Do you feel that gaming keyboards are worth it or are they all marketing?
By bayernfan
@bayernfan (1430)
Canada
April 10, 2009 9:48pm CST
I was in one of the local computer stores recently, and I was testing out some of the keyboards that they have on display. I played around with the Logitech G15 and G11 gaming keyboards, The Razer Lycosa and Tarantula gaming keyboards, the SteelSeries Merc gaming keyboard and the OCZ Alchemy Series Elixir Gaming Keyboard. The OCZ keyboard had a basic layout with well placed hot keys. It was reasonably priced, but the buttons were quite loud when pressed. The other keyboards looked and felt great with quiet buttons, but were incredibly expensive for keyboards. There was a $5.99 multimedia keyboard manufactured by a less known company that was comfortable and quiet, but the hot keys were all small, along the top and mostly for multimedia purposes.
So, do you find that gaming keyboards are worth the price of admission or are they all marketing and hype? What keyboard are you using? Do you have any experience with gaming keyboards?
1 person likes this
6 responses
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
11 Apr 09
If they are gaming keyboards, their selling point would not only be the convenience when you use them for gaming but also of their durability as you always press buttons whenever you play games.
Perhaps those loud ones would eventually get quiet after using them for a period of time? Those with multi-media features could really be handly if your always using your computer for multi-media viewing of films and the like which would help you on the trouble of always having to use your mouse or short-cut commands on your keyboard.
As for me, I have not used any gaming keyboard but, I guess I would still use them like ordinary keyboards if I do get one. (^_^") Perhaps use the other features every once in a while until they become convenient enough to use.
@bayernfan (1430)
• Canada
11 Apr 09
I have never had a keyboard that broke down or became worn out before. I don't game all the time, but I do use my keyboard for typing all the time. I'd say that the keyboards that are used by data entry personnel are the most punished. The loud noises when buttons are pressed on some keyboards is due to the incorporation of stronger/tighter springs. The noise went go away after time. You can also feel the difference when pressing keys as more pressure is required to depress keys. The multi-media buttons on the keyboards of the same name can indeed be quite handy. They are designed with those users in mind as much as the gaming keyboards are designed with gamers in mind.
1 person likes this
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
11 Apr 09
I would always like to use very affordable keyboards as the letters would often fade away so quickly after using it continuously. It just means that we have gotten use to the keyboard, even without looking at it, we can type. And even when we do look, the letters have already faded out of print so we would rely instinct (^_^ )
Features on new keyboards, well, why not? They're already there, we might as well use them if we can.
Keyboard usage depends after all on how we beat them down. I guess I could consider myself as a angry typist (^_^") since I oddly like the way it sounds when I type so fast..
@bayernfan (1430)
• Canada
12 Apr 09
I think you wrote your thoughts down in reverse. How we beat down our keyboards depends on our usage. Usage depends on need or desire. 
The print on some keyboards can survive heavy usage. I have never replaced a keyboard due key identification wearing off. My latest keyboard shows some signs of key identification fade, but this can be easily fixed. Permanent marker for light colored keyboards or white out for black keyboards. Otherwise, use paint/spray paint and stencils. 
The print on some keyboards can survive heavy usage. I have never replaced a keyboard due key identification wearing off. My latest keyboard shows some signs of key identification fade, but this can be easily fixed. Permanent marker for light colored keyboards or white out for black keyboards. Otherwise, use paint/spray paint and stencils. 1 person likes this
@Hopetomakemoney (24)
•
20 Apr 09
I am currently using with one computer the cheap standard black keyboard, which I personally hate for gaming, because with this keyboard the num pad is on the right side of the keyboard, and as I am right handed it's not at all useful. I would prefer a hungarian keyboard which has the num pad on the left side. I have locked into some gaming keyboards in the past, like the z-board and the optimus maximus keyboard :D i find that programable keys to be extremely useful for games, I find lights in keyboards just a waste of money, as I am a touch typist, so I have no real need to look at my keyboard, just to press the buttons. :) I too am interested in buying a new keyboard, so will follow this discussion closely, to see replys.
