STACK #182 Dec 2019

GAMES FEATURE

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SLOW AND STEADY Back in the dark old days, slower- actuating membrane keyboards were the only option. These days, mechanical keyboards are mercifully more prevalent. That said, streamers and those who prefer whisper-quiet typing may still consider the likes of a Razer Cynosa membrane keyboard. The Cynosa has the RGB lighting,

K70 MK.2 (varying actuation depending on switches) comes in two multiple Cherry MX-switch flavours, with a pain-saving wrist rest, sturdy aluminium frame, USB pass-through (to keep other peripherals connected) and the expected RGB lighting.

’BOARD INVESTMENT If you’re more into gaming than keypad data entry, consider the tenkeyless design of the Logitech G Pro X mechanical gaming keyboard. This super-compact keyboard makes low-sensitive mouse aiming possible thanks to its lack of greed in taking up precious desk real estate. Also, swap out your keys as your tastes change between clicky (2.0mm actuation), linear (1.9mm actuation)

You can opt for the K70’s slightly more expensive older brother, the K95 (1.2mm actuation for Cherry MX Speed; 2.0mm for Cherry MX Brown), which has the same perks but has the added bonus of programmable macro keys. Macro keys are particularly useful for fans of RTS, RPG, MOBA and similar strategy-heavy acronym genres.

programmable macro recording and speed ultrapolling perks of Razer’s other gaming keyboards, sans faster mechanical switches. For around double the investment, though, you start to enter serious gaming-keyboard territory. The Logitech G512 offers three switch flavours: GX Blue (super clicky, 1.9mm actuation), Romer-GTactile and Romer-G Linear (both sport 1.5mm actuation). This is a solid investment for any gamer looking for

and tactile (1.9mm actuation) tastes. Back to full-size ’boards, the Corsair

Rolling ghosts

Two of the common comparison points between gaming keyboards are key ‘rollover’ and ‘anti-ghosting’. Rollover indicates how many keys can be registered at once, presented either as the number or in ‘n’ form, the latter of which means the keyboard individually scans each keystroke. If there’s a number, that’s how many keys can be registered at once. As for ghosting, it’s a term used for keystrokes that go missing during use, where anti-ghosting is a positive because it means no keystrokes are lost.

BIG GUNS These next gaming keyboards represent a pretty-penny investment, like the ultra-thin perks of the Logitech G815. This ’board packs programmable macro keys, dedicated media playback controls – optionally handy for drowning out the lamentations of vanquished noobs – as well as dedicated buttons for ‘game mode’ (kills the Windows key) and an RGB lighting switch. Step it up to the G815’s wireless sibling, the G915, for $100 more, but both boast keys with a solid 1.5mm actuation point. To take advantage of the

a slim-profile full-size keyboard. Absolutely take advantage of Logitech’s G HUB software, plus the function key commands for additional functionality. The HyperX Alloy Origins (1.8mm actuation) sits around the same size and pricepoint as the

G512. The detachable USB-C cable makes it more mobile, though, and the aluminium build keeps the weightier ’board on the table during intense gaming sessions or passionate chat discourses.

latest in mechanical switches, the Razer Huntsman Elite boasts optical switches that require minimal force for keystrokes (1.5mm actuation). On top of this, the optional removable wrist rest (with RGB lighting) and dedicated easy-to-reach media playback controls make this a surprising delight for gaming and everyday use, too. For unprecedented control over your actuation point, check out the SteelSeries Apex Pro. By using the SteelSeries Engine software, you can set the keystroke actuation point from a sneeze-and-it’ll-register 0.4mm and a push-it-all-the-way distance of 3.6mm. Ultimately, because they’re rated

Desktop vs laptop keyboards Certain-model gaming keyboards, like the Logitech G512 and the Razer Huntsman Elite, need two USB ports to fully function. One specific cable is for the keyboard, and the other is for additional functionality. For the G512, this second USB port requirement offers USB pass-through via a USB port on the back of the keyboard. For the Huntsman Elite, the second USB powers the RGB lighting on the removable wrist rest. This means these types of keyboards are better suited to desktops over the limited-USB ports of a laptop. Just make sure you’ve got the right cable connected if you only want keyboard functionality.

for many millions of keystrokes, a gaming keyboard is a sound investment in your gameplay future that can be a faithful fragging companion for years to come.

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DECEMBER 2019

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