CORSAIR Vengeance K65 Compact Mechanical Gaming Keyboard - Linear & Quiet - Cherry MX Red

For awhile, I’ve only been a fan of the Razer Blackwidow series of mechanical keyboards because I thought they were the only brand at the top of the charts of gaming oriented computer technology and hardware. I had never branched out before my purchase of the Corsair K65 compact; from about a week of 8 or more hours of daily use and lugging it around in my backpack, I’d say that my horizons have expanded far beyond what they have been. I use it for massive gaming sessions, typing papers, and even occasionally bring it to work to type up a few documents. From gaming to simply typing a simple message to someone on the internet, this keyboard has been a complete joy to use, from the feeling and sound of the keys themselves to the extra space that has been created on my desk, and is far above any keyboard that I have used thus far in nearly every way. I sit in my big armchair, happily typing away at this review to the best key sounds I’ve ever heard.FEELING The corsair K65 is not too far different from other mechanical keyboards. The hardware underneath the keycaps are simple Cherry MX Red mechanical switches. The MX Reds make far less noise than that of the more popular Blues and Greens, which makes for a less distinct and piercing noise when your typing or gaming gets a little bit fierce. There is far less of an ear-snapping click when the key is depressed than other mechanicals. Rather, there is a very satisfying and deep clack that you can control by hardening or lightening the touch you use while you type. When using the keyboard quietly, you do not even need to press the keys down all the way due to the 2 millimeter switch activation. When you really want to hear yourself, just add a bit of pressure and let your fingers fly in a frenzy of clacking goodness. Every touch is as satisfying as the very first with the K65, and it won’t stop pleasing your ears until it gets destroyed. Which it won’t.DURABILITYEverything about this compact is extremely robust in its construction. The case keys, and fold out stands are made out of a very solid, Razer-esque molded plastic with rubber feet that would stay in their bezels if the keyboard suffered an explosion. Even the port for the usb cable is durable. It has a two inch channel molded into the plastic on the bottom end to prevent crimping or pinching of the braided cable, which, even if it did get compromised, would be difficult to ruin. Everything on the base of the K65 lines up and lays perfectly level while the kick-out stands are both in and out. The top of this keyboard features a solid piece of brushed aluminum that is both beautiful and as robust as the come. I dropped it on the desk from above my head a few times, and let me tell you, it damaged my desk more than any surface on the K65.PORTABILITY There isn’t a backpack that can’t hold this little guy. With the lack of a 10 key bay, the size of the keyboard is significantly reduced to 65% of a full sized keyboard, earning the K65 name. Though this reduction is significant, the key scaling remains unchanged and is much easier on the digits than a little laptop keyboard, though it is barely bigger than one. I haven’t had any trouble lugging the K65 around school or to my friends’ places because of the size and, more importantly for distance, the weight. The aluminum top, small size, and slim profile allow ease of carry to anywhere you need it. I think it’s super handy to have a keyboard around that does not cramp my hands after a small period of use, such as in class while note taking.PRICEAh, yes, the money. For 35 percent less keyboard, you’d think the price would be about 25 to 35 percent less than your average high quality mechanical keyboard. This statement, is in face, accurate. When the Razer Blackwidow Chroma came out, I purchased it for 125 dollars on sale. The K65 is modestly priced at 75 dollars, and is well worth every penny spent. The reduction of the size and loss of the 10 key warrant the price reduction in comparison to full-size keyboards, though I would have paid 100 for the K65 without batting an eye. Other mechanicals I have used in the past pale in comparison to this unit in just about every way except for LED lighting (which you can get on the K65 LED version for a few more simoleons and is fully customizable). As far as I’ve seen, there is currently no competitor for this keyboard for its application.AESTHETICSThere are only two options for the K65 currently, and they are both beautiful. The brushed aluminum top is strikingly subtle, and stands out just enough on my desk to be noticeable by myself and guests, while simple enough to be pleasing to the eye, and doesn’t jump out at you like a brightly colored competitor would. The more modest blacktop option blends in and compliments any rig like a matching handbag to a Sunday dress. Either way, you’re going to get a stylish unit that you’ll love seeing every time you bring it out.The Corsair K65 Compact unit delivers all the punch that I need in a fast, reliable keyboard, and accomplishes all of my portability needs in one fell swoop. This keyboard would pass every elitists inspection down to the nitty gritty details. It’s a must-have for gamers and students alike in every way. I fully recommend purchase of this unit for every application that could be asked of it, whether it be gaming, home use, school, or work related activities. Once you feel one, you won’t ever want to go back to your boring old keyboard.

