Test: Asus ROG Claymore II

With its ROG series, Asus is one of many companies that have invested more and more in the gaming side, and of all the products that are launched annually, the keyboards are probably one of the most fully loaded. Manufacturers launch hundreds, if not thousands, of new models every year. Of course, this constantly places new and increased demands on innovative solutions, which Asus clearly shows that it is fully mastering with the launch of ROG Claymore II.

Unique construction

The keyboard consists of three parts: a main unit, a numeric part and a palm rest. In total, the keyboard measures 462 X 155 X 39 millimeters and weighs 1170 grams without cable. The keyboard has an aluminum frame, which makes it stable, while the weight is not too noticeable.

The first thing that makes ROG Claymore II stand out from the crowd is the numerical part. This is located in normal use located on the right side, but by pushing the whole part upwards, we can remove it completely. You can also choose to move the part to the left, which is usually preferable when we play. The concept is the same as in the previous Claymore model, but the connection has become smoother and more stable.

Thanks to a smart metal mounting point, the numeric keypad can be placed on any side.

Regardless of which side we choose, it becomes part of the keyboard and this too becomes completely stable. A small bonus is that the integrated RGB solution detects which side the part is placed on, and if we choose, for example, a wave-based light integration, this will start or end on the numeric part, completely based on where it is placed.

The back has been provided with the ROG logo on both the main part and the numeric unit. Both also have foldable rubberized support feet where the numerical part has a support that is almost as wide as the unit itself for best stability even when we hammer hard over the keys.

ROG Claymore II works wirelessly and with cable

In the middle of the rear edge of the underside is a smaller bevel with a USB Type-C connection and a Type-A port. The first is used to connect the keyboard to the computer, which can be done either via a Type-C port or via a Type-A port and then the supplied converter is used. The cable that is included is a Type-C to Type-C with a length of 1.8 meters.

The keyboard’s A-port can be used in two ways. Either it can be used to connect a mouse with a cable, or it can be used to charge external devices via a fast charging mode. The latter requires that the keyboard is connected via Type-C on the computer and also that fast charging is activated, which we do by pressing Fn + F12. When this mode is activated, however, the internal charging of the keyboard itself will be slower.

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Between the two ports is a power switch that we use to activate the wireless communication. But before we do this, the device’s included 2.4 gigahertz wireless receiver must be connected to the computer. This is, when not in use, placed in a magnet-based USB pocket on the back right side of the table.

On the inside of the keyboard is a 4000 milliampere powerful battery that gives us up to 144 hours of use without integrated RGB lighting or about 43 hours with maximum brightness across the entire keyboard.

Smart switches

The keys themselves have individual RGB integration which comes from the center of the key for an accurate and even light distribution. A great news in ROG Claymore II is that we also get full wireless RGB synchronization that matches our other devices. The keys have also been equipped with what is called an X-Stabilizer. This is a small foldable cross that gives the key an exact, even, impact no matter where on the key we press. This results in higher precision and virtually no missed prints. Should we be a little fussy, the keys are made of ABS plastic which historically is not as durable as PBT, which can feel like an unnecessary saving on a keyboard for almost 3000 kronor.

The keys are in turn driven by either Rog RX Red or RX Blue optical-mechanical switches which will withstand up to 100 million impacts. Both types have an activation distance of 1.5 millimeters and a total stroke of 4 millimeters. What then distinguishes the red from the blue switch is the initial and total impact force where the RX red has a smoother ride. We also see a difference in the sound where RX Blue has a more noticeable, more marked click sound. In both cases, we get support for 100 percent Anti-Ghosting and N-Key rollover so that we never miss a hit.

Great feeling

Now, of course, the impact feeling is individual, but we must say that the response, precision and above all the speed to activate an impact is as close to perfect as we can get Whether we hammer down the keys in a close melee or need to fine tune with quick adjustments to turn us in exactly the right position, the response is always perfect.

If we then look at the numeric keypad part, it has the same keys and switch. These are supplemented with a long-narrow scroll wheel placed at the top to quickly handle the volume. Below this are also four traditional media buttons. But unlike regular buttons, they can be programmed for other functions or store macros linked to different games.

Complete software

For the keyboard parts, we get, as mentioned above, also a very comfortable wrist support that is attached with a strong magnet, which means that it stays in place even during more intense sessions. Everything is then framed by Asus’ awesome Armory Crate program, which lets us handle everything from the motherboard’s overclocking and firmware updates to our system’s RGB integration and, above all, the programming and mapping of our keys. The big advantage of the solution is that it suits both beginners and full-fledged gaming professionals equally well.

SPECIFICATIONS Asus ROG Claymore II:

• Manufacturer: Asus, www.asus.com
• Approximate price: SEK 2,890 incl. VAT, SEK 2,312 excl. VAT
• Measure: 462 X 155 X 39 mm
• Weight: 1,156 kg
• Chassis: Aluminum
• Switches: ROG RX Red optically mechanically
• RGB: individual per key
• Key: ABS
• Connection: USB 3 or 2.4 GHz
• USB Polling Rate: 1 000 Hz
• Media keys: 4 pcs programmable

• Cable length: 1.8 m