For quite some time, Corsair has continuously been in the frontlines of gaming peripherals and devices. Needless to say, the company really knows their stuff, especially when it comes to making a solid and highly efficient gaming keyboard.
Today, we’re going to check out the Corsair K70 MK.2 Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard. The K70 MK.2 that we’ll be focusing on will be the Cherry MX Rapidfire version that comes with RGB LEDs and Cherry MX switches.
The K70 MK.2 is generally an updated version of the K70 RGB but compared to its predecessor, this mechanical keyboard’s primary difference from other similar devices would be the swatches.
Corsair K70 MK.2 Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard Review – What’s in the Box?
When we first got our hands on the Corsair K70 MK.2 low profile mechanical keyboard, it came in your typical keyboard package that sports a yellow theme with hints of black.
The front of the box features a bright yellow shade, and right in the middle of this, you will find an image of the K70 MK.2. On the upper left corner, you will see the company’s name written there which is next to the logo. On the upper right corner, you will find the product’s name, while on the lower right corner, you’ll find iCUE’s logo. This indicates that the keyboard is compatible with the software.
The back portion of the box shows a full image of the keyboard and on the right corner of this area, there are details of the product’s key features. Below these, you will see a side-view image of the keyboard which exhibits how slim it is compared to the older models from Corsair.
When you open the box, you will immediately see the keyboard in a clear plastic wrap. Beneath this, you will find the documentation as well as the accessories such as the additional key caps and the wrist rest.
The Product
Corsair K70 MK.2 Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard Review
It’s clear that Corsair really produces beautiful and efficient keyboards, and you can see this in their K70 line. It exhibits a sense of simplicity and sheer elegance to its design, and the K70 MK.2 keyboard is no different. Its black brushed and anodized aluminum top plate and frame is visually appealing while still appropriate for the office.
As soon as you get your hands on this low-profile keyboard, you’ll see just how solid and sturdy the device actually is. The company produced such a device to provide you with a sense of increased quality and efficiency at any given time. This K70 MK.2 Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard is made from durable plastic.
It also features an aluminum faceplate which is common in Corsair’s keyboards. Aside from these, its palm rest exhibits a comfortable soft touch surface.
Just like the other keyboards from the K70 line, the MK.2 features a floating keycap style. The company has focused on this specific look, and we’re really a big fan of this design. It doesn’t only let the RGB lighting shine, but it also provides the additional benefit of making the device easier and more convenient to clean.
The back portion of the K70 MK.2 keyboard displays two small feet that allow you to change the keyboard’s angle. It also has four rubber feet beneath it that suctions the keyboard to your desk to prevent it from slipping during intense gaming sessions.
This K70 MK.2 features an RGB keyboard backlight and comes with the Cherry MX low profile speed key switches. It makes use of a USB 2.0 Type A passthrough, plus a HID keyboard report rate of 1,000Hz.
The keyboard features a 104-key matrix with additionally textured and colored caps for aesthetics. Of course, the keyboard has wired connectivity as well as YN media controls; and the good thing about this is that its height can be adjusted based on your preference. Corsair also ensured that this full TKL sized keyboard is 100% anti-ghosting, and you also get dedicated media keys for stop, next, previous, play / pause.
On-board memory and WIN lock are available, plus, you have a comfy wrist rest included. Don’t worry about it if you don’t want the rest on the device. Corsair made it a detachable piece so you can use it only when you need to.
There are three onboard profiles that you can use while it is also supported in the CUE 2.X software. As for the cable type, the K70 MK.2 uses a braided cable. The keyboard weighs a total of 1.08 kilograms and has a two-year warranty for your convenience.
Lastly, the keyboard is compatible for use with computers with a USB 2.0 port. It can also work with operating systems like Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows 10. You should also remember that a good internet connection is necessary to download the iCUE software to better customize the keyboard.
Product Features
Non-Stop Gaming for Continuous Enjoyment
With the K70 MK.2, gaming comfort has surely increased. You’ll get to optimize the position of your palm via the lower key height, as well as the optimized accessibility of multimedia controls. With the design of this low-profile keyboard, you’ll have your palms closer and in a more parallel position which will give you a better, more comfortable, and natural feel.
Stylish Design + Cherry MX Speed Mechanical Key Switches
The K70 MK.2’s lightweight and slim design also comes with a durable aluminum frame. It is built to readily withstand extended hours of gameplay at just 29 millimeters tall. Not only that, but you’ll get excellent performance with the Cherry MX mechanical key switches that are featured. The keyboard’s low-profile design will give you the precision that you’ll need from the Cherry key switch with a 35% decreased key height.
Specifications
Using the Product
When it comes to the keyboard’s performance, we can’t deny that Corsair is always at the top of their game. They have been at the forefront of built-in RGBs and the K70 MK.2 is no different from their other offerings.
