Gigabyte's GK-K8000 gaming keyboard briefly spotted

If you weren't enthused about the SteelSeries 7G for whatever reason, Gigabyte looks to have another alternative headed down the pike. At the company's Spring Break event and Plug-Fest 2008, folks from Tweaktown were able to spend a few hurried minutes with the GK-K8000 gaming keyboard. We're told that "design issues" were holding 'em up from being released right now, but we get the impression that it's certainly nearing completion. Initial thoughts were that typing felt great and the unit itself seemed mighty sturdy, but why take our word for it? Hop on down to the read link for a few more snaps.

[Demeth @ May 8th 2008 7:50PM]

Why do keyboard manufacturers feel the need to make the backspace key so small?

[nec @ May 8th 2008 8:14PM]

Agreed. Keyboard layout is, IMO, just as important and tactile feel when using a keyboard. I'd prefer the more standardized setting with a larger backspace key and the Enter/Retun key taking up only one row instead of 2.

[Juaquin @ May 8th 2008 9:21PM]

Looks like a great keyboard, but I refuse to buy one without the big backspace - I use it more than I use enter, it should at least be somewhere near the same size.

[Maurik @ May 8th 2008 7:52PM]

And exactly what makes this a gaming keyboard?

Perhaps its those macro keys in that really easy to reach place? -_-

Right.

[ByronGman @ May 8th 2008 8:09PM]

That and their construction cone orange color.

[Wwhat @ May 8th 2008 8:11PM]

Hmm, all I can guess is that it's 'punchproof' to help 'dealing' with cheaters, because it certainly looks clunky enough.
And if that's the case they really get the issues an oline gamer experiences :)
But yeah perhaps some functionality apart from that is in order.

[ThePengwin @ May 8th 2008 9:27PM]

Its no G15.....

Logitech G15s are one of the best keyboards created, and not just for gaming. They are a pleasure for doing every day typing :D

[Wwhat @ May 9th 2008 5:30AM]

G15 suffers from only 3 or 4 flaws:
1) It's too big (remedied by the later version somewhat)
2) It's fugly
3) The price
4) It's fugly

And also it's fugly.

[Wwhat @ May 9th 2008 5:32AM]

Oh and also they should use a color display, it's 2008 and color LCD's are like 2 bucks.

[xValentine @ May 9th 2008 7:40AM]

G15? pleasure for doing every day typing ?

With the size and how fugly looking of the G15's keys, I wouldn't call it pleasurable. Hell I even enjoyed typing on a Slim-type Logitech keyboard than on that over-rated keyboard.

Oh well, I guess I just like slim and low-profile keyboards with an uber design, hence Razer Lycosa.

[roflercopterer @ May 8th 2008 7:53PM]

The apparently haven't worked out the "design issues" still...

[Emilio Mundula @ May 8th 2008 8:11PM]

I have to agree with roflercopterer (by the way, what the heck is that supposed to mean...? LOL).

I have seen hugly keyboards in my life but this is probably one of the worst designs in the world.

Even if it's a gaming keyboard (and from the looks of it, my Logitech G15 looks FAR better), I would be ashamed even asking to see this thing at the Store, worried that the clerk would just laugh his a@@ off at me.

Sorry Gigabyte,

if you need help in designing your products, give me a call/email me.

I can do 1,000,000 times a better job and, come to think, my son too would do, at least, 10 times better, eyes closed.

Should we put this thing up for the 2008 Worst Design Products Award ?

:-)

[roflercopterer @ May 10th 2008 11:24AM]

It means mind your own business! That's what it means!

[Tom @ May 8th 2008 8:17PM]

K8000?
Why they always release this!! Ripping me to shreads without this money for gaming!!! Such orange buttons Oh please, just go and push it before you try to tell it to me!

[zomg0t @ May 8th 2008 8:25PM]

wat

[ugg.tryptophan @ May 8th 2008 8:30PM]

"Why they always release this!!", qoute of the year.

[Brian @ May 9th 2008 10:29AM]

I think every sentence is quote worthy...

