ROCCAT Savu Review

W+M1.

Following my review of the Kone+, the Roccat guys wanted to see if another one of their mice would make for a better impression. When I opened up the Savu, I wasn't quite sure what was different. But using the mouse for the past month or so has given me some specific insight into how some slight changes in design can alter the way you use an input device, both in gaming and non-gaming applications.

While the Kone+ was definitely geared for hardcore gaming sessions, with its slightly larger profile and customizable weights, the Savu is more my style.

The Savu is a more compact mouse with little in the way of tweaking and personalization. Just plug it in, it works, no questions asked. There's the left mouse button, the right one, and a few space buttons in case you need them. On my Mac I could easily assign the dashboard and expose functions to mouse keys and in games I could set frequently used abilities.

It wasn't until I was out of the game that the Savu took on a new light. While the Savu features the same Easy-Shift keys for increased functionality when paired with a Roccat keyboard, it's not as apparent, so you won't feel like you're missing out on a feature just because you didn't buy a matching set of keys.

What's more, the Savu is incredibly comfortable. The same no-sweat grips and matte finish make handling the Savu a joy, while the wheel is notched for extremely precise control. I could switch weapons in Counter-Strike and TF2 with my mouse-wheel without fear, and I've never felt like a mouse-wheel was precise enough to pull this off before.

I admire the Savu's design most of all. There's a comfortable groove for your thumb to rest and it's the right size for anyone's hands, whether we're talking about my big, meaty paws or my girlfriend's dainty digits. The braided cable also holds up under tugging and pulling, and the mouse slides smoothly over any surface. I've actually ditched my old, sweaty mouse pad for the bare desk underneath.

All this simplicity doesn't sacrifice tech specs and the alternating LED underlighting is a stylish touch as well. At $60, $20 less than the Kone+, it's certainly easier to justify the purchase to your significant other too. Just say you need it for work or something. That's what I did.