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Creative Fatality Gaming Keyboard Black by Creative Labs
Digital Photo Product DetailsManufacturer: Creative Labs Model: 7300000000432 Color: Black Product features: - Bulk/Retail - Retail
- Connectivity - USB
- Color - Black
- Switch Technology - Patented illumination technology with on/off
Accessories:
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Creative Fatality Gaming Keyboard BlackCustomer Review: Great feel, good size, backlight is dim, better keyboards avail. Summary: 3 StarsJust received and installed my Creative Fatal1ty keyboard. I'm not a gamer, by the way.
It's a major improvement over the previous standard keyboard I had in two ways: 1) this keyboard is much more compact (though it's still a full-size keyboard) and it gives me much more room on my keyboard shelf and 2) it's a joy to type with.
The keys are similar to laptop computers in that they don't have to be pushed down as deep and they are far more responsive than standard desktop keyboards. The only disappointment is that the illumination is not as bright as I expected it to be. I use it in a room that isn't very bright to begin with, and the keyboard is also on a keyboard shelf that is partially covered by the desktop above it. Even in this state the backlit keyboard is difficult to see, and the keys themselves are not lit in the center of each key.
Since the whole reason for buying a new keyboard was to see the keys better, this may be a dealbreaker. On the other hand, the compact form factor and ease of typing may make up for this shortfall.
Since my initial review I've been able to test two other keyboards, both ordered through Amazon. The first, FireFly - Borealis - Illuminated KeyBoard USB, is about 1/2 inch wider, an 1 inch deeper, and about the same height as the Fatal1ty board. The extra inch in depth gives you more option keys (like "sleep", "play", "mute", etc), as well as a nifty dial for increasing or decreasing volume.
ADDED NOTE 04/12/2008: UNFORTUNATELY, THE FIREFLY BOREALIS IS NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE ON AMAZON OR TIGERDIRECT. YOU CAN'T BUY IT ANYWHERE ELSE THAT I KNOW OF. HOPEFULLY THIS HASN'T BEEN DISCONTINUED!
Like the Fatal1ty, the keys are incredibly responsive and well designed. Unlike the Fatal1ty, the illumination is unbelieveably perfect! In fact, there's no comparison: the Borealis lighting is superior in every way to the Creative Fatil1ty board.
Why: well first, the backlighting is much brighter, and it's more of a blue-green color as opposed to the blue-white of the Fatal1ty. The blue-green, while brighter, is less harsh on my eyes. Second, the keys are opaque black, but the letters and symbols are translucent, so the backlighting illuminates only the letters, making the keyboard much easier to read.
At this writing, the Firefly Borealis keyboard was only $20 bucks, less than half the cost of the Fatal1y! But because it comes through Tiger Direct, it isn't eligible for Amazon's free shipping, so the total came to $28. Still, it's a bargain in every way compared to the Fatal1ty board.
The third board I tried was the Everglide Dkt Keyboard Silver Board, a beautiful aluminum baby that's just as compact as the Fatal1ty (but with a few more functional buttons). It set me back $41 with free shipping. It's backlighting is set up similar to the Borealis, in that the keys are opaque so only the symbols light up (as well as the space in between the keys). But the lighting isn't as clear, and because the keyboard is silver in color, there's less contrast between the keys and the symbols. In fact, the keyboard is actually easier to read with the illumination off! While it's the sleekest looking of all three boards, the key response was sloppier. The keys had a lot of play in them, actually wiggling from left to right or up and down. And it seems you had to push them down further than the other two boards. The illumination, while brighter than the Fatal1ty, was still no match for the Borealis.
So, I'm keeping the Borealis and returning the other two boards. It's going to cost me a little in return shipping fees, but it's worth it to finally have the perfect keyboard. Besides, I saved so much on the Borealis that I still came out ahead financially!
Description of Creative Fatality Gaming Keyboard Black1---Designed by Fatal1ty. Designed to win.When Johnathan Fatal1ty Wendel is dominating the competition and racking up First Place wins, do you think hes using an ordinary PC keyboard No way. Hes got his fingers on the Creative Fatal1ty Gaming Keyboard, illuminated by EluminX. Ive won many championships on this keyset, says Fatal1ty. It is a proven winner, which is why Ive chosen it for my first keyboard. Get your hands on the Fatal1ty Gaming Keyboard. 2---Patented illumination technology with on/off switch.The Fatal1ty Gaming Keyboard illuminates for better vision in low light or dark environments.3---Patented scissor keys with short stroke action.Faster is better. Thats why the Fatal1ty Gaming Keyboard was designed with low profile, fast-action keys.4---Slim, compact design with 104 keys.Compact enough to drop in a backpack to take to LAN parties.
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