The ultimate in Keyboard gadgets (Logitech G19 Keyboard for Gaming)

Member Name: Rocketeer007

Product:	Logitech G19 Keyboard for Gaming
Date:	03/08/09 (144 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Built in LCD, programmable keys, UK layout

Disadvantages: Requires an external power supply

Logitech keyboards and mice have a good reputation for quality and price, and the G19 Keyboard is no exception to this rule.

The primary selling point of this keyboard is it's full colour, 320x240px LCD display. This display can be used in a wide range of games to show "Heads-up" information, as well as being used as a full colour Windows Side-show device under Windows Vista.
Additionally, each key on the keyboard is independently back-lit, and the back-light colour can be set to any colour that can be selected from a normal Windows colour-wheel... so, pretty much any colour in the rainbow!

As a keyboard, the G19 is quite responsive - not quite as solid as the old IBM PS/2 keyboard that so many people grew up with, but with a good range of motion and a solid "click" for each key as it is pressed; Not a "laptop" style keyboard, and not one of the new "soft-touch" keyboards that are becoming popular.

The additional buttons include 12 programmable buttons on the left - conveniently labelled G1-G12, these can be set to perform any keyboard combination or sequence, and re-mapped on the fly. There is also a set of 3 "Mode" buttons above these, giving a total of 36 available macros at any one time. The fourth key here is a "record" button, allowing you to record a new macro at any time.
The macros themselves are defined per-application; the included software (or, better yet, download the latest drivers direct from the Logitech website) lets you configure a set of 3 profiles for each application, which will be switched to automatically when the application is detected.

As well as these keys, there is a rolling volume control, a mute button, and a standard set of "media" keys with Back, Pause, Play and Next. These are all located on the top right of the keyboard, and work well with most standard Windows media applications, including Media Player and iTunes.

For gamers, there is a sliding switch to disable the "Windows" key, to prevent accidentally exiting a game by hitting that key.

The remaining keys are all about the display and back-lighting. To the left of the display is a 4 way "D-pad", with an "OK" button in the middle, and a settings button; these are used exclusively to control options on the LCD display. To the right of the LCD is a button that toggle all lighting on the keyboard (unfortunately, both the LCD and back lighting; these cannot be separated); this is useful for leaving your PC on overnight without lighting up the house...

The keyboard offers 2 powered USB2 ports, at the back right. These are fine to use, but a bit fiddly on the angles - I wouldn't want to be plugging things in too frequently.

A mains adaptor is included, this connects to one side of the Y-shaped lead coming from the keyboard, the other side going to the USB port on your PC. The mains power is required for the LCD and the backlighting, but the keyboard can be used "normally" without external power - useful if you've got it connected to a laptop, and mains power goes...

Some reviews indicate some interference on the LCD from mobile phones etc. - I've not experienced this, but would add that to reset the keyboard in this situation, all you need to do is pull the power for the keyboard (don't just reboot the PC!).

The range of Display panel applets is not massive, but the main MMORPGs are supported (World of Warcraft, EVE online, LOTRO etc.), as well as a number of FPS and RPG games - there is also a reasonably active community developing add-ons, and any that worked on the G15 keyboard will also work on this one.

Finally, you should note that the UK model has a proper UK layout, with a large Enter key and the pound, double-quote and dollar signs in the correct places. This does not match the picture on this site, but is a typical UK layout.

Summary: A great gadget, but somewhat pointless to be honest!

Processing/Quality:
Reliability:
Ease of use:
Installation:
Speed:
Variety of features: