Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard

As Tolkien would say, "The One Keyboard to Rule Them All."

Strengths: Good key "feel" for a membrane keyboard, full size keyboard, backlit leds for each and every key, many multimedia keys, very bright LCD screen that is programmable, still better than the G15 version 2

Weakness: Keyboard is fairly wide at 21 3/8 inches (54.4 cm) and is not wireless, it does not wash the car or snuggle with you at night

(Jan 6th, 2008) I previously owned the excellent Logitech MX 3100 wireless desktop and replaced it with the G15 keyboard 21 months ago and I am still a happy customer. I usually prefer wireless keyboards because my knees used to drag on the cord but the G15 is something special. One of the nicest aspects of this board is the great key "feel" (the amount of mass in grams needed to activate the...
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(Jan 6th, 2008) I previously owned the excellent Logitech MX 3100 wireless desktop and replaced it with the G15 keyboard 21 months ago and I am still a happy customer. I usually prefer wireless keyboards because my knees used to drag on the cord but the G15 is something special. One of the nicest aspects of this board is the great key "feel" (the amount of mass in grams needed to activate the keys) for a membrane keyboard. All keys activate under the same force level (0.49 Newtons (corresponding to 50 grams)(unlike the DAS keyboard which has weighted keys but no lettering) but it feels more precise than the MX 700 Duo or MX 3100 keyboards (both from Logitech). The best feature for me is the inclusion of backlit EL lighting behind the keys so that you can type in the dark if you so choose. The backlight is bright blue and look damn cool (and yet is not overpowering as with many competing keyboards). The leds shine thru on each and every single key and there are no dark areas on the keyboard. The keyboard is also full sized and includes the numberpad, directional arrows, function keys, multimedia keys, windows protection key, and 18 programmble G keys (with three options for each totaling 54 presets) that you can set to do dozens of moves if you play online games (WOW, Final Fantasy, CounterStrike etc) or activate even more multimedia functions. The G15 also includes two powered USB 2.0 slots in the back to plug in peripherals. There is also a separate key so that you can adjust the level of the background leds. In fact, there are so many keys with so many possibilities, that George "Nukcleare Strategery" Bush would never put this baby down on the Oval office desk.
This keyboard is also unique among currently released products in that it has a LCD screen that can show the time/date, cpu/memory usage, and WMP/Quicktime/REAL/Winamp playlists. The LCD screen is also lit for use at night and is fully programmable and you can make custom displays if you use the SDK and know a little C++ code. The LCD screen is also supported by many add-ons from the gaming community at large (check g15mods.com). Another nifty feature is the volume knob that works quite well with Creative soundcard drivers (as well as most integrated motherboard sound).
Finally this board is zero degree tilt, but does include tabs to raise it if needed. The only downsides - the leds require too much power for the board to be wireless so you have to put up with a cord. The keyboard is also quite wide at 21 3/8 inches, so do a quick tape measure check of your desktop before ordering. To sum it up, if you game, this is a five star keyboard that will give you more features. There is also a newer version of this keyboard (released August 2007) which is almost exactly the same except for fewer 'G' keys and no scroll wheel, so I feel that it is not really an improvement. If you are just the average Joe (like me), who types some, plays games a little and is often busy turning in homework late into the night, this keyboard still rocks as a five star product. Great implementation!

By jayhall0315 - Nov 20, 2005

A Full-Featured Keyboard for the Gamer or Non-Gamer with Lots of Potential

Strengths: Sharp + clear LCD screen with lots of potential; 18 Function Keys; Backlit keys; Nice crisp typing feel.

Weakness: Cable management channels have limited use; takes up more desk space than most keyboards.

