Corsair K95 RGB Platinum XT Review
Features & build quality
Build quality on the K95 range of keyboards has always been second to none, at least for the frame. It’s the same aluminium frame construction as before and that means it’s tough. It resists any sort of flexing you might encounter while typing and it overall has the robustness you might come to expect from a $200 keyboard. There’s nothing to fault here as the Platinum XT is as solid as they come. At this point I’m not even sure if durability of the frame is something worth even considering as it’s always been top notch from the beginning.
Moving on from the frame I’ll refer back to the PBT double-shot keycaps again. Unlike the palm rest, this is an obvious change from the previous models and I appreciate it to no end. As stated earlier the previous keycaps were prone to shine, fading and general wear over time. This would gradually make the keyboard less attractive and in some severe instances compromise usability. The Platinum XT should remain free from any of this. Given just how long CORSAIR took to release this model, I’m fairly confident you’ll have none of these issues for the next five years or more.
In terms of additional features, the Platinum XT has over it’s predecessor, well there aren’t any as such. The Elgato Stream Deck integration (more on this later) is a software solution more than it is hardware. CORSAIR has included an additional set of S-key keycaps in the package for this, but you can perform all the same functions using the standard G-keys. I suppose when you’re in streaming mode or when used on a streaming rig you can have these keycaps on permanently. It remains however an entirely software solution for the most part.
In terms of additional features, the Platinum XT has over it’s predecessor, well there aren’t any as such. The Elgato Stream Deck integration (more on this later) is a software solution more than it is hardware. CORSAIR has included an additional set of S-key keycaps in the package for this, but you can perform all the same functions using the standard G-keys.
In terms of what I’d like to see for features in future. It would be good to see CORSAIR finally expand on the USB pass-through feature (more on this in the general impressions page) and perhaps, we could in some magical world receive a wireless slip-stream version of the Platinum XT. At this point, it’s obviously targeting a wider audience than just gamers or gaming. As such it could benefit from the wireless treatment similar to what is present on CORSAIR’s mot premium headset yet, the Virtuoso.
