Corsair K65 RGB MINI 60% Mechanical Wired Gaming Keyboard - CHERRY MX RED Switches - PBT Double-Shot Keycaps - iCUE Compatible - QWERTY UK Layout - Black

Product Information

We've added a link to the newly-reviewed Corsair K65 PRO MINI to the Dimensions section of this review. We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.3, which overhauls how key input is evaluated. We've added new tests for Single Key Latency, Multi Key Latency, Data Transmission, and Chord Split. We've also introduced a new Raw Performance usage and adjusted how the Gaming and Office usage scores are calculated. You can see the full changelog here. That's why it's a shame that, for the life of me, I could not figure out a comfortable way to activate most of the K65 RGB Mini's keyboard shortcuts. For those who haven't used a mini keyboard before, you're required to use shortcuts for a lot of familiar functionality, from media controls to arrow keys. You do this by holding down a function key, then pressing a corresponding shortcut key elsewhere on the keyboard. If you are experiencing unexpected behavior with your keyboard such as lighting issues or unresponsiveness, you can try resetting the keyboard to fix the issue.

Here’s how the math breaks down: A 1,000 Hz polling rate leads to a 1ms delay between a key being pressed and a PC registering a keypress. The K65 RGB Mini’s maximum 8,000 Hz polling rate reduces that to a 0.125ms delay. Corsair has strayed from the 1,000 Hz standard before with the Corsair K100 RGB, but that much pricier keyboard’s maximum polling rate is 4,000 Hz. There is one flashy component, however. The space key features a unique fractal design that lets RGB light shine through. While it's look is unlike any keycap design I’ve seen, the concept of having RGB light pierce the spacebar is one already seen in the HyperX Alloy Origins 60.After about a week with the K65 RGB Mini, I averaged 125.6 words per minute (wpm) with 97.7% accuracy on the 10fastfingers.com typing test. That’s faster than I was with the Alloy Origins 60 (117 wpm) but equally accurate. Some of that speed boost may have more to do with me getting more familiar with the test and 60% keyboards though. Not only are the keys comfortable; they're also efficient. On a Typing.com test, I scored 123 words per minute with 99% accuracy on the K65 RGB Mini. This is exactly the same as what I scored on my regular Logitech G915. Earning the same score on a review keyboard is almost unheard of, since I'm so much more familiar with the G915, which speaks to just how responsive and precise the K65 RGB Mini feels.

After about 2 to 5 seconds, release the ESC key. You will see the keyboard lighting flash if the reset is successful. On the other hand, Final Fantasy XIV presented some challenges. This game, like a lot of MMOs, requires a lot of button commands from across the entire keyboard. Having to learn (or program) shortcuts slowed down my skill rotation and just generally felt a lot less convenient than having a full-size, or even TKL, model. As stated above, the Corsair K65 RGB Mini runs on the iCUE software. As with other Corsair gaming peripherals, you can use iCUE to program some delightfully complex patterns on the bright and beautiful RGB-illuminated keys. The learning curve is a bit steep, but you can always just slap down a rainbow wave and call it a day. The custom spacebar looks cool, even if I prefer the topographic design HyperX used for the Alloy Origins 60. Its light texturing adds a bit of flair without becoming a distraction every time the key is pressed. And it probably would’ve been enough to help the K65 RGB Mini stand out. Corsair didn’t stop there, however. The company also used a custom finish on the standard keycaps that makes it look like someone with severe dandruff scratched their scalp over the keyboard.While appropriate for gaming, I find Red switches a bit light to depress for heavy typing. Your experience may vary, but I find that any hesitation when pressing a key can result in an accidental keypress. Tactile mechanical switches would come in handy in that regard, but, again, the K65 RGB Mini is only available with linear ones. The 60% layout also takes some getting used to. People who need a number pad balk at tenkeyless keyboards; I bet they gasp in horror upon sight of a 60% board. Instead of having a limited number of keyboard profile slots, the number that you can create is predicated on what you change in each profile. Corsair claims you can make up to 50 profiles, but presumably those would each have only a few altered keys and no macros. Corsair told me that keyboard hyperpolling isn't as system taxing as mice hyperpolling, and that the language will be changed to diminish the concern. Still, if the potential impact on performance is large enough that Corsair deems it necessary to include a message, then the company should also be more transparent about system requirements and provide recommended specs. A High Curve to Climb The K65 RGB Mini is compatible with iCue, Corsair’s peripheral configuration software. The recently redesigned iCue app lets you create keyboard profiles with remapped keys and custom macros, change RGB lighting, and adjust other settings. With the revision, iCue is easier to read than before thanks to a larger, more visually minded interface.