Input Devices Guide
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Steelseries 7G – Big Man, Soft Touch
A Solid Base Of Operations
There are gaming keyboards, and there are mechanical gaming keyboards. While gaming keyboards have been clearly distinguished from regular keyboards through additional features like macro buttons or other game-centric keys, mechanical keyboards take it a few step further as we’ll learn from the SteelSeries 7G.
Where most recent gaming keyboards such as those from Razer and Roccat exude backlit keys and more than a dozen customizable shortcuts, the 7G is rather docile looking with its unadorned and square-ish body. Were it not for its packaging, the large detachable palm rest, and its hefty weight, it would be easy to mistake it for a regular keyboard. However, press one key and you’ll immediately realize that this keyboard is in a whole different league.
The keyboard utilizes Cherry MX Black key switches. This allows for smooth and quiet typing where the clackety sound that we are so used to with non-mechanical keyboards is mostly negated. We say ‘mostly’ because there is still some sound produced when the key hits the bottom plastic. Fortunately, a user need not completely press down for a key to register as a stroke as per the nature of mechanical keyboards versus the rubber domes in standard keyboards.
As mentioned, the layout of the 7G is quite bare essentials but it does include media controls which can be activated using the SteelSeries key which functions like the ‘FN’ key on notebooks. mic and audio out, and two USB ports. Its cable contacts are all gold-plated to minimize latency. The keyboard primarily connects via a PS/2 port although a PS/2-to-USB adapter is included in the package. The main advantage of mechanical keyboards is their full n-key rollover which means there is no ghosting no matter how many keys you press at the same time. All of it will register so long as you are connected via PS/2.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, the SteelSeries 7G may not have all the bells and whistles of other gaming keyboards but it makes up for it where it matters and that is providing gamers an almost seamless connection between themselves and their in-game characters. The catch is that mechanical keyboards are generally more expensive and the 7G is no exception with a price tag of PhP 7,399. However, if you’re all about performance, then you won’t be disappointed.
For more information about the features and specifications of the 7G, visit SteelSeries' website.
