What Makes A Keyboard A Gaming Keyboard?
A gaming keyboard stands out from a regular keyboard due to its range of features and design. A gaming keyboard must first be reliable and built to last, its keys must be comfortable and responsive to frequent inputs. Secondly, it must have a design that is in line with the game’s aesthetics; for example, a glowing blue backlight to give the keyboard an out of this world presence. Thirdly, Mechanical keys are also common in gaming keyboards; they provide faster and more tactile feedback, allowing you to click faster and more accurately which is essential in fast-paced games. Fourthly, good gaming keyboards come with a range of extra features, such as macro programming and customizable keys. Fifthly, gaming keyboards also provide easily accessible multimedia keys, so you don’t have to fumble around for shortcuts. Lastly, gaming keyboards feature mechanical switches and anti-ghosting features to prevent multiple keys from being pressed at the same time, an essential feature for a great gaming experience.
Comfort and Reliability
A gaming keyboard must first be comfortable to use and reliable, with a sturdy design and keys which are resilient to wear. Constant gaming can take its toll on a keyboard, so a good gaming keyboard should have keys that are engineered to last. The keycaps should have a specific design for gaming which is usually larger and more sculpted than regular keyboards, to ensure it’s comfortable to use over long gaming sessions.
The reliability of a gaming keyboard is also important. The keyboard should be waterproof, and you should be able to type without having to worry about your keyboard breaking down. This will allow you to focus on your gaming without fear of your keyboard malfunctioning in the middle of an intense mission.
A gaming keyboard should also have a decent cable length; if you enjoy playing on your couch, you’ll need a longer cable. You also want a keyboard that won’t suffer interference, making a wired gaming keyboard a good option.
Gaming is ultimately a test of reaction times and reflexes, so it’s essential a gaming keyboard provides fast and responsive inputs. Most gaming keyboards feature mechanical switches, this makes it easier to double tap and press multiple keys at the same time; this is known as anti-ghosting, which prevents errors and allows for a more accurate response time.
Having mechanical switches helps make a keyboard quieter and more comfortable, with a light but tactile response. If you’re playing in a quiet environment, it’s important that you have a quieter keyboard, and the mechanical keys will reduce the noise during gaming.
Design and Customisation
From black and red to green and yellow, gaming keyboards come with a range of backlight LEDs. Though it might not be a noticeable factor in competitive gaming, a backlight offers a degree of personalisation that can be attractive. Some gaming keyboards even allow you to customise the lighting of individual keys to stand out during long gaming sessions.
Gaming keyboards also come with extra keys that are not found on regular keyboards, such as programmable G-keys for macro programming and customisable keys for specific tasks. These features are essential for MMOs, MOBA’s and RTS games, tools that can be invaluable if you’re playing at a high level.
Lastly, gaming keyboards are often designed with ergonomics in mind, allowing for comfortable game play that won’t fatigue your wrist over long gaming sessions. This ergonomic design helps provide optimal accuracy, reducing strain on your wrists and fingers.
Multimedia Keys
A good gaming keyboard should come with easily accessible multimedia keys, such as play/pause, skip track, volume up and down, and mute. Having these shortcuts at your fingertips allows gamers to control their media with ease, instead of having to search around the desktop or the in-game music player.
The multimedia keys provide you easy access to commands without having to fiddle around, and can make all the difference in the heat of an intense gaming session. With gaming hardware becoming more and more compact, these extra multimedia keys can be a great addition and provide clutter-less gaming which can give a decisive edge over your opponents.
Gaming Modes
Most gaming keyboards come with gaming modes, which allow you to quickly switch between multiple profiles, each with its own set of customised shortcuts and macros. This feature can be incredibly useful if you’re playing multiple games, as it saves you from having to re-program your keys every time you switch games; instead, you can just switch the profile and you’re ready to go.
It also helps avoid accidental input errors; if you have a button mapped to a specific action in game, having that button disabled in another game prevents mistakes, such as spamming the wrong key on accident.
Conclusion
A gaming keyboard stands out from regular keyboards due to their design, extra features and specific gaming modes. A good gaming keyboard should be comfortable and reliable, with a design that stands out. Gaming keyboards come with extra features, such as macro programming and customisable buttons which can give a competitive edge. Lastly, gaming keyboards come with multimedia keys and anti-ghosting features, allowing you to take control of your game.
