Corsair K63 Lapboard: PC gamers can also game from the comfort of their sofa
27.6.2018
Translation: machine translated
If you want to game from the sofa with your mouse and keyboard, you need a decent surface. Corsair has developed the K63 Lapboard for exactly this purpose. I tested this monster together with a K63 keyboard and Corsair's Dark Core RGB mouse.
The console fans have it good. Just plop down on the sofa, switch on the controller and get started. Thanks to increasingly compact PCs and streaming options, PC gamers can also play from the comfort of their sofa. However, if they don't want to rely exclusively on controllers, it can get complicated. After all, there's no desk to put down the mouse and keyboard and adopt a comfortable posture. The keyboard wobbles on your thighs and the mouse doesn't glide properly on the sofa either. Fortunately, there are solutions in the form of special mats. One of these is Corsair's Lapboard K63.
Setting up
Strictly speaking, the lapboard is just an expensive base. It has no connections, an integrated battery or other functions. You have to buy the keyboard separately - just like the mouse. The only keyboard that is compatible with the lapboard is the wireless Corsair K63. To install it, all you have to do is open two traps, insert the keyboard, click it back in and you're done.
Matching the Corsair keyboard, I used a Corsair mouse for my test setup. You can also use any wireless mouse here. Like the K63, the Dark Core RGB uses 2.4 GHz wireless transmission. I was able to cover a distance of around six to seven metres between myself and the PC. Optionally, you can also connect via Bluetooth. Too bad you need two separate receivers and therefore two USB ports. You can also connect a cable for charging or if you are not comfortable with wireless.
Operation and input lag
The keyboard does not have a numeric keypad for space reasons, but I don't miss it in games. Macro keys are also missing. Instead, there are media controls and volume control. The blue LED lighting can be switched on or off. Corsair promises a battery life of 15 hours with full lighting, 25 hours with low lighting and up to 75 hours without the LEDs. I played with the lighting on and came close to the promised value.
The Cherry MX Red switches make a pleasant but not too loud clicking noise. The pressure resistance is very pleasant for both typing and gaming. I didn't notice any delay due to the wireless transmission. Even with hectic shooters, there is no noticeable difference to the cable mouse/keyboard. With Bluetooth, the transmission delay increases from 1 ms to 7 ms, which should still be enough for most games or if, like me, you rely on in-home streaming with the Steam Link.
Like the keyboard, the Dark Core has a very high-quality feel and is comfortable to hold. You can replace the right finger rest with a cover without a rest. I prefer the former solution. My whole hand rests very comfortably on the mouse. The buttons provide satisfying click feedback. It takes some getting used to that the thumb rests directly on a button. The lighting can be adjusted via Corsair software and synchronised with other iCUE-compatible devices.
I also like the fact that both devices can be switched off. My cheap Logitech solution can only do this by removing the battery. As a result, every time I touch the coffee table, my TV switches to the HDMI channel of the Steam Link because the mouse has sent an input again.
How to play with it
The underside of the lapboard is made of foam (memory foam), which is comfortable and reasonably non-slip. With an almost 70 cm wide surface and a total weight of around 3 kg (including mouse and keyboard), your thighs will get a little warm over time - especially in summer. Nevertheless, even longer sessions were bearable. Things like the Couchmaster avoid this problem, but they are absolutely gigantic.
The surface area for the mouse is generously dimensioned and is sufficient for everyone except competitive shooter players who rely on very low dpi. You can't reach too far on the mouse pad. I find the height of the lapboard very comfortable. It allows me to keep my arms nice and relaxed. I also really appreciate the palm rest. It's much easier to play with the lapboard and it's much more fun than with my thighs or sofa as a base. Before, I always found playing games on the PC in the living room a bit improvised and cramped.
Conclusion: A clear recommendation for couch gamers
If you want to regularly play your PC games from the sofa with a mouse and keyboard, then the lapboard is definitely worth it. It's a good size without taking up the entire sofa. Just think about where you want to store it when you're not using it. I parked it under the sofa, where I now have to hoover regularly if I don't want to clog up the beautiful Cherry switches with lint.
With the lapboard, even longer sofa sessions are much more fun than balancing the keyboard on your thighs. Combined with the matching Corsair peripherals, the result is an ensemble that I can recommend. The complete setup may not be a bargain, but you get value for money.
Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chBeing the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur.
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