Breaking Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 Review

A fast and powerful Hall effect gaming keyboard with some thoughtful physical touches and excellent software. It is costly, though.

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I know that a lot of keyboards have little LCD screens these days that you can use to do things such as keep an eye on system metrics and such, but I like the one on the new Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 purely because I can display an image of the Bullseye logo on it.

Every time I look down at the keyboard, I'm reminded of the quintessential British darts-based game show, and inevitably get the theme tune stuck in my head. That alone makes this worth its £210/$240 asking price, of course.

For some reason, I think my overlord Jacob would expect a fuller justification than that (just let me enjoy my Bullseye-based fun), and I think I'm going to be reprimanded if I end the review copy here.

Okay, I guess I'll have to flesh this review out more—I like the Corsair Vanguard Pro 96. A lot. Is that still not enough?

Switch type: Corsair MGX OverdriveKeycaps: PBT, doubleshotLighting: RGB, controllable in softwareOnboard storage: 5 profilesExtra ports: NoneConnection type: WiredCable: USB Type-C/USB Type-A, detachableWeight: 1.095 kg/2.41 lbsPrice: $240/£210

The Vanguard Pro 96 reminds me of the Corsair keyboards of old—big, brash full-size options that made little physical compromises for layout and, by virtue of that, their features. You get a 96 percent, or 1800, layout to use, providing all the creature comforts, such as arrow keys, a number pad and a function row, which budges up the traditional full-size layout into a somewhat space-saving option. Combine this with Corsair's more modern design language, and it means this board looks the part, too.

Somehow, Corsair has managed to slot in a 1.9-inch LCD screen, a hefty volume dial, and six macro keys in this chassis without making this keyboard the size of a whale. That's a feat in itself. It means the Vanguard Pro 96 is easily one of the most feature-rich keyboards in a physical sense that you're likely to be able to find these days.

Those macro keys, plus the dedicated Elgato Stream Deck key on the bottom row, mean you can use this keyboard as its own Stream Deck, which is very clever. Oh, and did I mention you get a magnetically attaching, plush wristrest?

Source: PC Gamer