Yeah, that's really annoying. Even if it did have the right Windows key, the wonky key spacing knocks it right off my list. It's going to be nearly impossible to get after market keycaps for this board. Enthusiasts who are willing to drop three figures on a keyboard also like to put custom caps on.
No points given or deducted anywhere. I don't do "points" at all.
The bottom row is slightly different between all advanced full-size keyboards. The layout that you mention is followed on tenkeyless keyboards only, and even then some tenkeyless keyboards still do have a different bottom row. None of the full size keyboards I ever reviewed follows the "standard" layout of the basic ANSI 104-key keyboard. Technically, the ANSI specification (and the ISO too) do not specifically limit the length of these keys.
"The STRAFE actually features one thing that none of the top tier Corsair keyboards has - an USB port. The pass-through USB port is found at the rear of the keyboard, near the thick cable."
My Cherry MX Red K70 has a USB port in the same spot - at the rear of the keyboard to the right of the thick cable...
Key words here are "top tier". The standard K70 is a very well made keyboard but it is not even programmable. The K70 RGB falls into the "top tier" classification.
I am not sure I entirely agree with the definition of "top tier" meaning it is simply programmable. I could not care less if my keyboard was programmable I would rather it be well made, look nice and feel nice to type on. If it met all of this I would still consider it top tier, just meeting a different set of criteria.
Either way, I actually do own a K70 and while I do really like it I think the aluminium top plate is a bit of a case of style over substance. Yes it looks lovely, but press down on it anywhere on the keyboard and the plastic chassis will creak quite badly. There is no creaking during typing, but that's not really the point. Surely Corsair could have made the whole chassis frame out of aluminium and then we would have a keyboard!
Well, the programming can be saved to the keyboard no? Some will value that... Because they use it on multiple machines, or don't like the software running, or whatever.
In no way, shape, or form is it being programmable necessary for a keyboard to be of high quality and revered as top-tier. What you're telling me is that the Scuf controller is top tier.. That a programmable macro is top-tier.. NO
"an USB port" - Sorry, I can't resist. Anyone else having trouble saying this phrase? Yes the general rule is use "an" when the next word begins with a vowel, like "an apple". But we're not saying "an OOH-ESS-BEE port" we're saying "a YOU-ESS-BEE port" so use "a" not "an". Thanks! </soapbox>
It's nice to see the old Corsair logo is back and this is about the right price + feature set on a mechanical keyboard to tempt me into buying one. The more understated look is a good thing too. I'm sort of disappointed that the days of getting a metal-backed IBM PS2 keyboard with mechanical switches from a computer show for like $10 are long gone though since mechanical switches are now a gamer/premium product thing.
It's not the "old" logo. This is the redesigned logo they announced last month and are going to use going forward. I'm sure if the new sails are better than the old one.
I'm *not* sure if the new sails are better than the old one. Still, either one is much better than that...other one...Does anyone know if the K series will get the new logo?
The standard K70 does have one but I do not consider it a "top tier" product, as it lacks programmability. The K70 RGB falls into the "top tier" classification and it does not have any USB ports.
I want an ergo keyboard mechanical for an affordable price. I use Microsoft OEM Natural Ergonomic Keyboard's (the old one) now. Can drop the backlighting and much more. USB passthrough is a good idea, ideally two.
What is the difference between blacks and reds? I have a brown CM Storm (my first keyboard) and a blues ducky shine 3. I've never liked blacks, but I've never tried reds. Both being linear switches, are they very similar in feel? Blacks feel very mushy to me, especially up against the awesome feeling of blues.
Reds are also linear, but much lighter than blacks. Blacks are ~60g, Reds are 45g.
If blacks are mushy to you, Browns should be more your speed, as they have a bump like Blues, though they are slightly lighter at 45-55 compared to the Blues 50-60.
What gets me about the gaming mech keyboards is I can't figure out what I am paying for over the G710+? Essentially, they're all the same, except some style points. I've read that red keylighting can for some reason be extremely distracting as well, so I'm a bit leery on that point.
I have red lighting on my K70 and it's not distracting at all (though I can turn it off if I want, which I do when I'm playing games with a controller instead of the keyboard, or when I'm watching a video in the dark).
Took me 5s to realize I'd never buy one. No dedicated Media Keys, No Purchase. Not hitting right side FN and F9-12 to turn down the sound or skip track.
my sentiment exactly. corsair is one of the few who actually had proper dedicated media buttons in their mechanical keyboards, especially when it comes to high end.
This looks almost exactly like the FUNC KB460 that has been on the market for some time (I got mine 1½ years ago). The Fn key is in the same place, F-keys are for media and other fucntions... Everything except for the keycaps and the single USB port (2 on KB460) is completely identical.
