ROCCAT RYOS MK Pro Mechanical Gaming Keyboard with Per-Key Illumination, Brown CHERRY MX Key Switch

FAQ: Is this the US layout? The picture suggests otherwise...?▶ THIS IS THE U.S. LAYOUT (ROC-12-851). Not German, not British, not French, not Spartan, not Persian...UPDATE: It's almost a year, and I still love this keyboard. I have not encountered any problems with the LED lights. I updated the review (minor) for a more informed perspective, some comparison, and explanations.- - - - -TL;DR │ This is without question the best mechanical keyboard. I have tried the likes of Corsair Vengeance K95 RGB; While Corsair looks sexier, the lack of onboard macro execution (processing) made it a joke. (Who prioritizes lighting over performance in a supposedly "gaming" keyboard?) Trust me, this keyboard is solid and robust. Roccat was not joking when they mentioned the dual processor and memory of this beast.⁽ⁿ⁺⁾ Many people seem to think that this is not important. I'm a computer engineer, and I try to justify every purchase I make in a hardware point of view; The price of this keyboard is totally justifiable.If you are serious about performance, stay away from Razer, and Mad Catz. Unlike Corsair, they don't even have on-board memory. Writing software to execute macro is easy. Designing and building a keyboard that does it for you is harder, and definitely worth your dollars. Look for a keyboard with on-board memory AND a serious processor.- - - - -Ever since I saw this keyboard's epic trailer, which was narrated by Dillios from the 300 Spartans, I knew I must have it. Now that I have it, here is what I think: It's definitely worth the wait. Roccat's first entry to the mechanical scene is executed wonderfully.WHAT I LIKE │ + │+ Look and feel: Premium. Upscale. Sophisticated. Expensive. Elite+ Built like a tank. It ain't going anywhere. Could be used to crush other keyboards.+ Braided cables. Because not all keyboards are created equal.⁽ⁿ⁰⁾+ Customize every, single, fudging key. Macro. Remap. Execute. Farewell social life!+ Thumbster keys. About time the spacebar gets some friends.⁽ⁿ¹⁾+ Polished PC software. Doesn't hog system resource. No bloatation (is this a word?).+ NKRO. For that gaming orgy with friends, and using only one keyboard.⁽ⁿ²⁾+ OMG! Updated Windows logo on the key cap! Yay!!!+ No cheesy and totally unnecessary LCD screen for stuff you probably won't use.+ Illuminate per key. Customize illumination according to your desires.⁽ⁿ⁰⁾ ⁽ⁿ³⁾+ Powerful dual processor, and on-board memory to match.⁽ⁿ⁺⁾+ Choose your Cherry MX key. Other keyboards refuse to give us choice!NICE TO HAVE+ Game event illumination events. Completely programmable.⁽ⁿ⁰⁾+ Application-specific key assignments.+ RAD. Cute, but unnecessary.⁽ⁿ⁴⁾+ Cable channel under the keyboard.+ Smudge-proof, glossy surface.⁽ⁿ⁵⁾+ You can set it to make Dillios talk when you switch profiles, record macros, or get achievements (RAD).WHAT I DON'T LIKE │ × │× USB two-point-zero? Y U NO USE USB 3.0?× Holy cow $ 150-$170 as of this writing!× Non removable gargantuan wrist pad.× FN key. Totally unnecessary since there is an easy shift key.⁽ⁿ⁶⁾× Illumination won't turn on when I clap my hands. Shame.(Would Have Been) NICE TO HAVE× RBG lighting. Ryos MK Pro FX, FTW!× More dedicated macro keys. Currently only 5, plus 3 thumbster keys.× Hardware modularity.× Option for wireless. With the powerful on-board processor, this could stand on its own.PACKAGE │ ✓ ✗ │✓ Awesome keyboard.✓ Awesome box and packaging. I'm not joking, it is awesome.✓ Includes a usable keyboard cover (See my user submitted photo).✓ Instruction guide.✗ No key cap remover.✗ No other garbage.- - - - -⁽ⁿ⁺⁾ WHY THE PROCESSOR AND ON-BOARD MEMORY IS NECESSARYQuoting ROCCAT: "Fueled by up to two 32-bit ARM Cortex processors, and a powerful 2 Megabytes of flash memory, no feature sacrifices performance, every key-stroke and macro executed in real-time". For those who do not understand this, let me explain. Simply put, the macro and key-strokes you save are stored INSIDE the keyboard. It does NOT need Windows to be running to execute them. It has its own processors to do it. What are the benefits of this function?▶ There will be no lag/delay since it will not be dependent on Windows software.▶ You can use it anywhere. Even in the lock screen, before "running" Windows.▶ Keyboard remapping is keyboard dependent, not PC dependent.▶ Need to change computers? No reinstalling of drivers and software required.- - - - -OTHER NOTES⁽ⁿ⁰⁾ This feature is exclusive to Pro version of Ryos MK series.⁽ⁿ¹⁾ The thumbster keys are micro switches. They are flat but the keys are not like those on traditional PC membrane keyboards. It is more reminiscent to those flat hard keys on cellphones from yesteryears. This is by design. And it drives me crazy. My OCD is going through the roof. I think this would have made more sense if you use the main surface of your thumb to press these keys (as you did with cellphones), and not the side of the thumb (as you do with the spacebar).⁽ⁿ²⁾ USB implementations on almost every system currently limits using 6 keys (with 4 modifier keys) to be pressed at the same time. NKRO is accomplished here by emulating multiple virtual keyboards. Imagine the keyboard as a hub, with multiple keyboards attached to it.⁽ⁿ³⁾ Illumination is layered. Individual configuration could be set when a modifier key is pressed. For example, you can choose to illuminate (either constantly or blinking) only the X, C and V keys when you hold left shift key. Currently you can set individual configurations for LShift, RShift, LCtrl, RCtrl, LAlt, RAlt, LWin, RWin, Easy+Shift, FN.⁽ⁿ⁴⁾ You get "achievements" for pressing particular keys, or doing functions. It serves no purpose but personal amusement.⁽ⁿ⁵⁾ If you look at the keyboard, there are patterns with circles. The circles are the glossy parts. It is too small for any smudge to be noticeable. (See my user submitted photo).⁽ⁿ⁶⁾ FN Key is used as easy shift keys, for F1 to F12 Keys. Though you can customize it, I do not like it because instead of making the F Keys look like anonymous keys, they have key-etched suggested default functions.MORE OTHER NOTES▶ Aside from the main USB plug, there is another one used for the hub power (pass-through). It is not necessary to connect both, but the hub will be under-powered. (See my user submitted photo).▶ Max measurement (L×W) is 20 × 9.2 in inches, or 50.8 × 23.4 in centimeters.▶ Max height is approximately 3.8cm + 1cm for keys + 1cm for stands (feet)▶ This is the US Layout (ROC-12-851 ← ends in 1). The German one is ROC-12-850 ← ends in 0- - - - -Individual Photo Links (Amazon product images I uploaded)▶ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-media/permalink/mo16I7NA6YSPO9C/B00FB4BUMM/▶ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-media/permalink/mo15E2GIFI614F9/B00FB4BUMM/▶ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-media/permalink/mo3UBAH8YT6T8ER/B00FB4BUMM/▶ http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-media/permalink/mo3K8WJXZKZJ7G4/B00FB4BUMM/VERDICT: I highly recommend this product.★★★★★ | 5 stars out of 5. Best keyboard period. No compromises here. Despite its shortcomings, this still deserved a 5-star review. Why? Because those are nothing compared to what this keyboard has to offer. Like Roccat said, "NOBODY COMES CLOSE". Per key illumination is present in the likes of Corsair K95, but per key macro with onboard execution isn't there.

