The debate about whether or not a gaming keyboard is worth it is a hot topic amongst gamers. It’s easy to see why; gaming keyboards offer a huge range of features that some people can’t live without and others may not value. Let’s take a closer look at whether a gaming keyboard is worth the investment.
First of all, let’s address the issue of ergonomics. Customizable gaming keyboards are designed with ergonomic principles in mind, so they can be tailored to the size and shape of the user’s hands. While some keyboards offer a comfortable experience, others may not. Furthermore, a gaming keyboard may allow for increased productivity, as many of them have macro keys for easy access to multiple commands.
Next, it’s important to consider the features of the gaming keyboard. Gaming keyboards typically come with a handful of features, like onboard memory, anti-ghosting, and customizable macros. While anti-ghosting is useful for gamers, it’s not a necessary feature for everyday desk use. On the other hand, onboard memory allows the user to store complex macros and settings, which can be a great time-saver for avid gamers.
It’s also important to consider the cost of a gaming keyboard. While they are usually more expensive than standard keyboards, their robust build quality usually makes them a worthwhile investment. Even if you don’t play games, a gaming keyboard can still be beneficial, as they often have quality switches, reliable construction and extra features that typical keyboards don’t have.
Finally, it’s worth considering the aesthetics of the gaming keyboard. Current gaming keyboards come in a wide range of designs, ranging from minimalistic to eye-catching. Some gamers may even prefer more subtle designs that don’t detract from their desk set-up.
Increased Durability
Different from traditional keyboards, gaming keyboards are built with exceptional durability. They come with the highest quality switches, the feature that is most durable for playing games. The most common keyboard switches are made of rubber or plastic, but some gaming keyboards are equipped with metal contact points that extend the life of the keyboard for many years. The longer durability makes gaming keyboards a wise investment as a long-term tool for gaming.
In addition, gaming keyboards are made with extras such as spill-resistant construction, dustproof switches, and corrosion resistant metals which make them ideal for longtime gaming. Gamers invest in gaming keyboards because they want their gaming setup to last and so they can avoid the frequent buying cycle of low-cost keyboards.
Advanced gaming keyboards even come with customizable keycaps, which are much more comfortable and can reduce finger fatigue. This level of comfort is paramount to gamers who need to play for long hours a day and produce fast inputs for the stringent gaming environment. And since the keycaps can be removed and replaced with new ones, a gamer can have multiple sets of keycaps to match different activities or games.
Apart from the mechanical keyswitches, gaming keyboards also tend to be much thinner compared to normal keyboards. This lightweight construction reduces the strain on the wrists so gamers can use them over extended periods.
Finally, certain gaming keyboards are made with RGB lighting, a must-have feature for gamers who want to show off just how impressive their gaming setup can be. Although the RGB lighting may not seem that important on the surface, it can drastically change an experience that gamers would otherwise not receive with regular keyboards.
Simplified Access
Gaming keyboards come with a range of features to make gaming sessions easier and smoother. Most have macro keys that allow users to store multiple commands or sequences in just one keypress. This can be especially useful for complex RTS games where players need to remember multiple commands for each unit.
Many gaming keyboards come with extra keys for media controls or other features. For instance, some have shortcut keys for audio adjustments, allowing gamers to quickly adjust their sound settings mid-game. Having easy access to these buttons prevents gamers from having to cycle through menus or spend time in the menu to adjust sound levels.
Apart from these added features, a gaming keyboard gives gamers access to features like on-the-fly macro and lighting control. This kind of control is found nowhere else and makes gamers feel in charge of their gaming experience.
Gaming keyboards also provide a gaming experience that is one step up from the basics. They allow gamers to customize key bindings and lighting according to their preferences and even set up profiles for specific games. With this, gamers can persistently customize their keyboard and keep their gaming setup efficient and organized.
They also come with a variety of presets that gamers can access easily. For instance, some gaming keyboards come with profiles with lighting effects and sound effects, so gamers who would like to spice up their gaming experience can easily do so.
