What is a gaming keyboard?

Ultimately, the decision often comes down to individual preference. In general, a stiffer and less responsive set of keys is favoured where users require a keyboard for both gaming and typing. The click also offers the typist an audible response while they’re working. For a keyboard that’s keenly focused on gaming, a light activation weight and depression level with a tactile response is the ultimate choice.

The categorisation of each keyboard is represented in the backlighting of the keys. A Red set of keys then will contain a cool neon red illumination, although many high-end keyboards allow you to choose your own backlight colour.

Programmable Keys

Given the frantic pace of many of gaming’s most exciting titles, players need to be able to make complex keystrokes at a moment’s notice. With the use of macro keys, gamers can complete an action that might ordinarily take several seconds, all with just the click of a button.

Macro keys allow the user to program an individual key to carry out a specific action in just one tap. Reducing a series of actions to one key stroke allows the gamer to a think and move faster during their playing session. Such is the advantage a macro key can bring, their use is often banned in gaming competitions.

The Smart Keyboard

Increasing numbers of gaming keyboards are seeing the introduction of built-in LCD track panels to the right of the keyboard. These multi-touch displays can provide a stream of secondary information to help you get more from your PC. For in-game use, the track pad can provide vital information, such as mini-maps and game stats. Alternatively, a number of integrated apps, such as YouTube, Twitter or simple web browsers, can allow you to multitask without taking you away from the main event.

These mini UIs are also likely to contain other features, such as hotkeys, which allow users to program the launch of any application at the touch of a customisable, user-created icon.

Keeping you in the zone

There are several other finishing touches that provide the additional convenience and comfort craved by gaming enthusiasts. Using a number of in-built ports, gaming keyboards can be used as a middleman between the monitor and the user. With mic in/out ports and USB pass-through, the user no longer has to fiddle around behind their monitor to get their peripherals working.

Finally, with multimedia controls, you can control your movies and music simply by lifting a finger. A staple of all gaming keyboards are the media controlling keys, which allow you to play, pause, fast-forward and rewind your films and music without the need to move your mouse.