An Update From Corsair About The RGB Keyboards...

[Gould-Digger]

Hello all,

 

Along with others I was getting very impatience about the release of the new RGB keyboards, I mean it's not like they showed it off to us over 6 months ago...oh.

 

First of all I contacted corsair via live chat where I was kindly greeted by someone called 'Rowena C'

She said: The red switch version was anticipated to release the end of July, but I am not to sure of it myself. The blue/brown was set for late August.

 

Not being satisfied with this answer I decided to dig through corsairs websites to find some e-mail addresses, I got this response from a Mr James Cao.

 

Hi Nathan!

 

Thanks for your email. We did anticipate a late August/early September release of the K70 RGB keyboards which we made public (along with pricing) at Computex. There was also a blog here a week after too: http://www.corsair.com/en-us/blog/2014/june/computex-wrapup-rgb-keyboards

 

The link actually states that: The keyboard would be available late July with Cherry MX RGB red switches (blue and brown switches available late August) (K70), along with various other sources including their press release.

 

It has been a long road and while we have cleared many hurdles, there are still a few more to tackle before this keyboard can be released. One of the consequences of being the first one to work with a new Cherry switch is that we had to design everything from scratch. There is nothing internally that is shared with previous Cherry MX keyboards as we even had to design a new PCB to support the new switches and LED designs. We understand that the wait is crucial and people are very desperate to get their hands on a keyboard, but we will not release a product until we are sure that all the bugs and kinks are squared away in order to deliver a positive customer experience.

 

There will be nothing more frustrating than to get a product you’ve been waiting almost a year for and it does not live up to the hype or expectations of customers like yourself. We understand not everyone may have patience, it is more important for us to make sure everything is A+ and worthy of the Corsair branding. I understand your impatience but I hope this helps you understand why it has been a long battle.

 

Regards,

 

James Cao

Technical Marketing Specialist

 

I will be e-mailing James later asking him to make some sort of public announcement (Or at least change the dates on their websites) If anyone has any questions or statements that they would like me to include please feel free to leave them in this thread.

 

-Nathan

 

*EDIT*

 

James said he is more than happy to answer any of your questions about the corsair RGB keyboards directly via the forum, he will hopefully be around in the next few days.

[Marvzl1357]

Pardon my ignorance, but can someone explain why it takes so long to release a keyboard?

let alone the same keyboard with (what appears to be) the only difference being rgb lighting and the lighting controller?

[Sonefiler]

bullshit, they dont need a new PCB, they literally just change the switch and its done. They just want more suspense

[ShadowCaptain]

Pardon my ignorance, but can someone explain why it takes so long to release a keyboard?

let alone the same keyboard with (what appears to be) the only difference being rgb lighting and the lighting controller?

 

Well they had to design a whole new PCB for the keys as they are not the same as previous cherry mx switches

 

There is a lot of design, testing and development to take into account, the board as to function perfectly and be as reliable as we expect, there is also the software corsair to design and create too

 

I think they want it to be perfect since there is so much hype around this, if they release it half arsed with faults people will scream murder at corsair

[FlamingDefibs]

bullshit, they dont need a new PCB, they literally just change the switch and its done. They just want more suspense

 

No, that's exactly what they didn't do. Even if you don't want to believe what the guy said, Corsair didn't "literally just change the switch and its done". For one, there's the obvious fact that they changed the LEDs to be able to display many more colors, and for two, they didn't change the switches. And they would be stupid to withhold the release of a product for so long just for the point of suspense, because the suspense was at it's peak at the CES unveiling.

[TheProfosist]

No, that's exactly what they didn't do. Even if you don't want to believe what the guy said, Corsair didn't "literally just change the switch and its done". For one, there's the obvious fact that they changed the LEDs to be able to display many more colors, and for two, they didn't change the switches. And they would be stupid to withhold the release of a product for so long just for the point of suspense, because the suspense was at it's peak at the CES unveiling.

The switches may have have needed to be changed. They are using rgb LEDs which require 4 legs. I also believe that they mentioned they were smd inside the switch. Previously they were through hole on top of the switch. Until I see some pictures or even better get my hands on one I'll know more.

