Drop, owned by gaming powerhouse Corsair, rolled out the compact new CSTM65, a 65% mechanical keyboard, the company said Wednesday. It allows a high degree of personalization much like the larger, recently released CSTM80.
Drop CSTM65 Keyboard
The new Drop CSTM65 Keyboard offers the same options for customization as the CSTM80. But the new one comes in a more sleek and portable package with a 65% layout.
“Personal expression and customization have consistently been at the core of Drop’s identity and remain a central focus for us in 2024,” said Lukas Mondoux, director of Drop Studio, Corsair.
“With the CSTM65, we are offering users a more compact keyboard option that they can customize to their exact preferences. With numerous case designs, switches, keycaps, and weight and plate options, the possibilities for self-expression are endless,” he added. “We look forward to unveiling even more custom cases and introducing more people to the world of mechanical keyboards with our CSTM line.”
And like others in the CSTM line, the new mechanical keyboard features an interchangeable magnetic case in polycarbonate or aluminum options and various colors. It covers most of the keyboard and can vary with designer flourishes. So that lets you pack your keeb with personality.
“Combined with various keycap options, switches, custom weight options, switch plates, and cables, users can effortlessly mix and match designs to create a keyboard that reflects their personal style,” Drop said.
Here’s more description from Drop:
The fully-built CSTM65 keyboard boasts enthusiast-level technical features including a gasket-mounted design, ABS keycaps with side legends optimized for south-facing switches, PCBA-mounted stabilizers, 5-pin switch support, RGB lighting and a customizable weight accompanied by five switch plate options. The keyboard incorporates multiple layers of premium foam throughout for an enhanced sound and feel. Users also have the flexibility to choose from two switch options, the tactile Gateron Brown Pro 3.0 or linear Gateron Yellow KS3.
CSTM65 Keyboard features:
- Gasket-mounted design with a compact, 65% layout featuring a magnetically attached customizable case.
- Per key RGB LEDs, custom ABS south-facing keycaps, PCBA mounted stabilizers and 5-pin switch support (fully assembled keyboards come with a set of MacOS keys for Apple users).
- Polycarbonate color cases come in white, black, Laser Purple, Skiidata Orange and Shinai Green colors.
- Aluminum cases come in anodized silver and black.
- “Overgrowth” decorative case by OsheTart
- Custom weight options: stainless steel with black PVD coating, stainless steel with chromatic PVD coating, and brass with clear coating (available for purchase separately)
- Switch plates: aluminum, brass, FR4, carbon fiber, and POM (available for purchase separately)
- Supports Drop’s keyboard configurator, QMK, VIA and Vial.
You can pick up CSTM65 from Drop in barebones ($79) or fully assembled with keyboard, keycaps, switches, stabilizers and black polycarbonate case ($129). You can also buy polycarbonate color cases separately ($25 each). An upgraded forged aluminum case in anodized silver or black costs $59. A decorative case designed by OsheTart is $35.
Where to buy: Drop
