Top 10 Gaming KeyboardsOften the first things a gamer often replaces when they start upgrading their gaming gear is the keyboard. The plain keyboard you use to answer e-mail does not always make for the most effective gaming weapon. There are several purpose built gaming keyboards on the market and this list will help you decide which of them might be best for your gaming needs. The Razer Lycosa is the latest gaming keyboard from Razer and the first fully backlit gaming keyboard Razer has sold under its own brand. The Lycosa is short on macros for heavy macro users, but is big on gaming performance. The keyboard also offers excellent typing feel for the times when you actually have to get some work done. The only bad point is that to get the full backlighting Razer opted to use its anti-ghosting technology only on the mainly used gaming keys. Granted in months of gaming with the Lycosa I have had no issues with ghosting. This is a great gaming keyboard. |
The Everglide DKTBoard is a very compact gaming keyboard that is part of the Powered by Razer program. The DKTBoard has a layout that is like a notebook keyboard, but has some keys in unorthodox locations compared to where you would find the on a notebook. This keyboard is fully backlit and while it is very compact it still provides a full number pad. Gamers who travel a lot will love the compact dimensions of the Everglide DKTBoard. |
The first gaming keyboard built under the Powered by Razer program was the Microsoft Reclusa gaming keyboard. The Reclusa has an interesting layout with a pair of jog dials that can be programmed with macros and other custom commands. Gamers who like the familiar blue backlighting of Razer products will like the Reclusa, but those who prefer to turn the backlighting off or dim it will lament the lack of any lighting options on the Reclusa. This is a solid gaming keyboard that most gamers will find very appealing. Those who like long macros may find the eight key limit to be constraining. |
The Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard is my personal favorite gaming keyboard currently available. I like the backlit keys that allow me to both play games and work in the dark, and still see the keys with no problems. I also like that the Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard allows me to bind macros to the exclusive "G" keys during game. Any player of games that uses multiple key strokes for spells or actions will love being able to bind them to a single key without leaving the game. The Zboard Gaming Keyboard is one of the coolest gaming keyboards around. The Zboard Gaming Keyboard uses one base and multiple different keysets, allowing you to have completely different key arrangements for gaming and standard computer use. The gaming keysets for the Zboard are superb and greatly increase your accuracy in game. The standard Zboard Gaming Keyboard includes both a standard keyset for typing and web surfing and a generic gaming keypad. Game specific keypads are also available. The Saitek Eclipse Keyboard is a good keyboard for both gaming and general computer use. The coolest feature of the Saitek Eclipse Keyboard is the backlit keys that allow you to see the keys in low or no light environments. The lighting level is adjustable and can even be turned off. While the Saitek Eclipse Keyboard does not game as well as some of the other keyboards on the list, it still does a good job and is a great compromise for casual gaming and everyday PC use. The Saitek PC Gaming Keyboard is a purpose built gaming keyboard, unlike the Eclipse. The Saitek PC Gaming Keyboard has an extra nine command pad that uses three shift buttons to give you a total of 27 functions you can bind to it. You can bind anything to the command pad from gaming functions to macros for Photoshop. The Saitek PC Gaming Keyboard also has backlit keys, though the key tops are not translucent so it is still difficult to read the letters on the keys in low light environments. Ideazon has a new gaming keyboard called the MERC that chares the same gaming key layout ad the old standard Zboard did. The main difference between the two is that the keysets on the MERC are not interchangeable at all. If you weren't a fan of the removable keysets, but like the layout for the gaming keys on the Zboard the MERC might be just what you need. Saitek's update to their fantastic Eclipse keyboard is called the Eclipse II. This keyboard takes all the good features of the original Eclipse and adds multi-color backlighting and a dimmer control knob. Typing feel and gaming are virtually identical to the original Eclipse and the addition of red, blue or purple choices for the backlight color is the main update here. The Eclipse II is one of the coolest gaming keyboards around. This keyboard excels at not only PC gaming but has the best typing feel of any keyboard I have used. The Deck Legend is very well made and should last a very long time. The toxic green backlighting looks very cool and you can remove the key tops and replace them with gamer oriented ones for the WASD keys. This is a fantastic gaming keyboard that also excels at all around PC work. | 
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