[MagnetSh0CK]

I'm not surprised. After I get my k70 mx blue rgb, I won't be buying another keyboard for a loooong time.

[FlamingDefibs]

The switches may have have needed to be changed. They are using rgb LEDs which require 4 legs. I also believe that they mentioned they were smd inside the switch. Previously they were through hole on top of the switch. Until I see some pictures or even better get my hands on one I'll know more.

 

Oh, that didn't come to mind. But yes, further proof that Corsair wasn't just dicking around in the office.

[Marvzl1357]

Well they had to design a whole new PCB for the keys as they are not the same as previous cherry mx switches

 

There is a lot of design, testing and development to take into account, the board as to function perfectly and be as reliable as we expect, there is also the software corsair to design and create too

 

I think they want it to be perfect since there is so much hype around this, if they release it half arsed with faults people will scream murder at corsair

oh, ok, wellll, good on you corsair. I guess I'll have to have ^HIGH expectations for their quality and durability

[geogga]

Great post BTW! Nice format and grammar instead of some crazy jibberjabber. Onto the actual post...

 

Every time a company does this, the product usually, if not always, still ends up with problems and such. It's nice to see some dates from Corsair's people and yes, they should update the ETA date and and not misinform people. 

[J0ey]

What I understand from this:

 

there are still a few more to tackle before this keyboard can be released

 

Is that they haven't even started the (mass) production?

 

It is ridiculous that they don't make any public announcement to tell their potential customers it has been delayed. I understand that delays can happen, at least be open about it instead of saying "it's coming soon!".

[Redliquid]

So, they went from having a release date to "Uhh, we dont know. It's done when it's done"  ?

Blizzard style

[Heisenbleurgh]

All I can think of is Coldplay lyrics.

 

 

[exyia]

this is why companies need to stop this "announcing", "releasing" BULLSHIT

 

You announce when it's DONE, READY TO BUY. When you're starting mass production, not still figuring out your development models

[Misanthrope]

Pardon my ignorance, but can someone explain why it takes so long to release a keyboard?

let alone the same keyboard with (what appears to be) the only difference being rgb lighting and the lighting controller?

 

Pretty much this:

 

bullshit, they dont need a new PCB, they literally just change the switch and its done. They just want more suspense

[TheProfosist]

this is why companies need to stop this "announcing", "releasing" BULLSHIT

 

You announce when it's DONE, READY TO BUY. When you're starting mass production, not still figuring out your development models

But what about the hype train then?

[exyia]

But what about the hype train then?

 

this is the day and age of the internet - hype spreads like wildfire within minutes - you don't need weeks and months to spread hype

[Snickerzz]

bullshit, they dont need a new PCB, they literally just change the switch and its done. They just want more suspense

theres a point when suspense becomes dead, like watch dogs, it was shown off at E3 2012 and super hyped, then said to be releasing in 2013, then they delayed it til spring to "polish" (nerf) the game and by then the game was just meh hyped

[Accursed Entity]

Why the impatience? Just wait... can't? Then buy another keyboard...  :rolleyes:

[TheProfosist]

this is the day and age of the internet - hype spreads like wildfire within minutes - you don't need weeks and months to spread hype

Actually thats kinda the definition of a hype train. And is how most products are done now. Look at how long games have been doing it. At least with hardware theyre willing to delay when needed.

[TheProfosist]

theres a point when suspense becomes dead, like watch dogs, it was shown off at E3 2012 and super hyped, then said to be releasing in 2013, then they delayed it til spring to "polish" (nerf) the game and by then the game was just meh hyped

thats not even that long or that many delays.

Why the impatience? Just wait... can't? Then buy another keyboard...  :rolleyes:

yep i agree. I also dont know why people want this board so much, especially at the premium its going to cost.

[flibberdipper]

I want one. Like, now.

[TheProfosist]

I want one. Like, now.

Well you can have one. Like, later.

[flibberdipper]

Well you can have one. Like, later.

I'll take one. Like, later.

[Trik'Stari]

Let them take their time, I already want this keyboard to have my children so if they take the time to make it perfect then that just makes it better.