The G15 Gaming Keyboard is a sharp-looking and solid-performing keyboard from Logitech with a multitude of features for gamers and everyday computer users alike. It has a monochrome LCD screen at the top of the keyboard, 18 programmable "G keys" situated to the left of the standard keyboard layout, 3 Macro mode keys, a Quick-Macro recording key, multimedia control buttons, a Game Mode slide...
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The G15 Gaming Keyboard is a sharp-looking and solid-performing keyboard from Logitech with a multitude of features for gamers and everyday computer users alike. It has a monochrome LCD screen at the top of the keyboard, 18 programmable "G keys" situated to the left of the standard keyboard layout, 3 Macro mode keys, a Quick-Macro recording key, multimedia control buttons, a Game Mode slide switch to disable the Windows/menu keys, 2 USB ports, and cool blue backlit illumination of all characters on the keyboard.

Versatile LCD Screen

The Logitech G15 keyboard sports a 160 pixel-wide by 43 pixel-height LCD screen that can be folded up to a comfortable viewing angle or folded down to close it from view. “Applets” utilize the LCD screen to display the system date and time, the system's CPU and RAM memory utilization, media info. displays for popular media players, and a Profiler (see below). When the G15 keyboard became available in Q4 of 2005, the two games supporting Logitech's GamePanel LCD screen were Ubisoft's "Brothers In Arms: Earned in Blood" and Ritual's "SiN Episodes." Games released in the future should take advantage of the GamePanel Technology. G15 enthusiasts and third-party developers are writing applets (RSS feeds, system/network info, IRC chat logs, media player displays, etc.) to take full advantage of this LCD display. "www.g15forums.com" and "www.lcdstudio.com" are website leaders spearheading LCD applet development for the G15 Keyboard.


Lots of Keyboard

This keyboard is big -- measuring approx. 21.5" width by 10.75" deep, laying flat on the desk. It can be elevated slightly using the 0.75" back legs. The wrist rest and areas edging the G15 are rubberized. This wrist rest feels comfortable and solid but may not be as elevated for the wrists as other wrist rests if ergonomics are important to you.

The typing feel of the keys is very solid. There is slightly less tactile resistance to key presses than some Microsoft keyboards; this is why the G15 is so good for gaming where quick key presses mean quicker game play... and great for speed typists. Key presses also do not provide an overabundance of audible feedback, so it's less distracting when typing up a storm.


The G Keys & Profiler

The G15 owes its size to the 18 extra G-function keys. Each G key can be programmed to send a sequence of keystrokes ("Macros") with one press. Mode buttons M1-M3 select between 3 configurations for the 18 G keys = making 54 macros possible. If you play multiplayer games, think about various chat messages often relayed to teammates, or multiple weapon ammo reloads, or flying evasive patterns to elude incoming fire, or buying a list of supplies quickly via one G Key press. Precise timing between each keystroke is recorded in each macro if need be. Macros can also be used within apps and desktop commands. Macros are recorded by the Macro Manager or on-the-fly by the Quick Macro Record key.

The G15 Profiler detects programs launching in Windows and automatically loads a corresponding G Key profile. Each profile stores your G Key layouts. Profiles are easily created, and macros are assigned to G Keys using an easy-to-understand interface.


More Features?

Below the LCD screen, there are five buttons for controlling functions of the LCD applets, 4 brightly outlined/backlit multimedia buttons (previous, next, stop, play/pause), a fingertip-adjustable wheel volume control, mute button, illumination-level control (off + 2 brightness levels), and the Game Mode switch. Additionally, there are cable management channels on the G15’s underside. The channels are wide enough to route one cable from one end (right/front/2 back side) of the keyboard to another, but two cables traveling to one side cannot use the same channel or overlap if routed different directions. I find it easier to ignore this cumbersome and narrow cable channel, but some might find this feature useful.


Conclusion

The G15 Gaming Keyboard offers more features, functionality and potential than any other keyboard on the market. Why? The applets that use the G15's LCD screen can display persistent, supplemental information without cluttering your computer's precious desktop space. This is a compelling feature of the G15 Gaming Keyboard that other keyboards do not offer and a great reason to invest in this highly capable keyboard. I think it's great.

