Logitech G15 Keyboard (Revision 2) review

Logitech G15 Keyboard (Revision 2) Review

Reviewed by: Rich Brown

Reviewed on: 5 June 2008

Regardless, we're glad to see the community help the G15 achieve its full potential. We should also add that the G15's LCD is Windows SideShow compatible, although Microsoft's own SideShow downloads page only hosts a handful of mini apps. Perhaps SideShow needs an incubation period similar to the G15's software development kit.

The 'Windows-killer' key prevents you from accidentally switching to the desktop mid-game

A few other features changed on the new G15, but the trimmer dimensions and the new LED colour are the major highlights. You still get the much-loved 'Windows-killer' key, which disables the Vista key so that you don't accidentally switch out to your desktop mid-game. Logitech did tweak the media control keys surrounding the LCD screen, and instead of a touch-sensitive dial you now get dedicated buttons for track and volume control. We don't mind the change, but you may.

The underside of the keyboard also has a series of grooves for routing cables more neatly around your desk. The thick cable of the G15 cable itself was too bulky to fit in the grooves, but most mouse and headphone cords should be thin enough. 

Performance
You can use the game-specific programs to show character data or other useful information. We found the Ventrilo app particularly handy when we joined a pickup group in World of Warcraft. Because the app displays the name of the person talking on the G15's screen, we didn't have to tab out to check.

The keys seem to have a better response than the original G15. They're not quite as crisp as the Razer Tarantula, but they're an improvement from the mushy older version.

We have two issues with the G15, one more serious than the other. The biggest problem is that it has two USB 1.1 ports. That means less throughput than USB 2.0, which you'll notice particularly in data-transfer speeds of large files from USB flash drives and other external storage devices. The other issue, which is less important, is that unlike other illuminated keyboards, Logitech doesn't offer multiple LED colour options. We like the orange, and prefer it to the old blue light, as we said, but it wouldn't be that expensive or difficult to add other choices.

Conclusion
Especially if you can find it for a good price, we recommend the G15 keyboard as our new favourite for PC gaming.

Additional editing by Shannon Doubleday