It was bound to happen, when you think about it. Corsair has developed great software (called the Corsair Utility Engine) for configuring its gaming peripherals. It lets users build macros, define commands that are executed by timer, define dozens of shortcuts, and generate a host of dazzling light effects. All of this takes place within a fairly friendly interface, with good documentation for guidance. And much of this has been made available in a range of the company's mice and keyboards, in the latter case both mechanicals and rubber-dome models. Enter the tenkeyless keyboard. Tenkeyless boards are a fairly recent development on the peripheral scene, an answer to the question, "Can you give me a keyboard that takes into account cramped space, without sizing down the keys so I need the hands of a six-year-old to hit them accurately?" Tenkeyless models are just that: keyboards that eliminate the number pad on the right to gain back three or more inches in width. This kind of d...
This mechanical, tenkeyless keyboard is a gaming winner for those short on space. Its software lets you assign complex macros and elaborate lighting effects to any key, and gives you supreme control over game-specific profiles, too. It's worth the hefty outlay if you commit to harnessing it.
Corsair Utility Engine excels for heavy-duty key reassignment, macros, and lighting effects; Extreme per-key lighting, paired with mechanical switches; Rugged aluminum frame; Detachable palm rest; Excellent manual
Requires two USB ports if you've got only USB 2.0 ports available; No context-sensitive help in Corsair Utility Engine; No USB pass-through; Not cheap for a tenkeyless board