Five Gaming Keyboards, Tested

[steve4king]

My biggest complaints about the hotkeys/macro's on keyboards is that they are software based. These do not work in many environments and can lag depending on the system status. Firmware based programming is far superior.. that was by far my biggest complaint about the G11 and 15. Do any of these use firmware based programming?

 

[Major7up]

[citation][nom]dconnors[/nom]Saitek hasn't come out with a new keyboard in a while, and we were trying to include newer products.-Devin[/citation]
That makes sense but the Cyborg still easily competes with these newer products, the article just seems like it makes others insignificant. In the beginning you ask if the newcomers can take on the tried and true veterans and yet there are no mention of any other 'veterans' later. I appreciate the review of these keyboards and find the info valuable but I think at least some other biggies should be at least acknowledged. I just felt as if this article made it seem like this was the only game in town (more or less) or the only ones worth a look. That is just my opinion, don't take this as me devaluing the contents of the review in anyway.

 

[fracture]

LoL, how does the SteelSeries get a 4 in the design catagory? It's just a regular ol keyboard. It doesn't even have a design of it's own.

 

[Guest]

I don't bother with expensive keyboards, just generic ones with low profile keys, and that's all.

 

[Major7up]

Can we please do something about these advertising douches, this is nuts, ban maybe?

 

[BulkZerker]

[citation][nom]Major7up[/nom]Can we please do something about these advertising douches, this is nuts, ban maybe?[/citation]

Derp....

The second some... I dunno... REPORTS THEM!!!! A mod or Admin bans their account.

Beware the Spammers, don't fear them.

 

[doped]

unfortunately keyboards do fare better on a default PS/2 interrupt instead of the serial bus. So no dice on these boards, although some are mechanical which is good.

I didn't find anything about n-key rollover or the likes in the article, how come? it's a test that's VERY needed, especially on gaming keyboards!

though there are better mechanical keyboards out there now(definitely not those from the article) I'm still on my trusty IBM clicky from 1994.

try googling mechanical keyboards, should come up with real reviews, of real mechanical PS/2 keyboards.

 

[4RT1LL3RY]

I'm using a TG3 Deck Legend over PS/2. The midpoint between cherry browns and blacks is nice. I've had it before Razer had announced there mechanical board. I still love this board, its built like a tank and has N-key rollover. The shell is made from polycarbonate and the LEDs are rated for 22 years. The keys themselves are as nice as they get, they are two-part keys with dye-sublimated legends.

I'll be able to use this thing for years before the keys even start to get shiny. Also because its mechanical you can just replace the keycaps instead of the whole board.

 

[cletus_slackjawd]

[citation][nom]daimeionb[/nom]What about the Merc or Zboard keyboards? Those are true gaming keyboards in my opinion. They have a plethora of dedicated gaming buttons, and the zboard has swappable keysets. They put all the others, except maybe the logitech, to shame when it comes to improving your game.[/citation]
You sir are absolutely correct. I don't see how these and others are true gaming keyboards, at least in the FPS games. There is simply no substitute for the key shape and placement of boards like these. My MERC gave up the ghost and I tried two other "gaming keyboards". I die a lot more in BF2 now.

 

[sgtsolidus]

[citation][nom]daimeionb[/nom]What about the Merc or Zboard keyboards? Those are true gaming keyboards in my opinion. They have a plethora of dedicated gaming buttons, and the zboard has swappable keysets. They put all the others, except maybe the logitech, to shame when it comes to improving your game.[/citation]

The Merc is more niche than the mechanical keyboards on the list because of it's design, it would need it's own section for reviews, probably with mini boards like the fang. and the Shift is basically an updated Zboard with added features, it's even compatible with old Zboard keysets. They just wanted to redo it so they could put their own name on it.

 

[sgtsolidus]

Also, as for why it's not here, at least in my mind, the 6gv2/7g are better keyboards than the shift in the context of this article, and having more than 1 keyboard from the same manufacturer would be unfair, and some would call the review biased.

That said the Zboard is an amazing keyboard, very durable and flevible game-wise, and if the Shift lives up to it's predecessor then it's probably even better.

 

[dokk2]

Hmmm, Interesting article,, for what it does , which really and sort of misses the point, none of these are really dedicated gaming keyboards, a dedicated board would and should have a gaming pad built in,, like 1, the Wolfking and 2, the Merc, these are just boards that are slightly "enhanced" ,,WTF, these companies should know better I am presently using the Merc Stealth for my FPS gaming and would not consider any of the above, and at one point the reviewer complains about the red lighting, red backlighting is the best because of it'a low frequency, when you are not looking at it ,it effectively vanishes, and red is best for protecting night vision in actual battle conditions, try it..