At the price point, It does seem like you are getting what you pay for. Detail of keys and Print are very nice. This is my first Black MX Cherry mechanical keyboard and I would have to say it much nicer and more responsive than my rubber dome type keyboards. I do not these keys are still easy for me to press ( as advertised these are supposed to be of more a harder pressure to actuate the key press. After time with the cheaper keyboards, the keys tend to wear down to a point that they become sticky or scratchy. This is why I went with the Black MX keys as opposed to the other options. Wish it was stiffer though. So far I guess though I can't make any real sound judgement call if these keys are going to last.Layout of keys seem to be standard. It is comfortable, I have medium to large hands. I do notice I can reach the function keys better, they seem to be just slightly closer, or maybe it is posture.Cons Palm rest- is not detachable and some of their website is in German, but it easy to navigate and find support. It may confuse some if and when your looking for drivers, navigate to Support first, then on the left window pane select your device model, not the other way around. After installing the software the executable / application the name of the program file is still named Roccat Driver, was kind of confusing at first but it is actually the software to control your keyboard macros and firmware.Packaging-Ordered this, shipped and Sold by Amazon.com. Item came in pristine condition. Items box was wrapped by a plastic film to help protect the very fancy Print on the box, personally this doesn't matter to me unless your five years old or still plays with boxes. I will admit the printing detail is admirable though if your into that kind of thing.

