Corsair Galleon 100 SD Review: A gaming keyboard and Stream Deck collide; combo is good, but is it necessary?

Corsair's premium mechanical keyboard with built-in Stream Deck functionality offers excellent typing and gaming performance, but its $350 price tag and missing numberpad make it a niche product that may not justify the premium over buying separate components.

The Corsair Galleon 100 SD represents an ambitious attempt to merge two popular gaming peripherals into a single device, but the execution raises questions about whether this convergence truly serves users' needs.

Design and Construction

The Galleon 100 SD features a mechanical gaming keyboard with a technically TKL (tenkeyless) layout, though the absence of a traditional numberpad is offset by the integrated Stream Deck functionality. The keyboard sports an aluminum top case with a smooth, matte black finish and beveled edges, giving it a premium appearance that matches its price point.

Measuring 17.64 inches wide by 6.26 inches deep and weighing 3.07 pounds, the keyboard is substantial without being unwieldy. The Stream Deck portion occupies the right side, featuring two programmable knobs, a 2.5 x 1.25 inch color screen, and 12 LCD keys arranged in a 3x4 grid. While Corsair advertises a 5-inch diagonal screen, the functional display area is closer to 2.75 inches.

Typing and Gaming Performance

The keyboard comes exclusively with Corsair's MLX Pulse (purple) switches, which are pre-lubed linear switches with a 45g actuation force. These switches actuate at 2.0mm with a total travel of 3.6mm, offering smooth keypresses with a noticeable "thocky" sound when bottoming out. The board features a hot-swappable PCB compatible with both 3- and 5-pin switches, though the single switch option at launch is a limitation.

Double-shot PBT keycaps with shine-through legends provide a quality typing experience, and six layers of sound-dampening foam effectively reduce case ping and echoes. The keyboard supports up to an 8,000 Hz polling rate, though it ships with a default 1,000 Hz setting.

Stream Deck Integration

The integrated Stream Deck functionality uses Elgato's software ecosystem, which is notably more reliable than Corsair's new Web Hub for keyboard configuration. The two programmable knobs are machined metal with texturing, offering satisfying tactile feedback. The LCD keys, while functional, feel somewhat mushy compared to standard mechanical switches.

The Stream Deck portion can technically function as a numberpad, but the experience of entering numbers on LCD keys doesn't match the tactile feedback of a traditional numberpad. This becomes a significant drawback for users who frequently work with numerical data.

Software Experience

Corsair's transition from iCUE to the Web Hub represents an interesting approach to peripheral configuration, but the implementation is problematic. The Web Hub worked inconsistently during testing, connecting successfully only about 40% of the time. This unreliability is particularly frustrating given that basic functions like firmware updates require the software to function.

Elgato's Stream Deck software, in contrast, works smoothly and offers access to a robust ecosystem of third-party plugins through the Elgato Marketplace. The Galleon 100 SD ships with pre-installed profiles for gaming, media, and communication, making it immediately useful out of the box.

Value Proposition

At $349.99, the Galleon 100 SD faces a significant challenge in justifying its price. A premium gaming keyboard can be purchased for around $100-150, while Stream Decks range from $60-250 depending on the model. The Stream Deck+ with eight LCD keys, four dials, and a touch screen currently retails for around $160.

This means buyers are paying approximately $200-250 for the convenience of integration, which may not represent good value for most users. The keyboard's excellent build quality and typing experience partially justify the premium, but the missing numberpad and software reliability issues detract from the overall value.

Who Is This For?

The Galleon 100 SD will appeal most to users who:

Want a streamlined setup with minimal desk clutter
Frequently use both a gaming keyboard and Stream Deck
Value premium build quality and typing experience
Don't require a traditional numberpad for their workflow

However, users who need both a numberpad and Stream Deck functionality will find the Galleon 100 SD limiting. The LCD keys, while innovative, don't provide the same typing experience as mechanical switches, making extended number entry cumbersome.

Conclusion

The Corsair Galleon 100 SD is a well-executed concept that delivers on its promise of combining a premium gaming keyboard with Stream Deck functionality. The typing experience is excellent, the build quality is premium, and the Stream Deck integration works well when the software cooperates.

However, the $350 price tag, missing numberpad, and software reliability issues prevent this from being a clear recommendation for most users. While it's not a bad product, it's difficult to justify the premium over purchasing separate, potentially better-performing components. The Galleon 100 SD represents an interesting direction for peripheral integration, but it may be ahead of its time or solving a problem that doesn't exist for most users.

For those who value the integrated approach and don't need a numberpad, the Galleon 100 SD offers a compelling all-in-one solution. For everyone else, traditional separate components likely provide better value and functionality.