Logitech G19 Programmable Gaming Keyboard with Color Display
by Logitech, Inc
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List Price: Our Price: $158.99 You Save: $41.00 (21%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $149.25 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Logitech G19 Programmable Gaming Keyboard with Color Display
Customer Review: Not as bad as some people think!
Summary: 5 Stars
This keyboard was given to me as a gift for my 28th Birthday. I owned a G15 before the G19, and I loved it, but found the LCD screen on it a bit hard to read... and the bright orange coloring of the keys was bothersome. Then Logitech made the G19, a keyboard with an adjustable LCD screen in which you can change the brightness level of it and comes in full color. This LCD screen is easy to read and better to navigate through than the G15's screen. It can also show video, which is pretty cool, but not recommend if you are in an MMO and doing something important, like a Raid or RP event.
The ability to finally choose my key color is nice as well. I was tired of keyboards that came with a dim blue hue (which you could barely see at night), or a dim orange glow (Which made it feel like Halloween 24/7). Having something to personalize and say "This is my keyboard" is pretty geeky, but hey, some people roll like that.
One of the best things about the new G19, is that it does not leech power from my computer, like the G15. It comes with an AC power cord to plug into an outlet and draw power from. This saves my computer from having to use more power than it should. This is a good thing for gaming computers, in my opinion.
The keys on this keyboard actually have a nice feel to them, but moving from a G15 to a G19 is a little hard. When I type, I sometimes hit the caps lock instead of "a", because these keys are a bit smaller than it's predecessor. But once you get use to them, it's not a big deal. Also having more G keys helps when I'm in an MMO and need to quickly switch to a menu on the fly. (Honestly, if you are in a raid and you need to check your gear for a new drop, who would rather click on a single button and be there instantly and have a better chance to win it, than having to navigate your mouse to find the right menu?)
There is only one draw back, really, and that would be the price of the keyboard. However, there are custom colored keyboards that go for the same price, and don't do half of what this one does. So it's like a double edged sword. I suggest people wait for the keyboard to go on sale before purchasing, or wait another two years when the newer model comes out for it to drop in price. (Logitech seems to have a pattern of releasing a new G Keyboard every two years. IE G15 came out in 2007 and now the G19 is here in 2009)
So if you have the money and want something a bit more upscale with more functions, an easy to read/navigate LCD screen, and more custom-ability, this keyboard has what you are looking for!
Also, you may already know this... but please, uninstall your old keyboard drivers if you are upgrading to the G19! Especially if you are going from a G15. Having the G15's old software while installing the G19 can cause your computer to crash, and you to lose applications on your G19, resulting in having to re-install it all over again!
Customer Review: Great keyboard, lots of extras
Summary: 5 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
Before I received the G 19 I was using the Logitech Wave. Overall, I have to say I've always been impressed and admiring of Logitech products. Aside from the products themselves, their customer service is also excellent (found out first hand when I had a problem with a gaming mouse). The G19 is without a doubt an excellent keyboard. The keyboard is solidly built but the wrist extension is plastic and on its own seems flimsy. But when put onto the keyboard it provides a good amount of support for your wrist. Typing on the keyboard, if you'll be doing some of that aside from gaming, is a nice experience in and of itself. I enjoyed the keys on the wave but the keys on the G19 are a bit different yet wholly functional. They go down softly and are moderately quiet.
The LCD screen is great, it will probably take some time to get used to it but there are quite a few applications it can run, including videos, which make it a nice additional feature that no other keyboard has at this point in time. Controls for the LCD are fairly simple to figure out, overall just a very nice set up. But, this also means that, as pointed out, you will need to connect the keyboard to both a USB and an outlet. Having a bunch of wires running around the keyboard (you can also include the two USB ports that are located on the keyboard itself) is not fun but it is practical and gives you an additional USB port aside from the one the keyboard itself takes up. The wires running from the keyboard are quite long so that the keyboard does not have to be stationary but, obviously, it isn't as comfortable as a wireless keyboard. On the other hand, there's a reason for that, the response time on this keyboard is excellent when compared to my wireless wave which at times lags when I'm typing quickly.
The customization options for this keyboard are great. 12 programmable G keys multiplied by three, each of the three can have a different color configuration for the keyboard itself (A LOT of choices as to colors) so when you switch between games you can program different colors for different games, hopefully that will help you remember which color applies to which game and thus which key configuration you've set up.
In the end, a great keyboard. But does this justify the price? Honestly, if you can remember all of what this keyboard offers and put to use the lcd and all of the other features offered, then you'd probably agree that the price is justified. If you're like me, someone who probably won't use half the features of this keyboard but likes to know if they're there just in case, then the price is a bit too much.
