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Logo by Max Layne Photography
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There has been a long history of peripherals for PC games. The Logitech G19 Gaming Keyboard in one such peripheral that obviously
borders on the edge of being a bit over the top, with its embedded Linux mini-computer and full LCD monitor. This proves to be one of
the best gaming keyboards Logitech has made to date, even if it doesn’t quite reach the full potential that it has.
The one thing about the keyboard that many will immediately notice is the 320x240 LCD display that is built into the middle of the
keyboard. After earlier versions of the keyboard, such as the earlier G15 keyboard with a monochrome display for game statistics and
system information, the color monitor was the only real improvement that was able to be made. It is also possible to watch videos on
the monitor with movies on the computer or through YouTube.
The size and resolution of the screen built into the keyboard are good, but they aren’t exceptional. It is okay for watching short video
clips and YouTube videos with the built-in client, checking the time, scoping the computer’s CPU load and anything else that anyone
would want to check out in a single glance. The bezel that the screen is attached to is very large, meaning that there is plenty of space
to make the screen a little bit larger.
What makes the monitor in the keyboard even more impressive is the fact that is has its own mini-computer, so no matter how complex
of a game someone is playing on their computer, they are still able to pull up a YouTube video or a video file on their computer without
having any slowdown in their game. Every applet runs quickly and smoothly and they are all easy to use and configure to each
individual’s needs.
There are a few issues that some will find with the video software that goes along with the keyboard. The YouTube client doesn’t let
users search for a specific video, so they are instead stuck browsing through a list of feeds, such as the top rates and most popular
video clips on the sight. With that said, it is still fairly fast and easy to use. With the video client for the user’s local files, which monitors
a single folder, it will play anything that was an “.mpg” file. However, for those that want to play an “.avi” file or other video file, it will be
necessary to download other codec files in order to make this work properly.
What is frustrating is that a lot of the monitor’s potential is still unused. Logitech has only provided a handful of applets and a variety of
undisclosed programs to be released in the future. Unfortunately it doesn't do anything special with other Logitech products, like their
G35 headset. It is open source, meaning that anyone can develop programs for it, but this means trying to build a development
community around a keyboard that costs roughly $200. The list of PC games that take advantage of this keyboard’s advancements isn't
mind-blowing, so anyone thinking of buying this product may want to check to see if their favorite game is available.
For anyone that has ever used a high-end Logitech keyboard before, especially the G11 or G15, it will be obvious what to expect.
Logitech’s keys are a perfect balance of hard and soft and feel great, that may be the reason why Logitech hasn’t messed with the
formula in a long time. Overall, the G19 Gaming Keyboard is a solid peripheral, though many may expect something less plastic and
sturdier for the $200 price tag that goes along with it, this is particularly because of the fact that this is a gaming keyboard that will need
to deal with key smashing and food bits. The wrist rest is a bit unacceptable, cheap and nothing special.
Logitech has added a lot of value with a number of large and small touches that put it above other keyboards of this type. There are a
total of 36 macros that users can set up. Players can instantly switch between three sets of 12 macros, all of which are color coded.
There are a wide variety of media controls, which is to be expected from Logitech. Users can spin a heavy wheel to increase or
decrease the volume, which matches up with the one on Logitech’s G35 headset. The keyboard can be backlit with any color that can
be thought of, or the colors can be turned off completely. There is also a toggle button to de-activate the Windows key, making it so
users don’t accidentally crash their game by pulling up the Start Menu.
On top of all of the controls that are built into the keyboard, there are two high-powered USB ports on the back, standard for gaming
keyboards. It works fairly well for those who are plugging in a mouse and a USB headset, but it would be nice to have some audio
jacks so that a gaming headset can be plugged into it. One of the tradeoffs of having two high-powered USB ports and a mini-computer
inside is that users are going to have to free up a space on their power strip for the keyboard power supply.
Even with its flaws, this is a great gaming keyboard that continues to build on what Logitech has been doing well for a long time. The
keyboard will become better as more software is developed for it, but the $200 price tag makes it a difficult buy with the lack of
programs. For those looking for a great gaming keyboard, will want to make sure that their games are supported before buying. Those
who do buy it are sure to enjoy its great features.
borders on the edge of being a bit over the top, with its embedded Linux mini-computer and full LCD monitor. This proves to be one of
the best gaming keyboards Logitech has made to date, even if it doesn’t quite reach the full potential that it has.
