Logitech launches ‘hybrid’ gaming keyboard

Posted at: 11:57am 10th December 2008 by Ben Hardwidge

G13 Gameboard comes equipped with 25 programmable keys, an analogue stick and an LCD

There’s little doubt that the simple keyboard and mouse combination has been a major contributor to the success of first person shooters on the PC, which can be a clunky experience on a game pad. However, Logitech reckons it’s now gone one step further with its new ‘hybrid gaming keyboard’ that it calls the G13 Gameboard.

Designed to complement an existing keyboard and mouse setup, Logitech claims that the Gameboard is designed to ‘follow the natural curvature of your hand, the G13 offers both comfort and playability.’ As well as offering 25 programmable, back-lit keys, as well as a programmable analogue stick underneath, the Gameboard also has a 160 x 143 LCD that can show live game statistics.

What’s more, your programmed settings are stored in the Gameboard’s memory, rather than on your PC, so you can use the Gameboard with your own settings on any PC. Five programmable preset profiles are available, so you can set it up for a number of different games too. However, Logitech says that it’s already pre-configured the settings of the board for several games, including Call of Duty4: Modern Warfare and World of Warcraft.

Of course, the idea of a gaming keyboard such as this isn’t anything new. Products such as Belkin’s N52TE and Saitek’s Pro Gamer Command Unit have been doing the rounds for a while now, but it’s interesting to see a massive peripheral company such as Logitech also seeing a market for it. The company recently announced that it had shipped its billionth mouse, and it's a major player when it comes to PC keyaboards and mice.

The G13 Gameboard is expected to be released in the UK early next year with an RRP of £74.99. Is a separate gaming keyboard such as this a good way to get the edge over your competitors at a LAN party, or is there no replacement for a good old fashioned keyboard and mouse? Feel free to share your gaming peripheral tips in the comments section below.