gaming keyboard
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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.
ROCCAT intros new line of gaming peripherals
ROCCAT may not be quite as well known as some gaming-centric peripheral makers, but it looks like its doing its best to make its mark with a new line of peripherals, including a gaming mouse and keyboard. Dubbed the ROCCAT Kone, the mouse looks to sport all the features an excessively-demanding gamer would expect, including no less than ten buttons, four removable weights, and a customizable light system with "thousands of colors." While you apparently won't get quite as many color options with the ROCCAT Valo keyboard (pictured after the break), you will still at least get illuminated keys (including 41 macro keys), along with 2MB of memory for storing up to five profiles, and even an integrated noise-canceling microphone. Look for it and the mouse to set you back €100 and €70 (or $147 and $103), respectively, when they hit Europe in February, with a matching mousepad also available for €20 (or about $30).[Via Randomly Accessed, thanks Steve]
Warhammer Online: G15 giveaway winners!
You may recall our recent giveaways here on Massively. They were indeed, befitting of the name of this blog -- massive! We're glad to announce that many of the contests are finally settling down, and we're able to start the next round of telling you just who won the fabulous prizes. (You know, for the people who don't believe we were giving away that much good stuff.) For our day featuring Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning, we offered up two Logitech G15 keyboards. After much mailing, fiery-hoop jumping, and so forth, we're happy to announce that our two winners are drunkmime and Fauzty! Just in time for any new games you get as holiday presents, too!In the upcoming days, you'll see more of the announcements as we list off the many winners of our launch contests. If you haven't done so yet, make sure that you white-list emails coming from massively.com or weblogsinc.com as those are the two domains our prize notifications will come from. (It's always a bummer when someone times out on the response email for a cool prize and finds the mail in their spam folders too late to claim it. Don't let that be you!) Again, congrats drunkmime and Fauzty, and enjoy your fantastic new gaming hardware!
Everglide's DKTboard gets inspiration from Razer
It's been a hot minute since we've heard any racket from Everglide, but the company seems to have tapped into what Razer's got going on for its latest gaming peripheral. The DKTboard is a sleek, all-black keyboard that features an ultrathin design, aluminum top case, eight multimedia hot keys and optional backlight illumination to keep your fingers on the right track even when the roommate turns in for the evening. The 'board is being offered up with an accompanying DKTmat for $69.99, but you'll have to wait for it to return to stock before calling dibs on your own.[Via RandomlyAccessed, thanks Steve]
Crazy new Wolf King gaming keyboard hits the FCC
It looks like those that prefer their keyboards as unconventional as possible could soon have a new option to consider from Wolf King, which has just seen its latest less-than-ergonomic wonder pass through the FCC. From the looks of it, this one boasts a good deal of similarities to the Wolf Claw keyboard we saw a while back, minus the full-size QWERTY keyboard. That gets replaced by a jumble of keys that could probably be used to actually type something in a pinch, although we're guessing you'll want to have another keyboard as a backup. According to the manual, you can also expect a pair of extra USB ports, seven customizable hotkeys and, of course, some blue backlighting to really make it stand out on your desk. No word on a price or release but, as you can see above, it sure looks about ready to roll out the door.
Saitek offers up Cyborg Keyboard for the gamer in you
You can't seriously consider snapping up Saitek's Cyborg gaming mouse without picking up the Cyborg Keyboard to match, can ya? If you've managed to elude the already-launched alternatives up until now, this version sports an equally futuristic motif with multi-color backlighting, a touch sensitive, backlit control panel, a dozen programmable hot keys and the ability to morph into Cyborg mode -- which instantly disables the Windows keys and configures the color / brightness of your gaming keys with a single press. Furthermore, the 'board features metal-plated keys in "gaming areas," a pass-through USB socket, audio and microphone ports, an adjustable wrist rest and gold-plated connectors for good measure. Currently, pricing and availability details are nowhere to be found, but hang in there soldier, Saitek should be filling in those holes soon enough.[Via Uber-Review]
Razer announces Lycosa keyboard, Piranha headset
If Belkin's new Razer-powered SpeedPad keyboard is a bit too unfamiliar for you, then perhaps Razer's own new Lycosa keyboard will be more to your liking. As you can see, it boasts a full complement of keys to handle those odd non-gaming tasks, although its not without its share of gaming-minded amenities as well. Those include backlighting on the all-important WASD key cluster, a non-slip rubber finish on all the keys, and support for up to 10 different software profiles which you can switch between on the fly. Those looking to stick with Razer for all their gear will also soon be able to get their hands on the company's just-announced Piranha headset, which boasts a noise-filtering microphone, an in-line remote with volume and microphone-muting controls and, of course, that trademark blue glow. Look for it to be available sometime this month for $80, with the keyboard set to follow in November for the same price.Read - Razer LycosaRead - Razer Piranha
Belkin intros n52te SpeedPad gaming keyboard
Belkin certainly took its time producing a successor to its Nostromo n52 gaming keyboard, but it looks like the company has now finally gotten its ergonomic act together, with it today showing off its new and slightly improved n52te SpeedPad for all to see. Designed to be equally adept at FPS, MMORPG, and RTS games, the SpeedPad boasts 15 fully programmable keys that are "built for speed," along with a programmable 8-way thumb pad and a removable joystick. Also new this time around is some nifty blue backlighting on the keypad and scroll wheel, as well as some software courtesy of the gaming-minded folks at Razer. Look for it to set you back $70 when it launches in November, although 50 gamers will get a chance to take home one for free as part of Belkin's "Proud to PWN" contest, which requires gamers to submit a video of themselves that "showcases their dominance in multiplayer, online PC games."
Microsoft Reclusa gaming keyboard reviewed
Microsoft and Razer's collaboration on a gaming mouse has been pretty well received, but it looks like their attempt at a gaming keyboard may not have been quite as successful, at least if ExtremeTech's review is any indication. While they liked the Reclusa's design and nifty blue backlighting, they were less than impressed by the comparative lack of macro keys (just ten of 'em), which are limited to only eight keystrokes apiece -- and, as neat as that backlighting is, they would have appreciated a way to turn it off. That said, they still think the keyboard should be more than enough to satisfy casual gamers, although they recommend those with more demanding needs stick to their G11 or G15.
Logitech's G11 gaming keyboard reviewed
If you've got no use for the LCD-equipped G15 keyboard, but still lust for dozens of extra buttons to push, you might be interested in the slightly less costly G11. Logitech's self-proclaimed "gaming keyboard" sports the same basic features as its more luxurious sibling, but omits the LCD in favor of bringing the price down to a more respectable level. While it may not be immediately evident what makes the 'board so "gamer-centric," ExtremeTech took a long look at the G11, and unearthed a lot of potential for coders and macro-freaks as well as late-night MMO gamers. While noting that the device boasted the usual assortment of keys, the crew was thoroughly impressed (albeit a bit overwhelmed) with the 54 "G-keys" that could record any macro imaginable. It was noted that keystrokes, although comfortable, rendered a slight "click" when depressed, and they were occasionally sidetracked by mistaking a lower G-key with the Control key. Nevertheless, the illuminated keys (and media controls) were deemed "worthwhile," and the superbly implemented Keyboard Profiler software allowed for on-the-fly macro recording including pauses and combinations. Overall, reviewers felt that the G11 was nothing more than "a shiny keyboard that glows in the dark" if you weren't obsessed with macros, but insinuated that it was a solid value at $70 if you used the bevy of G-keys as frequently as ASDF.
