What sort of keyboard are you using? Is it a grimy old beige thing from an old PC or something a bit newer with a few multimedia keys on it? Not all keyboards are born equal, and if you’re a keen gamer you have some fantastic choices if you want something to boost your in-game performance. So what options do you have if you’re looking for the best gaming keyboard?
Razer Tarantula | |
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Basically this is a great keyboard that covers the bases for gamers – programmable keys, good key response and plenty of simultaneous presses. |
| Read more about the Razer Tarantula | |
Logitech G15 | |
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It’s a great keyboard, and the Version 2 is definitely worth paying the extra for. Slightly smaller than the original, it looks better and the LCD screen is improved with the new lighting. Highly recommended. |
| Read more about the Logitech G15 | |
Ideazon Zboard | |
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The Zboard is quite unique in its approach. It offers two keyboards in one by allowing you to switch between different keyboard layouts. The Zboard comes with a standard QWERTY key layout for everyday use but the clever bit is the second keyset, which forms a layout that is designed especially for games. This layout is designed so that common gaming keys fall within easy reach of the left hand, while the right hand continues to operate the mouse. Swapping the keysets is easy and can be done without restarting the game, the drivers detect the new keyset and sort out the key mappings to fit. |
Conclusion
On the face of it all of these gaming keyboards are very good but each has a different approach for satisfying gamers, so choosing the best gaming keyboard is partially down to your own taste and requirements.
- The Razer Tarantula looks great and feels solid. It includes the Battledock, but is this more style over substance? It is also the most expensive.
- The Logitech G15 has a great LCD screen and plenty of progammable macro keys,
but is also expensive (but less than the Tarantula). - The Ideazon Zboard is a clever compromise between gaming and everyday use and is cheaper than the others, but this is reflected in the feeling of quality.
OK, so which do I think is the best gaming keyboard? Well, it has to be the Logitech G15 simply because of its LCD screen and the functions and information that it provides. Despite the steep purchase price, I think that makes the G15 the best gaming keyboard.
I hate the g15 – the macros and so on are nice, but i just hate the feel of it.
Personally I have a Cherry keyboard with extra fat keys and a few programmable media buttons. I’ve been fans of cherry for a few years because their keyboards are solid and their software is excellent, but they make industrial keyboards, they’re not aimed at the gaming market.
I’m suprised you haven’t considered the steel series of gaming keyboards, if I was looking for a specific gaming keyboard I’d go for them:
http://www.steelseries.com/int
I would also consider the Logitech G11 which is a cheaper alternative to the G15 (it doesnt include the lcd screen) and the Revoltec Fightboard gaming keyboard, which is also not very expensive and includes macro keys etc.
@aidan – I did consider the SteelSeries keyboards, but wasn’t able to get my hands on one and I’ve read mixed reviews about the quality of the keyboards.
@duran3d – you’re absolutely right about the G11, it does represent better value for money than the G15.
Thanks for the heads up about Revoltec, I didn’t realise they made a gaming keyboard as well.