Corsair K95 RGB Platinum Mechanical Gaming Keyboard - 6x Programmable Macro Keys - USB Passthrough & Media Controls - Fastest Cherry MX Speed - RGB LED Backlit - Black Finish

Full disclosure: Although I've extensively used other Cherry MX switch keyboards of all types, the only mechanical keyboard I've ever personally owned is an AULA Wings of Liberty (original?) with their generic-ish blue switches. That is the perspective of this review; I do know my switches, but extensive use at home pertains only to knockoff blues. Also, I purchased the BROWN switches, if it's not obvious in the header of the review.So right off the bat, the product, in box, is pretty heavy. It includes the usual manuals and such, with the keyboard rest depicted in the picture. The USB cable is thick and braided, and splits off into two connectors--one for the keyboard and one, I think, is either for the pass-through function, or for sufficient power over USB 2.0. I have enough USB 3.0 ports and I don't need the passthrough function, so either way, it's dangling there. I haven't looked into taking it off, but it's also not a big deal tbh.The keyboard feels very well built, and the switches feel nice. As I said, my last keyboard used blue switches, so the brown switches, by nature, are a lot softer and require less force to actuate. My typing is a lot faster, and from prior experience, I do type a lot better on brown switches. Another thing to note, though, is that the AULA keycaps are pretty high, so the ease of typing is partly attributed to that. Switching from blue type to brown type switches, I do have some accidental presses here and there, especially with the space bar, probably because of the shape, though.Getting used to the actual switches wasn't hard and didn't take long at all. The biggest difference between this keyboard and standard ones is the form factor. Besides accidentally hitting the macro keys when reaching for tilde and ESC, the surfaces of the keycaps are narrower, at least on top. Another reviewer stated that they tried to fit the entire thing in the same physical size as a normal keyboard, but that doesn't seem to be the case when comparing side to side. From shift to shift, the length is almost exactly the same, with this keyboard actually just a bit longer. I'll do some more measurements with other keyboards, but I think the only size difference is the actual tops of the keys, where your fingers touch. None of this actually made it worse to me; on the contrary, because of my smaller hands and fingers, my typing is a lot faster in combination with the switch type.The CUE software is just a tad unintuitive, but most people shouldn't have a problem. The only gripe I have with the software is the limitation on onboard lighting effects. I understand the hardware limitation, but I'd much rather have one comprehensive profile than three limited ones. Obviously I'm not an engineer, so if that's not possible, then fine. No stars taken off for such a small software issue that could probably be changed with a firmware update if possible. The software is very comprehensive, and I'm loving the lighting effects. I'm in the process of setting my macros, remapping, and profiles, and I'm so overwhelmed with the possibilities. Granted, keyboards and mice from a lot of brands have this functionality, though I'm not sure how they compare. Either way, I'm more than satisfied with it.Overall, I am very happy with this purchase. The price point for the brown switch version is about right, maybe a little more than I'd like. Compared to something like a custom WASD keyboard, you're getting six extra macro keys and the lighting effects, but you're missing out on the attention to detail and options for switches. To be honest, I could live without the RGB and extensive lighting options; backlighting is definitely helpful and cool looking, but unnecessary if you don't need to look down at the keys, which is the case for most people looking into a high-end keyboard (especially if all you're using is WASD and the main modifiers). Alas, I needed something with extra keys for Premiere Pro and Pro Tools, without having to fiddle with remapping and macros on the 104 standard ones. If I didn't want the extra keys, I'd probably go with WASD since the price point fully customized is about the same or cheaper, and the options for switches can really be tailored to your liking. Ideally, I'd get a custom WASD with blue switches and have an external macro pad, and use this keyboard for gaming, but given my current space, that isn't an option. Either way, this will serve perfectly well in the interim. I'll update if any issues arise.

