Apple has been increasingly vocal about its commitment to Mac gaming, but are its actions matching its words? The recent release of a gaming mouse and keyboard from Corsair, developed in partnership with Apple, suggests a serious move in this direction. These new versions of the Corsair K65 Plus keyboard and M75 mouse, sporting Apple-exclusive colors and Mac-friendly tweaks, mark a significant step in the evolution of Mac gaming accessories. While not necessarily the absolute best on the market, they offer compelling features and represent a notable entry into this emerging product category.
A Mac-Centric Design
What sets these Corsair peripherals apart from other Mac-compatible options? The K65 Plus boasts a range of design adjustments specifically for Apple computers. macOS-specific keycaps, including Option and Command keys, and media controls on the function row enhance compatibility. The inclusion of a USB-C to USB-C cable, along with exclusive colorways like white and translucent blue, aligns seamlessly with Apple’s aesthetic.
The K65 Plus adopts a compact 75% layout, ideal for gaming as it minimizes interference with mouse movements. However, this design choice comes with minor quirks, such as the absence of an End key, necessitating remapping within Corsair’s iCue app.
The Corsair K65 Plus for Mac keyboard against a blue background.Alt: Corsair K65 Plus for Mac keyboard in white, showcasing its compact 75% layout and macOS-specific keycaps.
The keyboard features dye-sublimated PBT keycaps, resistant to wear and tear. While they lack texture, the keycaps support backlighting, customizable through the iCue app. However, the illumination of only primary legends on keys with secondary functions can be a drawback in low-light conditions. The hot-swappable switches allow for customization based on user preference, offering compatibility with a broad range of three-pin and five-pin MX-style switches.
A programmable silver dial in the top-right corner adds further customization options, enabling control over zoom levels, keyboard brightness, scrolling, and volume. A rear switch allows for toggling between Windows and macOS layouts, a convenient feature for users working across both operating systems.
The Corsair K65 Plus for Mac keyboard against a blue background.Alt: Close-up of the Corsair K65 Plus for Mac keyboard, highlighting the dye-sublimated PBT keycaps and per-key RGB backlighting.
Both the K65 Plus and M75 offer versatile connectivity options, including USB-C, Bluetooth, and 2.4GHz wireless via a USB-C dongle. The M75, visually similar to its standard counterpart aside from the color variations, features a subtle textured grip on the sides and customizable RGB lighting. Its ambidextrous design, with side buttons on both sides, caters to both left- and right-handed users.
The Corsair M75 for Mac mouse against a blue background.Alt: Corsair M75 for Mac mouse in white, showcasing its ambidextrous design and textured side grips.
However, a notable issue encountered during testing was the unresponsiveness of the front-left side button on the M75, requiring excessive force to register a click. This suggests a potential quality control concern. The mouse also features a rigid scroll wheel with a noticeable difference in sound between scrolling forward and backward.
Performance and Software Experience
The K65 Plus utilizes pre-lubricated Corsair MLX Red linear switches, providing a smooth, linear keypress ideal for gaming. Extensive internal foam dampens typing sounds and softens the impact of keystrokes, mitigating potential finger fatigue. While not the fastest linear switches available, they perform admirably in various gaming scenarios. The hot-swappable nature of the switches allows for further customization based on individual preferences.
The Corsair K65 Plus for Mac keyboard against a blue background.Alt: Corsair K65 Plus for Mac keyboard during gameplay, demonstrating its performance with pre-lubricated Corsair MLX Red linear switches.
The M75 offers solid performance for both gaming and everyday tasks, with smooth gliding and accurate tracking. The lack of adjustable weights might be a drawback for some users. The issue with the unresponsive side button persisted despite attempts to replace it with the included swappable side buttons.
Corsair’s iCue software provides extensive customization options for macros, key remapping, lighting effects, and more. While the home screen feels cluttered with widgets and advertisements, the device settings pages offer a cleaner, more intuitive interface. However, several bugs were encountered during testing, including issues with key remapping and modifier keys, as well as lighting inconsistencies when switching between operating systems.
The Corsair iCue app.Alt: Screenshot of the Corsair iCue app’s device settings page, showcasing its customization options for key remapping, lighting effects, and macros.
The Verdict
The Corsair K65 Plus and M75 for Mac offer a compelling blend of design and performance, specifically tailored for the Mac gaming ecosystem. However, the higher price of the K65 Plus compared to its standard counterpart, coupled with the encountered software bugs and hardware inconsistencies, slightly diminishes their overall appeal.
The Corsair K65 Plus for Mac keyboard and the Corsair M75 for Mac mouse against a blue background.Alt: Corsair K65 Plus for Mac keyboard and M75 for Mac mouse together, showcasing their Apple-exclusive design and color scheme.
Despite these shortcomings, the peripherals offer a solid gaming experience, particularly the K65 Plus with its comfortable linear switches. For Apple enthusiasts seeking to embrace the growing library of high-quality Mac games, these devices are worth considering, with the hope that future updates will address the existing issues.
