ASUS ROG Strix Scope TKL Deluxe Review

ASUS is one of the biggest names for high-end PC gaming hardware, if not THE biggest name, actually. They've got many of the finest gaming motherboards, graphics cards, and even their PSUs and CPU coolers are pretty amazing these days. However, today I'll be focusing purely on their peripherals and the launch of the new ROG Strix Scope TKL Deluxe. While this isn't too big of a departure from their previous models, it features a TKL design that cuts the number pad off, making it both more portable and freeing up some desktop space at the same time. ROG Strix Scope TKL Deluxe Make no mistake, though, as while the size of this thing is cut-down, it's certainly not lacking in features. The ROG Strix Scope TKL Deluxe is a fully mechanical gaming keyboard, which means you get Cherry Mx Switches, Full N-Key, and Rollover. Everything is mounted in an aluminium frame, come with full per-key RGB lighting using Aura Sync, a magnetic wrist rest with memory foam padding, and even a Stealth Key, so you can hide and mute... that thing you need to hide and mute... Let's say no more. Features Created for FPS Gamers: the tenkeyless form factor provides more room to move the mouse, while the enlarged L-Ctrl key minimises inadvertent pressing of other keysPortability: The compact keyboard fits easily into backpacks while the detachable cable prevents scuff marks or scratchesQuick-Toggle Switch: Instantly shift between function and media key inputsStealth key: Tap to hide all apps and mute audio for instant privacy; tap again to play onCherry MX switches: German-made, micro-switched actuators for precision input with tactile feedbackDurable construction: Aluminium top-plate with striking slash aesthetic combines resilience and styleMagnetic wrist rest: Deep and wide memory-foam pad ensures comfort during gaming marathons For in-depth features and specifications, please visit the official ROG Strix Scope TKL Deluxe product page here. Packaging & Accessories The sun is shining, so I'm out in the garden with a coffee, because, why not. That aside, the box for the Strix Scope TKL Deluxe is classic ASUS, with a strong mixture of black and red everywhere. There's a good photo of the keyboard, showcasing the overall design and some details of the Cherry MX switches and the layout. Around the back, things get a bit more technical. There's a labelled photo of the keyboard, showing you things like the wrist rest, media controls, and RGB. The outer slipcover comes away, revealing a much more durable dual-layer cardboard box, which should easily keep the keyboard well protected. Open it up, and you can see there's a layer of foam on the top, as well as a protective bag around the keyboard. Everything is air-gapped to ensure it's kept nice and safe, and other components are also wrapped in bags to protect them further. A Closer Look & Performance The keyboard looks stunning from the moment I took it out of the box. Of course, that's not a big surprise, coming from one of the biggest gaming brands around and being part of the Strix range! A welcome bonus, however, is this stunning padded wrist rest which is included. Even the underside looks well designed, with three huge grips and two smaller ones towards the back. That means that when you snap it in place, it's not going to slide around unless you apply some significant force to it. Personally, I don't like using a keyboard without a wrist rest, so I'm thrilled to see this one included. It is optional to use it, obviously. However, I can't think of a reason why you wouldn't. It looks great and improves comfort while protecting the long-term health of your wrists. As for the rest of the keyboard, it has virtually no bezel around the sides and back, giving it a very clean profile overall. However, the lack of material doesn't mean a lack of strength. The bulk of the keyboard is a slab of brushed aluminium that keeps things feeling plenty strong. There's nothing about this keyboard chassis that will bend or flex under strain. You can really bash away at the keys with confidence that it will take the punishment. Again, this is a premium keyboard that comes with a high price tag to match, so it's great to see that you're getting rock-solid build quality in return for your investment. A small design I really like about this keyboard is the brushed metal finish. It goes at a 45-degree angle across the whole aluminium top panel. You'll find this same angled design on a wide range of STRIX hardware too, such as the heatsinks on their motherboards, the backplates on the graphics cards, and even the CPU blocks of their liquid coolers. That means if you're a STRIX fan, everything is going to have some shared design elements that'll really make your gaming setup pop. The switches are recessed into the aluminium body but raised enough to allow the keycaps to float above the aluminium. This design does make the keyboard a little chunky, but with the wrist rest there to keep your hands raised a little, it feels much slimmer and flatter than you may expect. It also has a very flat profile from front to back, which is preferable for fast-paced gaming. The keyboard has quite a few extra features tucked away, all of which can be accessed via the Fn-Shift key. However, for some keys like on the top row, you can switch between media functions or F-keys as the primary so that you won't need the F-key as much. You can easily play, pause, or skip your music easily enough, or take control of the volume levels. Plus, the keyboard is fully programmable. This includes macros for virtually any key on the keyboard, lighting configurations, launchers, timers and more. Furthermore, you can set them all to the five built-in profiles and flick between them on the fly without using the software. You also have immediate access to the macro functions, as well as the Windows key lock here. I've rarely found the need for on-the-fly macro recording, but I can certainly see the appeal. I like the little details too, such as that custom STRIX font on the caps. It's a nice bold font, so it's going to let lots of light through easily, and it's pretty