Gaming Weapons

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

Price: $99 or £80

I’ve looked before at the Razer Tarantula and was very impressed. The keyboard hasn’t changed since that post, so I’ll briefly recap what I found.
Features

• Allows up to 10 simultaneous key presses
• 10 programmable hotkeys
• Up to 5 gaming profiles can be stored in memory
• 1ms response to key presses
• Media Center keys
• 2 USB ports
• BattleDock for gaming accessories
• Swappable symbol keys

Basically this is a great keyboard that covers the bases for gamers - programmable keys, good key response and plenty of simultaneous presses.
It’s a good looking keyboard, but the absence of backlighting is still a negative point for such an expensive item and I still think the Battledock is a gimmick.
However, these points aside, the Tarantula is a solid performer and a good choice for a gaming keyboard.

Check out the price of the Razer Tarantula at Amazon or Amazon

Logitech G15

Price: $99 or £70

In my previous post on the Razer Tarantula vs. Logitech G15 I picked the G15 as the best gaming keyboard of the pair. I still think that, particularly after getting my hands on another Version 2 for a few days recently.
Features

• Allows up to 10 simultaneous key presses
• 6 programmable macro keys with 3 modes (18 possible macros)
• LCD display that includes date, time, RAM/CPU load and other info
• Illuminated keyboard with 3 brightness settings
• Media Center keys
• 2 USB ports

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.

Check out the price of the Logitech G15 at Amazon or Amazon

Ideazon Zboard

Price: $49 or £39

The Zboard is quite unique in its approach. It offers two keyboards in one, by allowing you to switch to a different keyboard layout as and when you require.

The Zboard comes with two interchangeable keysets. One forms a standard QWERTY key layout, so is fine for everyday use in Windows applications as well as for general gaming.

The clever bit is the second keyset, which forms a layout that is designed especially for games. The right-hand third of the keyboard is devoted to a series of specialised buttons that give access to the most common game functions, such as movement and weapon selection. The keyboard is laid out so that these keys fall within easy reach of the left hand, while the right hand continues to operate the mouse.

Features

• Interchangeable keysets that can be changed at any time
• Gaming keyset optimised for first/third person action games and shooters
• Large, sloped gaming keys for comfort and ease of use
• 2 USB ports

The Zboard works really well, with the keys being comfortable to use. Swapping the keysets is very easy and can be done without requiring a reboot or even restating the game, the drivers detect the new keyset and sort out the key mappings to fit. On top of the standard gaming keyset, you can also purchase additional keysets for specific games. These have different layouts that are designed for that game’s functions, as well as featuring artwork relevant to the game. While attractive these keysets are not cheap at $20/£15 each, and arguably provide very little extra functionality over the standard gaming keyset.
The only question marks are over the build quality, as the keysets feel a little bit flimsy and there have been issues in the past with the keyboard’s drivers. However, this can be forgiven as the standard Zboard is about two thirds the price of the G15 and half the price of the Tarantula.

Check out the price of the Ideazon Zboard at Amazon or Amazon

Belkin N52TE

Price: £49 or $69

The Belkin takes the gaming keyboard to extremes by doing away with the standard QWERTY keys and going for a layout that is completely dedicated to playing games.
Features

• 15 full programmable keys
• Scroll wheel
• Onboard memory for storing key profiles, with a button to toggle between 3 different profiles
• 8-directional thumb pad with removable joystick

I thought twice about including this, as some might claim that this cannot be the best gaming keyboard as it doesn’t have a standard set of keys. But then, in this world of swappable USB peripherals you’d simply have a normal keyboard on standby ready to plug in when you’ve finished gaming.

You simply place your left hand on the palm rest, and all of the controls fall within reach of your fingers and thumb. The 15 programmable buttons are laid out for your fingers to find easily, while your thumb gets to control the thumbpad and the button that swaps between key profiles. Using the pad feels a bit unusal at first, but it soon starts to feel really comfortable and almost second nature, with the thumb pad in particular proving very useful.

The N52TE is well built and feels like a quality product, but it should do to justify the high price.

Check out the price of the Belkin N52TE at Amazon

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.
• The Belkin N52TE is fantastic for games, but isn’t cheap and is obviously of little use for emailing and word processing.

OK, so which do I think is the best gaming keyboard? Well, I was very impressed with the N52TE and if I had room on my desk I would have that and a standard keyboard. However, I don’t have a lot of room so I’d really prefer a normal keyboard, but which
one? 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.