I bet yours doesn't light up like mine! (Logitech G11 Gaming Keyboard)

Member Name: Autarkis

Product:	Logitech G11 Gaming Keyboard
Date:	02/10/09 (160 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Multi-purpose general and gaming keyboard .

Disadvantages: USB's on keyboard have limited functionality .

Over the years my family has managed to go through our fair share of computer keyboards, admittedly a large majority of these are either the standard keyboard that came with the PC or a cheap alternative. So with this in mind when my partners latest keyboard finally gave up the ghost he became fed up with these cheap replacements and had had his eye on this particular keyboard for some time and had been pestering me for it since for what seemed like a lifetime. The main reason why I would always say no though was due to its much higher price tag than any other keyboard that we had purchased in the past.


My boyfriend being the wily one that he is still kept looking around for his dream keyboard and he even added it to my Amazon wish list on multiple occasions in hope that I would take pity on him. Just when I thought that he had given up all hope with me making him happy, during one of our weekly food shops he will usually leaves me to my own devices whilst he wanders off to the other shops on the retail park with the children in tow. He suddenly came rushing back to me like a excited child on Christmas morning and after 10 minutes of trying to understand what he was hurriedly trying to say to me I finally managed to make out that the fabled G11 keyboard that I had heard all too much about had been spotted in the sale in Staples. After much embarrassing begging and pleading in the middle of the supermarket I eventually gave in and gave him the money to go buy his new found toy.


Despite me giving him the money I still could not see why any keyboard could be worth £24.99 yet alone the full retail price of £49.99 that he had been trying to unsuccessfully convince me of for all these months.


When we got it home my partner literally tore it out of the pack and before he had even taken his jacket and shoes off. My first impression of the new keyboard was of the sheer size of it in comparison to the slim line compact keyboard that I use on my computer. Then when he turned the computer on and the keys suddenly illuminated and he started rambling on about how amazing it was, personally though I could not see the point in it so overall it did not look like a keyboard I would personally choose, but at least he was happy!


Whilst my partner is at work I will occasionally use his computer mainly due to the fact that it has a far higher spec to it than my computer because my partner mainly uses it for gaming, plus it gives me more space as well as he has the larger desk so I can swivel about on my chair more. Since the new keyboard was installed though I really wasn't tempted to use it though as it looked far too big and bulky for my dainty hands, finally though after having some problems with the wireless connection on my computer my Ciao addiction became too much for me and I gave in and started to use my partner's computer and the monstrous keyboard.


"So what does this flashy thing do then?"


So the first thing that I noticed was the fact that the keyboard illuminated, initially I didn't really find any benefit to this particular function and in fact I would generally turn the keyboard light off thinking that it would be a distraction to my typing. However after a little while I noticed that the keys were actually easier to locate with the back light on especially during lower light times in the early evenings. My other initial misconception of the vast size of the keyboard was soon put to rest as well as I found it far more comfortable to use than my own keyboard which is one of the curved designed ones that are supposed to be easier and more comfortable to type on. The keyboards size is made bigger by the fact that it comes with a massive wrist rest which is something that I never have had or wanted on any of my previous keyboards, but since using it I cannot see how I managed before without one as it does provide extra comfort. The wrist rest is an optional feature to the keyboard which can be either folded down or removed completely from the keyboard if you do not get on with it.


As the keyboard is set up primarily as a gaming keyboard a lot of the functions and keys are ones that I personally do not use during my general use of it. However I consider these as more of an addition to the keyboard itself, but for those gamers out there the keys and functions can help you become the gaming legend that you have always wanted to be.


So firstly the keyboard comes loaded with 18 what they call "G" keys down the left hand side of the keyboard, now using the software that comes with the keyboard these keys can be assigned to different key functions when each of them is pressed these can range from just simple one key strokes to complex multi-stroke macros. Along with the ability for the user to refine these keys the software can also detect any installed games on the computer and offer up a range of assigned functions for these keys which can then be changed if needs be. However if 18 keys aren't enough the keyboard actually allows you to simply switch between 3 different set ups of the "G" keys. The assignment of the keys and the software that is needed to do it is very simple to operate even for the most computer inept amongst us.


Along the top of the keyboard are a number of media player controls which allow you to play/pause, skip and adjust the volume on your media player along with an easy to reach mute button, which my 23 month old son has managed to master and takes great delight in muting the volume during that best part of the song.


As well as this the keyboard features a pair of USB 2.0 ports at the top edge of the keyboard although you can plug any USB 2.0 device into them I have found that things like media storage devices tend not to work to well in them which is a bit of a shame as I never seem to have enough USB ports for everything I need. As an added feature the keyboard actually has a number of grooved channels which run along the base of the keyboard which allow for a mouse, headset, or microphone cable to be run under the keyboard to a convenient place for use.


The keyboard itself is wired to the computer as opposed to wireless, generally I prefer a wireless keyboard for ease of movement, but a wired keyboard has the advantage of being slightly faster in response time and you don't have to worry about sudden loss of battery power during a game which all too often can occur with a wireless keyboard.


The keyboard is designed primarily to be used with PC's that use a Windows operating system such as XP or Vista, but it is possible for it to run on a Mac with the addition of the keyboard driver program download that is available on Logitech's website.


"Does it still light up my computing life?"


So having had this keyboard now for going on 18 months it has certainly stood up to the test of time and has outlasted all of its predecessors in fact it still looks as good as the day it graced my partners computer. I do tend to have the odd occasionally cheeky snack whilst playing on the computer and sometimes those pesky crumbs just seem to go everywhere. This being said though the keyboard is very easy to keep clean and I have never had problems with it like others that I have purchased which tend to get clogged up with crumbs and food very quickly that just will not clean out despite my best efforts. As well as this something I tend to notice with previous keyboards is that certain well used keys will start to lose their little letter or number off of the top of them, however this keyboard will not suffer from this as the letter or number is basically a transparent section in the key that allows the light to shine through and not a printed image on top of the keys. Durability wise this keyboard has really stood up to it as my son does like to experiment with just how hard the keyboard can be hit without it smashing in two as he gets very excited when he plays on the on-line "peek a boo" games.


"Is Logitech the Logi-choice?"

Despite my initial doubts about this keyboard I have grown rather attached to it in fact to the point now that when my partner is at home he is now relegated to my computer and tiny keyboard, whilst I take centre stage with this beast that I am now calling mine. With Christmas fast approaching and my partner moaning about not being able to use his keyboard maybe Santa will just have to make a special Logitech delivery this year for him.


Even though the keyboard is designed as a gaming keyboard from the point of view of a non gamer I now feel that its high price is certainly worth it as it has far out stripped the performance of any previous keyboards and the fact that it has extra functions is just a bonus in my opinion. Being as I have been so impressed with this keyboard now, my cheeky partner is now starting to show me pictures and articles of Logitech's G5 mouse which would complement this keyboard nicely I think he is trying to hint at something?


To find out additional information on this product or any others from their range you can visit their website;

www.logitech.com

Summary: It lights up my nights.

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