Logitech G15 LCD Keyboard Review - G Keys and Macros
(Page 4 of 5 )
While the LCD screen is not as amazing as I expected (until you factor in hunting down and experimenting with third party programs), the whole left side of the keyboard was packing an awesome surprise. The G15 has 18 programmable keys. They can trigger key combinations, and they can trigger user defined macros. This is a huge time saver in basically any repetitive task, from playing a MMORPG to working for a network of websites.
Take a look at the left side of the keyboard. Notice the 3 M keys which switch modes, the MR button for Macro Recording, and the array of keys at your disposal.
The 3 mode buttons each hold a setup for the 18 buttons. Since each G key has 3 possibilities, there are effectively 56 programmable keys. Since you can change profiles of the key layout for each game or set of tasks (via included software), that’s 56 keys for any one game, not for all of them.
The software shows you a layout of what each key is defined as. You can quickly assign shortcuts such as copy (Crtl+C) by clicking on a key and holding down the key combo. Keys G13 through G18 are the keyboard shortcuts I was using. Considering how many times I use each of these keystrokes in a day at work editing articles and newsletters, having one button for these commands prevents me from needing to stretch out my hand between two keys. That feels better on my hand and saves a small fraction of time. This will also be helpful in games that use any sort of key combinations.
Macros can also go on the keys, like on G1 in the screenshot. To make a macro quickly, you get into the game or environment you want, press the MR button, hit the G key you want to program, do the sequence of keystrokes, and hit the MR button again to finish. Whenever you hit the G key, it will run your sequence of keystrokes. You can also set it to preserve the time between pressing and releasing keys and the time between your keystrokes (in case your game is sensitive to the times).
These programmable keys make things 100% easier. I can design the keyboard to do whatever I need it to. It shaves time and repetition out of common tasks in anything on the computer. I could rave about how much I like programmable keys, but I’ll let you imagine everything this could do for you.
The one thing that we could have used to go with 56 programmable keys per profile is a set of cards to record keymappings. Until you get used to where your new keys are, it may be tough finding the right G#. I will write down the keymapping on some notebook paper, but Logitech could have included some nice professional note cards for those of us who are adapting to the G15.
Next: Conclusion >>
More Input Devices Articles
More By Developer Shed
