Roccat Sova Lapboard Review

The first thing I usually assess when using a new peripheral is the accompanying software. For Roccat, this would usually be their Swarm software – which they describe as one ecosystem for all their peripherals. However, another unfortunate downside to getting a pre-release sample is that the software side of things is not quite ready yet. I have been assured by Roccat, though, that the Sova will be fully compatible with Swarm come the release day.

In terms of testing the Sova as a piece of hardware, the first thing to say is that it is very comfortable indeed. Over prolonged periods, the four cushions at the base of the lapboard mean the Sova does not become heavy or sore against your legs. I would definitely recommend the Sova if you are going to be gaming from your sofa for significant amounts of time.

It is a good size, too. The integrated keyboard feels natural to use, and there is a decent amount of room for your mouse to move around. The mousepad could always be bigger – but then you have the issue of using a huge plastic slab on your lap, not to mention storing the thing. As it is, the Sova strikes a good balance between ease-of-use and practicality.

While on the topic of the mousepad area, though, I must say it is not the most satisfying surface to use. It is made entirely of hard plastic, so any big or sweeping movements create a scraping sound of the mouse against the plastic. While mouse tracking is still fine, I would have preferred a padded mousepad section on the Sova. As it is, I would recommend just using a standard mousemat on top.

However, Roccat have informed us that the mousepad area is replaceable, and there will be a separate, cloth mousepad available in the future. Nonetheless, the hard plastic mousepad is not the most satisfying to use.

One handy feature, though, is the mouse ‘docking rail.' This is a small clip which attaches to the Sova, allowing you to lock your mouse's cable into the clip. This is a neat touch as it prevents the weight of the cable affecting mouse movements as you play. Small things like this can make all the difference.

Incidentally, the mouse in the pictures is the Roccat Kova. Roccat are actually bundling the Kova with all Sova pre-orders – free of charge.

It is also worth mentioning the feel of the keyboard itself. I received the membrane version, and I would imagine most readers would prefer to spend the extra £40 for the mechanical version. Still, it is good quality for a rubber dome keyboard – I would say it is comparable to Corsair's K30 keyboard. It does begin to feel ‘mushy' after sustained use, but this is a problem common to all membrane keyboards – not a specific problem of the Sova itself.

Finally, the wired 4m cable is somewhat of a nuisance to have draped across the floor from your PC to the sofa. However, there is not much you can do about this – for 100% lag-free gaming on the sofa, a wire is required and there is no way to escape this impracticality. Roccat are actually producing a wireless version of the Sova – so if this is such a deal-breaker, there is that option. However, until I use that version I cannot comment on any input lag it may or may not cause.

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