Gaming keyboard showdown
Feature
Special keyboards for gaming have been around for years and new editions come out regularly. But, are the new ones always an improvement over their older brethren? We take a look at three popular gaming keyboards to see if they are worth your cash.
The Logitech G15 is the top gaming keyboard according to several reviewers. Sized at 49.5 x 22 cm without the wristrest, the keyboard houses 6 programmable gaming keys on the left side and a stylish LCD display at the top centre. There are several programs available for the LCD screen on the ‘net, but the out-of-the-box selection includes a clock, CPU and RAM use graph, timer and a media display that shows the name and length of the media file that is currently being played. Like G11, G15 also has a backlight with switchable intensity – only this time, the light colour is orange, which seems to show up better in dark surroundings than blue does. G15 also has two extra USB 1.1 ports at the back of the keyboard.
Media controls & gaming keys
The Everglide DKTBoard does not have any specific gaming keys and thus the only things that make it a gaming keyboard are its durability and portability. For those who tend to use the media keys, they are at the top of the keyboard and easy to use and configure. Also included are quick launch keys for a web browser and e-mail program.
As was told above, Logitech G11 offers 18 programmable gaming keys on the left hand side of the keyboard, as well as three selection buttons (M1-M3) for different memory settings. That should be enough for even the most demanding gamer. The keyboard also has a handy switch between gaming mode and typing mode, which basically results in an ability to turn off the windows key so that you won’t be exited from a game by an unlucky keystroke. The media keys have received a central position on the keyboard and the volume control wheel should please those who want to control their media playing experience through the keyboard. For a gamer who likes to have as many programmable buttons as possible, G11 is perhaps the best choice.
Although Logitech G15 is the more expensive of Logitech keyboards, it includes only 6 programmable gaming keys in comparison to G11’s 18. It also has the three memory settings so you can easily set different functions to the keys for different purposes and contexts. Like G11, G15 also has the gaming mode switch that turns off the windows key. Whereas G11 had the media control keys, G15 hosts a fancy LCD display. While you are playing a game, the display occasionally shows the game logo, if the keyboard software recognises the game in question. You can check e.g. Wikipedia for a good list of supported games and applications and other special functions.