By leland1 - Jan 13, 2006

The Battleboard!

Strengths: 18 user-programmable keys; LCD HUD; blue LED backlight that's not blinding; media controller, can program macros on-the-fly, G15 software plays well with most modern games; USB hub

Weakness: Wide keyboard takes up desk space, GamePanel only supported by a few games (to date); palmpad feels somewhat flimsy; G keys could be a tad bit bigger and have a dedicated FPS rose (like the Zboard)

Hot Damn! Got this beauty along with a G7 wireless gaming mouse for my birthday, and gaming on anything else save a Z-Board seems downright primitive! The G15's software automatically detects most games like Battlefield 2, Half-Life 2, Call of Duty and others and remembers the (up to three) profiles for each one and their related macros. The LCD Heads-Up Display shows the CPU and RAM loads, plus...
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Hot Damn! Got this beauty along with a G7 wireless gaming mouse for my birthday, and gaming on anything else save a Z-Board seems downright primitive! The G15's software automatically detects most games like Battlefield 2, Half-Life 2, Call of Duty and others and remembers the (up to three) profiles for each one and their related macros. The LCD Heads-Up Display shows the CPU and RAM loads, plus the date/time by default. With a little bit of tweaking, you can do even more. However, the GamePanel LCD functions that show bandwith, ammo, messages, and what-not are only supported by a few games, but I have a feeling that will change as this relatively new board gets a bit more market circulation. The 18 user-programmable keys are a bit smaller than normal, and a dedicated FPS rose would have been nice. Even still, I have found that these "G keys" can also be used in other programs, such as Adobe Photoshop CS2 for just as many useful functions as gaming (shifting between layers, undo/redo, tool types, tool/brush sizes, zoom, scroll, and what-not) with a little user-defined tweaking! Topping it all off this board sports a USB hub and a game/function speed switch. This board is 3-5 inches bigger than most keyboards, but the G15 screams functionality and user customization. With a price competitive to the Zboard (including one keyset), Gamers that only play FPS might have a hard time deciding between this and a Z-board, but gamers that also play RTS, Sims, and RPGs need look no further: this is your keyboard.

By RustyDragon - Dec 10, 2005

Large and in charge

Strengths: Amazing key feel. High quality looks. Backlit keys.

Weakness: keyboard is HUGE. If you have a pull out shelf this board takes up the whole thing and the lcd can become hidden. In order to use a mouse on the shelf I have to hang the G keys off the edge.

This board has some fantastic features. Although I do not think I would pay the money again for it unless they could narrow it by a couple inches at least. Which is possible seeing how the edging is way overstated(adding to its nice looks.

If you have plenty of desk room this board cannot be beat.
It looks and feels as nice as the price.

By upayme77 - Jan 4, 2006

Logitech G15 Keyboard

Strengths: Backlit, Macro keys, USB ports, LCD

Weakness: None

I bought this keyboard from DELL for $20 after a coupon. It's a great sturdy keyboard. Backlit with three levels of lighting (off, low, high) although the low and high levels don't seem to have much of a difference. It has macro keys, so you can set any key combinations you can think of for games or other applicatioons. USB ports so you don't have to reach behind your PC, which comes in handy. I...
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I bought this keyboard from DELL for $20 after a coupon. It's a great sturdy keyboard. Backlit with three levels of lighting (off, low, high) although the low and high levels don't seem to have much of a difference. It has macro keys, so you can set any key combinations you can think of for games or other applicatioons. USB ports so you don't have to reach behind your PC, which comes in handy.


I haven't installed the software to configure the LCD, but I suppose it will be useful as more programs get released to support it. Overall, this is a nice keyboard, especially if you have uses for the macro keys, which I believe is the main selling point. LCD is just for fancy looks at this point until apps get released for it, and blacklit lighting is a must even during the day.

By k0d14k - Nov 25, 2005