Logitech G5/G7/G15 Preview

The Logitech G15 Keyboard offers gamers an unprecedented level of in-game information, programmability, and control. Its adjustable-tilt, back lit LCD display shows you crucial system info during game play, and lets you set timers to keep track of game events. You can even stay in touch with your IM buddies while you’re playing! The 18 programmable G Keys let you execute macros for example, casting spells in World of Warcraft with a single button pressand the back lit keys are great for lights-out play.

Ok, so this keyboard doesn’t have the rich style like the Optimus keyboard, which has been the talk of the net for the last month. But, what the G15 does deliver, is extreme customization and geek features. One thing that must be made clear, is that this is not an ordinary keyboard meant for regular office use. It’s obviously a gamers keyboard, as you can see by the design and feature set.

Immediately, you can see that the keyboard is completely flat, and has a rough look about it. This ain’t no sissy keyboard. The Blue/Black color scheme is not too bad, but I would have preferred maybe a darker blue, or even a green.

The board has a standard key layout, with the addition of 18 customizable keys, that are labelled G1 – G18. Above those, are M1, M2 and M3 keys, M for Mode. If you play multiple games, such as Counter-Strike, Battlefield 2 and World of Warcraft, then you don’t have anything to worry about. To make things easy, they made these mode keys so that you can customize the G keys for different games. That way, M1 could be for your Counter-Strike configuration, while M3 is for your WoW. This technically allows you up to 56 spots for configuration.

The keyboard also contains the basic multi-media keys we’re all used to, for playing movies/music and adjusting volume. You will also notice an MR button, which stands for Macro Record. Pressing this, will monitor your keystrokes and movement, which can be saved into one of the configuration keys.

  

One thing that regularly makes me grit my teeth while playing a game at night, is trying to fumble around to hit the right keys, especially when chatting. This is made much easier with this board, because at night, the keys will illuminate a bright blue. Lastly, another aggravation is hitting the Windows key which can get you killed fast, because it can throw you to the desktop. In gaming mode, the keyboard disables the Windows key so you will have nothing to worry about!

The biggest feature to hit the keyboard, is the LCD screen. The screen is completely back lit, and can be used for multiple uses. As you can see in some of the pictures, it’s being used for in game chat and keeping track of your current ammunition status. I’m sure after the keyboard is released, we will be seeing additional features for it as well.. such as displaying the current song playing. If for some reason you are sick of looking at the screen, it can be closed.

Logitech never ceases to impress me with their products. They made quite a jump with their MX1000 Laser mouse, which took the peripheral world by storm. It’s great to see that they finally took another step forward to make a Laser Gaming mouse, and I can’t wait to see what kind of performance they will offer.. especially the G7 since it is cordless.

The G15 keyboard is certainly unlike any other Logitech keyboard, and I didn’t expect to get excited over a keyboard, ever. This one seriously intrigues me, with the macro function, programmable keys and especially the LCD back lit screen. The illuminated keys at night are also a hugely welcomed feature. We will be sure to report more information on these products in the very near future, so stay tuned.

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