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 Everglide DKTBoard’s size is comparable to that of a laptop, but with the inclusion of a numpad. Also the key layout reminds one of a laptop - the extra keys normally between the numpad and the rest of the keyboard are positioned on the top right of the keyboard and the arrow keys are cramped under the Enter and Shift keys. This unusual key layout causes you to make many typos until you get used to it and one may wonder how many people want to have a smaller keyboard for their home use. For a travelling gamer, though, this is not as big of a problem - as long as you have taken the time to get comfortable with the keyboard before e.g. entering an important tournament.
Logitech G11 is a high-quality keyboard in normal use and very comfortable to use when you get used to the presence of the gaming keys on the left side and don’t accidentally press them when searching e.g. for the Shift key. However, the piece of equipment may be difficult to fit on the desk of a gamer who has only a small gaming table. The large number of gaming keys may require some getting used to, but once you are comfortable with them they are easy and quick to use. The memory setting buttons require a bit more force to press down than the other keys, which may cause problems in extreme gaming situations.
Logitech G15 feels pretty much the same as G11 and the only difference is the smaller number of gaming keys and easier to press memory buttons. The keyboard is very pleasant to use and the sturdy structure and pretty design make it a perfect addition to anyone's gaming gear. The LCD display is an additional bonus that, even if you don’t install any add-ons, at least offers a nice clock telling you how long you have been telling yourself "One more turn" while playing Civilization.
Conclusion
Overall, all three keyboards presented in this article serve their purpose and it depends on the needs of the user which one is the best for him/her. In addition to the keyboards handled in this article, the table below includes the Razer Lycosa keyboard that we reviewed a while ago.
It should be noted that the score that the DKTBoard received in our review reflects the fact that we cannot recommend this keyboard for home use. However, if you regularly have to travel with your gaming equipment, then the DKTBoard might prove to be the best choice for you. The three other keyboards (incl. Razer Lycosa) can be more easily compared to each other and here the verdict and scores are pretty clear. Depending on your budget, either G11 or G15 is the way to go.