet another photograph of the product. The other sides go over yet more features and specifications, including some useful information about the PRE switches, which I appreciated. The more useful features and specs are on a box, the easier it is for a customer in a brick-and-mortar store to make a decision. The outer packaging ends up being a sleeve only, with two seals on either side keeping it over a plain white cardboard box inside which are the actual contents.


Open this white box and you see the keyboard first and foremost, with its cable tucked away in the compartment above. Underneath lie the included accessories, which all have a plastic wrap of some sort as well. Included here are some cards that either are fancy bookmarks at best or help remind you to download the keyboard's driver. A quick start guide and the warranty policy are also included, as is a dedicated, removable wrist rest. The wrist rest has a matte plastic finish with a slight texture to it and attaches to the keyboard via two plastic clips. There are multiple rubber pads on the wrist rest's underside to help keep it and the keyboard it is attached to in place on your desk.