This page is a gallery and review of Logitech's gaming keyboards, written for programers.
If you play games a lot, great, but if you don't play games, the key macros feature would be fantastic, especially for programers.
This just came out in .
Notable features:
Of all Logitech's gaming keyboards, this is the only one with mechanical key switch, and a Cherry MX Brown one, excellent. If i would buy a Logitech keyboard, this is the one.
Logitech makes a series of gaming keyboards. They mostly different in extra features, such as number of extra function keys, size of on-board memory, video display on keyboard.
There's one thing in common. They have the worst key feel. The key switch are rubber dome tech. 〔☛ Guide to Computer Keyboard Key Switch Mechanisms〕
They are rubber dome, of course, but rubber dome switch are not necessarily bad. Different rubber dome have different feel. Some rubber dome key's tactile feel still gives you a sense when a key is pressed. That is, when you press down a key, at some point, the dome collapses, and the key gets sucked down. This is good for typing. However, on Logitech gaming keyboards, they are rather linear, and no crisp bottom neither. So, the whole feel is mushy. This is worst for typing. I suppose they designed it that way for gamers. But even for gamers, especially today's massively multiplayer online games, and role-playing games, text chatting is still a major activity.
Key feel is a personal thing. But if you ask me, I do NOT want to use any of the Logitech gaming keyboard due to the key feel, regardless what other features.
Logitech also makes a G15, but that's discontinued. amazon
Here's others.
Gaming keyboard are the vanguard of keyboards. They include these features:
• 5 to 18 extra function keys. (Real keys, not some wimpy rubbery buttons.)
• Almost always, the standard function keys {F1, …, F12} are real keys, and arranged in groups of 3 blocks. (this makes them easy to hit correctly without visual contact.)
• Un-altered and complete set of modifier keys (⁖ Ctrl, Alt, ❖ Win, ▤ Menu), on both sides. (as opposed to omitting some of them or replacing them with the hardwired Fn key or Flip3D key) 〔☛ PC Keyboard Modifier Keys — A Short Survey〕
• Gaming keyboard come with the most robust and easy-to-program key macro software. You don't have to spend days to learn about key macro tools such as AutoHotkey or Linux's xmodmap, xbindkeys, wmctrl, xdotool, ….
• High-end gaming keyboards provide on-board memory. This means, you can plug-in your keyboard to any computer, and all your key macros will be there, without needing to re-configure them.
Why do you need all those function keys? Just take a look at these:
• For one thing: nobody makes a ergonomic/split gaming keyboard that is good quality. This means, if you have RSI and must have a split keyboard, then you can't use gaming keyboard.
• In almost all gaming keyboards, the left Alt key is between {z, x}. On many Ergonomic Keyboards, the Alt is between {x, c}. This means, you can curl in thumb to press it. If you use combo keys a lot, such as in Emacs, Second Life, this is a big advantage.