5 keyboards with dumb features

In the world of keyboards there isn’t much separating competing products apart from looks. With the market as saturated as it is, every manufacturer is looking for the next big thing to make their product stand out in a sea of keyboards in various shapes and sizes.

Here are 5 keyboards that tried to stand out with new features that are actually pretty dumb:

Logitech washable keyboard

No one likes a dirty keyboard, but are PC users so messy around their PC that they need a keyboard that can soak in a tub of water? Sure, a few stray crumbs may end up between the keys, and there is the possibility that coffee or soda may be knocked over the keyboard, but surely this is the exception rather than the rule?

Logitech Washable Keyboard K310

Logitech wireless solar keyboard

Logitech obviously think Apple users get more of a tan than the rest of the PC community, because they’ve made a keyboard for iDevices with a built in solar panel which can be charged by either the sun or an indoor light. The battery lasts for three months, which is good, but apart from that there aren’t many stand-out features. According to the Logitech site, one of the reasons why you should buy the keyboard is “Feel-good typing”.

Logitech solar keyboard

Thermaltake challenger pro

Gamers all suffer from hyperhidrosis according to Thermaltake, who think that the one feature missing from our lives is a small fan which blows over our left hand to keep it cool while gaming. Aside from being mostly pointless, the fan has the same air-flow as a butterfly’s fart, and sticks out of the corner of the keyboard like a sore thumb.

Thermaltake challenger pro

Logitech G19

I can already feel the collective nerd rage boiling over after spotting the G19 on this list; after all, the premier gaming keyboard offered by one of the leading gaming peripheral manufacturers can’t possibly have dumb features on it, right?

Well I’m sorry, but any keyboard that requires external power belongs on a list of dumb features. For what? A bright full colour LCD that isn’t much better than the standard one found on the G15? Well colour me unimpressed; I’ve already paid through my nose for a high-end keyboard, and now I need to deal with yet another power cable as a reward.

Logitech G19

Razer Arctosa Black on Black

A black keyboard with black lettering and no back-lighting… Why would anyone want something like this? “Oh I’m sorry but the hipster in me absolutely hates those ugly white letters on keys; I totally need black letters because they help me express my individuality, style, and class.” Sure it’s not going to harm anyone (apart from those who look at the keyboard and type with two fingers), but how does it help? Does it make you feel like a ninja when you use the keyboard?