The K65 is essentially a K70 with a shaved off Tenkey... except it's not. There are minute differences that make this board inferior to the K70, in my opinion, but overall do not detract from this being a 5-star item.I've been wanting a mechanical keyboard for about the last half year, and was waiting for the Corsair MX RGB K70 to come out, but decided to get the K70 instead and treated myself to one of these K65s with the money I saved from electing to skip out on the RGB lighting.First, the keycaps. The keycaps on the K70 are rubbery/plastidipped and feel smooth yet grippy, which is one of the best feelings I've ever felt while typing on a keyboard. It just feels RIGHT to me, having that smooth, soft, rubbery coating. The keycaps on the K65, however, are really nothing more than a cheapy rubber dome's keycaps. They are screen printed rather than laser-etched, and instead of smooth and rubbery, have this plasticy, textured feeling to them. Perhaps it appeals to some, but not so much to me.However, it's not detrimental to the board. The red switches are a joy to type on, and the keycaps don't ruin, and hardly even diminish that fact.The keyboard's overall build quality is stellar. The metal plate is rigid and sturdy, and offers a really lovely surface to rest your hands on. The plastic body is likewise excellently built, and there is little to no flex on the keyboard at all. It's just generally a wonderful build.Unlike the K70, this model does not come with front-facing bottom feet, nor does it include contoured keycaps or any sort of keypuller, which I found to be a bit lacking. However, a high-quality WASD keypuller from Amazon costs no more than $5-6, and the Corsair keypuller included in the K70 isn't nearly as good as that WASD one. I'm considering buying one of the WASD keypullers anyway.I love the red switches for light typing, and for gaming just about equally. Though I make a lot of mistakes due to the light actuation force, it's really a joy to use, and provides a portable and quiet alternative to my K70 with MX Blues.Overall, 9/10, just as with my K70. There are things that hold this product back from the overall 10/10, but I can't see a reason not to give this product my full support. It's only been a day since I opened it and the K70, so I can't say much for it's longevity, but I can say that I'm really looking forward to years of use out of my two Corsair keyboards.

I bought this Corsair Cherry MX Red K65 after my Cherry MX Blue DasKeyboard died on me after 3 years of usage. I loved the MX Blues audible and tactile clicks, but didnt want to replace it with another MX Blue as my Wife complained many times over about how loud the Cherry MX Blues were. She actually celebrated my DasKeyboard dying, and begged me not to get another. So that lead me to try Cherry MX Browns and Reds. I ultimately felt like I liked using the Reds a bit more and found that Linear keys grew on me pretty quickly, so went with this K65. Ive been using the K65 for over 2 months now and am loving it, even moreso than the Blues and Browns. Even though its a Linear switch, it still has a satisfying sound when bottomed out, while not being as annoying loud to those around you as the Blue switches are, and without any tactile bump like the Brown switches. If that tactile bump is something you need, the Cherry MX Reds might not be for you.The keyboard itself is very high quality, as are the keys. This keyboard has no backlighting whatsoever, so if backlighting is something you must have, look elsewhere, same goes for the Numpad. Ive never been one to like lights in my keyboards, which is why this is replacing a DasKeyboard, which didnt have backlight either. This keyboard is compact and perfect for my desktop. This keyboard is a straightforward, typing machine that isnt overly complicated and doesnt waste your space. Its great for typing as well as gaming!Its a simple design for those that enjoy the simpler things in life.