Categories: Gaming Keyboard

Choosing The Best Gaming Keyboard

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

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.

Logitech G15

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.

Ideazon Zboard

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 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.

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Chris

Chris is a devout PC gamer who spends way, way too much time sat at his PC either gaming or writing. You can find Chris on Google+

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View Comments

Aidan says:
November 23, 2007 at 1:28 pm
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
duran3d says:
January 1, 2008 at 1:44 pm
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.
Dividing Line says:
January 2, 2008 at 11:08 pm
@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.