|
|
Logitech launches ‘hybrid’ gaming keyboard
G13 Gameboard comes equipped with 25 programmable keys, an analogue stick and an LCD
There’s little doubt that the simple keyboard and mouse combination has been a major contributor to the success of first person shooters on the PC, which can be a clunky experience on a game pad. However, Logitech reckons it’s now gone one step further with its new ‘hybrid gaming keyboard’ that it calls the G13 Gameboard.
Designed to complement an existing keyboard and mouse setup, Logitech claims that the Gameboard is designed to ‘follow the natural curvature of your hand, the G13 offers both comfort and playability.’ As well as offering 25 programmable, back-lit keys, as well as a programmable analogue stick underneath, the Gameboard also has a 160 x 143 LCD that can show live game statistics.
What’s more, your programmed settings are stored in the Gameboard’s memory, rather than on your PC, so you can use the Gameboard with your own settings on any PC. Five programmable preset profiles are available, so you can set it up for a number of different games too. However, Logitech says that it’s already pre-configured the settings of the board for several games, including Call of Duty4: Modern Warfare and World of Warcraft.
Of course, the idea of a gaming keyboard such as this isn’t anything new. Products such as Belkin’s N52TE and Saitek’s Pro Gamer Command Unit have been doing the rounds for a while now, but it’s interesting to see a massive peripheral company such as Logitech also seeing a market for it. The company recently announced that it had shipped its billionth mouse, and it's a major player when it comes to PC keyaboards and mice.
The G13 Gameboard is expected to be released in the UK early next year with an RRP of £74.99. Is a separate gaming keyboard such as this a good way to get the edge over your competitors at a LAN party, or is there no replacement for a good old fashioned keyboard and mouse? Feel free to share your gaming peripheral tips in the comments section below.
Reddit | Technorati
Yes...playing your PC games on a HDTV is a very canny idea. Not only do you have the feel of console gaming, but you get to play the games at a lower resolution like 1366x768...which means - if you have a good PC - that you're getting games that look better, run at 60fps, and have no jaggies or tearing, whatsoever. Heaven ! What this has to do with the gamepad I've no idea...but for the record, the Fang Gamepad is much better !
Comment by Oneman at 6:10pm 12th December 2008
@ nammy2. You asked the question: what options are there if you want to game from your couch on a big screen. Apart from using your xbox 360 you say you would really like to get into PC gaming. The answer would be to use your PC in the same way you use your xbox 360. As your PC is a HTPC, you probably already have it connected to your large TV. The other solution would be to connect a PC gamepad or even use your wireless XBOX 360 controller, via a Microsoft wireless USB adapter, on the PC from your couch.
Comment by smith at 5:16pm 11th December 2008
Im not really poor but 80 quid for a cut down programable keyboard WTF. Games cost 30+ new pc another grand come on where not made of money.
Comment by Cool_CR at 12:10pm 11th December 2008
I quite like the idea tbh. I have already got a G15 so probably wont be buying this purely for cost of it but if has the all the great things of the G15 plus more, then great.
Comment by jonisaksson at 10:57am 11th December 2008
I've got a reasonably decent graphics card in my HTPC (512 8800GTS) but what options are there for someone like myself who wants to sit on the couch and play on my big tv? guess thats why I play games on my 360 instead. it's a pity as I really would like to get into pc gaming,
Comment by nammy2 at 9:40am 11th December 2008
I've got a reasonably decent graphics card in my HTPC (512 8800GTS) but what options are there for someone like myself who wants to sit on the couch and play on my big tv? guess thats why I play games on my 360 instead. it's a pity as I really would like to get into pc gaming,
Comment by nammy2 at 9:40am 11th December 2008
I've got a reasonably decent graphics card in my HTPC (512 8800GTS) but what options are there for someone like myself who wants to sit on the couch and play on my big tv? guess thats why I play games on my 360 instead. it's a pity as I really would like to get into pc gaming,
Comment by nammy2 at 9:40am 11th December 2008
I have had an N52 since it first came out ... prefer to use this with the G9 mouse and cut out the keyboard.... my profile remains unchanged and I just amend the key settings in the actual games themsleves... more than enough buttons for anything ... G15 keyboard is always there if need be I did see the new edition in the airport when I was heading on holiday but it just looks like its had a facelift so probably wont look at repurchasing the newer model .. I have big hands anyway so dont find the n52 too cramped.... I would like to see the G13 in person and see how it plays ... might suprise some people... but dont see it replaing the N52...
Comment by akoli at 12:59am 11th December 2008
A solution to a problem that never existed. And a bloody expensive solution at that.
