To have everything organised at the tip of your fingers, you’ll need an efficient and reliable product for the task. Interested? Read our Corsair iCUE Nexus Companion Touch Screen review to learn more about it.
Today, we’re going to check out this latest product from Corsair. It’s made to work and get integrated with the company’s exclusive iCUE Software via USB 2.0.
All PC enthusiasts tend to get all sorts of emotions when successfully building and customising their rig. If you’re one of them, then you get that satisfying feeling when your PC becomes uniquely awesome.
To make it even better, the iCUE Nexus Companion Touch Screen may be the next addition to your build.
Nexus isn’t only a cool-sounding name. It’s a product you can efficiently utilise to provide physical access to various functions requiring software to work.
The iCUE Nexus is something you can link to your keyboard, or simply clip on its included stand.
To get more essential details, continue reading our Corsair iCUE Nexus Companion Touch Screen review.
Corsair iCUE Nexus Companion Touch Screen Packaging
Now in our Corsair iCUE Nexus Companion Touch Screen review, we’re checking out the product’s packaging and its contents.
When we received our iCUE Nexus Companion Touch Screen, it came in Corsair’s typical yellow and black cardboard box.
In front, you’ll find a photo of the iCUE Nexus. You’ll find Corsair, and its logo is on the upper right corner of the package. Below the image, the model name is in bold letters.
There isn’t much information about the product written in front of the box. However, it does give us a quick peek at how the iCUE Nexus looks, and we’re definitely loving it.
On the right side of the box, you’ll find Corsair’s tagline written there. Its barcode and serial number are all written at the base of the package.
Looking at the box’s rear, you will see a couple of images, as well as iCUE Nexus’ features. These details are written in different languages for all Corsair customers to see.
Inside, the iCUE Nexus Companion Touch Screen is packed securely, sitting between multiple layers of cardboard for protection.
Aside from the iCUE Nexus, other items inside the box include the standalone base, and a bracket removal tool. There are also x3 keyboard brackets, a user manual, plus the warranty guide.
Corsair iCUE Nexus Companion Touch Screen Review – Design and Functionality
Our Corsair iCUE Nexus Companion Touch Screen review will now focus on the design and functions of the iCUE Nexus.
Technically, the iCUE Nexus Companion Touch Screen brings the power of iCUE right to your fingertips. With its spacious 5″ horizontal display, you’re given the power to manage applications/games and peripherals like headsets/mice. Simultaneously, you can easily monitor and manage your system information.
With the iCUE Nexus, you can see your GPU and CPU temps/loads, or manage settings for any iCUE-compatible device. These include settings for mouse sensitivity, headset equaliser, or the performance settings of your liquid cooler.
Not only that, but you can easily design over 200 personalised screens with each having five customised virtual buttons.
The iCUE Nexus Companion Touch Screen is primarily designed to manage iCUE-compatible peripherals. Of course, the content and functions of the screen are highly customisable. This can display processor utilisation rates, as well as other device diagnostic details.
Plus, it also exhibits which program-specific views created by professionals are available.
You can set the iCUE Nexus Companion Touch Screen on your desk via the standalone base. If not, you can clip it to the rear portion of a compatible keyboard. You only need to use the mounting brackets included in the package.
Compatible keyboards include Corsair’s K70-RGB MK.2 and the K-95 RGB Platinum Series.
When it comes to installing the iCUE Nexus, it only takes a few seconds, and it’s relatively easy. Once connected, it feels secure and sturdy, thanks to its rubber-like bottom section.
We attempted to mount the iCUE Nexus Companion Touch Screen to our compatible keyboard. There were no issues during the process, and we were done in less than a minute.
Do note that there are pre-attached adhesive strips on Nexus’ bracket. It helps keep it in place against the back of a keyboard.
Before using the touchscreen, Corsair suggests that you wait for 24-hours after attaching the Nexus. It’s to ensure that everything is secure and sturdy when pressing the screen.
Once the adhesive is set and secure, it won’t move no matter how much pressure you put onto it.
However, you can still remove it whenever necessary. Remember that Corsair included a bracket remover tool in the package. It’ll help you detach the iCUE Nexus when you need to.
When the bracket is secure, the iCUE Nexus will simply slide into place.
After connecting the iCUE Nexus to your system using the USB, you can run the iCUE software immediately. Make sure to explore its capabilities and features to take advantage of Nexus’ power.
Key Features of the Corsair iCUE Nexus Companion Touch Screen
This portion of our Corsair iCUE Nexus Companion Touch Screen review is all about the product’s key features.
Full iCUE Control at Your Fingertips
With the iCUE Nexus Companion Touch Screen, you can monitor your system, control your games and applications, and more. Its fully customisable LCD touch screen offers an interactive display for your system.
Personalise Your Experience
The touch screen lets you design more than 200 swipe-to-navigate screens using unique icons and graphics. You can display up to a maximum of six customisable virtual buttons simultaneously with the custom drop-and-drop graphics.
Keep Track of Your System
The iCUE Nexus Companion Touch Screen allows for in-depth and real-time monitoring of your CPU and GPU. You’ll be able to keep track of fan speeds, temperatures, and more.
