Roccat Sova Lapboard Review

1. Introduction2. Packaging and Bundle3. Roccat Sova4. Testing5. Closing Thoughts6. View All Pages

The idea of a ‘lapboard' has been around for a couple of years, but it is only now we have started to see any products materialise. For those who don't know, a lapboard is a way of bringing tried-and-trusted keyboard and mouse gaming to your sofa. The Sova is Roccat's way of accomplishing what they call a no-compromise solution to sofa gaming.

Whereas Corsair's Lapdog allows you to insert one of their own mechanical keyboards, the Roccat Sova uses an integrated keyboard – and there is the choice between a membrane keyboard version (£119), or a mechanical version (£159). This means the Sova is more competitively priced than the Lapdog – as just the Lapdog base unit (with no keyboard) costs around £110. But does that mean the Sova is the lapboard solution for you?

For this review today, I was shipped the membrane keyboard version.

Features

• Superior design, comfortable even after long periods of use.
• Indestructible build for the wear and tear of comfortable gaming.
• High-Accuracy mousepad built for max precision.
• Replaceable mousepad, wrist rest & cushions.
• Totally Lag-Free for couch gaming without technical limitations.
• ROCCAT® Swarm software suite & companion app optimized.
• Mouse bungee + Cable Channel for distraction-free gameplay.
• Docking rail supports mouse bungee + custom clip-on parts.
• Configurable blue key back-lighting on per-key basis.
• TTC mechanical switches with near infinite key stroke durability.

Specifications

• 275mm × 240mm mousepad, replaceable.
• Polling rate 1000Hz.
• Media & hotkeys.
• ROCCAT® Talk™.
• 512kB memory + 32-bit Arm IC.
• TTC mechanical key switches (anti-ghosting optimised).
• 2 × USB 2.0 ports.

As the Sova KitGuru managed to get a hold of is one of just two pre-release samples sent to the UK, our box is not indicative of the final retail sample.

As you can see, it is plain black, with nothing at all to identify what is inside.

However, Roccat did send me the above image – and this is what the retail packaging should look like. It is safe to say it is more interesting than the box I received.

Inside, there is the Sova itself (which is examined on the next page) as well as a detachable 4m cable which connects the Sova to your PC. It has two USB 2.0 ports at its end, as these feed the two USB ports on the Sova itself, as well as the integrated keyboard.

Finally, there is a small clip which attaches to the Sova. This locks your mouse's cable in place, meaning the wire won't drag as you are using your mouse. I assess how this works in practice on the ‘testing' page of this review.

The first thing I noticed about the Sova is that there really is not a whole lot going on. The lapboard itself is fully black, with only a subtle grey Roccat logo embellished on the mousepad area of the lapboard, as well as Roccat branding across the wrist-rest area under the keyboard.

As the keyboard is fully integrated, it cannot be swapped out (as with the Corsair Lapdog). The positioning of the keyboard and mousepad area also mean the Sova is exclusively for right-handed users.

Eagle-eyed viewers may also notice that the keyboard itself uses a German layout – this is just a result of getting a pre-release sample. Of course, UK buyers will be able to get a UK keyboard layout once the Sova is available.

On the back of the Sova are four padded cushions, which obviously rest on your legs. Roccat say these are designed to be ultra-comfortable, and gaming for five hours should not feel any different to five minutes (to use their marketing speak.) On the next page I assess the comfort of the Sova.

Finally, at the top of the board are two USB 2.0 ports for an extra peripheral such as a headset, as it is a given that one of the ports will be used by your mouse. The integrated keyboard cable is also visible, as the 4m cable attachment is detachable for ease of use.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.The idea of a ‘lapboard' has been part of a recent trend towards gaming in the living room. Steam has been pushing the Steam Machines and their Steam Controller, and that is certainly one way of doing things. The Roccat Sova, however, is another way of bringing PC gaming to the sofa.

It is largely successful, too. Build quality is solid throughout and it is very comfortable to use. I would be happy to recommend it to anyone doing significant amounts of gaming on the sofa – it will not let you down comfort-wise.

The membrane keyboard is also decent, though hardened gamers will probably prefer to spend an extra £40 for the mechanical version.

My biggest problem with the Sova is its mousepad. It is hard plastic, which causes friction between the mouse and the pad, resulting in an irritating scraping sound. It would have been better if Roccat replaced the hard plastic with a soft mousepad, but simply placing a mousemat on top is an easy solution to this problem. Still, when paying upwards of £119 for a lapboard such as the Sova, you should not have to do this in the first place. There is going to be the future option of a cloth mousepad, but the default plastic surface does cause problems.

Other than that, the Sova is a capable and useful piece of kit – it is certainly one way of bringing keyboard and mouse gaming to the sofa.

Furthermore, if we look at the main criticisms we had with Corsair's Lapdog (namely, the long wire from lapboard to PC and where to store the device) they largely apply here. This says to me that the issues present are part and parcel of lapboards in general, rather than issues specific here to the Sova. For example, there is just nothing you can do about a long wire if you want 100% lag-free gaming on the sofa.

As such, I am happy to give the Roccat Sova our ‘Worth Buying' award. As previously mentioned, the membrane version will retail at £119, while the mechanical version will be £159. You can actually pre-order the Sova now from Amazon HERE.

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Pros

• Very comfortable.
• Integrated keyboard.
• Mouse docking rail.
• Good size.
• Cheaper than Corsair's Lapdog.

Cons

• Users have to contend with a 4m cable from PC to sofa.
• Mousepad is hard plastic.
• Space required to store it.
• Right-handed users only.

KitGuru says: The Roccat Sova solves the age-old problem of gaming with a keyboard and mouse on the sofa at a competitive price.

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