ASUS ROG Claymore II keyboard review - Introduction

Asus CLAYMORE II (wireless) keyboard
Is that the sword that should cut right through all the tasks?

The Asus CLAYMORE II keyboard was already previewed on the 13^th of January at CES 2021. The debut has occurred on the 15^th of May. Ok, but what’s that all about? How does this product stand out from the crowded market? And how does it differ from the first version? You’ll find the answers below. And after presenting the theory, we’ll get to the main dish, I mean – unboxing and then the practical usage, which is naturally the most important. We can already say that the Asus CLAYMORE II keyboard is not typical on the market. What’s different from the predecessor? Well, those are the ROG’s latest ROG RX Optical Switches (no Cherry MX here, this time) and wireless connectivity. There is a choice between the Reds (provided for the review) which are linear and swift, and the Blues, described as “clicky and speedy.”. As for the Reds, these are the switches with a 1.5mm actuation point. An initial force of 40gf prevents accidental keystrokes and goes all the way up to 55gf for excellent rebound feedback. Other features of the ROG switches are:

• Consistent Keystroke Hollow-Square Stem
• Wobble-Free X-Stabilizer
• 100-Million-Keypress Lifespan
• Central Lighting with All-Round Illumination
   

As for the mentioned (RGB) lighting - it is provided individually for each key, and it’s possible to customize it through Asus’s Aura, which lets you change the controls for lighting, profiles, macros, media, volume, etc. We find here onboard storage; it’s possible to save up to six profiles, including up to five custom schemes, and use them anytime, anywhere. It won’t surprise you that you also get 100% anti-ghosting technology and full n-key rollover in the CLAYMORE II. So, this has been a relatively standard list of features so far, but what are some of the highlights that make this product stand out? You don’t see too many wireless mechanical ones (here it’s 2.4 GHz), do you? (especially from the major brands)  Regarding the battery life – the 4000 mAh battery provides up to 43 hours of use (full-size with lighting on). The keyboard includes a built-in LED battery level indicator (so no need to check in software for the approximate status). And please also add the option of making a TKL variant from a full-size keyboard (and also, you can move the Numeric Pad to the left side), and you’ll treat the Claymore II almost as a unicorn. Another nice feature is the Fast Charge & USB Passthrough – you can easily switch between USB-C fast charging and USB Type-A passthrough, depending on the current needs. We can’t forget about the magnetic leatherette palm rest! It sounds great to have it.

But not all things are so good at first look. The keycaps are made of ABS. That’s a pity – especially in this budget. The PBT would bring more durability, that’s for sure. The provided braided USB Type-C cable is detachable, and it’s natural for a wireless product. The CLAYMORE II uses a solid and sturdy aluminium finish frame. The keyboard is priced at 269.99 USD/279.99 EUR. Is it worth it? Let’s check the Asus CLAYMORE II in practice on the following pages.