Asus’ new Falcata break up wi-fi gaming keyboard has a hefty value

Break up keyboards are onerous to search out, particularly if you happen to’re searching for one thing within the gaming area of interest, and doubly so if you’d like one thing from a mainstream retail retailer. However we’ve got simply such an instance obtainable right this moment. First showing at CES 2025 in January, the Asus ROG Falcata 75% keyboard is now obtainable at Greatest Purchase. The worth? A watch-watering $420.

This model of the Falcata is an fascinating beast. Because the full-length title implies, it’s a 75% format, which principally means laptop-style with a full perform row and arrow keys however no numpad. The keyboard’s signature function is its means to separate in half, separating into two sections tethered by a USB cable. Many typists desire this selection for ergonomic layouts, and avid gamers prefer it for comparable causes. Notably, this keyboard is wi-fi—you continue to want that cable for the left facet of the board, even when it’s positioned in its standard format, however Bluetooth, 2.4GHz dongle-based wi-fi, and commonplace USB are all choices.

The remainder of the keyboard is a laundry record of in-demand options. PBT keycaps, inside layers of froth, and, in fact, RGB lighting are included. You get magnetic Corridor impact switches with adjustable actuation, that are hot-swap succesful… however precisely what number of swap choices you’ll have entry to aren’t recognized in the mean time. (Those within the field are linear, pre-lubed, with 49 grams of resistance.) A scroll wheel on the left facet will be set to regulate actuation and present outcomes with the LEDs that run alongside the sting, however fortunately there’s no LCD or OLED display included, as a result of that will be actually dumb. 8K polling is on the market even in wi-fi mode, with a most battery lifetime of 200 hours.

Critically, Asus is not claiming that the ROG Falcata 75% is an ergonomic keyboard. That is, at first, a keyboard for gaming. However it does supply extra choices than traditional for anybody who needs adjustment, as solely is sensible for a break up design. You get two silicone wrist rests that may be put in and mounted to the break up parts of the board, and eight screw-in toes that increase up the keyboard’s again or inside sides, relying in your desire. It’s not a full tenting equipment, nevertheless it’s much more than you get with any standard keyboard format.

It’s a formidable providing, to make certain… however $420 is a lot for a keyboard in anyone’s cash. That’s reaching properly past even the expensive vary of wi-fi gaming boards from main producers, hovering into the decrease parts of customized keyboard designs. And this isn’t the primary time Asus has pushed so onerous on a super-expensive design.

For that cash, you can get the well-loved Dygma Increase 2, which incorporates extra ergonomic choices (however admittedly doesn’t have wi-fi at that value, requiring an costly improve). Break up keyboard followers are a small however enthusiastic bunch, and so they don’t thoughts spending rather a lot, however I ponder how a lot they’d be prepared to belief Asus with a first-gen design.