Connectivity
An often overlooked aspect of gaming keyboards is the level of connectivity they offer. Most gaming keyboards come with wired connectivity, but some come with Bluetooth as an alternative. Having the option to choose between wired and Bluetooth is an added bonus that allows gamers to tailor their setup to their preferences.
Most gaming keyboards are pretty plug and play and don’t require any tinkering or fiddling. Some advanced gaming keyboards may also come with programmable buttons, so gamers can customize their gaming experience with macros and other settings even further.
Apart from this, some gaming keyboards have extra ports for other accessories that make the gaming experience more convenient and enjoyable. Some gaming keyboards even come with built-in USB and audio ports, so gamers can plug in their headset or storage device with ease.
Also, a wireless gaming keyboard allows gamers to play from a distance, either for a more comfortable gaming experience or for easier navigation during streaming sessions. This makes it easier for gamers to switch from their desktop to a laptop or from their gaming room to the living room instantly, without having to worry about unplugging their keyboard and plugging it into a different computer.
Enhanced Performance
When it comes to performance, gaming keyboards deliver an edge that traditional keyboards can’t provide. For example, the keys are usually removable and can be used to great effect to save gamers time – they can get to their hotspots quickly and can press multiple keys without any issue.
In addition, gaming keyboards often come equipped with ‘anti-ghosting’ tech where input is registered even when multiple keys are pressed at the same time. This helps gamers execute commands faster than with a standard keyboard.
Apart from this, some gaming keyboards come with ‘n-key rollover’ that allows any number of keys to be pressed simultaneously and have their inputs registered. This means that gamers can press multiple keys at the same time and never worry about input lag or mis-keyed commands.
On top of that, gaming keyboards have ‘mechanical-style’ keys that are made to reduce input lag, allowing for faster responses upon keystrokes. However, mechanical-style keys do add a bit more noise with the key presses and gamers should factor that in when deciding which keyboard to buy.
Finally, certain gaming keyboards are designed to offer PC overclocking capabilities. This helps gamers reach higher levels of performance without having to tinker with their hardware. This convenience comes in handy for gamers that don’t want to solder or mess with their computer’s BIOS settings.
Customization
Gamers sometimes want to make their gaming keyboards look different from their regular keyboards. Customization is one of the primary reasons why some gamers choose gaming keyboards as they come with a variety of customization options that conventional keyboards don’t have.
RGB lighting on gaming keyboards makes it easier to match specific keycaps with lighting effects and users can even customize the entire keyboard’s lighting with special software. Plus, gaming keyboards often come with pre-programmed lighting profiles, so gamers can fully customize their gaming experience.
Customizable keyboards also come with macros. These are quick commands across multiple keys used to execute a single command. This feature is great for gamers who want to execute certain game-specific commands in quick succession.
Additionally, some gaming keyboards come with profile settings. These allow users to save and store several custom profiles for different games. For instance, a gamer can have one profile dedicated to first-person shooters and another for massively multiplayer online games.
Gamers can also customize the keystroke height and depth of the keys. This is done by customizing the mechanical switches of the keyboard, which makes it easier for gamers who need higher or lower keystroke levels.
Productivity
Gaming keyboards are not just for gaming; they can help you to become more productive while doing everyday tasks. Some keyboards come with dedicated macro keys that allow you to set up complex commands and macros to save precious keystrokes.
For instance, a macro key can be used to launch specific applications as soon as the gaming keyboard is connected. Or, a macro key can be used to quickly type out common phrases, negating the need to type out the same sentence multiple times over the course of the day.
Moreover, gaming keyboards often come with additional media keys that can be used to control music or video playback without navigating through media players. This allows you to keep your hands on the keyboard when watching a movie or listening to music and reduces the amount of time it takes to perform basic tasks.
Finally, some gaming keyboards come with dedicated gaming modes. These minimize the possibility of accidental inputs during typing and gaming sessions, preventing annoying mistakes against other players.
In conclusion, a gaming keyboard offers features and options for gamers that may not be available with a normal keyboard. The level of customization and performance available from gaming keyboards can be worth the price tag, depending on the level of use of the keyboard and the needs of the user.