I've read some of the other reviews already. I bought the keyboard anyway.So we're going to start from the beginning. The price. Right now, it's $171.99 for Prime members. If you believe that this is too much money to spend on a keyboard, but still want this keyboard, look to the right side of the reviews. There, you'll find discounted, refurbished versions of this keyboard, for almost half the price. That should give you some idea as to whether or not you're going to get a new one.Build quality: Yes, I've only had the keyboard for a couple of days. Yes, I'm a guy with very large hands. Some of the other reviewers said that the keyboard caused them pain from the keys being 'smaller than the standard'. I, for one, am not seeing how the keys are any smaller. I'm sure that if I got a ruler out, I'd find some size discrepancy. Still, for me, it's a very comfortable keyboard. Aircraft aluminum body just does not bend. There is no flex in this keyboard. I've had one other keyboard that didn't flex. The Razer Blackwidow X Chroma, which this keyboard has replaced. I'll get to that in a few moments. There is, however, one minor issue with the right side Shift key. It sits squarely on the switch, but must be supported by two other anti-actuation pegs. If you press on either side of the right side Shift key, you will rock it on the switch, and it'll look and feel like it's been broken. It hasn't. It just needs to be re-centered on the switch. Maybe this is a design flaw, or something that's been overlooked. I don't know. But I also know that I don't normally use the right side Shift key for anything. In fact, I rarely touch the thing.The lighting: Coming from a Razer keyboard to this one is like going from a dark room into direct sunlight. These LED's are BRIGHT! Like Razer, the switch body is clear, which allows the light to be diffused through the body of the switch, and there is one (1) LED per switch. What isn't like Razer, as far as the lighting is concerned, is the fact that I can turn the lights off, or turn the intensity down if I need to. Razer doesn't allow that. For them, it's always on, all the time. Also, I can switch lighting profiles if I need to. I don't need to, but it's nice to know that I can if I wanted to. There's also a very nice 'light edge' across the top. In other words, Lighting: god-tier, and beautiful. But this isn't about the lighting, is it?The keys and switches: These are the Cherry MX Speed switches everyone is having a mild issue with. Some say you can't rest your fingers on the keys without activating the switches. As I said, I have large hands, and most likely heavy fingers. They're resting on the keys when I'm between words, or if I'm distracted. There's no activation while I do this. The switches have a 45g activation weight, and a 1.2 mm travel distance. There is a learning curve to these keys. They're quiet, but still slightly clicky. If I were to compare these to the Razer green switches, there isn't one. These are by far, better switches because they're quiet, fast, responsive (some would say too responsive). But remember, there is a learning curve to these things. If I were to go back to the other keyboard, I'd feel like I was using a hammer on the keyboard just to type a letter.The bonuses: Macro keys. There are quite a few keyboards on the market today that have macro keys. Some people have complained about these macro keys. Like there's no place to put their pinky (left hand) without striking one of these macro keys. I've found that my left pinky slots nicely in between the macro keys and the standard keyboard layout. And because I can rest my fingers on the keyboard without activating a key, it's a comfortable place for it. Programming them isn't something I've done yet, I haven't found a reason for one yet. But I'm sure some MMO or MOBA players will enjoy them. They're just as fast, quiet and responsive as the rest of the keys.What's missing on a good many keyboards on the market these days is the volume control and media control keys. They are not missing on this keyboard, and they are a welcome addition to the keyboard. While I was using the Razer keyboard, I had to re-bind 3 of the lesser used keys on the keyboard, just to get volume control on the keyboard. So I lost the Pause/Break, Page Up, and Page Down keys for volume control. This keyboard has a very nice roller bar for moving the volume up and down, and a mute button. I can have my keys back, even if I don't use them all that often. The media control keys are also a welcome addition. However, I've found that the Play/Pause button works on audio files, and the Stop button works on youtube videos. The FF and Rewind keys I've not tried yet, but I suspect they're for finer DVD or Blu-Ray control, should a movie be played. Still, very nice to have them, even if I don't use them.The USB pass-through: People have complained about the big fat wire coming off the backside of this keyboard. Yes, it's got two USB cords wound up in there. One of them powers the keyboard, the other is for the USB pass-through. Is it necessary to have a pass-through? Not really, but have you ever noticed that you're just one USB port short on the front of your computer for what you need? I have... Now I'm not one port short anymore. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.The Windows lock-out key. Yes, this has one, and it is but one button on this whole keyboard that requires a mention of it's own. With this key, you can disable the Windows key, you can disable Alt+F4 function, Alt+Tab and you can disable the Shift+Tab function (in the event you've ever been mucking about, and accidentally hit Shift and Tab during a game on Steam). You can set what gets disabled, and what doesn't. When the light is red (or whatever color you set it as) the Windows key is enabled. When it's green (or whatever you set it as), it's disabled. Trust me, I've accidentally hit that Windows key too many times to NOT disable it when I don't need it.The Cons: They are very few. Ergonomically speaking, because I have large hands, my thumbs are rubbing together quite often. I suspect this is a design flaw of the human body rather than a problem with the keyboard. But there is that learning curve to think about. I'll get used to it in about a week.The price: If you need a keyboard, and want luxury, this is the keyboard for you. There is NO reason anyone should get this keyboard other than "I want that". As a result, you will pay for what you want. Then you will complain that you paid so much for what you wanted, while you're using the thing you wanted, and enjoying the experience the whole time. But if you want a keyboard that has all the bells and whistles, and is a joy to use, the Corsair K95 Platinum is the keyboard you were looking for. *Amazon Pro-Tip: If you want this keyboard, but don't want to pay the close to $200 for it, Amazon sells refurbished versions of it. Links are to the right.*