Corsair Vengeance K60/M60 and K90/M90 Input Devices

Performance Summary and Conclusion

Performance Summary: Corsair has a quartet of attractive, high-quality gaming peripherals here. Though the differences are somewhat subtle, the K60/M60 and K90/M90 offer features that tend to appeal to FPS gamers and RTS and MMO gamers, respectively. The K60’s angled, gripping substitute keys enhance fast-moving gameplay, and the M60’s sniper button and overall uncluttered design is ideal for shooters. Few could max out the number of programmable macros and profiles on the K90 and M90, and the M90 mouse itself is perfect for quickly unleashing macro-enhanced barrages.

All of the devices have solid specs, great overall design, and attractive looks, and all are comfortable to use over long periods of time.

Because there are no benchmark tests to run on keyboards and mice, any performance evaluation is inherently subjective. Further complicating the issue is that everyone is physically built differently and has opinions on what features are preferable. With that in mind, we offer our assessment with as much objectivity as possible.


    

We don’t really have any gripes aside from the extra key noise both keyboards made, and even that is a minor issue, as you likely won’t ever notice it with a game’s volume up at any reasonable level. (When quietly typing for any length of time, however, the extra noise may be an issue.) The substitute keys on the K60 are inconvenient because you have to yank them off and put the stock keys back on if you plan to do any non-gaming keyboard work, but as we mentioned before, most people may either get used to typing with the substitute keys on or skip them altogether. Still, it’s a slight negative.

The kicker, as always, is the price. Indeed, these delicious peripherals don’t come cheap; the K60 and M60 are $109.99 and $69.99, respectively, bringing the combo to $179.98. The K90 and M90 pairing ($129.99 and $79.99) comes to a total of $209.98.

         

If the notion of dropping that kind of moola on a keyboard and mouse when you can buy serviceable alternatives for a fraction of the cost is ridiculous to you, think of it this way: If you’re buying an expensive, souped-up sportscar, you’re not going to balk at the extra cost to upgrade from a cassette deck to a CD player and from a plastic steering wheel to a soft leather cover. Likewise, you’re already dropping loads of cash for a powerful gaming rig, so why suddenly turn miserly and deprive yourself of peripherals that match the craftsmanship and performance of the rest of your system?

Besides, when you get right down to it, the guts of your gaming rig may drive a game’s performance, but the gaming experience consists of the interfaces--the screen, speakers, mouse, and keyboard--so it makes as much sense to spring for a top-notch keyboard/mouse combo as it does to invest in a great monitor and headset.

Are these devices expensive? Yes, though not extravagantly so, compared to the competition. Are they worth it to gamers looking for a great experience from their peripherals? Indeed.



Corsair Vengeance K60, M60, K90, and M90--yep, all four.

       
K60 & M60
  • Great looks & design
  • Solid construction
  • Sniper button (M60)
  • Substitute keys enhance gaming (K60)
K60 & M60
  • Price
  • Metallic sound when typing (K60)
  • Substitute keys inhibit typing (K60)
K90 & M90
  • Great looks & design
  • Solid construction
  • Superb button ergonomics (M90)
  • Tons of macros
K90 & M90
  • Price
  • Metallic sound when typing (K90)

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