Hand-on with Logitech's G13 Gameboard
By Laura June 
posted Dec 11th 2008 4:27PM
posted Dec 11th 2008 4:27PM
Maximum PC's laid hands on that Logitech G13 Gamepad we just saw a few days ago, and they've got plenty to say about it. They're fans of the gamepad's physical form and the layout of the keys, mouse buttons and the analog stick. The pad's got a color-customizable mini LCD and backlighting, and it's possible to bind up to 87 different macros at a time on it -- which the reviewer thinks will make this a totally sweet option for MMO-enthusiasts. The G13 is expected to run about $80 and to be released sometimes this month, but if you just can't wait until then for more glimpses of it, hit the read link.
great looking product
am I the only one who noticed this "great looking product" looks different
http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/logitech-g18-gaming-keyboard-shows-its-not-so-ugly-face/#comments
this picture shows the keys with led back lighting, the first post didnt the second one I linked to did, and the most recent one,this one doesnt have it, any explanation
Back lighting shows different light levels and angles. Also, you can turn it on and off.
Er, shows up better or not at all at different angles. sigh...proof reading ftw.
looks like a TIE fighter
pew pew!
Why is this 80 dollars?
Now that Logitech has this out can they now just produce a regular keyboard with an additional row of empty keys so we can program those however we choose with whatever app we choose? I'd buy that before I'd ever think of buying this.
You want the Logitech G15 then,
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/keyboards/keyboard/devices/3498&cl=us,en
The second revision of this keyboard (the orange one) has been around for at least a year now.
"The second revision of this keyboard (the orange one) has been around for at least a year now."
... and I'd never give up my revision 1 for that piece of crap.
@Andir3.0
whys that? I have the v2 one, and i love it. I dont really use the macro keys that much, so the extra ones on the original g15 are no use to me. Although i wish they didnt change the color from blue.
Andir: Care to elaborate why? I'm seriously wondering. I only have the 1st gen and was considering getting the new one. For one, I never use the 18 macro keys, the keyboard is much larger, I don't particularly like the flip up screen. The reason I was considering a new one is because my media keys are sinking into the keyboard, and are nearly unpressable. Is there a reason I should buy another 1st gen rather than a 2nd gen?
Ver1 has a supreme advantage over the Ver2. Depending.
Ver1 is perfect for WoW and DarkFall, and other MMORPGS. 3 banks of 18 G keys that you can program. A total of 54 programmable keys for macros, keystrokes, mouse clicks, applications... the list can go on.
Ver1 is more for the hardcore enthusiast. While Ver2 is a more homogenized. It will fit in your desk and has a display screen on it. As well as 3 banks of 6 G keys. For a total of 18.
Just comparing the amount of G keys between the two should show why some would never ever give up their Ver1. I use both. My Ver2 is the one I use primarily, but is completely useless for my MMORPGS. I find I'm having to switch the banks too often to access keys I need, something I never have to do with my Ver1.
Also there is a size difference between the screen on Ver1 and Ver2. the Ver2 screen is noticably smaller, although, all the same information is displayed. Smaller pixels I guess. Also I find the backlighting of the Ver2 to be better in light and in the dark. Logitech looked to fighter planes to see what back lighting works best in all light conditions.
The only thing I wished the G15v1 had was orange back lighting... but I figure I'm a small hack away from that. The flip up screen is a god-send. It's adjustable to best contrast with your seating position and close able when you don't need/want it. I find the small "handles" at the top of the keyboard are excellent for propping up things (like my RSA token for logging into work, key maps for new games if needed and I keep a pen rested in one.) The extra G keys on the G15v1 of course The dial for volume instead of some small buttons. I think (but I'm not positive) that the feed on the new version are not as "grippy" It slides around too easily. Maybe it's just me. I wasn't impressed by it the first time I used it. I love the old G15 too much.
What's the stick for?
That is what she said.
Probably because of the screen.
If you're looking for something cheaper, I use this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823161023
No backlighting and no macros though on the Fang, I don't play WoW anymore so I don't need macros anyway.
Well, that's the first time it's ever posted to the wrong reply for me. Meant my comment for birthday is 1990.
For people like me, who like using the mouse to aim in FPS, but hate using WASD. Still not sure I like the angle that your thumb would have to be to use this one. I'd prefer they tip it at an angle so it's sticking out to the side to adjust for the natural curve of the hand.
I think I would have to put label tape over "G3, G9, G10, G11" or I would get confused.
WASD 4 life.
there are little craters on the G4, G10, G11, and G12 keys for where WASD is intended to be, so you'll never get confused.
I can't really tell, i'm assuming they crater in, but they also look like they're beveled out...
And if your using a dvorak layout:
Like you are looking to your keyboard when your gaming?
the only issue that i can think of for this is. When World of warcraft sees the macro software for the keyboard and now BANS your account for using a third party software while playing WOW.!!!!
OUCH!!
Are you deficient? BLIZZARD has full support for Logitech G series.
LMAO the box that my G15 Ver2 came in has a pic of the screen CLEARLY showing stats for the player.
Also, Ive played WoW for years with my board and ZERO issue.
I'm a bit confused. Does this do the job of a mouse?
