Ask Engadget: best illuminated keyboard for the non-gamer?
By Darren Murph 
posted June 10th 2010 10:54PM
posted June 10th 2010 10:54PM
Wow, that's a mouthful! But a solid question, indeed. It's not too tough to find a backlit keyboard on a laptop, but finding a desktop board with light-up keys is certainly a bigger challenge. Drop some advice in comments below, cool?"As both a gamer and programmer, I spend all day at a keyboard in dimly lit environments. Work has me used to a Microsoft 'Natural' keyboard, but the closest thing that was backlit doesn't seem to be made anymore, cost a ton when it was, and didn't even have a number pad! Everything I've used or even found that is illuminated is a straight, traditional, keyboard. Is this too much to ask? So my question is: What is the best (if there even are any) illuminated, natural / ergo / curved, fully functional (dedicated "F" and number pad keys) keyboard out there? Or if one doesn't exist, what is the best illuminated keyboard for a work environment (not for home gaming... I don't need 18 extra WoW hotkeys on it)? Thanks!"
Gamer keyboards work pretty well for non-gamers. In my university, many professors use a G15 for their everyday use. Gaming keyboards are made from the best of materials to stand the abuse we put on it, and they are very comfortable to use. Now if you want something ergonomic for typing, that is a whole other issue.
@kapanak I agree. I use a saitek eclipse 2, and that works great for me.
@kapanak I can backup the saitek eclipse 2 its a great keyboard!
@kapanak I agree, the G15 is the best keyboard i've ever used, but as you already pointed out, it's traditional in layout.
Never used one before, but I've heard nothing but good things about the Saitek Eclipse.
Personally, I just buy cheap $3.99 keyboards from Newegg. :/
@kapanak
THE IPAD?!
@kapanak I love by g15 where the heck is it?
@PyRo1509 Another thumbs up for the G15, one of the best keyboards ever made.
My friends hate it though because it's so different from their regular dell keyboards.
@kapanak
I used to use a Saitek Eclipse (first gen). It's nicely backlit and it's the fastest keyboard I've ever typed on. I've since upgraded to an ABS M1 mechanical keyboard (not backlit) that has slowed my typing but feels more satisfying.
@kapanak
I bought a Saitek Eclipse II and it was no good - spacebar was sticky. I replaced it, but even then the keys feel marshmallow-y. Pro - quiet. Con - feel...
@kapanak G15 or G110 all the way! my after replacing my g15 with a saitek eclipse i went back to using my g15 because the cyborg already broke
G15 is king. Or G19 if you can afford it. The LCD is extremely useful for Winamp/iTunes/Hardware monitoring/Media Player Classic.
@Brianbrain Me too - had mine for barely a week before the spacebar started driving me nuts.
@Devhux Really?
I'm on my 2nd G15 so far (I kill keyboards - tobacco, soft drinks & beer tend to make them die) and find it the best keyboard I've ever come across to type on. They space bar is fine in my opinion, the only problem I have was the changes they made between the version 1 & 2 (blue vs orange).
It's a bit big for most people, they want small keyboards on their desk... not some behemoth of a board that takes up all the desk. I'd probably go with the G110, then again I've never used it. Providing the keys feel the same I'd recommend it.
I have a different opinion on saitek eclipse 2. Keyboard works fine, but the paint (or whatever) used on the keys is not. Within 6 months of owning this keybard, the M and N keys were virtually unreadable s the paint has worn off. Its been over a year now and whatever puntuation is above the "." is invisible.. can't read it.. the D is almost gone.. C is gone... shift is fading... I'm a touch typist.. so I haven't replaced it yet, but I've had cheaper keyboards far longer without this problem
@kapanak
I use the G15 for home and work. The macro keys on the side are a huge part of my internet surfing life. I have my email address programmed into one of the keys, one keypress will enter my email address. Good for login screens and forms. I have each piece of my home address entered in as well. I have multi-key shortcuts programmed into single keys, makes common tasks much quicker, rarely have to take right hand off mouse.
I recommend the Logitech Illuminated keyboard. It's high quality, has nice keys and a good, solid feel.
@cgalyon
Yep, gaming or not, this is the one to get. Best keyboard I've owned, and I've owned a lot.
@cgalyon
+1 to the Illuminated Keyboard. Typing on it right now, and I love it.
@cgalyon I love mine, and its currently $40 after rebate at Fry's, although it expires today so its probably too late.
http://www.frys.com/product/5772442
@cgalyon I own it too. It is a really nice keyboard. I just hate laptop style keys because you can't pop them out to clean it.
Side note: How long until Joystiq is back? I am starting to have withdrawals...
@cgalyon
I also recommend this one. AWESOME keyboard and great price too.
@cgalyon I own it and agree as well
@cgalyon
Yes I also have this and I love the keyboard lit up. :-)
Yes, I highly recommend Logitech Illuminated Keyboard. Have had one for a few months, it's amazing.
The keys are fragile so, unlike a regular keyboard, don't try to pop them off when you want to clean. The connectors can break when trying to pop it back in. Just buy those dust removers/compressed-air-in-a-can things to clean.
@cgalyon
Yep, typing on mine now.
@cgalyon
+1 for the logitech Illuminated. Lasted much longer than my G15 and looks much much better at night.
