Logitech G15 Revision 2 Gaming Keyboard

Introduction:

While the mouse may have been the biggest invention in the history of the personal computer, enabling the GUI to rise to a whole new level, I'm still a big fan of the keyboard. I use keyboard shortcuts whenever possible and couldn't live without programs like Launchy and Texter. Properly used, the keyboard improves your efficiency many times; executing a command is much easier when you just have to use a few keystrokes versus moving the mouse to find something to click.

So, it comes as no surprise that I'm very picky about what keyboard I use. I don't like keyboards that feel cheap, nor do I like ones that have non-traditional layouts that force me to re-learn key locations. (Pun intended) The original Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard appealed to me for these reason. Besides having all sorts of extra geek-friendly features such as backlighting, extra gaming macro keys and an LCD, it featured a full-size, traditional key layout. No cramped arrow keys, no re-arranged keys and no compromises. So, when Logitech decided to revamp the G15, I was skeptical - how could they improve it further? Today, we'll take a look at the Logitech G15 v2 Keyboard, and see how it stacks up to the original.

Specifications:

This is is a keyboard, so there's not too much on the technical side to be aware of. You don't have 768 MB frame buffers, nor do you have quad-core technology. However, what you do have with the G15 v2 is a backlit keyboard and LCD and extra macro-ready keys. What you can do with these extra features is quite impressive, thanks to the software, as we'll see.

• Full specifications

The G15 is strictly USB-only; this is because of the LCD, which also must receive data from your PC. Not a problem though, since most people have been using USB keyboards and mice for years. Like the original G15, there is also a 2-port USB hub (not powered) built in to the G15, which is convenient for devices like USB drives.

Perhaps the most perplexing thing about the G15 v2 is that it possesses the exact same name as its predecessor, despite being significantly different. This may be confusing to potential buyers, especially ones who order over the Internet and thus cannot see it before buying. However, the Wikipedia article for the G15 states that the older version is known as the Logitech G15 Gaming keyboard while the newer version is simply known as the Logitech G15 keyboard - a very insignificant difference, considering the box below clearly as a "Gaming" label on it, even if it's not part of the product name. Logitech's support site seems to confirm the name difference - if you select "Keyboards", both the G15 Gaming Keyboard and G15 keyboard show up as separate options.

Box for the new G15.

Reverse.

Inside.

Naming details aside, the G15 keyboard comes in the standard packaging for Logitech's gaming-related devices. Inside, you'll find both the G15, a wrist rest, a driver CD and a small manual. Similar to the original G15 (and most Logitech keyboards) the wrist rest is detachable and is held in place by plastic tabs. As with the original, the G15 v2 is strictly a wired keyboard; this is most likely because of the backlighting, which would consume too much power to be practically run by batteries if wireless.

What's included.

The G15 v2.

Reverse.

The major difference between the original and the new G15 is the reduced number of extra macro keys. These are referred to as 'G keys' and this is either a play on the term 'F keys' (since 'G' comes after 'F' in the alphabet) or meant to stand for "Gaming". Either way, the original had 18 G-keys; the original has only six, a third of the original. There are also three mode buttons - M1-M3 - above the G-keys that allow you to switch between sets of functions for the keys, effectively giving you 18 different macros. However, the original G15 also had these for effectively 54 different key assignments.

The other major difference is the LCD. Though it retains the same dimensions (160 x 43) as the original, it is noticeably smaller and is fixed in position, unlike the original LCD, which was mounted on a hinge and could be closed, covering up the LCD and media-related buttons. Additionally, the backlighting for the unit is now orange rather than blue.

Feet.

Cable guide.

Wrist rest attachment.

The bottom of the keyboard has feet to prevent slippage and also features the unique cable guide that the original G15 had. This guide is not for the keyboard's own cable, but rather for that of a mouse. It allows you to thread the cable out the side of the keyboard for better cable management. Of course, it's of little use to you if you're using a wireless mouse and additionally, the guide doesn't really work for left-handed users. On the bottom you can also see the plastic tabs that hold the detachable wrist rest in place. Though I've never had one of these break, they still don't feel too sturdy to me and especially not for a keyboard of this caliber.

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