The one thing about the keyboard that many will immediately notice is the 320x240 LCD display that is built into the middle of the
keyboard. After earlier versions of the keyboard, such as the earlier G15 keyboard with a monochrome display for game statistics and
system information, the color monitor was the only real improvement that was able to be made. It is also possible to watch videos on
the monitor with movies on the computer or through YouTube.
The size and resolution of the screen built into the keyboard are good, but they aren’t exceptional. It is okay for watching short video
clips and YouTube videos with the built-in client, checking the time, scoping the computer’s CPU load and anything else that anyone
would want to check out in a single glance. The bezel that the screen is attached to is very large, meaning that there is plenty of space
to make the screen a little bit larger.
What makes the monitor in the keyboard even more impressive is the fact that is has its own mini-computer, so no matter how complex
of a game someone is playing on their computer, they are still able to pull up a YouTube video or a video file on their computer without
having any slowdown in their game. Every applet runs quickly and smoothly and they are all easy to use and configure to each
individual’s needs.
There are a few issues that some will find with the video software that goes along with the keyboard. The YouTube client doesn’t let
users search for a specific video, so they are instead stuck browsing through a list of feeds, such as the top rates and most popular
video clips on the sight. With that said, it is still fairly fast and easy to use. With the video client for the user’s local files, which monitors
a single folder, it will play anything that was an “.mpg” file. However, for those that want to play an “.avi” file or other video file, it will be
necessary to download other codec files in order to make this work properly.
What is frustrating is that a lot of the monitor’s potential is still unused. Logitech has only provided a handful of applets and a variety of
undisclosed programs to be released in the future. Unfortunately it doesn't do anything special with other Logitech products, like their
G35 headset. It is open source, meaning that anyone can develop programs for it, but this means trying to build a development
community around a keyboard that costs roughly $200. The list of PC games that take advantage of this keyboard’s advancements isn't
mind-blowing, so anyone thinking of buying this product may want to check to see if their favorite game is available.
For anyone that has ever used a high-end Logitech keyboard before, especially the G11 or G15, it will be obvious what to expect.
Logitech’s keys are a perfect balance of hard and soft and feel great, that may be the reason why Logitech hasn’t messed with the
formula in a long time. Overall, the G19 Gaming Keyboard is a solid peripheral, though many may expect something less plastic and
sturdier for the $200 price tag that goes along with it, this is particularly because of the fact that this is a gaming keyboard that will need
to deal with key smashing and food bits. The wrist rest is a bit unacceptable, cheap and nothing special.
Logitech has added a lot of value with a number of large and small touches that put it above other keyboards of this type. There are a
total of 36 macros that users can set up. Players can instantly switch between three sets of 12 macros, all of which are color coded.
There are a wide variety of media controls, which is to be expected from Logitech. Users can spin a heavy wheel to increase or
decrease the volume, which matches up with the one on Logitech’s G35 headset. The keyboard can be backlit with any color that can
be thought of, or the colors can be turned off completely. There is also a toggle button to de-activate the Windows key, making it so
users don’t accidentally crash their game by pulling up the Start Menu.
On top of all of the controls that are built into the keyboard, there are two high-powered USB ports on the back, standard for gaming
keyboards. It works fairly well for those who are plugging in a mouse and a USB headset, but it would be nice to have some audio
jacks so that a gaming headset can be plugged into it. One of the tradeoffs of having two high-powered USB ports and a mini-computer
inside is that users are going to have to free up a space on their power strip for the keyboard power supply.
Even with its flaws, this is a great gaming keyboard that continues to build on what Logitech has been doing well for a long time. The
keyboard will become better as more software is developed for it, but the $200 price tag makes it a difficult buy with the lack of
programs. For those looking for a great gaming keyboard, will want to make sure that their games are supported before buying. Those
who do buy it are sure to enjoy its great features.
| Logitech G19 Gaming Keyboard |