@bayernfan (1430)
• Canada
20 Apr 09
I can't say that I have ever even seen a Hungarian keyboard let alone used one. I wouldn't know where one would go about getting one other than in Hungary. Placement of hotkeys is incredibly important when it comes to gaming keyboards and it makes or breaks whether one is found to be useful. I think that the gaming keyboards with light up keys are for gaming in the dark if I am not mistaken. I don't believe that many gamers are looking at their keyboards instead of their screens. Unless they really suck at gaming. 
Cheers.
Cheers.@bayernfan (1430)
• Canada
23 Apr 09
I know exactly what you mean. I'm interested in performance rather than looks too. That's why I started this discussion. Too many people get fooled by the marketing and "looks", that they end up wasting money on something that doesn't help them game better. Programmable hotkeys placed in advantageous positions is what it is all about. Cheers.
@Hopetomakemoney (24)
•
20 Apr 09
One of my friends ive met over a game called wc3 = warcraft3. Lives in hungry, and he told me about his keyboard and why he likes it, :) and thus I found out about num pads on the left :D. what I meant by the light comment was that, I would opt for a performance keyboard rather than a looks keyboard :P. Also I deffinetly agree, placement of keys is vital in the level of your gaming, at the moment with this standard keyboard my left hand is constantly all over the keyboard pressing buttons for hotkeys. A z-board has keys all in a conveniant place so that it is easier to game, and a higher level a gamer can thus preform at :). Cheers for the feedback
@060157 (1059)
• Pakistan
23 Apr 09
for me gaming keyboards are a no. the keyboard that i currently use for my gaming is just an ordinary keyboard. i have tried gaming keyboards in LAN gaming cafes and i think that it does not make much of a difference... atleast for me. even though i am into multiplayer gaming and part of a clan.
gaming keyboards cost alot which is also a reason one gets discouraged to buy such an equipment.
however, these days i am really thinking of getting a gaming mouse, as i feel that a good gaming mouse does have effect on your game, especially first person shooters but this equipment too would mostly be preferred only by gamers who compete with one another. a few keys on the mouse that can be pressed using the the thumb would remove the need of pressing some keys on the keyboard that can get mixed during a game. and a better dpi can improve aiming alot.
@bayernfan (1430)
• Canada
23 Apr 09
I'm not willing to spend big bucks on a gaming keyboard and I am open to the idea of sticking to a "regular" keyboard as long as it has the key positioning and features that can be helpful to me. When it comes to gaming mice, you are absolutely right 060157. I bought a Razer Copperhead on sale from Amazon.com and it has been worth every penny. The additional buttons are beneficial for the reasons that you mentioned. There are many more options when it comes to gaming mice at various price points. There seems to be something for all hands and styles. Cheers.
@pandaemonaeon (113)
• Italy
12 Apr 09
I use a classical keyboard wthite...
ahahahahah, i don't spend money for these!
@IchigoLover (177)
• Singapore
11 Apr 09
i recommend Razer Tarantula.It is nice filled with lights.The price is reasonable.In my views,it is better than logitech g15 and g11.So try it.
:]
@bayernfan (1430)
• Canada
11 Apr 09
Well, you certainly have good taste. The Razer Tarantula is definitely not low end with a price tag of $112.99 CAD locally. It's the second most expensive keyboard being sold in my area behind the Logitech G19. The G19 will run you a cool $244.99 CAD! The Tarantula might glow with its LEDs and it might feel great, but I'm not interested in spending that much on a keyboard. How are the prices in Singapore for these keyboards?
@emojboy (632)
• Philippines
12 Apr 09
I never tried using that kind of keyboards. It would be very nice if I have one. For the past few years I have experienced using generic keyboards for gaming and etc. I never had a chance to use modified keyboard or mouse especially for gaming. LOL
@bayernfan (1430)
• Canada
12 Apr 09
Perhaps it's time to deploy some of your myLot earnings? I don't know what type of stores are available in your area, but there are some quality online shops available. Cheers. 
