Playing with perspective.

A color display, various special buttons and a separate power supply: Logitech's G19 has little common with ordinary keypads. If they do not, because it is designed specifically for PC players have been developed - which are also prepared, the appropriate price to pay.

 

The design fits ever: Logitech's G19 gaming keyboard provides robust to very robust - even though they are totally made of plastic is built. This responds to the needs of the audience: the gamers will 180 Euros expensive luxury keyboard, with a view to their virtual opponents faster - or entertaining - the route to take. What would that fit better than a keyboard that looks as if we do so in the jungle draw? A keyboard that is so stable that they can be from an SUV cargo drop, without that it will irreparably damage?

But in the real world should be of such experiments, prefer to dispense. Because the look is deceptive: From stable metal or similar materials is nothing - not even the silver-colored tube on which the axis of a rotating screen, the keyboard is mounted.

This color makes the G19 very special. At 320 x 240 pixels, the mini-screen is exactly as much as many mobile phones. Immediately after the keyboard is wired and connected to the PC has to do it, however, precious little. Only a Logitech logo indicates that current flows, all plug into the correct jack plug. Only when the software has installed, the display will awake to life. It then displays in regular information exchange on the utilization of processor and memory, it logs the time and the latest news from several RSS feeds.

Because the permanent plenty bored, it is worth considering the configuration software of the G19 screen once, but what this after every restart automatically does anyway. Here you can adjust the images show, for example, certain RSS feeds, modules completely off. In addition, the software can tell which folder on the computer one of his films has passed. If they know you can on the whole blockbuster Winz-screen.

Not every game like the game

How much fun does depend on personal preferences. So impressive is a Star Wars battle of Sternenkreuzern to 320 x 240 pixels in any case not. Surpassing even come as YouTube videos to apply to the keyboard via the Internet connection of the PC download. The tone this one has certainly continue to obtain from a PC, speakers in the G19 are not integrated.

While all this is only the side-entertainment, the G19 in some games actually provide useful services. Then on the display, for example, environment maps, games or connecting to other players appear. So the screen is a real added value, becomes the second display. Unfortunately, these opportunities do not use in any game. Logitech even keep a list of about 40 compatible games.

Macros, where the fingers of

Where the display does not help, the G-keys to the game. The software can be with your own macros show the individual automate game actions. Twelve of these keys are left from the actual keyboard. You can switch by each with three macros equip. So theoretically possible 36 macros will probably hardly anyone seriously exploited. The switch, which is the Windows key and context menu can be disabling, however, you regularly use. These two keys have been so many online games virtual hero lives.

The G19 keyboard, it could cost a maximum of life if they are to be treated rough. It is quite robust, brings few grams on the scales more than conventional keypads. Your cables are especially thick executed well tolerated rough treatment without having einzuknicken. Also depends not just a cable from the back of the unit, but two.

These keys are nothing on tap

The second blower is required to get the keyboard with its power to connect. This is unusual for a keyboard. But without its own power supply is good for the G19 as the best roofing. The lion's share of its energy appetite is expected to have the display, but there is yet another gimmick that eats electricity and happiness upon gamers will be the key lighting. In fact one has the freedom to choose, what color the buttons will be illuminated - and infinitely for each game separately adjustable.

Exactly for such gimmicks, the G19 is built. And exactly such gimmicks are their strength - apart from the strong performance in games of course. Where the gaming keyboard on the other hand, fails, is simple Tipperei. The keys on the G19 are quite obviously designed for endurance, not to Vielschreiberei. To write a long text that seems the keyboard is not ideal, has a soft and vague to defined pressure point. But that is also not the purpose of the G19. With the aim to play, play, play.