Firstly, we need to look at what the words “gaming keyboard” actually mean. Well, I will tell you that it is exactly what you think. It is a keyboard for gaming. I remember my first programmable gaming keyboard (the Logitech G15) and how I struggled with it. Now with most people, it stops there because they think it can only be used for gaming and nothing else because it is a gaming keyboard. They don’t realize that a gaming keyboard can be used for much more than just gaming. So this article aims to give some advice regarding choosing the right gaming keyboard for you.
I only wanted it because it was the best on the market then, and I felt I needed to own one for that reason. I had no idea what to do with it or what I would use it for. I did, however, almost add another feature to its already impressive list of pre-installed features by illustrating just how effective the keyboard can be in a game of cricket or anything involving a bat. It irritated me because I did not need it for all the functions, and because they were there, I felt I had to use them all. I did use them all in the end, but that was only because I advanced my game play and, in doing so, required more functions out of the keyboard. So let’s look at some aspects we must deal with when looking at gaming keyboards.
The features installed on a gaming keyboard and what they do
The terminology used in gaming keyboards
What are the best types of gaming keyboards
How do we know the right gaming keyboard type for us?
Many people are already gamers, serious or not, and know exactly what the features are and what they can do. But some as many people don’t see what they are supposed to do and whether the parts are what they need. They piled a list of the features you will find on gaming keyboards, and below I will explain each more clearly. Here is a list of the features that you will find installed on gaming keyboards. I want to add that not every gaming keyboard has all the features mentioned below installed simultaneously.
LCD Display screen
Programmable G-keys (for macros and macros on the fly)
Back Lighting
Anti-Ghosting
In-game mode switch
Media controls
Detachable Key Pad
High-Speed USB Ports
Automatic Profile Switching
Cruise Control
As we can see, there are many features that you will find installed on a gaming keyboard, but the important thing now is to know what they can do and when to use them. Let’s look at the features and see how they can be used for and outside gaming.
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The LCD Display screen is at the top of the keyboard (typically in the middle), which displays a host of information during gameplay. An example of the information shown is; vital game statistics, system statistics, and VOIP communication data. You can see what server your friends play games on, such as World of Warcraft. You can also watch photo slide shows on the screen and YouTube videos (this feature is only on the Logitech G19). Outside of gaming, you can still see system statistics displayed, but only on the Logitech G19 can you watch videos and photo slide shows. So there we can see how good the LCD screen is.
Programmable G-Keys (or game keys) can be programmed to execute certain commands. You can program multiple keys to be performed with a single keypress. So, in other words, if you have a power that you would like to run, but has more than one keystroke required, then you would program a G-key to perform all those keypresses for you. This is vital in game playing, especially in strategy and role-playing games. But programmable keys can also be used in everyday computing. I own the Logitech G19 Gaming Keyboard, and I use the programmable key feature to program my passwords and small snippets of text, which is normally login information. This is a great feature for those working with databases or anything requiring numerous logins. It is also good for designers and editors, where multiple keypresses are sometimes needed.
Back Lighting is a cool feature. This is standard on all gaming keyboards, irrespective of all the other features mentioned above. What this feature does is illuminate the keys from underneath. There are typically three brightness levels for the backlighting; however, backlighting is standard on gaming keyboards, and not all have the same or as many colors as others. The Logitech G19 and G510 are gaming keyboards with various colors, whereas others have only three or just one. This is not only good for gaming, especially if games are played in low-lighted or even dark areas, but also a great asset to changing the style of your workstation. People want a new look for their workstations, and backlit keyboards do the trick.
Anti-Ghosting is a feature whereby missed keypresses are, in fact, actually recorded and not voided. This happens with multiple keypresses, albeit not frequently, but the keypresses won’t be recognized without anti-ghosting. The in-game mode switch is a feature that turns off the Windows/Context key during gameplay so you don’t accidentally get kicked out of your game. Which I am sure has happened to all of us at some point. Media controls, this feature is great as you can control volume, playback, and mute from the keyboard itself. This feature works for headsets connected to the keyboard and the sound emitting from the computer itself. So there is no need to find the screens’ controls if you want to turn down the volume quickly.
Detachable Key Pad. This is also an elegant feature as you can move the keypad to the left or the right side, depending on which hand you are more comfortable operating. Again, this feature is another feature you can use outside of gaming. High-Speed USB Ports are a great advantage as you can Plug and Play comfortably. Also, through this feature, you can transfer data between devices, such as MP3 Players and Flash Drives, and you can do all this while charging your battery-powered devices. Another great feature that can be used outside of gaming.
Automatic Profile Switching is a feature that allows you to automatically or manually change the profile you are in or want to be in. The keyboard detects the application you are running with the automatic function and automatically applies the previously set profile. Cool feature, especially if you like to play in different modes (Microsoft Sidewinder X6 had this feature). The cruise control feature is also convenient as it allows you to continue an action without holding down all the keys required to act. You can even use the cruise control function for up to four keypresses (installed on the Microsoft Sidewinder X6)
, Another thing we must look at is the structural design of the keyboard. We will notice that some keyboards are slightly bulkier than a standard keyboard. This is expected as the keyboard houses more keys and requires more space for electrical components and other hardware utilities needed for gameplay. But what is also great about gaming keyboards is that they are designed for ergonomic purposes. So as we can see, all the features installed on a gaming keyboard can also be used for everyday computing, although the obvious design factor was initially for gamers in the first place.
This is because gamers spend a lot of time in front of their keyboards and are more prone to wrist, arm, and hand discomfort than users of a standard keyboard. So the idea behind ergonomically designed gaming keyboards is to install features that will reduce the risk of wrist discomfort overall. These features include; detachable and adjustable wrist wrest, keyboards with zero slope designs, different keyboard feet lengths for effective raising or lowering of keyboards for comfort, and keys that can accommodate softer keypresses.