[bob e @ May 8th 2008 8:31PM]

Bring back those L shaped enter keys - i loved em !

[Giroro @ May 8th 2008 9:19PM]

"Design Issues"?

That looks like one of those huge-keyed circa 1995 keyboard, Which are a PAIN to TYPE on. and this is supposed to be for GAMING? What was the design problem, turning it from beige to black? Seriously, a big enter key does what for me? (other than shrink the backspace key to 1/3 the size of current standards)

I guess I'm really trying to say is the design of this keyboard not only makes no progress forward, but it actually is a HUGE step backward in terms of functionality. Whoever thought this was a good idea should be fired. I've made wallets out of nicer keyboards than this.

[foshka.forureg @ May 8th 2008 9:18PM]

I think what makes it a 'gaming' keyboard is the built in usb soundcard with headset ports for vent/teamspeak use.

Its a pretty good idea to put that on the keyboard. The backspace button is a deal breaker for me though. I'll stick with my saitek.

[kr @ May 8th 2008 9:35PM]

"Headed down the *pipe*" perhaps?

[Baluki @ May 8th 2008 10:54PM]

Why doesn't anyone design an ergonomic gamer keyboard? I don't know about the rest of you, but I plan to be gaming my whole life, which won't be possible with massive carpal tunnel syndrome.

Then again, I've got a Nostromo n52 that I've never used, and I've never really felt limited playing on my MS Natural Ergo 4000, and I don't even use its extra keys.

[Eh @ May 8th 2008 11:32PM]

After using a keyboard with ultra responsive and quiet laptop style keys I'll never go back to those clunky noisy things again.

[Mel @ May 9th 2008 1:10AM]

Dude when you say things like that you make us little people wonder exactly what keyboard you're talking about.

[Wwhat @ May 9th 2008 5:35AM]

Bless him for not saying it and starting an apple/non-apple fight though right?

[TareX @ May 9th 2008 1:49AM]

Looks like a sub-normal keyboard to me. Maybe by "gaming" they mean "affordable by young gamers"?

[Wiigee @ May 9th 2008 1:58AM]

looks pretty sweet (except backspace thingy)! oes it seem like it would be easy to get the keys up to change the layout?

[dos @ May 9th 2008 3:37AM]

"design issues" Better mean they're correcting the oddly shaped backspace and enter keys.

[Bobs @ May 9th 2008 3:45AM]

Gaming my ass, ever try to hit the backspace in the dark? now other players are going to laugh at you when you keep smashing \=-\=\==\=\ trying to backspace to delete a mistake. That tiny backspace is the total deal breaker, it looks nice, but the backspace key would annoy the hell out of me.

[Wwhat @ May 9th 2008 5:36AM]

Perhaps it's meant to be part of a dell package >;)

[YetiJames @ May 9th 2008 5:47AM]

Looks way old... and as many put fugly....
Rather get a cheapo keyboard and save the cash for what they might charge

[Giles @ May 9th 2008 5:59AM]

BBC Micro anyone? Love it!

[S-Fin @ May 9th 2008 10:01AM]

Dammit. That was my comment, you stole it from my brain!

Or alternatively...

Yes, I agree.

[Schfelzerberg @ May 9th 2008 6:25AM]

Hmm... that's an ugly keyboard. Meh. I'll stick to my A4Tech X7 for gaming and Logitech EX90 for casual use.

[yacoub @ May 9th 2008 9:15AM]

Any keyboard with the over-sized Enter key is a failure from the get-go. Why do they insist on jacking up the key layout like that?! ARGH.
Full-size Backspace, then the "| \" key below that then Enter then right Shift then right Control. Enough of the madness, ruining an otherwise possible decent keyboard!!

[Emilio Mundula @ May 10th 2008 11:39AM]

@roflercopterer

You need to relax, man.

I wasn't really asking for the meaning of it as I really don't care.

Holy crap.

[Laughing Man @ May 10th 2008 12:42PM]

Whats with the extra button by alt on the right side of the spacebar? In my opinion all they have to do now is only release it in this color and it will be a FAIL.