Mechanical motherboard? It's in the article summary on the homepage: "Corsair just released a new mechanical motherboard, the STRAFE,"... This made me laugh a lot :) I guess we are going to make clackety-clack noises on our motherboard when we slot in the RAM :D
Corsair, if you're reading this, please do a version with two USB ports and dedicated media keys. I could even live without the second USB port, but no dedicated media keys is a non-starter for me. If I'm going to drop a C-note on a keyboard, that's mandatory.
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N_rman - Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - link
No points deducted for a non-standard bottom row?sweenish - Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - link
It's one key on the right side. For gaming, I don't see it disrupting much flow. Unless that Windows key was crucial to you.BigTinz - Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - link
It's actually a completely non-standard bottom row, not just "one key".1.5|1|1.25|6.5|1.25|1|1|1.5 instead of the standard 1.25|1.25|1.25|6.25|1.25|1.25|1.25|1.25
Mr Perfect - Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - link
Yeah, that's really annoying. Even if it did have the right Windows key, the wonky key spacing knocks it right off my list. It's going to be nearly impossible to get after market keycaps for this board. Enthusiasts who are willing to drop three figures on a keyboard also like to put custom caps on.piiman - Saturday, July 18, 2015 - link
Ahhh not everyone and most don't.edzieba - Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - link
"Unless that Windows key was crucial to you."It WOULD screw with the Win+L lock-screen-when-standing-up reflex.
Flunk - Thursday, July 16, 2015 - link
Not for me, I always hit the left one.GekkePrutser - Monday, July 20, 2015 - link
Which is also in the wrong place :)E.Fyll - Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - link
No points given or deducted anywhere. I don't do "points" at all.The bottom row is slightly different between all advanced full-size keyboards. The layout that you mention is followed on tenkeyless keyboards only, and even then some tenkeyless keyboards still do have a different bottom row. None of the full size keyboards I ever reviewed follows the "standard" layout of the basic ANSI 104-key keyboard. Technically, the ANSI specification (and the ISO too) do not specifically limit the length of these keys.
jfallen - Thursday, July 16, 2015 - link
Delete this comment after you fix the problem. on the Anandtech home page it states:"Corsair have released a new Mechanical Motherboard"
regards
Jordan
gamemavin - Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - link
"The STRAFE actually features one thing that none of the top tier Corsair keyboards has - an USB port. The pass-through USB port is found at the rear of the keyboard, near the thick cable."My Cherry MX Red K70 has a USB port in the same spot - at the rear of the keyboard to the right of the thick cable...
E.Fyll - Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - link
Key words here are "top tier". The standard K70 is a very well made keyboard but it is not even programmable. The K70 RGB falls into the "top tier" classification.Coup27 - Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - link
I am not sure I entirely agree with the definition of "top tier" meaning it is simply programmable. I could not care less if my keyboard was programmable I would rather it be well made, look nice and feel nice to type on. If it met all of this I would still consider it top tier, just meeting a different set of criteria.Either way, I actually do own a K70 and while I do really like it I think the aluminium top plate is a bit of a case of style over substance. Yes it looks lovely, but press down on it anywhere on the keyboard and the plastic chassis will creak quite badly. There is no creaking during typing, but that's not really the point. Surely Corsair could have made the whole chassis frame out of aluminium and then we would have a keyboard!
Flunk - Thursday, July 16, 2015 - link
Programmable keys are pretty pointless, it's mostly a software feature that can be replicated easily using 3rd party software.Impulses - Saturday, July 18, 2015 - link
Well, the programming can be saved to the keyboard no? Some will value that... Because they use it on multiple machines, or don't like the software running, or whatever.ntuxn00 - Saturday, July 18, 2015 - link
So, you're telling me that a gimmick is what decides what's top tier and what's not?ntuxn00 - Saturday, July 18, 2015 - link
In no way, shape, or form is it being programmable necessary for a keyboard to be of high quality and revered as top-tier. What you're telling me is that the Scuf controller is top tier.. That a programmable macro is top-tier.. NODorek - Wednesday, July 29, 2015 - link
That's a ludicrously stupid criteria.Eidigean - Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - link
"an USB port" - Sorry, I can't resist. Anyone else having trouble saying this phrase? Yes the general rule is use "an" when the next word begins with a vowel, like "an apple". But we're not saying "an OOH-ESS-BEE port" we're saying "a YOU-ESS-BEE port" so use "a" not "an". Thanks! </soapbox>Coup27 - Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - link
Whether to use a or an before a vowel is determined by the pronunciation and not by the spelling, as many people wrongly assume.People should also use "an SSD" instead of "a SSD".
