The summary

As this is the first time that keyboard has communicated with mouse, ROCCAT has invented something revolutionary, but far from being a gimmick, it will actually enhance your game by allowing you to execute mouse macros at high speed. It's a feature that you'll probably not use unless you're a hardcore gamer, but it's a shortcut that could really shave off some precious time if you're ultra-competitive.

Dubbed ROCCAT Talk, this communication between board and mouse also comes into play with the Easy-Aim technology which will switch the DPI on your mouse with the press of a button on the Isku. What ROCCAT has essentially done with its new gaming keyboard is let you control the buttons that you'd usually press on your mouse from the Isku. It's going to take a bit of getting used to if you've become accustom to tapping buttons on your mouse, but it definitely a more intuitive and quicker solution in the long-term.

All the programming for your keyboard and mouse can be done from within the ROCCAT software, too, and if you've used any of its previous products it's a familiar set-up with an intuitive menu system featuring easy-to-navigate tabs and simple-to-follow instructions. We've had no issue with the driver since we've been using the Isku, but it is a little irritating to have to load up the separate driver for the mouse when we want to program it. Considering ROCCAT wants you to buy one of its gaming mice with the Isku it could have merged them together.

Click for larger image

Apart from the lack of ports on the keyboard, we don't really have too many complaints with the Isku. You might feel a little forced into buying a compatible ROCCAT mouse as well, which does bump its modest price-tag up considerably. But in all fairness, you will get a very good gaming mouse. The integrated wrist-rest is a design decision that we'd prefer to do without, but that's really down to personal preference.

Overall, the Isku offers a fully-featured setup that is going to suit the hardcore gamer; someone who is going to want to take advantage of the sheer volume of macros available and needs to be able to switch quickly between profiles and wants the convenience of having to record without loading up the driver. The ROCCAT Isku really does make life quite simple for the core gamer, and the fact that it looks sexy…well, that's an added bonus.

The Good

Stylish-looking board with top-quality performance
The keyboard talks to your mouse so you can concentrate on aiming and firing
Makes life simple for recording macros

The Bad

No USB or audio ports
Integrated wrist-rest makes it a huge keyboard
You feel compelled to buy the mouse with it to take advantage of all its features

HEXUS Rating

ROCCAT Isku keyboard

HEXUS Awards

ROCCAT Isku keyboard

HEXUS Where2Buy

ROCCAT Isku Keyboard is available to buy from SCAN.

HEXUS Right2Reply

At HEXUS, we invite the companies whose products we test to comment on our articles. If any company representatives for the products reviewed choose to respond, we'll publish their commentary here verbatim.

Login with Forum Account

Don't have an account? Register today!

In the market for a new keyboard but this is another one that fails me immediately due to the extra keys down the left edge.

I find that while gaming I subconsciously find keys like CTRL and TAB by feeling the “first” column of keys…..that extra row absolutely slaughters me :(

Can we assume the supplied software is only for Windows? Is there a unix hack to handle the lights and the macros?

The single thing which puts me right off this board is the lack of mechanical switches. I've used a mechanical keyboard for a few months now and nothing would persuade me to go back. At this price point, I would recommend the Razer Blackwidow Stealth unless backlighting is a must-have feature for you.