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Comment [24] Email to Friend Printable Version

Corsair Vengeance K90 Keyboard Review

Conclusion

Published: 23rd January 2012 | Source: Corsair | Price: £107.99 | Author: Bryan Waters

Conclusion

With the K90 Corsair have certainly gone all out to take the crown of finest keyboard.

The build quality is absolutely outstanding. It can instantly be placed in the same sentence as other seriously quality keyboard such as the SteelSeries 7G and Das Keyboard. It's that rugged.

Typing quality is fantastic too. The quality feel coming from the excellent Cherry MX Red switches. Not only do we have a light actuation weight, the amount of pressure needed to activate the key, but at only 2mm before actuation you really can type at a rate of knots too. Unlike some of its contemporaries Corsair thankfully hasn't felt the need to provide variable weight for different keys, so the whole thing has a glorious uniform feel.

It's not only the major keys that star either. The Macro Record and Memory Bank selector keys, as well as the media keys, have a reassuring firmness to them that reeks of quality.

Lighting is uniform too. Each key has a soothing blue glow that works beautifully with the brushed aluminium, and the variable brightness ensures that it doesn't distract you during dark gaming.

The software is very easy to use and recording a quick and dirty macro couldn't be easier. Equally if you really want to get into the finest detail the possibility is there. You're far more likely to have more available keys than you can think to assign, but having such a wealth of options available is very pleasant.

In fact the only downside with the whole package is that the software for the keyboard is unable to record mouse movement or clicks, even when used in conjunction with the M90 mouse. This is a huge oversight for keyboard designed to be at the very peak of technology. The Gigabyte Aivia software was able to do this with any mouse at all, and the use of the "90" designation for both the Vengeance mouse and keyboard implies a level of harmony that just isn't there.

However, that is a small blot on an otherwise glorious piece of hardware. With high quality switches, heavily braided cable, tank-like construction and very easy customisation the Vengeance K90 keyboard is excellent and a worthy winner of our OC3D Gold Award. Just a shame the software somewhat lets it down.

Thanks to Corsair for supplying the Vengeance K90 Keyboard for review. Discuss in our forums.

Most Recent Comments

23-01-2012, 03:58:12

tinytomlogan

After branching out into the case world, Corsair are now taking on the peripheral market. How does the K90 stack up?

Continue Reading

23-01-2012, 04:11:05

XnaX

When the light's on, it's not exactly eyepleasing to me, but DAMN does that backlighting make my weener go "boing!" xD

23-01-2012, 05:03:37

yassarikhan786

Great review Bryan. I really like the look of this keyboard, but the lighting does seem kind of uneven. Not a deal breaker though as overall it look's like another fantastic product from Corsair.

23-01-2012, 07:24:45

dugdiamond

classy looking keyboard

if the G-keys were lit too, i'ld buy one

23-01-2012, 07:25:54

tinytomlogan

Quote:

Originally Posted by dugdiamond classy looking keyboard if the G-keys were lit too, i'ld buy one

The G keys have the numbers lit just not backlit

23-01-2012, 07:30:00

dugdiamond

it looks damn easy to clean too - i hate having to turn my G19 upside down, and banging it, to get **** out of it. the k90 would just need can-o-air (or a make-up brush)

23-01-2012, 07:52:16

SPS

Quote:

Originally Posted by dugdiamond classy looking keyboard if the G-keys were lit too, i'ld buy one

Yeah the G-keys are lit perfectly well, but they are light. The idea was to keep the G-keys separate from the rest of the to not confuse when typing, hence why there are also so much lower down.

23-01-2012, 08:02:26

DJCW

Are all the keys on this 1 mechanical? I have the K60 and on that the Escape, F-keys, print scr, scroll lock, pause, insert, delete, home, end, page up and down are non mechanical which you really should mention if that is also the case with this 1 and do believe that is the case.

