Hand-on with Logitech's G13 Gameboard
By Laura June 
posted December 11th 2008 4:27PM
posted December 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.
It looks really cool I just wish to be right handed to use it.
I know lefties are like less than 20% of population in the world but at least they should have made the thumb joystick to be detachable to put it on the other side.
Similar products from other manufacturers like NOSTROMO had made the same thing, none of them had been smart enough to be design wise about that.
Seems a little overcomplicated. What's wrong with a keyboard and "bind". Do you really need a macro or all these G buttons? That just seems more confusing. I have thought about using stuff like this, but ideally... WASD EFRQGVBZ can do the same thing so why waste the money? Those are all my typical keys in a game, and I get everything I need from that. Many games have a built-in ability to create macros by using alias and bind so you could use F keys.
Quite a few games have the F keys bound to settings for the games. And rather than move key bindings around, or remove some that are not necessary all the time seems pointless when items like this are around.
There is no waste of money when getting something that-
A) you want; and
B) something that will increase your ability to play/work.
Over-complication would be having to screw around figuring out what keys I can and cannot bind on a regular keyboard.
But hey, if you "get everything [you] need" from just a regular keyboard, gratz. I dont know what I would do without my Command Unit.
OH, and one last thing... does your keyboard have an analog thumb stick? No? I Didn't think so. And if you cant conceive of why that in itself is so awesome.../wrist
1 example of how I use my analog thumb on the CU. In Call of Duty 4. With my Sniper Kit, I use OverKill. Allows me to carry 2 main weapons, my R700 and my AK47. I use my mouse and keep the dpi settings high for quick movement, and running around while Im using my AK. When I switch to my R700, and need steady slow and precise aim, I use the thumb fob on my Command unit. I keep the Dpi setting nice and low on that profile specifically for that reason. Now I know some mice have the ability to switch on the fly, like the G9 (I have also) But, it is much easier to use the thumb switch. And allows for much higher Dpi setting to be programmed, and kept in the profiles on my mouse.
there is a working linux driver to be found at http://www.nexoid.at/g13. no guarantees, but all the keys and leds and the joystick and the lcd can be accessed.