Stream Deck Keyboard: A Monster of Gaming Innovation
▼ Summary
– The Corsair Galleon 100 SD is a new full-size mechanical keyboard with a Stream Deck integrated into its side, combining a polished keyboard with customizable buttons and dials.
– Its Stream Deck section features 12 buttons, two rotary dials, and a high-resolution 5-inch screen, all highly customizable via an app for tasks like smart home control and media playback.
– The keyboard’s development history involves Corsair’s acquisitions, including Elgato and a stake in iDisplay, a screen supplier influenced by the earlier Optimus Maximus keyboard.
– Priced at $350, the Galleon is a convenient two-in-one product with a quality typing experience, gasket mounting, hot-swappable switches, and connectivity for PCs and consoles via USB-C.
– A noted drawback is the non-modular, right-side-only Stream Deck design, which limits accessibility for left-handed users, though future iterations may address this.
The Corsair Galleon 100 SD represents a significant evolution in gaming peripherals, merging a full-size mechanical keyboard with a fully integrated Stream Deck. This fusion creates a powerful tool that extends far beyond gaming, offering streamlined control over a user’s entire digital workspace through customizable buttons and dials. The integration feels like a natural progression, capitalizing on the mature ecosystem of Stream Deck plugins while delivering the tactile satisfaction of a quality keyboard.
Using the Galleon transforms routine computer tasks. With a single button press, you can manage smart home lighting, control media playback, launch applications, or organize desktop windows. The device puts an impressive level of control at your fingertips without ever needing to reach for the mouse. This functionality stems from a fascinating history of corporate acquisitions and past innovation. The technology behind the Stream Deck’s tiny screens can be traced back to a company that once supplied OLEDs for a pioneering, though commercially unsuccessful, keyboard from 2008.
Priced at $350, the Galleon sits in a compelling position. While you could purchase a separate keyboard and a Stream Deck Mini for potentially less, the all-in-one convenience and polished execution justify the cost for many. The centerpiece is the Stream Deck module, featuring 12 programmable buttons, two rotary dials, and a high-resolution 5-inch IPS display. Configuration is intuitive via a drag-and-drop app, allowing for everything from inserting emojies in video calls to executing complex commands in games like Helldivers 2.
The keyboard itself is no afterthought. It boasts a sleek, subdued design with per-key RGB lighting managed through Corsair’s software. Built with an aluminum chassis and gasket-mounted internals for a satisfying, bouncy typing feel, it uses MLX Pulse switches known for their pronounced “thock” sound and light actuation. A magnetic wrist rest adds comfort. The Galleon connects via a single USB cable to a PC or console and includes a passthrough USB-C port for charging accessories. One notable limitation is the fixed placement of the Stream Deck module, which doesn’t accommodate left-handed users—a curious omission given Corsair’s hiring of a founder known for modular designs.
For typing purists, the keyboard supports hot-swappable switches, accepting most 3-pin or 5-pin designs. This flexibility ensures users aren’t locked into the pre-installed switches. While the Stream Deck’s potential is nearly limitless, powered by official plugins for services like Spotify, Zoom, and Philips Hue and a vibrant community of third-party developers, even casual users will find immediate utility. The Galleon 100 SD is ultimately a premium, convenient two-in-one solution. It’s a compelling upgrade for anyone in the market for both a new keyboard and Stream Deck functionality, packaged neatly into a single, high-performance device.
(Source: The Verge)
