Introducing Gaming Masterclass: Best-kept Secrets of Independent Keyboards and Mice Redefining Apple Gamers Experience
Apple’s Gaming Shift: Now with Corsair Keyboards and Mice
In 2023 and 2024, Apple positioned itself as a new player in the gaming scene. However, even Apple doesn’t expect gamers to play Baldur’s Gate 3 on its low-profile, squishy Magic Keyboards and hand-cramping Magic Mouse. That’s why Apple now offers official gaming keyboards. But, that’s not coming from within; they’ve licensed their gaming keyboards and mice from Corsair instead.
Corsair’s Apple-Friendly Products
Corsair has partnered with Apple to bring the $180 K65 mechanical keyboard and the $130 M75 wireless lightweight RGB gaming mouse to Mac users. These keyboards and mice come with official Mac layouts, featuring CMD and OPT keys, as well as function row layouts modeled after the Mac’s familiar layout. Apple will sell these products directly in its stores, with the limited Glacier Blue color available in-person only, while the white edition is available online.
Keyboard and Mouse Performance
I tested the K65 and M75 on the MacBook Pro 14, MacBook Pro 16, M4 iMac, and Mac mini. The K65 is a 75% keyboard with a steel plate chassis and hot-swappable keys. It uses Corsair’s MLX RED linear switches with 45g of actuation distance and 4mm travel. The results? A solid, well-balanced keyboard that’s hard to resist.
The M75 ambidextrous gaming mouse feels robust in the hand, with a good feel from the mouse wheel and left mouse button, and a less noticeable right mouse button click.
What’s to Play on Apple?
While I constantly had to remind myself not to reach for the CTRL button instead of CMD, my muscle memory kicked in when playing games like Baldur’s Gate 3. It’s also a better experience playing Resident Evil 4 with Corsair’s gear than with Apple’s offerings.
However, for e-sports, Apple is at a disadvantage, as there aren’t many competitive shooters like Counter-Strike 2 or Call of Duty available on Mac.
A New Frontier in Gaming
While the new Apple-Corsair partnership may not revolutionize gaming on the Mac, it’s a step in the right direction. The K65 and M75 are solid performers, and players will enjoy the power and control they provide. While we wait for more games to come to Mac, Apple’s gaming showcase earlier this week offered glimpses into the future, with Frostpunk 2, Control, and Cyberpunk 2077 making their way to Mac. In February 2025, Control will finally arrive, with Cyberpunk 2077 lacking a solid release date.