@cgalyon
Just be careful if you get a Logitech Illuminated keyboard, it has a wonky left shift key.
@cgalyon Yep, and thin too!
@cgalyon
Agree completely. I love my logitech illuminated keyboard. The thing that bothers me with most gaming keyboards is that they glow in colors and not just a professional white hue... I love the sleek-ness and low profile of the logitech illuminated.
@cgalyon I am using the logitech illuminated keyboard right now, and it is the best keyboard I have ever owned. My previous one served well enough, it was a microsoft keyboard, but one thing that bothered me about it and most keyboards, including from logitech was the LOUD clickety clack sound of typing.
The illuminated keyboard is one of the QUIETEST keyboards on the market. I LOVE that. If you have roommates or just don't want to wake the dead whole typing away or going around the net, for that alone it is worth a look, and they have them in many stores to feel.
@cgalyon
I have this, COMPLETELY AGREE!!
@cgalyon
Yep, soudn´t sagree mere!
MIne ic wprking greet too!
@cgalyon - I'd also refer Logitech Illuminated keyboard. I'v bought it about 4 months ago, and absolutely LOVE it. Everything about it. So polished, smooth and nice (only 9.3mm height!).
First of all, I always prefered laptop-style keybords with short key travel. This keyboard has longer key travel than typical laptop keyboard. It's something in between normal keyboard, and laptop-style (though little bit closer to the latter).
My layout is US-Int (it was soooooooooo hard to find it here in Poland - only EU layouts are available here, and I sincerely hate it :) ) and the only problem I have with it is the big delete key (which takes Del+Ins space, with Ins moved to the PrSc/Pause-Break block, but it's a Logitech thing and you can get used to it. Oh, and the font is nice :)
One more thing in terms of layout. The lowest row (does not apply to arrows/numeric pad) is beveled up, not down like the rest of the keyboard. I've read thet some people didn't like it. I on the other hand love it, as it makes typing easier, making those space/alt/ctrl keys more at hand (thumb in fact). The hand rest is not very wide, but it is sufficient, and is very smooth end comfortable.
Now the Illumination. It's is one of the best I've seen. Illuminated are the letters, not the whole keyboard, backlit art crisp and don't seem to wear quickly (thouch, as I wrote, I have this keyboard only for 4 mounths). It has 3 brightness settings (well - 4 including "off") in very good "incements" (100%, 50%, 25%).
Ok one thing is a smal negative for me. Really small. With backlight turned off, the letters and symbols on the keyboard are a little grey and not really that clear. I'm using backlight at 25%-50% throughout the whole day and night. For some it might be unwanted power drain (even though it's probably minimal).
@cgalyon yep I'm with you on the Logitech's illuminated keyboard. The feel and look is brilliant - "out shining" the diNovo desktop keyboard. However I have put it into semi-retirement and have gone for the smaller keyboards - working with graphics I need more room for mouse, 3d mouse and wacom tablet! but I till pull it out if I want to sit in the dark!!
@cgalyon
Razer Lycosa FTW.
@DoctarPeppar
The Lycosa backlight is literally painful (for me) to look at; such a harsh contrast. I'm going with the Logitech illuminated keyboard. As others have said, solid build, nice feel, and low profile.
@cgalyon Another vote for the Logitech Illuminated KB. I like how it's simple and elegant. I don't understand why so many companies need to make keyboards that look like the bridge of a starship! I love the adjustable backlight level, as well as the quiet, low-profile keys.
@cgalyon
yups, 3 levels of WHITE light, nice feel, have used mine FOR GAMING for many months and it's solid... I love it.
I had the gaming keyboard (G11, G15) and honestly, they were 'too much'.
@cgalyon Awesome, awesome, awesome keyboard. My only complaint is that the function keys don't have illumination for the F#, just the media functions. Very cool is that it retains the illumination level setting when power is shut off to the keyboard. So if you have it hooked to a monitor: power it off, keyboard light goes off. power it on, keyboard light comes back on.
@Dreamscape86 Logitech Illuminated FTW! By far the best keyboard that I've ever owned.
the razer extreme 9000 gtx series with optional turbo boost enabled. 2 of them.
Razer does make great products indeed.
I've never heard of what you're proposing but i'm typing right now on the Lycosa. Best keyboard i've ever had, and I bought it to use with a laptop!
Recommend 100%!
@Seb6554 I agree. My Lycosa is my work keyboard, where I do lots of documents and the like. It hasn't let me down. I don't see what makes it a "gaming" keyboard other than the razer branding. Holds up, works well, and looks awesome.
Only downside to me is lack of a true USB hub- all of the ports are just extension cords, although the media controls (capacitive) work great.
@John Stathakis
Totally agree. Proud owner of Lycosa (and mamba too!) and its one of the best keyboards Ive used for work. well probably with the exception of the IBM Model M; that one's the perfect typist's keyboard if you dont mind the looks and lack of illumination.
You mean ask Engadget COMMENTORS, not ask Enadget
@whatpoint77
We the people ARE Engadget.
@CaryHiroyuki Tagawa We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do endorse this Blog's comments Section.
@musicssound
Even though it seems counteractive, all wrath unleashed here does promote all this in real life.
I'd like to see the recommendations for this