Flunk - Thursday, July 16, 2015 - link
Absolutely correct, this is why second-language speakers of English often find this rule very difficult.Gunbuster - Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - link
Bonus points for walking back from that terrible "gaming" tattoo logoBrokenCrayons - Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - link
It's nice to see the old Corsair logo is back and this is about the right price + feature set on a mechanical keyboard to tempt me into buying one. The more understated look is a good thing too. I'm sort of disappointed that the days of getting a metal-backed IBM PS2 keyboard with mechanical switches from a computer show for like $10 are long gone though since mechanical switches are now a gamer/premium product thing.GTRagnarok - Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - link
It's not the "old" logo. This is the redesigned logo they announced last month and are going to use going forward. I'm sure if the new sails are better than the old one.GTRagnarok - Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - link
I'm *not* sure if the new sails are better than the old one. Still, either one is much better than that...other one...Does anyone know if the K series will get the new logo?BrokenCrayons - Thursday, July 16, 2015 - link
Yes, you're right isn't quite the same. It's still an improvement over the logo they were previously using.WorldWithoutMadness - Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - link
It would be great if you guys can review on its inner built quality as well (PCB and soldering joints, etc)BigTinz - Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - link
K70s have USB pass through. You might want to make note of that in the article.This is a pretty good looking board. Damn shame they stuck with the non-standard bottom row.
E.Fyll - Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - link
The standard K70 does have one but I do not consider it a "top tier" product, as it lacks programmability. The K70 RGB falls into the "top tier" classification and it does not have any USB ports.YoloPascual - Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - link
#DUCKYMASTERRACEConficio - Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - link
I want an ergo keyboard mechanical for an affordable price. I use Microsoft OEM Natural Ergonomic Keyboard's (the old one) now. Can drop the backlighting and much more. USB passthrough is a good idea, ideally two.MooseMuffin - Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - link
What separates this from the standard (non-RGB) K70? Seems like the aluminium body alone provides more value than anything here.E.Fyll - Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - link
The STRAFE is fully programmable. The standard K70 is not.Drumsticks - Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - link
What is the difference between blacks and reds? I have a brown CM Storm (my first keyboard) and a blues ducky shine 3. I've never liked blacks, but I've never tried reds. Both being linear switches, are they very similar in feel? Blacks feel very mushy to me, especially up against the awesome feeling of blues.Taverius - Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - link
Reds are also linear, but much lighter than blacks. Blacks are ~60g, Reds are 45g.If blacks are mushy to you, Browns should be more your speed, as they have a bump like Blues, though they are slightly lighter at 45-55 compared to the Blues 50-60.
PPalmgren - Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - link
What gets me about the gaming mech keyboards is I can't figure out what I am paying for over the G710+? Essentially, they're all the same, except some style points. I've read that red keylighting can for some reason be extremely distracting as well, so I'm a bit leery on that point.Dorek - Wednesday, July 29, 2015 - link
I have red lighting on my K70 and it's not distracting at all (though I can turn it off if I want, which I do when I'm playing games with a controller instead of the keyboard, or when I'm watching a video in the dark).ericloewe - Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - link
I feel the need to point out that centinewton should be spelled with lowercase and that the proper abbreviation is "cN".Xpl1c1t - Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - link
Anandtech, can you honestly expect someone to be productive with this typeset? This has 12 year old gamer crack written all over it.arcr2014 - Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - link
ugly. dont like it.angrypatm - Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - link
Why red? Hard on the eyes after a while.Dorek - Wednesday, July 29, 2015 - link
I don't see why that would be the case. Red lighting is actually gentler on your eyes than blue, green, or white.Sttm - Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - link
Took me 5s to realize I'd never buy one. No dedicated Media Keys, No Purchase. Not hitting right side FN and F9-12 to turn down the sound or skip track.londiste - Thursday, July 16, 2015 - link
my sentiment exactly. corsair is one of the few who actually had proper dedicated media buttons in their mechanical keyboards, especially when it comes to high end.Kepe - Thursday, July 16, 2015 - link
This looks almost exactly like the FUNC KB460 that has been on the market for some time (I got mine 1½ years ago). The Fn key is in the same place, F-keys are for media and other fucntions... Everything except for the keycaps and the single USB port (2 on KB460) is completely identical.Fiernaq - Thursday, July 16, 2015 - link
My exact thoughts although my KB460 just arrived yesterday (not counting the first one where Amazon shipped me the blue even though I ordered red).piiman - Saturday, July 18, 2015 - link
Can you program every key on the 460?saaarraa635 - Thursday, July 16, 2015 - link
hiiiiallquixotic - Thursday, July 16, 2015 - link
Mechanical motherboard? It's in the article summary on the homepage: "Corsair just released a new mechanical motherboard, the STRAFE,"... This made me laugh a lot :) I guess we are going to make clackety-clack noises on our motherboard when we slot in the RAM :DDorek - Wednesday, July 29, 2015 - link
It's a motherboard with vacuum tubes instead of transistors!LB-ID - Thursday, July 16, 2015 - link
Corsair, if you're reading this, please do a version with two USB ports and dedicated media keys. I could even live without the second USB port, but no dedicated media keys is a non-starter for me. If I'm going to drop a C-note on a keyboard, that's mandatory.EggNoodles - Saturday, July 18, 2015 - link
My Das Keyboard 4 was $138 with student discount....kinda hard to justify $110 for thispiiman - Saturday, July 18, 2015 - link
Why? The DAS was more expensive, even with your discount, and does less. Seems like its easy to justify.