Each key is bindable to either a corresponding keystroke from a keyboard (or mouse for that matter) or to a macro itself.
For instance, a key could do the same thing as pressing A on the normal keyboard, open up Winamp, or activate a WoW Script/Macro.
The Joystick on the side can be bount similarly, probably keys to each angle.
I can probably be bound to mouse movement (though I can't be certain) and will most definitely be able to bind to your keyboards arrow keys or ASDW to allow in game movement on MMO & FPS games.
In short, no this isn't meant to replace your mouse, it's meant to replace your keyboard (except for full scale typing) to allow you quick access to complicated functions.
That said.. does it run on Linux? ;)
"That said.. does it run on Linux? ;)"
Probably not. Logitech is notoriously bad at supporting Linux. There are some open source drivers though for the G15 and MX1000 mouse I have but they are problematic at times.
However, I would assume you could train yourself to type on this by assigning keys to specific buttons and using the "macro shift" buttons to change to another set of keys if needed (for those odd rarely used keys)
Now the trolls are going to program this thing to automatically type things such as
"FUGLY
Fusion Fuzo
Mr Proffessional"
"This is shite, I'll stick with my iPhone..."
"NICE"
and of course
'i' don't like this Apple rip-off"
don't h8.
you forgot: "shut up zak, fooking troll!"
You, sir, own today.
ooooooo it tells the time too.........SOLD
that's to show how much of your life you have wasted playing WoW
Follow-up question on that - I have had both versions of the G15. I'm sort of a nut for secondary displays (stupid non-existent Sideshow). anyway, will there now be more support with more apps for the LCD? Currently I have Fraps and the weather, but I had CS stats on their for a while. Anyway, guys building apps dried up, and now there's nothing cool for it and I'm too stoopid to code it myself.
I dunno why they would have added the screen to this. I mean, info is good, but the placement for this peripheral is usually off to the right or left of your keyboard. As soon as the screen is no longer in direct field of view, it becomes almost impossible to see legibly what it's showing.
If this had been out when I was shopping for a gameboard, I still would have purchased my Cyborg Command Unit. It has the option for 3 colors for backlighting, and 144 custom key settings.
This will only be of interest to people without G15 series keyboards, or the XPS M1730. The XPS has the LogiLCD built into the frame.
The screen here is a true gimmick in sales. I set my keyboard screen at the same angle I use my command unit. As expected, the screen is completely useless. On the G15, the screen is perfectly placed, high up on the board, and in easy view without taking too much attention away from the monitor.
If you doubt my claims, feel free to see my equipment. http://www.xfire.com/blog/agent25i/394192/
Truthfully I've always wanted these "gamepads" for CADD work. I don't want to pay hundreds or thousands for some piece of hardware that does what this does. I can load the macros I want and the stick would be for model rotation.
that would be super helpful with Rhino too, good idea, thanks.
Looks alright, I've been using a Belkin N52 for quite awhile, and while it's nice it's a little msal for my hands and the buttons stink. Of course I haven't even used it for games much lately, I just have a bunch of photoshop shortcuts programmed on it, this thing is probably overkill for that.
It's the holy grail of virginity!
I have a similar product and probably get laid way more than you do.
I hope they provide camoflage for when girls and other friends come over...
It's called a desk draw.
*drawer
i have the G15 and i play wow with it and i very rarely at the screen. i thought it would be neat at first.. i mean when im playing wow i will always bring up my character sheet if im curious about my stats... dmg ect. the screen is useless. The only thing i like the screen for is since i have like 15k songs on winamp and its always on random, sometimes i dont know what song it is XD so having the media display up i like to see what song im listneing to if i like it.
Also the ventrilo mode was kinda neat so i can see whos talking in vent after i joined a new guild and did not know everyones voices. Those are the only 2 uses i have found for it.
i just see no use for this neat looking thing, only macro button i use on my G15 is G3 because i can hit it w/ my pinky really quick on my G15 but this would just be taking up precious space on my desk >_< i have every single skill my char has bound to the keyboard, why would u need this x_X
Sounds like you haven't explored all the wondrous things an open sourced program can do.
First get this guy. Sir Reals mod - http://forum.teamspeak.com/showthread.php?t=32017 DONT let the fact that its in TS forums bother you. It does alot more than just support TS. Xfire, Vent and TS and all sorts of stuff. TS function is great tho, see who comes online, who goes offine, who is talking at that moment, and how many people are in channel and on server. Same for Vent. Works with speed fan. Works with all sorts of stuff... Probably the best mod for the G15.
Then for your winamp. rays G15 mod for winamp http://www.g15-applets.de/ray-s-winamp-plugin-t206.html go to that forum, in the first post is a direct link to a valid copy of Rays mod for the G15 and Winamp. gen_g15_ray90.zip is the file u want, the download link is to the right. It has a kick ass spectrum analyzer, and support to make the keyboards lights fade in and out to the music.
For a vid of it in action on my board with my DRS check this out - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbY0apdzOu4&feature=channel_page
Hopefully this will rekindle some love for your G15.
i hope this works for the ps3!
its too bad the nostromo doesnt work with the ps3 so i have to use a standard kb :(
I would love a video of someone playing some game.
should've been named G22