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| Stuff.co.nz - 16 May (Stuff.co.nz)![NZ Located](/pimages/nzsmall.gif) OPINION: Ministry for the Environment trebled in size during the last Government. How big will it be at the end of this one? Read...Newslink ©2024 to Stuff.co.nz | ![](/n.gif) |
| ![](/n.gif) | | Stuff.co.nz - 16 May (Stuff.co.nz)![NZ Located](/pimages/nzsmall.gif) OPINION: Ministry for the Environment trebled in size during the last Government. How big will it be at the end of this one? Read...Newslink ©2024 to Stuff.co.nz | ![](/n.gif) |
| ![](/n.gif) | | PC World - 16 May (PC World)Virtual machines, simulated PCs with their own operating systems running within another computer’s software, are super freakin’ cool. (That’s a technical term, I’m a professional technology writer.) But they’re not easy to set up, especially if you’re a newbie. They just got a lot easier, because VMware made its popular Workstation Pro and Fusion Pro VM software free for personal use.
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Most users who are looking for a free solution to running a virtual copy of Windows, Linux, or any other operating system on a PC typically go with Oracle’s VirtualBox, which is open-source and powerful, but not especially user-friendly. As a professional product with decades of development and support, VMware Workstation is far more accessible.
Workstation Pro can be downloaded here, Fusion Pro here. Workstation is for installation on Windows and Linux, Fusion for Mac, and both can be used to run more or less any modern operating system virtually.
As BleepingComputer notes, this shift in direction follows Broadcomm’s somewhat tumultuous acquisition of VMware last year. VMware’s Workstation Player and Fusion Player software are being discontinued as a result of this change. (The Player programs are the equivalent of Adobe Reader versus Acrobat, they allow you to open VMware virtual machines but not make changes or access all features.)
VMware’s post on the switch to a free model notes that anyone who uses the software for commercial purposes will need to buy a license key and enter it during the setup process. Most professional customers have a licensing deal set up with Broadcomm, but individual commercial users will need to subscribe for $120 a year. Don’t get caught using a free personal license in a commercial environment or you’ll no doubt be handed a big bill in return.
Full disclosure: The writer’s father is an employee of VMware, but was not contacted for this article.
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| ![](/n.gif) | | RadioNZ - 15 May (RadioNZ)![NZ Located](/pimages/nzsmall.gif) A new steel-making furnace will reduce emissions so much, environment officials have pitched reducing the whole country`s supply of carbon credits. Read...Newslink ©2024 to RadioNZ | ![](/n.gif) |
| ![](/n.gif) | | PC World - 14 May (PC World)Learning to code can be a great step in your career. Coders are in demand and they make good money. So if you’re interested in this lucrative career but aren’t sure where to start, now’s the time to take advantage of this limited-time deal on Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 + The 2024 Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle.
This special bundle includes 15 coding courses from some of the web’s top instructors. You’ll delve into languages like Python, Java, Ruby on Rails, and C++, as well as project-based courses to build databases, design games, work with automation, and much more. Plus, you’ll get a lifetime subscription to Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022, Microsoft’s top-rated 64-bit development environment that can streamline your workflows and simplify the most complex coding projects.
Start your coding journey with a bang. From 5/13 through 11:59 pm PT on 5/22, you can get Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 + The 2024 Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle for just $55.97 (reg. $1,999).
Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 + The 2024 Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle – $55.97
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StackSocial prices subject to change.
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| ![](/n.gif) | | Stuff.co.nz - 14 May (Stuff.co.nz)![NZ Located](/pimages/nzsmall.gif) New Plymouth MP David MacLeod will chair Parliament’s Environment Committee when it sits down to listen to thousands of submissions on the contentious Fast-track Approvals Bill. Read...Newslink ©2024 to Stuff.co.nz | ![](/n.gif) |
| ![](/n.gif) | | Stuff.co.nz - 14 May (Stuff.co.nz)![NZ Located](/pimages/nzsmall.gif) Cultivating a thriving, productive environment in today’s world of remote work can be tough. Here’s how some Kiwi startups tackle the task. Read...Newslink ©2024 to Stuff.co.nz | ![](/n.gif) |
| ![](/n.gif) | | Stuff.co.nz - 14 May (Stuff.co.nz)![NZ Located](/pimages/nzsmall.gif) The final 11 hectares of land needed to complete the $280 million bypass can be compulsorily purchased through the Public Works Act. Read...Newslink ©2024 to Stuff.co.nz | ![](/n.gif) |
| ![](/n.gif) | | PC World - 14 May (PC World)At a glanceExpert`s Rating
ProsVery good value1440p, 30HzAutofocus, which works well in good lightingGood noise-cancelling micsDecent imageryConsAutofocus doesn’t work as well in dim lightingSomewhat precarious connection to a laptopUnnecessary utility softwareOur VerdictThe eMeet’s SmartCam C960 2K is a decent $50 midrange webcam that’s a good value, with decent imagery in good lighting. It’s not a definitive upgrade over the 1080p model, though.
