ROCCAT: The new Vulcan II Mini Air and Vulcan II keyboards have changed my Apple-only lifestyle
Just keeping it 100? I knew my relationship with Apple was dwindling since I first had a conversation with the stunning Alexa. Siri just wasn’t doing it for me - whether it was because she had all of the world blowing up over her or the worldwide appeal - and all those different accents - she turned super big headed and Apple products seemed to overlook some of the most vital and nitty gritty details the competitors always had but just didn’t get the full range of attention. Long story short? I am in love with my ROCCAT Vulcan Mini II Air wireless and Vulcan II wired keyboards.
Yes, this is a bit unusual to put all of the attention on my new review-aimed keyboards as the focus of a Photo of the Day but when you’ve been blown away by greatness, had the luxury of sitting on these awesome, game-changing devices for weeks now and have an embargo which has officially lifted - yup, you guessed it - this is all types of 24-hour attention needed on Attack The Culture.
Where to begin, where to begin. I am going to do my best at showing both of these equal love and then coming through with a super tough decision on which one has the edge, usage-wise. With that being said - and possible or potential spoiler alert - let’s focus on the keyboard I am currently using to write this article - the mind-blowing Vulcan II wired white keyboard.
Holy. Freaking. Smokes. As mentioned, up until recently, I was living my best life with the aid of Apple’s magic keyboard. A lack of inspiration or true game-changing design for more than a decade, or at least it feels as such, I just expected what I had only known - up until getting the Vulcan II. My goodness - the successor to ROCCAT’s Vulcan 120 series mechanical gaming keyboards you gamers have known for the past five years.
It’s more than just a gaming keyboard though. The comfort, endless inputs and small details like a knob to adjust the volume in the corner? Super game-changing. As you can see from above, this keyboard glows in the most awesome way and really sits well in front of my Apple 27-inch iMac. The all-white everything look is perfect and goes with the presentation I want on my white standing desk. And let’s keep it 100 - this is Attack The Culture and you’re already used to hearing and seeing ample music, it’s only crucial to geek out over those dedicated media controls.
Forget having to worry about digital buttons. The full set of media keys and volume knob come in handy minute to minute - especially when my random Apple Music shuffle feature is activated and my favorite Action Bronson and Curren$y songs are playing. I have the full media luxuries at my fingertips without having to move any on-screen tabs, minimize my work or have to take my hand off the keyboard for my Apple Magic Mouse.
There’s nothing more boring - sorry, Apple, I know I’m going in-in - than the Magic Keyboard’s lack of color and fun. It just screams ‘work, work, work,’ and I’m not talking Rihanna. Instead, the Vulcan II goes the gaming appreciation route with its RGB illumination being able to sync with other AIMO-enable products to synchronize my lighting display. Have multiple users or platforms you’re dealing with? You can save up to four profiles of custom lighting, key reassignment and and more directly on the Vulcan II.
If comfort is your ultimate goal - especially with hours and hours of gameplay planned out, then what better way to have the edge on the ops, even my super adorable Vulcan II Mini Air than the detachable palm rest? Comfort like crazy and for someone who stays hours and hours in front of a computer screen, my hands have the natural on-table marks to prove it - so having this palm rest is like having a Casper pillow to give you ample comfort during a 10-hour Netflix binge.
Needless to say - my mind has remained blown since getting the Vulcan II in my life and seeing the wired lifestyle has way more perks than what I thought I was receiving from a wireless grind I had previously only known.
But now, for my wireless gamers and keyboard heads around the globe, why not switch gears - literally - and geek out over ROCCAT’s Vulcan II Mini Air. As I kiss the Vulcan II and place it to the side, I have to admit - the Vulcan II Mini Air is definitely tuned in to my fast-paced and on the go lifestyle.
Now - keeping things 100? I freaking love, love, love - did I already mention love - LOVE the Vulcan II Mini Air. Of course it lives up to its name with the ease and air-like breeziness of comfort involved in this very high performing keyboard.,
For starters - before I get into the nitty gritty details, I really want to point out just how fast it is. I feel like the Vulcan II is solid and is great for long-winded and drawn out typing or a very extensive gaming session - but for someone like myself, juggling a bazillion things at once - going from gaming goals to reports and reviews plus everything in-between - this fits me perfect. Don’t worry - it’s still neck and neck with which keyboard I prefer more - you’ll have to wait a few more paragraphs and images more for that.
The ROCCAT brand knows exactly what it’s doing. Sure, it places attention to those desktop gamers looking to have a designated area with its Vulcan II keyboard but this Vulcan II Mini Air? Game-changing and really made for those people on the move - even if you’re not traveling hotel to hotel but you’re like me with every room in your - er - 1-bedroom apartment, including the kitchen - having a computer, you have the luxury of setting up anywhere and everywhere with this keyboard. It just makes the quick and easy concept a reality and is backpack-ready for when you do need to run into town and want to set up a work station at another place - whether it’s Long Island for the weekend goals or posting up at your friend or bae’s spot for a few hours - this keyboard is just as handy as your car keys or - for all my metro heads - metro card.
Now, regarding the fun and nitty gritty details? I thought you would never ask.
My goodness, if there’s something you can’t help but love with the Vulcan II Mini Air, it has to be the overall size. I emphasized the life out of this factor in the prior paragraphs but it’s worth being specific. Wireless 65% mini size maintains the arrow keys and combined with vivid RGB, low profile keycaps and aluminum top allows your keyboard to just stand out from the ops.
Functionality? Are we really going to talk about functionality? Not a game, not a game - functionality? Well, I thought you’d never ask. How about 29 multi-function smart keys have you secured more than Batman’s utility belt with a dedicated LED to indicate when secondary keys are ready to roll.
The ultra fast speed gives this keyboard the durability you can really appreciate with a 150 million keypress life cycle. In other words? Millions and millions and millions of key strokes have you better than any insurance plan could promise.
But where the keyboard lacks in comparison to the Vulcan II, it makes up for in compactness and ease of use. Prelubed for a smooth feel with minimal resistance plus the battery life? Oh yes - I mean, if we’re living the mobile life, battery is always going to be a key factor.
How about 240 hours? Now keep in mind, to push it to that limit, you’re going to have to sacrifice the lighting but if functionality and grind is your key focus, you can take a hit in the lighting department to get your j-o-b completed - whether it’s a school assignment and job report or taking out the ops in-game.
I realize I’ve put more words into this review - er - Photo of the Day - post than what Google can probably even properly scan and SEO, but sometimes passion takes over and I promised you an honest edge over edge - but of course this is tough.
When all the lighting clears and digital smoke fades away, I am going to say I am most blown away by the Vulcan II. It’s personally shocking because I have lived the wireless keyboard lifestyle for years now and to have this luxury? My goodness - it’s a true game-changer. But the overall security and comfort of the keyboard - not to mention all those previously mentioned features locks me in and allows me to type with the ultimate comfort and functionality I’ve never quite experienced before.
Having more iMac computers than laptops in my home, I am feeling the strength of the wired lifestyle but obviously with my MacBook Pro always ready to go, there’s no doubt my on the road and mobile go-to will be the Apple Magic Keyboard Vulcan II Mini Air. Easily. It’s compact enough to get tossed into my Brooklyn Nets book bag and those 240 hours of functionality - with the lights out of course - give me the comfort of knowing I will have no interruptions when I am grinding away from home.
Good news and bad news? Let’s start with the good. You have a win-win regardless of which keyboard is more to your calling. Consider your set up and if you’re grounded or prefer to take your work on the road - the keyboard decision is a big one but ultimately you win either way. Now… the bad news? You’ll have to wait two more days before being able to officially secure yours. But if you look at it in a good way, you have just under 48 hours to clear space and prepare to welcome in the biggest game-changing keyboard of the year.
The Vulcan II and Vulcan II Mini Air both are available Wednesday, July 19 and both are currently available for pre-order at ROCCAT.