clear and easy to read, too, as they've used a double shot cap design, which will prevent it from ever wearing off. Overall, the keyboard oozes premium quality. It feels robust because it is robust! It's got a lot of lightweight aluminium in its construction, but alas, it has a lot of it, so it feels nicely weighted, and that means it doesn't want to slide around when your mashing at the keys. The wrist rest snaps onto the front of the keyboard using some strong magnets. However, you can remove it easily enough without dragging the keyboard along with it. Yet, at the same time, while working or gaming, I never found it came loose or accidentally detached. Around the back and from the side view (above), you can see the keyboard has a slight wedge shape, but it's not overly aggressive. On the underside, there are three huge grips towards the front and two smaller ones towards the rear. You can easily increase the angle with these chunky feet at the rear, and they've got some rubber grips of their own, so you're not losing traction at the back. The model I have at the moment features Cherry MX Red switches, which are pretty much the core standard for mechanical gaming keyboards, so you really know what you're going to get here. That being said, the Cherry MX Red switch, or any switch for that matter, really can feel very different based on the chassis and the keycaps they're used with. Of course, with a thick aluminium body, and I suspect some dampening on the interior, this keyboard doesn't rattle, ring, buzz or bend when you smash away at the keys. This gives everything a very direct and clean feel when typing. You can quickly tell they're premium switches in a premium housing from the moment you lay your fingers on them. For gaming, it's such a nice keyboard, with a very nice tactile response, and it's just very light and fast under your fingertips. Furthermore, being able to program all my macros and key configurations and having multiple profiles is certainly welcome. Competitive gamers could even disable any keys they don't want to use or set lighting combinations for their abilities. There's certainly no shortage of colour here, with some very vibrant LED lighting for you to play around with. I didn't expect that cheeky bit of underlighting on the front bezel—a nice little touch to accent the main colours. I like that the ASUS logo isn't just a badge either. It's fully RGB lit, too, meaning you can throw light into every corner of the keyboard. P Of course, if you're feeling funky, there's a full suite of lighting effects such as fades, rainbows, transitions, stars, and all the usual built into the keyboard, with furthermore per-key customisation available via the desktop software. Of course, with AURA Sync, you can match it with compatible fans, coolers, mice, headsets, cases, motherboards and more. How Much Does it Cost? With an MSRP of £139.99, it is obviously a pretty expensive keyboard, but still competitive with other big-name brands and their fully-featured keyboard. If you want a lot of aluminium, RGB, and Cherry switches, you're going to have to pay a premium for it. Thankfully, at the time of writing, it's on sale for just £119 on Amazon, so there are deals out there as that makes it £10 less than the rival SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL or the Corsair K70 RGB TKL Champion. Overview When it comes right down to it, this keyboard is as good as anything else the competition has got. Razer, Corsair, SteelSeries, Cooler Master, Roccat, etc., all have similarly equipped keyboards for around the same price, and they're largely all fantastic. It really comes down to the smaller details, namely the aesthetics and brand loyalties, that will tell you which is the right one for you. If you're already rocking ASUS hardware, or you're a fan of the STRIX look, then this keyboard a no-brainer. It'll blend in with the rest of your high-end hardware effortlessly, and you'll also be able to sync all of your AURA Sync lighting easily too. Durable However, the overall build quality of this keyboard is certainly worthy of your attention. STRIX hardware has a pretty solid reputation for being well made, and that's certainly true of this keyboard. The plastics feel more robust, the metal work feels like it's a bit thicker than it needs to be, and it just feels more solid and planted than some of its rivals. I think that comes over in the aesthetics too, it just looks strong, and I like that. Stylish The RGB is nicely done, offering vibrant colours and a good range of effects. Of course, that's pretty much what we've come to expect from any high-end keyboard these days, and it doesn't disappoint. The brushed aluminium looks great with the lighting off, but the heavily textured design does a great job of capturing the light and just giving it a more unique look. Of course, the fact that the angled brushed design is found on pretty much all STRIX hardware means it'll match up nicely with their graphics cards, motherboards and more. Performance This keyboard really is the sum of its parts. Its rock-solid build quality means that you don't get any unwanted flex or vibrations throughout the keyboard while you're typing/gaming. It also means that it doesn't slide around your desk, even if you're rage typing/quitting regularly. Cherry MX Red switches are the bread and butter of high-end PC gaming, and they don't disappoint, giving the keyboard a smooth and fast action that lends itself well to typing emails to playing competitive FPS. Throw in all the macros, programmable keys, profiles and more, and you've got everything you need for whatever games you play. Should I Buy One? The ASUS ROG Strix Scope TKL Deluxe is a stunning keyboard that ticks all the right boxes for those wanting a gorgeous keyboard for their home office just as much as it does for those who need something high-end for their next eSports tournament. While it's similarly equipped to rival offerings, its impressive build quality and flawless performance make it a strong contender for anyone. The STRIX aesthetics makes it appealing to all, but especially those with other STRIUX hardware.