Manage Your CORSAIR Devices
Easily adjust the settings of your iCUE-compatible devices, including headset equaliser, mouse sensitivity, and more. You won’t have to launch the iCUE Software client anymore since you can do these on the touch screen.
Command with a Touch
The actions and macros that you created for your games and apps via iCUE Software are accessible with one touch. The customisable screen of the iCUE Nexus Companion Touch Screen provides this convenience.
Connect to PC or Keyboard with USB
You can either use the iCUE Nexus’ standalone base or attach it directly to the USB pass-through port. The latter is available on the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum or K70 RGB MK.2 keyboards.
Specifications
This section of our Corsair iCUE Nexus Companion Touch Screen review is where we focus on Nexus’ specifications.
It features a 5″ diagonal screen with a resolution of 640 x 48 pixels and 40:3 aspect ratio. You’ll get a frame rate of 24 FPS, with 262K RGB colours for its screen.
Adjustable backlighting is available, as well as single-point capacitive touch screen functions. For its buttons, you’ll find up to six virtual programmable buttons available on the iCUE Nexus.
When it comes to its build, the iCUE Nexus Companion Touch Screen has a chassis made from plastic. Despite this, it looks sleek and premium because of its jet-black colour.
The iCUE Nexus uses a USB 2.0 Type-A connection and has a 1.82m braided cable on standalone base.
It features a Plug-and-Play function yet requires the iCUE software to work. When it comes to compatibility, it works with Windows 10. It is also necessary to have to make the iCUE software work.
This iCUE Nexus Companion Touch Screen measures 154 x 35 x 16mm (L x W x H) without the base. Also, it weighs 60g without the base as well.
We greatly appreciate that Corsair included a 2-year warranty for their product.
Hands on with the Corsair iCUE Nexus Companion Touch Screen
This section of our Corsair iCUE Nexus Companion Touch Screen review is where we get hands on with the Nexus.
iCUE Software is the interface that connects all your iCUE-compatible devices. Through the software, you can fully manage each product’s setting: from RGB to macros, and other customisations. Also, it lets you monitor your system and its status.
Setting up the iCUE Nexus Companion Touch Screen is extremely quick and easy. You just plug it into your computer, download then run the iCUE software, then you’re all set.
It’s easier if you already have the software for your other Corsair devices and RGB controls. Simply update it, and you’re ready to use the iCUE Nexus.
Do note that its interface is a virtual Nexus. With that, simply click on the screen where you want to include something.
Utilising the iCUE software is extremely user-friendly. So from the primary tab, you can create new widgets or buttons whenever you need to.
Select a button or widget, then choose your preferred size. Available sizes range from 1×1 up to 1×6 for one button that fills the entire display. After selecting the size, select the action.
Generally, actions are anything that can be shown using shortcuts and macros. These can be programmed, edited, recorded, triggered, timed, and more. It’s even possible to give them sound effects, which can be vital for Streamers using the iCUE Nexus.
Moreover, the virtual buttons can be easily programmed to launch games, applications, macro commands, and timers. Also, these buttons are functional to manage media functions.
When it comes to the widgets, these can be utilised for monitoring voltages, temperatures, and the fan speed of your system. You can even export and import screens from the iCUE software, which is pretty useful.
From inside the settings tab, you can easily configure the brightness levels, check updates, and set the display timeouts. Of course, you can alter the iCUE software’s temperature units, its language, and a lot more.
Similar to other devices from Corsair, once you launch the software, it will immediately detect all compatible peripherals. Simultaneously, iCUE software will search for any available firmware updates.
Generally, the company already has a reliable and effective software suite for everyone. With that, we can say that iCUE software is one of the best software interfaces in the market today.
The more Corsair peripherals you have, the more the iCUE Nexus can do.
When we speak of its design and overall build quality, the iCUE Nexus Companion Touch Screen is exceptionally cool. Everything simply clips together and functions immediately, which is excellent.
We did notice a backlight bleed, and we think that Corsair can improve on this. However, this isn’t an uncommon element on these types of displays, so it’s not much of a concern.
In the future, we may see a couple of improvements in this department, especially when it comes to future models.
For its touchscreen, we can say that it’s impressive. It responds well, immediately, and animations on display are smooth. We never experienced any issues with the iCUE Nexus’ touch control, so it gets top marks from us.
Corsair iCUE Nexus Companion Touch Screen Review Summary
The iCUE Nexus is an interesting concept. Although it’s not a brand-new invention, it’s the first product of its type. This product can be attached to a keyboard or used on its own.
It has a lot of available commands that allow you to program this touch screen. Also, it comes with widgets for keeping tabs on your system’s status, while utilising it with particular games.
With iCUE Nexus, Corsair offers a unique product – a fully customisable touch screen that links to the iCUE software. This provides more convenience in controlling your iCUE-enabled devices which is vital for a lot of users.
Overall, we were satisfied with its functions and how it performed.
In conclusion to our Corsair iCUE Nexus Companion Touch Screen review, we highly recommend this product. If you want this compact touch screen for your computer, check out the company’s store locator. From here, you can see where you can purchase the iCUE Nexus Companion Touch Screen.
