Logitech G11 Gaming Keyboard (Black/Silver)
by Logitech
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Our Price: $94.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Logitech G11 Gaming Keyboard (Black/Silver)
Customer Review: Very good, very flexible keyboard.
Summary: 5 Stars
Great keyboard. I could do without the backlighting (and the LEDs on the key surface make the keys feel slightly awkward at times depending on where your fingers touch them). The keys are where you expect them to be for the most part, though I have stumbled a couple of times and mistaken the F1 key for the F5 key and it's very usable.
The reason you buy the keyboard isn't for the backlighting, though - it's all about the 18 programmable keys on the left side of the keyboard. Very convenient placement, good key separation, and solid software behind the programmable keys makes it a very good purchase, despite the high price.
I knew about the 18 keys when I ordered it. What I didn't know about was the M1, M2, and M3 buttons above them. What these do is allow you to move between pages of hotkeys, effectively tripling the # of programmable keys to 54.
The Memory record button is very useful too - it's intuitive to use (for me at least) and automatically associates your keymappings with the program you're using so I can have one set of 54 bindings for Visual Studio, one for Firefox, one for Team Fortress and not need to tell the keyboard which set I want to be currently using (though I can force it to use one set if I really wanted it to).
The import / export feature is nice and Logitech was kind enough to store the key binding files in XML format so they can be easily manipulated.
Very good keyboard. The only downsides of it are the backlit keys which are excessive and feel a little funny, the centered placement of the media wheel (it'd be more usable if it was above the F3 key and nearer to where my non-mouse hand usually is). The software could be slightly improved to allow me to have certain keys stay the same on different pages while letting others change (it'd speed up configuration, not introduce new functionality). I can't gripe about the width, since the key size on the 18 programmable keys is great and the spacing is perfect.
Customer Review: Types well, but the backlight isn't that bright.
Summary: 4 Stars
I agree with the gushing review of how well this keyboard types. Compared to the crappy Dell keyboard that came with my PC, this keyboard is a dream. Haven't found the G keys as useful as I thought. By the time I remember what they were setup to do, I could have just done it my self.
Pros:
* The keys have a nice tactile response.
* The keys are positioned where the "ought" to be, not half-sized or squished together.
* The volume control and mute button work all the time. Very handy if you're on YouTube and the audio is suddenly very annoying (or offensive).
* A convenient switch disables the Windows "Start" key, preventing you from accidentally switching out of a game in a moment of trigger happy panic.
* Two USB ports, handy for plugging in your mouse and game controller.
Cons:
* The backlight is a joke unless you are in a really dark room. It's like there is a single LED behind the entire keyboard. It is like Logitech has never seen the PowerBook keyboard backlight. I expected the lighting to be bright enough to be seen in a normal room, so I could keep the overhead light off. The only keys that really benefit from the lighting are the media control buttons.
* The media control buttons don't work with iTunes unless iTunes is the current application. Why? My crappy Dell keyboard has similar play/pause/skip/back buttons, and they work iTunes all the time, with no software setup. In fact, out of the box, I was able to press Play on my Dell Keyboard, and iTunes opened up and started playing. Why can the Dell keyboard control iTunes out of the box, but the G11 can only control iTunes if you load the G11 software and have iTunes active. The whole point of have media keys is to control audio playback without having to switch out of your current application.
* Mac Users: DON'T buy this keyboard. No Eject Button, and the G keys just waste space.
Customer Review: not worth it
Summary: 2 Stars
I'm a keyboard kat: type a lot and use every keyboard shortcut i can, mainly use mouse only when i surf the net.
Pros: Price is reasonable now that newer versions have come out and this one got cheaper. Plug and play use with vista, proprietary software installation optional, mainly for G key usage. Overall quality is pretty good (heavy/sturdy). 10key numeric pad a must. Dedicated media keys and volume wheel (had to put in a fix for use with itunes when not active window but at least it worked - thank you random sites that post solutions.) All the usual windows dedicated keys (windows, right-click) etc. Last but not least (near top priority actually): delete/home/end/pageup/pagedown (i'll call it dhepp) layout with 3keys across x 2down has not been messed with like some other logitech keyboards. Must admit the blue lighting is *the* major selling feature - too cool and useful for typing in dim lighting at night.
