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The 60% form factor is ideal for competitive gamers, who have seen full-sized boards left in the dust as of late. Gaming keyboards appear to be the only thing that is continually becoming smaller despite this trend. However, a significant number of players believed that doing rid of the arrow keys was going too far, and as a result, manufacturers have finally started releasing products with a 65% form factor.
However, this only tells part of the story. In addition to these features, the K65 Pro Mini from Corsair comes equipped with optical switches, premium PBT keycaps, and sound-dampening foam. However, all of these premium trimmings ultimately wind up being passed on to the consumer.
Corsair K65 Pro Mini Specifications
The Corsair K65 Pro Mini is a compact optical keyboard with all the features and benefits of a full-size model. In addition, everything is offered at a reasonable price.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Switch type | Corsair OPX optical |
| Connectivity | Wired |
| Form factor | 65% |
| Keycaps | PBT double-shot |
| Programming | Per-key lighting and action | FN + modifier layer |
| Dimensions | 12.4 x 4.1 x 1.4 in |
| Weight | 0.58 kg / 1.28 lbs |
| Check Price |
Corsair K65 Pro Mini: Design
If you were to line up numerous gaming keyboards side by side and try to single out the Corsair K65 Pro Mini from the other keyboards, you would be unable to do so. The all-black finish combined with a font that has a “gamer-y” vibe for its legend is not particularly remarkable, nor is it anything fresh or interesting. Rather, it is exactly the same as previous designs.
The matte coating is applied to the plastic bottom shell, which is made of plastic and contains several feet that are adjustable as well as a USB-C connector placed on the left side of the shell. In the meantime, the top plate is constructed out of metal and features switches that are plate-mounted. You are fortunate enough to receive superior double-shot PBT keycaps with a lengthy legend for additional functionalities. In addition, these keycaps feature shine-through characteristics so that you can enjoy the benefits of RGB lighting. Been there, done that, please go on to the next keyboard.
Corsair K65 Pro Mini: Lighting
Corsair has long been known for having stunning lighting, and the K65 Pro Mini maintains true to that tradition. Although the lighting it did provide was not particularly bright or clear, the default setting of cycling through the several presets became very bothersome very soon. When you use the iCUE software from Corsair, it is simple to select from a number of different lighting profiles for the entire keyboard or to illuminate specific key regions, such as the WASD keys.
Within iCUE, you are able to simply design macros and assign multiple functions to individual keys. You can also disable some keys and their associated shortcuts, in addition to the Windows keys, to prevent any inadvertent typing from occurring.
Corsair K65 Pro Mini: Software
The majority of users will benefit greatly from the Corsair K65 Pro Mini without ever having to install any additional software. Nevertheless, the K65 Pro Mini may be optimized for optimal performance and functionality with the help of Corsair’s iCue software. The good news is that Corsair has made significant improvements in streamlining the iCue software, making keyboard setup fast, straightforward, and intuitive.
The K65 Pro Mini’s iCue software allows users to customize the device’s backlighting, key mappings, and profile settings. All the flashy lighting effects you’d expect to see on a Corsair memory stick, AIO, or other accessory are here. The K65 Pro Mini can save up to 50 different lighting profiles in its 8 MB of internal memory, and most users will likely want to set up new macros to go with their lighting setups.
Corsair K65 Pro Mini: Gaming Performance
The Corsair K65 Pro Mini seemed quite at home on our workstation, and it shines most in competitive games. However, we found the board’s reduced footprint to be really handy in games like Fortnite, even though the switches’ smoothness could be enhanced. In Final Fantasy XIV, meantime, we bound the game’s several macro buttons to facilitate our raiding efforts.
We eventually became annoyed by the pinging sound the board made, but other than that, we enjoyed our time using it for gaming. In terms of functionality, though, Corsair appears to be playing catch-up. The hall-sensing Wooting H60E and the optical options from Razer both include a revolutionary “rapid-trigger” capability.
Final Words
The Corsair K65 Pro Mini is an excellent gaming keyboard that features a compact form factor. It features an exceptionally durable chassis, along with a well-thought-out design and some outstanding optical switches, making it suitable for both gaming and word processing due to its smooth and responsive action. The software suite that it gives is pristine, and the RGB lighting that it offers is vivid. But the convenience of having a keyboard comes at a significant financial cost.
Corsair K65 Pro Mini review: The good and The bad
The updated and improved Corsair K65 Pro Mini is now available. Corsair has effectively integrated a lot of previous comments, such as beveled edges and sound dampening.
The Good
- Sturdy and sleek construction
- Smooth optical switches
The Bad
- Expensive
Questions and Answers
CHERRY MX SPEED Silver keyswitches have response times as fast as lightning and a very short 1.2mm actuation distance. This makes them great for fast-paced competitive gaming.
The base engine in the New Lincoln Corsair is a 2.0L Turbocharged I-4 with an 8-speed SelectShift automatic transmission. It can get up to 22 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway.