I would play PC games in the living room all day long if I could just find a comfortable, no-compromise solution for mouse and keyboard placement. Perhaps Roccat’s Sova will do the trick.
When I do attempt PC gaming in the living room, I either use a gamepad or a tray table set up next to my couch to rest my mouse on, with the keyboard in my lap. I’ve also sat on the floor with my keyboard and mouse on my coffee table, but at that point I might as well be sitting at a desk. Roccat’s new device, introduced this week at E3 2014, seeks to put an end to such compromises.
The Sova is not an Ikea bookcase. It is a platform with built-in illuminated wireless keyboard, wrist rest, and a mouse surface that can be extended off of the side for players with particularly long arms. It’s got a pair of USB ports in the side, a cable channel to keep the mouse connector in check, and a removable battery pack that you’ll probably want an extra of if you play on gaming for more than 10 hours at a time. There’s even a clip for your mobile device, in case you’re taking advantage of Roccat’s Power-Grid second-screen PC monitoring app.
There’s no price for the Sova (are they riffing on sofa?) yet — the product is still in development — but there’s a website where folks can check it out and leave their feedback. The only issue I have with the unit, having only see it in pictures, is where to put it when I’m not using it — when it’s not on my lap, it seems like it would just be a board with a mouse hanging off of it.
What I really need is a big boy version of a school desk, with some lovely padding, maybe some reclining action, but the Sova might do in a pinch. What do you think?
Comments
21 responses to “An Elegant Keyboard Solution For Couch-Based PC Gaming”
That actually looks pretty cool.
I can dig it
I’d never use it. I have a PC for a reason – so I have a comfy chair + desk to use my mouse/kb on. Why the hell would I ever want to play awkwardly from a couch ..?
I have a console for a reason – so I have a comfy couch and nice big TV to play my games on. Why would I ever want to play awkwardly and uncomfortably from a desk? 😛
Exactly. Console controller suits the comfy couch and TV.
I have gaming PC with a comfy chair and desk. I also have a HTPC with a 60″TV and wireless game pad in my lounge room. Why would I ever put up with 30fps on console? 😉 Don’t give me no BS about it being cinematic.
But… but… the human eye can’t see anything above 30fps….
sure it can – watch something in 30, 60 and then 120fps and you’ll totally notice the difference
maybe you have a lazy-boy recliner for a computer chair? Bonus is that it reclines right back into a pretty respectable bed if you can’t be arsed moving the 80cm to your bed 😛
I do all my computering/gaming from my couch. I have a bit of packing foam I wrapped a town around that raises the mouse to a very comfortable level and makes a solid surface for control. With keyboard in my lap it’s fantastic and you would have a hard time convincing me to go back to a desk setup.
Like most things PC related set it up the way you enjoy the most.
Fair enough, sir.
MMO Players? Most I’ve known have played from the couch on a big screen.
Or we can just wait for the Steam Box controller!
*looks at sova pic*
*looks at mouse in left hand*
*sigh*
Hahaha, I knew I was missing something when I looked at it! What a weird design choice, to not make it reversable.
Maybe it’s time to bring the Phantom back from the dead?
http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/photos/uncategorized/2007/12/19/phantomlapboard.jpg
Just buy one of those TV trays from the Reject Shop. Lol
I don’t “lounge TV” game period. For one, it’s viewed by my wife as “unsociable” and most of the games I play aren’t exactly decent viewing for under 5’s. I like my computer desk in my computer room with my privacy and my nice comfy office chair.
This would be great if you’re a single person or flat with others….or even have a personal gaming room. Heck, if I really wanted one of these I could throw one together in my shed.
I have actually been looking for something like this for a while.
Due to health reasons I find it very painful to sit upright at my computer for large amounts of time with any frequency. ( I have only a regular ergonomic chair for it). Where as my nice large tv with my consoles is about 3 meters away as is my recliner.
But given that I play reclined for my back and I can’t slide one of those hospital type food trays that have a leg under the bed under the recliner nor have one in front, something like this could almost work perfectly.
Sigh, if only I had more room I could make my own set setup and have a custom built desk for my pc =/
I use a trackball = problem solved. I don’t play competitive FPS’s though, and I have no idea if a trackball can cut it in that arena (even if I had skill, which I do not 🙂 ).
I can see a use for this device, but I share the author’s concern about where to put it when its not in use – my lounge is cluttered enough as it is….
so its a stable table?