David Nicholson: Roccat Ryos MK Pro mechanical keyboard review

Monday, February 17, 2014

Roccat Ryos MK Pro mechanical keyboard review

The Roccat Ryos MK Pro represents an outstanding effort by Roccat to up the standards for mechanical gaming keyboards.

Last year at Computex 2013 the world got the first glimpse of Roccat’s upcoming Ryos MK Pro mechanical keyboard. Fast forward to its launch at the end of last year, and we now see that Roccat has made good on its promises on delivering a high-quality mechanical keyboard experience with the Ryos MK Pro.

There are two features of the MK Pro that make it stand apart from its competition: Roccat’s Cherry MX key switches, and the inclusion of two 32-bit ARM processors on the keyboard to allow for extensive programmability.

Let’s take a look at what makes the MK Pro click.

Cherry clicking keys

Before turning it on the MK Pro doesn’t look too much different from other gaming keyboards. It has the usual assortment of features you’d expect from a high-end gaming keyboard: two USB 2.0 ports for other devices and a pair of 3.5mm jacks for HD Audio support. But after plugging it in the differences between the MK Pro and other keyboards on the market becomes apparent.

The Ryos MK Pro is the first keyboard from Roccat to include Cherry MX Brown switches. These switches are unique because these switches require less force than most – each click is faster making typing more efficient. On paper this makes for a much more efficient typing experience. Most users should be able to type at a slightly faster rate than with a regular, or competing mechanical, keyboard. Though this will take some getting used to, as the keys on the keyboard require a softer touch and faster release of the finger. Also, like all mechanical keyboards, the keys are rather loud.

Below the keyboard is a nice palm rest that, while not adjustable, should be able to fit most users. For gamers, a palm rest is essential as prolonged use of a keyboard without proper posture is one of the ways that carpal tunnel syndrome can be developed.

Users can buy the keyboard with LEDs that glow in their favorite color. We got the blue model.

Macros and customizability

One of the biggest strengths of the Ryos MK Pro is the extreme customizability and macro support that is possible. Firing up the included software, users are given a plethora of options to create macros for the macro keys and control the illumination of the on-board LEDs. How the keyboard should be illuminated is really up to the user, as any illumination pattern is possible.

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Conclusion

Roccat’s Ryos MK Pro is by all means a great keyboard, customizing it is certainly fun and the macro support is a must for any serious gamer but it isn’t all that different from many of the other keyboards on the market. The Cherry MX Key switches add speed to most user’s word per minute count, but aren’t that much better than some of the other alternatives on the market.

There’s nothing wrong with the keyboard: all-in-all it’s an excellent product and a pleasure to use. But for the price, Roccat should include something more than highly customizable macros, LEDs and the Cherry MX switches.

The Roccat Ryos MK Pro retails for $169 from Amazon and other retailers.*