Just like the original MK.2, this keyboard’s lighting is exceptional. It’s highly colorful, vivid, and has tons of varying effects and patterns that we were able to tinker with. We switched between a couple of different lighting profiles that were available; if you think that this isn’t enough, you can choose to further optimize the lighting via the iCue software.
We were also quite surprised when we tried pressing on the keys since we were expecting the usual loud and clicky sounds that often come with mechanical keyboards. However, it’s still a great device, especially for those who are living in dorms or working in offices and don’t want to bother others with the clicking and clacking sounds of mechanical keyboards.
When it comes to its keystrokes, they’re actually quite precise and fast; plus, it also responds to the slightest amount of force which is really good. This is highly noticeable in first-person shooting, as well as strategy games. You’ll also need to consider the silence of the keys since you won’t hear any of the clicking sounds common in most mechanical keyboards.
Excellent for Typing
Aside from gaming, the K70 MK.2 is also excellent for typing. If you’re a writer, you’ll find that this keyboard is great for the job. You can also say that it’s a stand out for everyday tasks. The entire time we used the keyboard for typing, and there were no issues but only a smooth and seamless experience.
Usually, gaming keyboards are quite the drag to use for typing since they lack the tactile feedback. But despite this, we were able to easily and quickly type with accuracy using this K70 MK.2 from Corsair. What helped with the ease of typing was the low actuation point of the device; our fingers were gliding across the keyboard, and we also found the keys to be comfortable since its shape was wider than the typical keyboard around.
Helpful Extras
Considering that the K70 MK.2 is a high-end and premium gaming keyboard, it is packed with a ton of quality extras. Its braided cable is nice and adequately thick, which makes it a plus for traveling. Also, if you’re someone who travels a lot or has a couple of cats in your home, the cable is perfect against their nibbling and chewing.
There’s a USB pass-through port that’s available and we think that it’s really helpful. Also, if you need additional ports for a mouse or a thumb drive, then this is just as helpful. The included detachable wrist guard is a great inclusion to the K70 MK.2. Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard. Generally, it’s a feature that one would either love or hate; for us, we actually like it since it adds more comfort to your gaming experience.
Additionally, we think that having additional keys for disabling the Windows key, adjusting and controlling the RGB lightning brightness, as well as switching light profiles is good. It may not appear to be really important but the media keys are really a joy to utilize.
When it comes to the volume wheel, this offers the ideal amount of weight and feedback; plus, it scrolls well. The media keys are also adequately wide. The keyboard features a textured spacebar which makes it easier to find especially when you’re intently focused on gaming. If you like the textured keys, there are additional keycaps included in the package which are similar to the spacebar.
Software
Corsair iCUE Software
The iCUE software links all of your compatible devices in one interface. It provides you with full control over all aspects including RGB lighting, effects, temperature monitoring, and even fan speed.
The complementing iCUE software is able to setup the K70 MK.2’s backlight on a per key basis. It may sound a bit tedious but really, it isn’t. However, you’ll need to have a bit of knowledge on how iCUE can apply the colors to the various keys on the device.
The iCUE software from Corsair makes managing things a lot easier. You’ll just need to click and drag your mouse over a number of your chosen keys that you want to apply colors to. Another option is by holding the CTRL button while dragging to incrementally add keys.
Of course, you will first need to download the software from Corsair’s website. As soon as you have successfully installed the iCUE software, you can begin programming the macros and change its lighting. When it comes to the macros, you can just assign these to any key of your choice; this only means that you aren’t limited to the various keys on the K70 MK.2. With that, you can set ripple, pulse, as well as the wave effects.
The software is essential since it has everything you need. Plus, it’s a free application and you don’t have to worry about any issues when getting it. We really liked that macros can be programmed to each available key on the K70 MK.2. Also, you can get to fully customize the keyboard’s backlight based on your style and preferences.
Conclusion
When it comes to this K70 MK.2 Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard from Corsair, you know that the company has produced another high-quality keyboard. It’s something that you can describe as being almost perfect since it almost has no flaws at all. We really like that this device is very sturdy and solid which is mostly due to its weight and the thick aluminum faceplate.
Another element that we really loved about the keyboard is the Cherry MX low profile RGB switches. These are really excellent for gaming and typing which is necessary for people who use their keyboard for both gaming and work.
Its software is vital and has everything that you’d need; plus, it’s also free and easy to download. It’s also pretty cool that macros can be readily programmed to each key on the K70 MK.2. Not only that, but the keyboard’s backlight is also highly customizable which we think is really awesome.
Overall, the keyboard is a great device for gamers who prefer a slimmer board with a solid feel. It also looks and feels great, and works efficiently for both work, typing, and gaming use. So with that, if you’re someone who’s searching for a brand new mechanical gaming keyboard, then we highly suggest this Corsair K70 MK.2 low profile mechanical keyboard.
Where to Buy
Go out right now and pickup the Corsair K70 MK.2 Low Profile mechanical gaming keyboard, you need it now! You can pick one up for around $249AUD. For more information head on over to the official product page.
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