Rarely does ROCCAT disappoint when it comes to keyboards. They make some of the prettiest and most practical mechanical keyboards on the market. I have spent the last couple of years enjoying their keyboard series, from the Vulcan to the bigger Magma. Each time, they seem to improve upon the last and outdo themselves with innovation, comfort, and just the right amount of clickiness.
Now, ROCCAT has taken their mini-series (accurate term) of keyboards, known for taking up a minimum amount of desk space while still maintaining their gaming moniker, and pulled back a bit in price with their latest creation, the Magma Mini ($49.99). Taking a cue from its bigger brother, the Magma Mini features soft keys with quiet touches, in comparison to its cousin the Vulcan II Mini which is gleefully loud. While it doesn’t feature all the bells and whistles of the bigger keyboard or its cousin, there is still some charm to be had with the Magma Mini.
Let’s get clicking on this.
Style sometimes trumps simplicity
The Magma Mini has some style to it. It features a soft-keyed stroke that whispers quietly that you’re hard at work. While I prefer the more mechanical clicking noise of a keyboard, mainly so it fools my brain into thinking it’s actually doing work, the soft keystrokes aren’t too bad. For early morning reviewing they’re nice. They’re also somewhat durable, mimicking a good Apple keyboard, something I don’t say with ease. Apple keyboards are way too flat in both keys and body.
Keys aside, one of the bigger features of the Magma Mini is that it’s smaller than the typical keyboard. Coming in at a quoted 60% form factor of a normal keyboard, and slightly smaller than the Vulcan II, you certainly will save space on the desk for this sucker. Now, the lack of size means that something had to give.
The Magma Mini has no number pad on it, something I prefer all my keyboards to feature. Having the ability to quickly type numbers is a must for me. It harkens back to my first computer, the C64/128, where the mechanical style was complemented by the extended cab on the right with the number pad. Even this laptop that I’m using had to have that number pad because it was essential for me doing my work. It’s the only way I can give a review a score quickly. Kidding, but not really.
With the number pad eliminated, one of the more confusing additions by subtraction was the integration of the arrow keys with the ALT/Windows/CTRL keys. While it may not be immediately noticeable or thought to be necessary, this actually does save space on the keyboard. By integrating the arrows with the ALT/Windows/CTRL, you’re shaving off about an inch and some change with keyboard size. To achieve that 60% form factor that seemed to be a necessity, though a confusing move.
What do I mean by confusing? I mean literally confusing.
To preface my complaint, I’m the kind of person that has to see how a piece of hardware works without instructions. It’s an HCI-obsessive reviewing behavior. Having typed on a keyboard since I was the age of six (wayyyyy back in the 80s), I have grown accustomed to how keyboards should function. The integration of the arrow keys into other keys wasn’t easy to get used to at the beginning of the Magma Mini review. The first week I had this keyboard I was certain I had to use the function (FN) key to activate the arrow keys. Using it worked just fine, as assumed by the nature of the function button. It’s supposed to activate the secondary function of keys on a keyboard. It’s a mean button that lives on most extended keyboards these days. Anyway, after a while, I got used to using the function key to activate the arrows but grumbled the entire way. I didn’t quite understand why ROCCAT would lean this way, especially since the arrow keys could be pivotal in gameplay. And editing. And typing. AND EVERYTHING.
Then the oddest thing happened. I decided to read the instructions. And, alas, a solution presented itself.
If you hold down the shift key and press the caps lock/[+] button, you can activate the arrow keys and negate the use of the ALT/Windows/CTRL keys. No one really uses that Windows key and the ALT/CTRL buttons were mirrored on the other side of the keyboard. Anyway, you can undo this with the same button combination. While it’s an extra step, you’re balancing minimized keyboard size with practicality. It was not a bad move once I realized what ROCCAT had done. It’s kind of smart. It kills two birds with one stone while only requesting an extra step. You save an inch and some change of desk space because of it, which makes a big difference when you have other items (headset, camera, microphone, video capture card) laying around.
Everything for style, right? You betcha.
Sweet customization
If you are used to applying some Swarm with your ROCCAT experience, then you’ve got another device ready to go with that software. The Swarm software allows you to create macros, and color profiles, adjust color flow of ROCCAT devices that use it, and create a cool combination of color movement. The Magma Mini follows its family of keyboards and mice through this same software. While the lights aren’t as gorgeous as the Vulcan II or the Vulcan II Mini, the lights still allow for the customization style that you’re used to seeing in the ROCCAT family.
This is probably my favorite part of this keyboard, as you can adjust how you want your style of color to go. For me, I’m a rainbow sorta guy and love seeing all the wavey colors slowly pulse left to right on the keyboard. It looks cool, it’s easy to see, and it attracts compliments like flies to honey. If you’re hoping for this part of the ROCCAT experience to continue, you’re going to be thrilled. It’s on par with the functionality of its bigger brethren.
HCI-ing it
As mentioned above, I think the one trip up with this keyboard is its balance of functionality and style. As I said previously, I love the space on the desk and I enjoy the elbow room. I just don’t know if everyone is going to be okay with the extra keystroke for the arrow keys. Had I not read the instructions to make sure that ROCCAT didn’t make a weird decision on arrow key functionality, I would have written it off as a ‘You tried’ sort of deal. Having reviewed their material for the last two years, I know that their intentions are generally spot on with one’s assumptions. So, the arrow key issue might be a mystery to some, especially those who do not read the instructions or go to the ROCCAT website where it’s explained in a small number of words.
Anyway, this blip on the review was more about my concern for people trying the keyboard out and not realizing this keyboard combination feature. Why would you read instructions for a keyboard? You simply wouldn’t.
On that note, let’s wrap this up.
Conclusion
The Magma Mini from ROCCAT is on par with its mini keyboard line-up. The smaller size, softer keys, and multi-use keystrokes will please a good majority of gamers. Just make sure that if you go this route you are fully aware of the key combination to make those arrow keys activate without the use of the function key. You don’t want to get used to that function key combination unnecessarily.
Anyway, it’s a fun keyboard at a fun price. Just not as perfect as the Vulcan II Mini.