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The eMeet SmartCam C960 2K pushes into midrange webcam territory by offering 1440p video at a 1080p price, but you’ll still find some areas in which this webcam feels more like a budget offering. Will that matter to you? Probably not.
eMeet’s SmartCam C960 2K is the upgraded version of the eMeet SmartCam C960, a rather decent webcam and one of the most popular on Amazon by virtue of its reasonable price and feature set. As the name suggests, the autofocusing C960 2K offers “2K” resolution, which is another way of saying that it produces 1440p video (at 30Hz) and 2560×1440 images.
This review forms part of our roundup of the best webcams for Windows PCs.
eMeet SmartCam C960 2K build quality
At 3.9 x 2.3 x 2 inches., the C960 2K is a compact little webcam that perches on top of your monitor. A pair of noise-canceling mics are mounted to either side.
This is a $50 (or less) webcam, but it’s still a bit disappointing to see that eMeet preserved the “stickum” privacy shutter that graced the cheaper model. It’s a folding plastic tab that connects via sticky tape to the top of the camera, instead of being already attached. In fairness, it works just fine, but feels a bit cheap.
Again, eMeet cut a corner (rather literally), in that the mounting mechanism consists of the standard “tooth” that hooks over the front of the display. In the C960 2K’s case, the webcam’s mount is a “V,” with the webcam mounted on one leg. The other leg swivels on a hinge. Some webcam makers add another hinge, allowing the webcam to better accommodate a variety of laptops and monitors. In this case, the webcam sat easily on top of my desktop display, which has a slightly curved backing.
On a laptop, the eMeet SmartCam C960 2K grips a little too precariously for my taste.
On a laptop, the eMeet SmartCam C960 2K grips a little too precariously for my taste.Mark Hachman / IDG
On a laptop, the eMeet SmartCam C960 2K grips a little too precariously for my taste.Mark Hachman / IDG
Mark Hachman / IDG
On laptops, though, the eMeet C960 2K sits much more precariously, gripping the top of a laptop more like a pair of chopsticks than anything else. While you can swivel the C960 2K around its mount by 360 degrees, it has much less vertical play — maybe 20 degrees in either direction. On a laptop, then, the C960 feels more like a balancing act than an extension of your laptop. There is a threaded hole, however, if you prefer a tripod.
The C960 2K’s cable stretches almost 5 feet, terminating in a legacy USB-A port. The manufacturer says that the cable is an older USB 2.0 cable, which should be able to connect to a legacy 480Mbps USB port on your laptop.
The C960 2K is an autofocusing camera, but it’s a different type of autofocusing: According to eMeet, it “uses time-of-flight camera technology to calculate the distance to the object, and when adjusting the focus, it prioritizes the distance to the object, so it can focus more accurately…. In addition, TOF focusing can work better in low-light environments because it does not rely only on visible light.”
There’s a flip-down privacy lid on the eMeet SmartCam C960 2K.
There’s a flip-down privacy lid on the eMeet SmartCam C960 2K.Mark Hachman / IDG
There’s a flip-down privacy lid on the eMeet SmartCam C960 2K.Mark Hachman / IDG
Mark Hachman / IDG
As it turns out, I’m not so sure about that.
eMeet SmartCam C960 2K performance
If you’re not a fan of downloading random utilities to assist peripheral devices, you might be able to skip downloading eMeetLink, the webcam’s utility software. Microsoft’s Bing search engine began autosuggesting “is eMeetLink safe” after typing the first two words, which wasn’t particularly reassuring. When installing the driver, Windows will note that the software comes from a manufacturer which is identified in Mandarin, not English, so the source of the software isn’t easily determined.
In any event, eMeetLink overlaps heavily with Windows’ own built-in webcam controls (Settings > Camera, then select the eMeet camera) with contrast, brightness, and other image controls within the app. But there really isn’t anything else, although I suspect that it would influence how well it can control autofocusing. I downloaded the app on a test notebook anyway.
The eMeet SmartCam C960 2K, captured at 2K (1440p) resolution, in my downstairs office.
The eMeet SmartCam C960 2K, captured at 2K (1440p) resolution, in my downstairs office.Mark Hachman / IDG
The eMeet SmartCam C960 2K, captured at 2K (1440p) resolution, in my downstairs office.Mark Hachman / IDG
Mark Hachman / IDG
I thought eMeet’s camera did an excellent job in terms of color accuracy, though I accidentally reset the settings when I was testing the utility. That made the camera reassess the ruddy look it had given my face (Irish-German heritage, hurray) and color it more accurately. It still looks fairly red in my sample shot.
