Three keyboards for gamers who prefer the sofa
23.11.2016
Translation: machine translated
PC gamers generally rely on mouse and keyboard controls at the console. But what if you want to game from the comfort of your sofa? I'll introduce you to three sofa keyboards, explain why none of them is perfect and which one is my favourite.
Playing PC games from the sofa is getting easier and easier. You can either place your PC right next to the TV or stream the games into the living room via Steam Link or Nvidia Shield Android TV. But then you're faced with the dilemma of either having to reach for the controller or making a suitable base for the keyboard/mouse combo out of cushions and trays. While a pad is actually the better solution for platform or racing games, true PC gamers can't do without a mouse and keyboard for first-person shooters.
Luckily, manufacturers have realised this and there are now a number of ways to enjoy precise PC control on the sofa. Razer, Roccat and Corsair have three different solutions on sale. None of them are perfect, but I do have a clear favourite.
Corsair Lapdog: lapdog? More likely a lapdog
Let's start with the monster. The Corsair Lapdog is gigantic. The part is over 70cm long. But it also offers a huge, high-quality mouse tray. The Lapdog is actually a table - simply made of plastic and without legs. It offers space for a full-size keyboard - including a numeric keypad. The top end can be folded open to store cables. It also has six (!) USB 3.0 ports. Two are underneath the mouse pad for the mouse and keyboard, while the others are outside for a headset or USB fan.
With all these ports, you probably won't be surprised that the Lapdog itself also has to be connected via USB cable. Just like in the Playstation 2 and Gamecube days, you have to lay metres of cable through the living room. But that's not all. The device also needs to be supplied with power. If that hasn't put you off yet, then perhaps the price will. The 150 francs don't include a mouse or keyboard. Of course, it's great that you can use your favourite equipment in this way - as long as it fits in - but the price doesn't make the whole thing any more attractive. And where on earth do I stow this monster piece of equipment when I want to watch a film? The Lapdog is really only for people who primarily want to game with a mouse/keyboard from the sofa and have and need a lot of space.
Roccat Sova: The middle ground
The Roccat Sova is still large, but almost handy compared to the Lapdog. First things first: the keyboard is included, only the mouse has to be purchased separately. With the keyboard, you have the choice between a normal backlit version and one with mechanical MX Brown keys that make a pleasant tapping sound. Two USB 2 ports are available. One of these will be used by the mouse. The Sova does not require an extra power supply for this. A USB cable with two plugs is sufficient to use the keyboard. This means you are also wired here.
Other than that, there's really nothing to complain about. The mousepad has a pleasant resistance and offers enough surface area to control the mouse. For its part, the keyboard offers enough space to rest your wrist on. Of course, the Sova is not really light and with its size, you have to be a demanding gamer to lug such a piece into the living room. This piece of furniture can't really be stored well either, unless you push it under the sofa like in the Roccat advert. However, if it looks like mine under your sofa, I would advise against it.
Once with and once without MX Brown Switches [[product: 5880528,5880530]]
Razer Turret: The independent
This brings us to the third sofa solution in the group. The smallest, but in my opinion, the finest. The Razer Turret is the only one that is wireless and comes with a matching charging station into which you can plug the keyboard and mouse. It takes up little space and looks stylish. If the battery does run out, you can also use a USB cable. The Razer Turret is a foldable keyboard with an integrated mousepad. Compared to the options from Roccat and Corsair, everything is significantly smaller. So you don't have much room to navigate with the mouse. Nevertheless, Razer's version can be controlled relatively comfortably from the thighs.
You don't get a mechanical keyboard and the mouse is rather small, but these aren't killer criteria for me. If you have large hands, you probably won't enjoy the Razer Turret. Overall, this all-in-one solution suits me best. Especially because it's wireless, which is a top priority for me as a sofa gamer. For the most sensitive among you, the higher delay compared to wired might also be a disruptive factor. A slightly larger version would also be desirable for the next version. The only not insignificant downer: Unfortunately, we do not have the Razer Turret on sale. There is also no version with a Swiss layout.
Conclusion: something for everyone
All three options have their pros and cons. If you don't care about cables and don't want to make any other compromises, get the Roccat. Those who prefer to use their own keyboard and have too much space will be happy with the Corsair Lapdog. And if you're happy with something more compact and prefer wireless, the Razer Turret is a good choice. None of them are perfect, but the options for PC gamers who want to migrate to the living room are growing.
You might also be interested in this
Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chBeing the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur.
18 comments
later