Asus ROG Claymore II mechanical keyboard features a convenient removable numeric keypad

Asus announced a new mechanical keyboard at CES 2021 called ROG Claymore II. It’s designed for gamers, with customizable macro keys and per-key RGB backlighting. It’s also the first device to feature Asus’ ROG RX Blue or Red optical switches with a lifespan of 100 million keys.

This model gives a nod to people who just can’t take the numeric keypad off entirely: you can detach it to make the Claymore II an 80% keyboard if you need to save space or attach it magnetically when you need to cross numbers. The numeric keypad also offers more intuitive multimedia controls, such as a volume wheel.

ROG Claymore II connects via USB-C cable or wirelessly via 2.4 GHz. If you use it cordless, its 4000mAh battery is said to last up to 40 hours. Asus says the USB-C port supports fast charging and USB passthrough for other devices. This model will be released in Q2 2021; Asus has yet to share a prize.

Image: Asus

Asus also announced its new ROG Gladius III wireless gaming mouse. The mouse doesn’t have a final price or a specific release date (beyond its Q2 2021 target), but the design and specs are worth knowing. The Gladius III Wireless looks like the Razer DeathAdder V2, which we cited as the best wired gaming mouse to buy. The new device’s sensor supports up to 19,000 DPI, and it can be connected wired or wirelessly via 2.4 GHz or Bluetooth. Asus says that a purely wired version of this mouse will be released at some point.

Notably, the ROG Gladius III enables user-replaceable switches so you can find the right feel for your needs – even allowing you to switch between mechanical three-pin switches and Omron five-pin optical switches. Most people will probably never put their mice under such stress that they will reach the end of their switch life, but having the option to swap them out is certainly a nice feature.