23-01-2012, 08:19:09

SPS

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJCW Are all the keys on this 1 mechanical? I have the K60 and on that the Escape, F-keys, print scr, scroll lock, pause, insert, delete, home, end, page up and down are non mechanical which you really should mention if that is also the case with this 1 and do believe that is the case.

Yep it is the same with the K90, it's mentioned in the tech specs

23-01-2012, 08:28:43

Excalabur50

Really love that blue colour it is so soothing and what a classy looking keyboard gotta be one of the best iv'e seen.

23-01-2012, 10:27:48

nex-s

How is it Tom that you can't stand noisy fans, but are totally ok with the loud noise this keyboard makes when typing?

23-01-2012, 11:46:37

B NEGATIVE

If only it had multi colour LED instead of the same,tired blue that is so common....

23-01-2012, 15:33:54

Sammjoey

Just saying, posibbly mostly to tom, when you´ve got a minute look at the video review ttl did and have CC subtitles on and just read that, its hilarous!

23-01-2012, 16:56:44

Philib

Why would they not light up the G-keys?

23-01-2012, 17:33:00

Grim_Reaper

Quote:

Originally Posted by dugdiamond it looks damn easy to clean too - i hate having to turn my G19 upside down, and banging it, to get **** out of it. the k90 would just need can-o-air (or a make-up brush)

The words of truth. It was just what I actually wanted to say. I like my G15, but dang, how it's annoyingly difficult to clean all the crap beyond the keys. This is why I like this concept a lot. Few drops of spirit and brush should do the job well. And I hate how noisier my W,A,S,D keys and some others ones became compared to the rest hundred of keys. Would be completely brilliant keyboard if the keys would work properly a bit more than few years. But yeah, aluminum flat top will do the job.

23-01-2012, 21:08:54

Lollipop

Quote:

Originally Posted by nex-s How is it Tom that you can't stand noisy fans, but are totally ok with the loud noise this keyboard makes when typing?

There is a difference between a clicky sound that you know will come when you press a button and listening to a leafblower for 30 mins.

23-01-2012, 22:17:54

hmmblah

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lollipop There is a difference between a clicky sound that you know will come when you press a button and listening to a leafblower for 30 mins.

And I have to say, mechanical keys have a really satisfying click to them. I don't find them annoying at all, but someone in another room might.

24-01-2012, 12:46:40

nex-s

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lollipop There is a difference between a clicky sound that you know will come when you press a button and listening to a leafblower for 30 mins.

Well, for that matter, you are well aware of the fan sound too and you know it's coming...

24-01-2012, 13:15:03

SPS

Quote:

Originally Posted by nex-s Well, for that matter, you are well aware of the fan sound too and you know it's coming...

Lmao fan noise cannot be compared the soothing sound of a mechanical keyboard.

25-01-2012, 16:05:07

MutleyUK

A nice looking KB put it should be at the price. For that amount I would expect it to make my tea, Dinner and wipe my botty for me

27-01-2012, 02:29:50

Suavity

I think I may consider buying this keyboard, just the customization and the mechanic keystroke sounds really caught my attention.

09-02-2012, 15:51:04

mini me

I've recently purchased the K90, and its just awesome. This is my first gaming keyboard I've bought and it feels very nice when using it. The keys are sturdy and feel durable, and the back lighting looks great. Would recommend this to anyone

14-02-2012, 17:05:52

silat

Some of you are complaining about clicky noise from this keyboard.

It uses Cherry MX Reds. Reds are NON CLICKY LINEAR KEYS..

14-02-2012, 19:22:38

SPS

Quote:

Originally Posted by silat Some of you are complaining about clicky noise from this keyboard. It uses Cherry MX Reds. Reds are NON CLICKY LINEAR KEYS..

They are still louder than rubber dome keys - but it's a nice sound.

15-02-2012, 05:05:12

UltraNEO*

Looks and sounds great!! Unfortunately it's packaging is slightly misleading and doesn't state it's only partially mechanical!!

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