Cons: Prefer full size escape and pf keys since i use them a lot. Some of the heavy use keys (backspace, space) started to stick a bit and it's barely been 6 months - annoying -still functioning but major CON. Keys are a bit high/clackety but have had worse - in comparison, the absolute best was the S510 logitech keyboard with regular keyboard keys but mid-rise/height. While S510 has unbeatable key action it also, unfortunately, has the rotten 2 across dhepp/insert layout and had to go. I keep looking for something with the S510 key feel and can't find it. Also would like to have a wrist rest like S510. I programmed the gkeys and use them regularly but not a hardship to do without either in the interest decluttering escape key area - gkeys are confusing my touch usage of the escape key a bit (since that is usually my farthest key out). Realize gkeys are gamer feature on gamer keyboard so can't complain too much but maybe better to place them on the right of the 10-key pad.
Customer Review: Great, even for non-gamers!
Summary: 5 Stars
Caveat: I am not a gamer. I bought this keyboard on a quest for something better than the mediocre, mushy-feeling, gimmicky keyboards that have lots of features but which fall short on the fundamental purpose of keyboard -- typing.
The first thing you notice about this keyboard is that it is big. Really big. It measures 21.5" from side to side. I was so concerned about this keyboard taking over my limited desk space that I almost put it back in the shipping carton unopened. That would have been a mistake -- this is a fabulous keyboard, especially for those of us who grew up on the original IBM PC/XT, and AT keyboards.
No, it doesn't have the clicky sound of the original IBM boards, but the layout is nearly perfect and the feel is excellent.
I had been using a Logitech MX3000 keyboard, which met an untimely death by coffee. I was happy enough with the MX3000, and I almost bought a 3200 to replace it. But I didn't really need a cordless keyboard, and I never really cared for the mouse that comes with the Logitech 3xxx cordless desktop sets. Now that I have them side-by-side, there is no comparison. The G11 feels solid without being stiff; the MX3000 feels mushy and imprecise. The F-keys on the G11 are full-sized and are located where my fingers think they ought to be!
The provided keyboard profiler software is unobtrusive and easy to install. I have found the "G" keys handy for storing passwords, my e-mail signature, and other short snippets of text. The backlighting feature is more useful than I imagined. I don't miss the extra buttons on my MX3000; the G11's volume control and media buttons cover about 99% of my needs. I would have liked a standby button, but I can understand why you wouldn't want one on a gaming keyboard.
$69 is a lot of $$$ for a keyboard. But if you spend most of your days typing, it is money well spent!
Customer Review: A bit impressed, nice to see lighted keys when I want.
Summary: 5 Stars
First for the problem which was short and sweet, and only happened once so far. Computer shut down really odd one night after a heavy gaming sequence. Next day after first boot, the Enter key would not work on anything, so finally just rebooted, worked well again and no problems since.
Now for the greatness. This puppy is super. Didn't think I would use the Widows-key disabler, but use all the time now so when gaming I don't get sent to the desktop for an unwanted Windows Key function choosing! God, that can be disturbing in the middle of a game. Then too the lights are great, and down the road should be even better as in time the decals usually wear down and lose their visability. For simple passwords, you can even configure one of the "G" keys, so I will start Outlook with one, and the next above it will be my password press. Same with other not so sensitive security websites that are minimal security for me. Now banking online will be in my head only and typed in when needed, for sure. Really glad I got this thing, somebody clued them in on what was just right! Works well in tandum with theG5 mouse! The new G5 corded, you know, has the blue leopard skin on it? Together they rock! I tried newer software off the web, but didn't like it so stuck with what came on the disk, quite nice.
Of course, Amazon.com rocks too, their were initial problems with ordering and getting a discount awarded to me, but customer service was simply imaculate ......... these days it is hard to find a company so willing to satisfy the buyer and being absolutely fair in all dealings. I should get some stock with them as I feel they will be around for a long time!
Jeff, "The Home ComputerGuy" in TX
thehomecomputerguyfromtexas.com