Gaming keyboards - I don't think I get it?

[noiseredux]

I'm just curious about the point of gaming keyboards. I mean, some of these things are $200-$300. Seems insane to me for a keyboard, so there must be some hardcore benefit that I'm not seeing. I tried one at BB that was on display the other day, and the only things I could figure were (A) some keys like WASD are a different color, (B) some of these keyboards seem to let you map your own various hotkeys, and (C) they seem to be loud enough to wake up your wife no matter how far away from the keyboard your bedroom is.

So what's the appeal Guys That Are Into these things? (I'm pretty sure I've heard John's really loud keyboard on the Racketcast, so I'm assuming he'll chime in )

[isiolia]

Depends on the part you're looking at, as I can think of several elements that could be labeled as a "gaming" keyboard.

First, like you mentioned, extra keys to map to...whatever. Or, in the case of some, run a macro, complete with LCD display and everything. While potentially useful for other applications, to me, that's primarily what makes a keyboard targeted to gaming.

Most of the other features are simply a matter of quality, much of which is simply a throwback to when keyboards were big, heavy, and expensive. Read most mechanical keyboard primers for detailed information.
It's consumer electronics in general - most customers are looking for cheap. Gaming is probably the major "enthusiast" market for PCs, so most of the higher end keyboards are simply marketed towards that. Not that n-key rollover and such are wasted on it per se.

[dsheinem]

man, why would anyone buy a $200 arcade stick? You can find them for $20-$30 everywhere!

[noiseredux]

man, why would anyone buy a $200 arcade stick? You can find them for $20-$30 everywhere!

right right. Except I actually KNOW about arcade sticks. Which is why I'm not asking anyone explain that concept to me.

Thanks for the dickish snark enlightenment though.

@isiolia:

Mechanical keyswitches are designed so that they register before you bottom out, so you only need to apply as much force as is necessary to actuate it, not wasting any.

^this part at least makes sense to me. Am I correct though that all those mechanical keyboards are loud as all get-out?

[dsheinem]

man, why would anyone buy a $200 arcade stick? You can find them for $20-$30 everywhere!

right right. Except I actually KNOW about arcade sticks. Which is why I'm not asking anyone explain that concept to me.

Thanks for the dickish snark enlightenment though.

here.

[noiseredux]

here.

Funny. I actually found a good wealth of info already here though: http://bit.ly/18ruJdH

[dsheinem]

here.

Funny. I actually found a good wealth of info already here though: http://bit.ly/18ruJdH

lol at the results of that one!

[isiolia]

^this part at least makes sense to me. Am I correct though that all those mechanical keyboards are loud as all get-out?

Not all. Some of the switch types used are actually loud in and of themselves, but others are silent or close to it. In the case of the latter, notable noise levels are due to the user bottoming the keys out. It can be alleviated by installing o-rings on the keys to cushion them - though the general noise level tends to go down as one gets used to not hitting keys as hard.

[Jmustang1968]

Yeah I have a Steel Series gaming keyboard.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 7Aod830A3A


This one isn't mechanical. However I love the game pad area off to the left. It is much more efficient and comfortable for movement and hot keys.

I also use a Razer Naga mouse. The thumb buttons on the side allow me to macro hot keys to them. This combo gives me 20ish hotkeys that are very accessible.

[Erik_Twice]

Interestingly, while I have a gaming mouse, I'm happy with my cheap keyboard.