Roccat Isku

The Roccat Isku is a gaming keyboard with 123 keys, 25 programmable macros, 5 user profiles with handy LEDs to let you know which one you're using, and a 1000 Hz polling rate for lightning-fast control. What's more, it even has backlit keys!

This keyboard has been designed and built for gamers, but what's unusual about this particular model is that it has laptop-style keys. So instead of the chunky mechanical keys seen in competitor gaming keyboards, the Isku has slim keys that aren't very deep. This should, in turn, mean that the keys are pretty quiet. So has Roccat brought us the best of both worlds in one sleek new product?

Well, no! In fact, Roccat has taken a standard, entry-level keyboard and packed it into a fairly mediocre gaming-style casing with sub-standard backlighting, noisy keys and a disappointing finish.


First of all, the blue backlighting isn't particularly visible in daylight, even when pushed up to its maximum setting. It doesn't even light up all the keys—in fact, the backlight control key itself isn't illuminated, nor are the multimedia keys (volume, audio/video playback controls etc.). However, when you turn the backlighting off the keys look dark and it can be hard to make out their markings. In a model like Logitech's Illuminated, the keys are still easy to read even with the backlighting off.


The keys unfortunately aren't wired up like they should be on a gaming keyboard. Usually, this kind of keyboard should allow a maximum number of simultaneous commands, all of which should be taken into account. However, the Isku behaves like a regular non-gamer keyboard with sequential key commands. For example, if you hold down the S and Q keys, the Isku will translate that as SQQQQQQQQ (or QSSSSSSSSSSS) at a rate of 30 characters per second instead of SQSQSQSQSQSQS at over 60 characters per second.


As we said above, the Isku keys are like a slightly thicker version of laptop keys, but they're just as noisy as the clunky mechanical keys typically found in gaming keyboards. All in all, the Roccat Isku is a noisy keyboard!

To end on a more positive note, this keyboard certainly lives up to its gamer credentials in its super-sturdy build and its good range of functions and programmable options. We'd love to see regular, non-gamer keyboards come with as many features as this! It's just a shame that it doesn't have a USB hub.