Comment by smiffy at 11:22pm 10th December 2008
if your worried about RSI and such your better off getting one of those Microsoft Ergonomic or Logitech Ergonomic Keyboards, to be honest I've got a MS Ergonomic 4000 Keyboard and I can game for hours on end and most important of all it feels comfortable, I personally don't really care about all those gimmicky macro buttons, however I do have a complaint about the my MS keyboard and that is some of the buttons in the middle aren't as responsive as they should be but o well can't have it all
Comment by lazer at 11:19pm 10th December 2008
360 gamepad left hand,7 button mouse right hand. Lean back and serve laser pie.Delicious.
Comment by eebles at 6:10pm 10th December 2008
mouse+keyboard > gamepad by a country mile, for fps anyway. if you disagree its because your bad.
Comment by TBallS at 6:03pm 10th December 2008
I use a Cyber Sniper. Best £17 I ever spent (on a gaming KB replacement). Only has the keys you need and really well arranged. None of this funny hand shaped crap or pointless joystick either. It also has a couple of blue lights which is always a bonus.
Comment by MattKing303 at 5:21pm 10th December 2008
I have arthritis and got the n52 to see if it helped. It didn't - I actually foound it harder to use than a standard Logitech keyboard. If you have arthritis and it gives you finger aches in FPS and suchlike - get a Logitech keyboard. I have them on all my PCs - they are best for typing, too. Whether that means this will be better as it's also from Logitech - who knows? But at that price - I won't be finding out! A friend glued his n52 to his G25 wheel and says it's brilliant for racing online!
Comment by Xonerater at 3:36pm 10th December 2008
The whole thing just seems like a big gimmick. IF I was to game with a keyboard, I would rather use a full keyboard. Personally, I prefer using gamepads for PC games unless it's a slow moving game that makes use of many buttons, such as a flight simulator. Fast moving games are best played with a gamepad. They are analogue and you don't need to look down to find keys.
Comment by smith at 2:24pm 10th December 2008
I just wanna see a standard KB with WASD lit up in blue, and pressure sensitivity, to get that added advantage over the controllers analogue stick!
Comment by NikoBellic at 1:13pm 10th December 2008
I started on the keyboard until I was introduced to the original N52 nostromo gamepad and I have never looked back. I know have the newer version the N52te and found them so comfortable and easy to setup. I could never go back to using a keyboard. I have the G15 keyboard but mainly usde it whilst in game for the LCD screen to see who comes into teamspeak or ventrilo. The belkin is awesome and what I find also helpful you can send each other your profiles, till you have set them up to your own personal setting. Don't knock the gamepads to quick, it took me two weeks with the N52 and would never go back and no looking back. With me having the G15 and the G5 I will try one of these out but it will take a lot for me to stop using the belkin. It will be intersting to see of what price these will go out at.
Comment by kovoet at 12:58pm 10th December 2008
i agree, this wont get me moving away from a traditional keyboard, but i do worry about the risk of rsi. i know my fingers are like a pair of contortionists legs, stretching and flexing in ways never intended.
Comment by TBallS at 12:29pm 10th December 2008
When are these companies going to realise that we dont want these gimmicky useless things. 98% of gamers have grown up with a proper keyboard and need a full set of keys to talk smack to "teh n00bs" anyways. With their being a whole range of very good gaming mice which have a multitude of programmable buttons the need is negated even more....
Comment by D_Cypher at 12:01pm 10th December 2008
Sorry, Custom PC comments are now closed.
- Acer reveals Windows 7 release date
- EA loses $1 billion
- AMD losing less money than last year
- Researchers create new thermal material
- Nvidia releases ForceWare 182.65 drivers with ambient occlusion
- Rumour control: AMD releasing Athlon II before September
- Rumour control: Nvidia considering buying stake in VIA
- Valve promises to make DRM obsolete
- Play the latest games regardless of your hardware
- Rumour Control: Radeon HD 4890 details leaked
These are the most popular news articles over the past seven days.
- Phenom II overclocked to 6GHz
- GeIL unveils Cyclone RAM cooler
- Rumour control: GeForce GTX 260 GX2 in January
- Nvidia cuts price of 216 SP GeForce GTX 260
- VIDEO: PC version of Mirror’s Edge features hardware PhysX
- Get Half-Life for less than a dollar on Steam
- IBM plans to build virtual human brain
- RivaTuner 2.20 adds SLI and CrossFire support
- VIDEO: ArmA II trailer released
Mobile Broadband
Fastest, cheapest 3G mobile broadband dongles from 3, Vodafone, T-Mobile and Orange
from just £10/month
