Corsair continues to release its new lineup of gaming input devices with the Vanguard Pro 96 wired gaming keyboard.
Built on the legacy of the renowned K70 keyboards, Corsair has finally realised that its naming convention makes no sense and adopted a system that better describes its products. The Vanguard Pro 96 is a 96% sized keyboard with a 25% smaller footprint than a regular keyboard.
However, this is no TenKeyLess (TKL) keyboard. It’s a fully featured keyboard that even has six extra game keys on the left side., There’s also a 19” 320 x 170 LCD screen and a multifunction rotary dial. All packed within a smaller footprint that provides extra space for your mouse to move around on your desk. There’s also a wrist rest, and the keyboard features optional feet to adjust the angle.
Of course, nothing is for nothing, and in packing all this in a smaller chassis, the keys are a little smaller, making some adjustment necessary if you are used to larger keyboards. This is something that you’ll get used to fast. And a worthwhile compromise for a compact keyboard.
The typing with the keyboard is a strangely muted affair. Whilst very positive when pressed, the layers of soundproofing make each key press extra quiet compared to the usual clatter of mechanical keyboards.
The keyboard uses Corsair’s MGX hyperdrive hall effect magnetic switches, which have magnetic sensors rather than mechanical contacts. This allows users to better customise the actuation points and sensitivity of individual keys to their liking. They are also hot swappable with compatible 3-pin and 5-pin mechanical switches. A key extraction tool is included.
The keyboard has a key for launching the Elgato Virtual Streamdeck, allowing for a series of programmable buttons, mimicking the Elgato Streamdeck hardware, on your monitor. This wasn’t working for the review, as the hardware was running with a pre-release beta configuration, but this will be patched in at a later date. What was working, and on the same key, trigger using the FN button, is CoPilot activation. Similar to certified Microsoft CoPilot laptops, pressing the key launches the CoPilot AI app.
The multifunction rotary dial is set up as a volume control by default, but this, like much of the keyboard, can be customised to suit. The keyboard is another of Corsair’s new devices to make use of a web-based hub, doing away with having to download and install Corsair’s iCUE application. Visiting the site and selecting one of the compatible Corsair devices allows you to customise your experience and keep the device up-to-date. I could easily update the LCD screen image, adjust the RGB lighting style and other settings like macros and the actuation sensitivity.
If you have other Corsair hardware, it’s a bit of a pain having to use two different methods to adjust and update your hardware. As of writing, the Vanguard Pro 96 is not available for control via Corsair’s iCUE desktop app.
The keyboard isn’t light, meaning that it’ll stay put wherever you leave it on your desk. It feels solid and well-made. The whole stylish look of the keyboard, from the Vanguard logo to the LCD screen, will turn heads.
The Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 keyboard is the ultimate gamer’s keyboard. Feature-packed, without dominating your desktop, the quiet, customisable and responsive keys will give you the edge against the competition, whether it’s in a game or writing a report. This is a modern take on a timeless Corsair classic.