The new Roccat Isku is one of the most configurable keyboards we’ve ever tested. Thanks to the EasyShift[+] technology, already featured on the Kone[+] mouse we reviewed here, and to the number of extra keys, it is possible to program over 180 functions. The keyboard can store five user profiles, and it features six levels of illumination and a special synchronicity with the Kone[+] mouse. It has loads of options and special features, so first we’re going to analyze the physical characteristics and then review its software and actual performance.

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Figure 1: The Isku keyboard

The Isku is a huge keyboard with some extra space reserved not only for the programmable keys but also for a big wrist rest. It doesn’t fit in those traditional sliding trays for keyboards found on most small computer tables. On the left side, the user finds five M keys (M1-M5). In place of the traditional Caps Lock, there is the EasyShift[+]. On the top left corner, there are five LEDs to indicate the current user profile and a button to record macros on-the-fly without the need of an application.

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Figure 2: Left corner

The illumination button and a display for the Caps Lock, Easy Shift[+] and Num Lock can be found on the right side of the keyboard.

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Figure 3: Right corner