Nice keyboard but it is a lil big. The software for e keyboard works well but if you are looking to use the lighting effects with games or. Roccat talk it is nightmare to get working and that is just for the macros between keyboard and mouse. The other lighting effects shown in the video are not present and I stil haven't figured out how to get the working. All of that aside the keyboard and mouse as gaming peripherals are both pretty solid and comfortable to use. I also have to kone pure optical for a mouse and minus the problems I mentioned with the software I would recommend both as quality stand lone products but if you are looking for the extra effects that are shown in the Roccat videos and are not a programmer then I would suggest that you think about first to decide if you want the headache of trying together them to work.

Compré este teclado porque estaba bastante rebajado, supongo que por tener el layout US. Para mi los pulsadores Cherry brown son los que mejor se comportan en todos los aspectos, vengo de uno Cherry red y para jugar muy bien, pero para escribir tenía mucha falsa pulsación. Este en cambio va bien en todo y no es tan ruidoso como un Cherry Blue. Solo se ilumina en azul, y con la aplicación de la marca se puede configurar tanto teclas (normales y adicionales), como la iluminación, el comportamiento... aunque dicha aplicación no se integra si tienes algún periférico más de la marca, y tienes otro icono igual junto al reloj.Excepto porque alguna vez pulso donde debería estar la parte alta del enter, el teclado cumple todas mis expectativas, espero que vaya mejor que los ratones de la misma marca, tres he tenido de gama alta y los tres empiezan a fallar al año y medio.

before buying this everybody said roccat products are just good looking but performance is really bad..i checked all the reviews and stuff on it.. they were not good as my friends said.. after reading all the bad reviews i made the decision that i will go for this n give it a chance because its led matches my system color combination and it looks amazing..its been over 8 months now i'm using this and i must say everybody's wrong about it..its amazing..

Overall it's fine and works great as described, but could be cheaper. I think it's kinda overpriced as there's keyboards with quite similar functionality from other manufacturers.

Love it. Love the Cherry Browns. I am not a gamer, but I use my PC a lot and the keyboard switches, lights and extra functions really work for me.

Purchased this for my son as he prefers US Layout Keyboards and this was the only one available in Austria with minor shipping costs (he is writing this review).Pros:Long arm rest (i am used to long arm rests so this was welcomed, however there were some drawbacks)USB Hub (USB 2.0, not 3.0)Headphones / Mic jacks (gold plated as expected)Nice long braided cableMany different illumination options (per key, some effects ( eg ripple)No need for the new "ROG Keymaster" found on Z97 ROG motherboards, this keyboard enables all keys to be macros (some difficulties though)Cherry Switches (not all have cherry switches, my friend has the new razer blackwidow and the mechanical switches feel CHEAP, the actuation force varies and sometimes the typing feels sticky (the keys get stuck for about 1/2 a second)Good software (with some drawbacks and difficulties)Has some dedicated Macro keys (M1-M5 and T1-T3)Has an Anti-Dust coatingCons:After long periods of gaming (10 hours+) the arm rest gets really annoying due to the friction of the constant movement of the left hand (assuming you are using a mouse in the right hand) which causes pain and to fix that i had to put some Tissue paper or a small cloth on the mousepad to ease the pain.The software is fairly difficult to get used to. There are in fact 2 softwares: the Driver Software and roccat Power Grid.It took me a good 3 hours to figure out how to use it correctly and then just ended up setting the backlight to "illuminate all" and use no macros because in the game i MAINLY play (TF2) where i use scripts to set macros (for the game only) however i see the use of being able to set certain macros for certain applications (or games), which is also possible. I use scripts instead of the roccat software for TF2 because i am used to it from my previous keyboard (macbook pro xD).So my opinion on the software is: If you need to be able to set macros for different applications or games AND / OR want to be able to set many different lighting options (they can also work as a hit indicator) then there is no other keyboard (to my knowledge) that offers such features.So i would've been better off buying the roccat MK Glow instead of the MK Pro, however the MK Pro does have many cool software features not found on the MK Glow such as per-key illumination features and all-key macro capabilities.I hope this review helped you to decide wether this keyboard is worth the price for you.