Customer Review: Not just for gamers
Summary: 5 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
**Update: One Year Later**
What a difference a year makes? I and many others are now having problems with this keyboard. There appears to be several different problems, but all are due to how the keyboard interacts with newer technology. The problems range from the type of Motherboard in your computer, what USB2.0 devices you plug into the keyboard to interference from having an iPhone too close to the keyboard.
Because the Keyboard itself is not "defective", Logitech customer service is not being very helpful. They have posted on their message boards that "they are aware of the problem and are looking for solutions", but until that solution is found, you might want to take this into consideration when buying this keyboard.
Mine has been having problems off and on for a week, the good news is that it is the "extras" that are affected (LCD monitor, back-lighting, Macro keys) and it still functions as a keyboard. But those extras is what makes this a $200 keyboard. When all that stuff fails, it has less functionality than a $20 Wal Mart keyboard. For the last 2 days, mine has functioned properly, will it last? I don't know.
This is a very nice keyboard, and not just for gamers.
First of all it is Logitech! You know how they say "you get what you pay for" and they mean "if the price is too cheep, so is what you're buying"? Well that applies to the other end of the spectrum too, you get your moneys worth with this keyboard.
It is hard to explain, but it just has a better "feel" than any other keyboard I have ever used. It is very receptive, I had one that could not keep up with my typing speed and have used other that I was afraid it would break if I typed too hard and don't get me started on keyboards with those vinyl covers to "Protect them"!
While the LCD screen was designed for gaming stats, it also syncs with your media player, and if internet radio has replaced AM/FM for you, this is a very nice feature. You can also view your movies and even You Tube on it. And if you like to turn the lights down while on your computer, the back lit keyboard allows you keep typing in the dark.
There are 2 USB 2.0 ports on the top of the keyboard, which is great if your PC doesn't have enough for all the USB accessories out there today or if you keep your mainframe in an out-of-the way location.
And as with all Logitech devices, it is very easy to set up, configure, update and get help if you need it. Is it expensive? Yeah, but I bet it will outlast my last four keyboards and then some.
Customer Review: a good improvement of the g15
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been using the G15 for some time, and know the issues with that one. Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard (Black)
This is an improvement over that one. I am a gamer and use quite a few macros, and play many games.
The keyboard is improved and is more responsive. The color lcd screen is a big improvement, especially for games that utilize it so you have one more gadget to help you with your game stats of your character.
This has a smaller footprint.
one drawback is the power connector. I use a massive case, Thermaltake sword MThermaltake SwordM All Aluminum Extrusion Case with Water Cooling System - Black
So a usb extension or USB hub is a requirement for me or anyone with a massive case. I play games on a 55in LED so sitting on the couch w a stand or on my lap is the normal situation. Just something to think of if you are in that situation. I mean who doesnt want to play games on a 55in LED? Probably someone who will shell out 180$ on a keyboard.
as Kevin Butler said at E3, "if you live in a one room apartment and play games on a 55in TV, then you are a gamer."
PlayStation 3 250 GB
setup is a snap, help is good on this unit. Easy to configure. Just get it, you know you want it.
and if you dont have it yet, subscribe Maximum PC (1-year)
It has everything you need and want in a keyboard.
One might consider...Microsoft SideWinder X6 Keyboard
I am very pleased with the modification of this keyboard.
Customer Review: Excellent Addition to G15 Keypad and the G9 Mouse
Summary: 5 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
As with any useful control, to have all the components available at the one point is just superb and this is just what the G19 Keyboard Does.The basics are brilliant. The keys are quiet and make little noise.All the central components are easily available for the worst typist ( i.e. me ); The sound controls on the right are easily used, and feel more appropriate with a roller. The best visibility factor going from right to left is the back light of the key-board ( this option basically turns the keyboard on, so its best not to turn the keyboard "star" off. The "star" is on the right of central video display of the eminently configurable display; this shows a set of basics, with time, CPU speed, Countdown and timer ( separate clocks on one screen). The game commands show up on the screen as they happen, so you get to see the process, and make sure you know what you did so you can reverse it if you need to ... maybe :-). Anyway, the Central display is a total buzz, videos, pictures, all sorts of things if you want, and then to the left of the display you have the menu of the software that the keyboard uses; once again, easily configurable, and just a plain pleasure to use. With 12 G keys, and macros available to go into memory as you will, the only thing that tops this off are the two usb ports on the far right. The keyboard is just so amazingly good.I would only change two things: The lower wrist rests needs something like a soft pad, not plastic. Secondly, the keyboard could do with a little more space between the keys on the far right and far left, but thats possibly just my hand size, so a personal wish. Anyway, the main thing is that overall this is a top of the line keyboard and I gave the time to give this keyboard a big workout, I did, I have, and I am happy with it.