 

[robd007]

great link man, awesome read...

[citation][nom]fafkac[/nom]I don't want to be rude, but writer doesn't know what is he writing about "While the company still offers membrane-based keyboards like the 7G and Shift" 7G is also mechanical keyboard, 6G is cheaper version of 7G"While the BlackWidow from Razer has a click built into its mechanical switches, the 6Gv2 does not, which is hit or miss as far as performance goes." writer didn't do hes homework, most of people that own more than one mechanical keyboard say, that nontactile feedback is suited more for gaming that tactile like black willow had, 6G is using cherry black switches, black willow is using blue cherry switchesmost used keyboard mechanismshttp://www.overclock.net/keyboards [...] guide.htmlI got SteelSeries 6G v2 and its worth the many, no questions there, i wouldn't buy membrane keyboard, because its not worth it.[/citation]

 

[dconnors]

[citation][nom]dokk2[/nom]none of these are really dedicated gaming keyboards, a dedicated board would and should have a gaming pad built in[/citation]

Backlighting and an additional gaming pads are preferences, not requirements. There are plenty of gamers out there, myself included, who like using the WASD format just fine, and don't require a dedicated arrow pad like that found on the Merc keyboard.

Also, If red is such a great color to use for backlighting...why isn't it more popular? The G510 can do red, but its default setting is a blue/white, and Razer uses blue.

-Devin

 

[ssddx]

[citation][nom]dconnors[/nom]Backlighting and an additional gaming pads are preferences, not requirements. There are plenty of gamers out there, myself included, who like using the WASD format just fine, and don't require a dedicated arrow pad like that found on the Merc keyboard. Also, If red is such a great color to use for backlighting...why isn't it more popular? The G510 can do red, but its default setting is a blue/white, and Razer uses blue.-Devin[/citation]
I would even go so far as to say that the majority of gamers do not use such specialized keyboards. Most use whatever works both for gaming and non-gaming activities.
[citation][nom]fafkac[/nom]I don't want to be rude, but writer doesn't know what is he writing about "While the company still offers membrane-based keyboards like the 7G and Shift" 7G is also mechanical keyboard, 6G is cheaper version of 7G"While the BlackWidow from Razer has a click built into its mechanical switches, the 6Gv2 does not, which is hit or miss as far as performance goes." writer didn't do hes homework, most of people that own more than one mechanical keyboard say, that nontactile feedback is suited more for gaming that tactile like black willow had, 6G is using cherry black switches, black willow is using blue cherry switchesmost used keyboard mechanismshttp://www.overclock.net/keyboards [...] guide.htmlI got SteelSeries 6G v2 and its worth the many, no questions there, i wouldn't buy membrane keyboard, because its not worth it.[/citation]
What? Tactile feedback is HUGE when it comes to games. I've used an IBM-M for years and any non-tacticle mechanical keyboard does not compare at all. That said, I understand your sentiments on membrane keyboards... However, some people actually prefer this style.
[citation][nom]darkerson[/nom]I sometimes miss my old IBM "battle board" That thing was a tank, had the nice capacitive switched, and outlasted like 4-5 computers. I still cant believe I finally managed to kill the thing.[/citation]
Same. I managed to kill it when trying to permanently repair its plastic circuit connector piece (the only one flaw of the design.) I'm searching for another right now (or new replacement model perhaps

 

[Guest]

Deck Legend ftw

 

[re-play-]

I just want to know how a person can waste $50,$80,$100 or $120US in a Keyboard?
when non Gaming keyboards like Dell does are fine and cost like 10bucks

i have this Keyboard http://www.computer-reclaim.co.uk/ekmps/shops/comprec/images/dell_keyboard_1(1).jpg

and i play anykind of Games in my pc. again WHY U BUY EXPENSIVE KEYBOARD?

 

[Guest]

I have the Blackwidow Ultimate on order, and it's been on order for several months with Razer pushing out the estimated delivery date about every month. It just makes me wonder how great the quality of the keyboard is really going to be from a company that can't figure out it's own production schedule.

I am interested in a mechanical keyboard these days. I know those keys are going to feel great. About the only game I play these days is Everquest and I don't really need new ways to make macros, or so I think, but the extra keys on the keyboard will be good to map to extra functions in the game.

And while the keyboard lights don't impress me with a coolness factor, I do end up at the computer in the dark and I think the lights will be a feature I can use.

 

[Guest]

Good reviews, iv actually got a Razer BW U, coming in the mail with a steel-series Siberia v2 headset, im very keen!!