Asus ROG Falcata: A Comprehensive Review

Score: 6 out of 10

Traditional keyboards have predominantly been utilized for office tasks, prioritizing user comfort over high-end features. Although they can sometimes double as gaming peripherals, the lack of advanced specs, like higher polling rates, often limits their effectiveness in gaming environments.

Breaking New Ground with Asus ROG Falcata

Asus merges the best of gaming and ergonomic design in the ROG Falcata, a separated 75% keyboard that delivers impressive speed and comfort. Featuring an 8,000 Hz wireless polling rate for ultra-responsive performance, the setup includes gaming-oriented features such as Rapid Trigger and SOCD input, all wrapped in an ergonomic package. However, the price remains high at $420, with discounts commonly bringing it down to $280.

Typing Experience and Layout

The Falcata offers an unexpectedly delightful typing experience. The keys glide smoothly with minimal sway, while the typing noise remains pleasantly deep, lacking the sharp clack associated with Cherry MX switches but outperforming many Hall effect switches. The division of the space bar into two parts helps in maintaining a consistent auditory experience across all keys. Although the stabilizers aren’t as advanced as newer PCB-mounted types, their clip-in plate-mounted design allows for straightforward maintenance without requiring a full disassembly.

When unified, the keyboard functions like any standard device. The split space bar is intuitively placed for thumb access, although the absence of a secondary 'B' key on the right side may inconvenience those accustomed to using their right hand for that key.

Ergonomic and Gaming Performance

The Falcata leans heavily into its role as a gaming keyboard with a split design, offering space-saving benefits especially useful for those requiring significant room for mouse movements. The ability to detach the right side of the keyboard is beneficial for gaming scenarios centered around the WASD keys. Yet, this feature becomes less practical when typing is necessary during gameplay, like engaging in chat or using commands.

Despite its wireless capabilities, only one half of the keyboard supports wireless connectivity, creating a visually and functionally awkward setup when tethered to a cable. Modifications such as a disconnect in the wiring or magnetic connections could have enhanced usability.

Technical Features and Software

Offering customizable actuation and advanced gaming features, like Rapid Trigger and SOCD inputs, the Hall effect switches stand out, although some competitive games may ban SOCD-specific actions. The keyboard's adjustment software, Gear Link, though modern in its web-based design, is still in beta and lacks some essential functions, pushing users towards Asus' older, more stable Armoury Crate software for tasks like firmware updates.

Customizability and Build

The keyboard includes adaptable features to accommodate various preference settings, like adjustable feet for angle configuration and detachable wrist rests. Users can achieve both a tented or inclined layout, aided by strategically placed mounting options.

Embedded controls allow for nuanced adjustments to the keyboard's settings, such as changing the actuation distance or modifying rapid-trigger sensitivity. Unfortunately, minor display quirks, such as limited actuation feedback, slightly detract from the experience.

Construction and Usability

Internally, the keyboard avoids traditional construction methods, opting instead for configurations that minimize vibrations and enhance the typing feel. Nonetheless, disassembling the keyboard is straightforward although the process can affect the foam dampening's reusability.

Overall build quality remains robust, though repeated disassembly might degrade internal plastic threads due to their lack of metal reinforcement. From a design perspective, the Falcata excels, but its high cost begs the question of its comparative value against other less pricey Hall effect keyboards.

Final Thoughts

The Asus ROG Falcata offers a novel solution for gamers and remote workers seeking a space-saving, ergonomic, and high-performance keyboard. While it achieves several innovations, the benefits for a broader audience may not justify the steep investment. Nonetheless, for the niche market it targets, it stands as a worthwhile contender.