As a gamer, you know how important it is to have the right tools for the job. Media control keys, programmable buttons, tactile feedback, and key positioning are just some of the benefits gaming keyboards bring to the table. With this in mind, we take a look at some of the most desirable gaming keyboards currently available in South Africa.
Logitech G510
The latest revision of the perennial G15, the Logitech G510 is widely considered the best gaming keyboard available now. Featuring media control keys, programmable “G” keys that allow you up to program up to 54 pre-configured combinations as standard, the G510 stands out with its built in LCD display.
Offering easy access to a host of information while gaming, the LCD screen isn’t something gamers would consider important when shopping for a keyboard, but guaranteed it will be sorely missed once you’re used to it. They palm rest completes the package, making the G510 as comfortable as it is functional.
Razer Blackwidow Ultimate
The Razer Blackwidow Ultimate may not be the most feature rich keyboard, and the price may put some gamers off, but this hasn’t stopped they keyboard from gaining near cult status. The Blackwidow features 10 programmable macro keys, key back-lighting and built in audio jacks.
The real kicker though, are the mechanical keys, which provide users with far greater tactile feedback when typing or gaming. The Blackwidow also allows your keystrokes to register quicker thanks to the reduced actuation distance and actuation force of 50g.
Steelseries Merc Stealth
Have you ever felt the need to have three keyboards? One dedicated to gaming, one dedicated to media controls, and one dedicated to typing? Well there is no need, because the Merc Stealth from Steelseries aims to address all three of those needs.
Separate to the typing orientated main body of the keyboard, the Merc Stealth features a built-in game pad, complete with dedicated movement keys surrounded by programmable macro keys. The dedicated media control keys are out of the way at the top of the board, completing the board and leaving few gamers left wanting.
Microsoft Sidewinder X6
While it may look like the keyboard of choice for the Strogg, the Sidewinder does offer a complete package for the gamer who doesn’t feel like splashing for the most expensive boards on the market. Dedicated media control buttons are present, along with 30 programmable hotkeys allowing for up to 90 combinations with gaming profiles. Also present is an adjustable backlight which highlights important gaming and macro keys.
The “cruise control” feature continues the action of a specific key without the user having to constantly press it. The standard keypad can also switch from the right hand side of the keyboard to the left, transforming it into an easy-access “macro pad”.
Honourable mentions
While they weren’t good enough to make our most desirable list, the following deserve honourable mentions:
Razer Tron: A visually stunning board, the Razer Tron is a must for Tron fans. Its limited features and high price tag mean most will look elsewhere.
Logitech G19: The flagship unit from Logitech is about as feature packed as gaming keyboards get. The full colour screen and full speed USB 2.0 ports are great features, though they come at the cost of the G19 requiring an external power supply.
Gaming keyboards are quite a pricy affair, with all of the boards mentioned costing over R600 locally (not to mention the R1500+ price tag of the G19), but in many cases you get a list of features that justify the price. Most gaming keyboards offer the same core features, with media keys and programmable macro keys featuring on almost all the boards in this list. Yet each has something unique that makes it desirable.
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