I was convinced that the camera wasn’t delivering the proper resolution, however, until I discovered that it simply wasn’t focusing correctly on my face. I use two locations to capture images: one, downstairs, in a rather dimly-lit office; and upstairs, in my living room with much more natural light. The claim that the camera autofocuses better in low light doesn’t quite hold up, in my opinion. Upstairs, focusing wasn’t an issue, and the camera captured me pretty well. I still feel that the image was dimmer than it could be, compared to the laptop’s internal webcam that I used as a reality check.
What the camera doesn’t do — and this is a good thing — is constantly focus in and out. That drives me nuts, like people who tap their brakes constantly on the highway.
Upstairs, the eMeet SmartCam C960 2K’s picture is rather dim. It was a bright spring day outside, around noon, and the drapes were open.
Upstairs, the eMeet SmartCam C960 2K’s picture is rather dim. It was a bright spring day outside, around noon, and the drapes were open.Mark Hachman / IDG
Upstairs, the eMeet SmartCam C960 2K’s picture is rather dim. It was a bright spring day outside, around noon, and the drapes were open.Mark Hachman / IDG
Mark Hachman / IDG
A great webcam isn’t great unless it can make your voice sound good, too.
I test webcams and their noise-cancelling mics by playing background music and white noise to see how well the camera filters them out. The eMeet SmartCam C960 2K didn’t do badly: I was able to faintly hear a rock song I was playing in the background as I recorded my test sample, which would be apparent to a listener but not enough to overwhelm the conversation. Simulated white noise (in this case, rainfall) was filtered almost perfectly. My voice sounded normal, too.
Remember, there’s no “privacy shutter” for the C960 2K’s mic. It’s always on, and you’ll have to unplug the camera to turn it off or manually turn off the mic in the Windows Settings menu.
Should you buy the eMeet SmartCam C960 2K?
I think the C960 2K is worth buying. I’m not sure I agree with the TOF autofocusing being better than traditional methods. As with all webcams, better lighting produces a better picture, and if you prefer working in a dim environment, this webcam is a little hit or miss. You might want to add a ring light or just open the blinds a bit during a call.
Even in a brighter environment, you may have to adjust the brightness settings within Windows to produce a better image. I do like a solution that works well out of the box. Here, though, any focusing issues disappear.
Is the eMeet C960 2K better than the eMeet C960 (1080p)? Not definitively. I rather liked the images the vanilla C960 produced in well-lit areas. The 2K’s mics are better, in my book. I think with some fiddling you can produce a better picture with the C960 2K, but it’s not an overwhelmingly better camera.
I’m convinced, though, that the C960 is indeed a solid webcam, at the price. I’m not awarding it an Editors’ Choice award, but it earns my approval nevertheless.
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| ![](/n.gif) | | PC World - 12 May (PC World)It wasn’t that long ago when “real” gamers would shun wireless keyboards, complaining about latency and interference. Those days are gone, and you can get a gaming board just as capable in wireless form as it is in wired. Unless you’re literally super-human, you’ll never spot the difference.
And gaming keyboard makers have catered to the desire to go untethered. Though they generally carry a price premium, wireless gaming keyboards boast the latest features and capabilities, from fancy RGB lighting to cutting-edge adjustable actuation. Here are the best on the market.
For more tips about what to look for in a wireless gaming keyboard, scroll to the buying guide below this list of recommendations.
Why you should trust us: PCWorld has been the go-to name for personal computer news and reviews for over 40 years. And as the writer of this roundup, and the reviewer of most of the keyboards on this list, I can assure you that our picks have been thoroughly tested by people who are absolutely obsessed with keyboards.
Every single keyboard on this list has been used by an expert, put through its paces for features and reliability, and carefully considered against the alternatives. We’ve tested every facet of the boards, even programming and complete disassembly for those that support it. And there are plenty that we review that don’t make the cut, like the expensive but underwhelming Asus ROG Azoth.
For a more in-depth look at how we test keyboards of every kind, check out our dedicated article covering our keyboard review process.
Corsair K65 Plus Wireless – Best wireless gaming keyboard overall
Pros
Solid hardware
Great value for wireless
Tons of customization options
Cons
No wrist rest
slightly awkward default layout
Why I like the K65 Plus Wireless
Corsair has been improving its designs for the last couple of years, incorporating more premium features and customization options. And it all comes together in the vastly redesigned K65 Plus, and does so at a shockingly low price.
This keyboard combines the popular 75% form factor, high-speed, multi-device wireless, high-quality switches, and hot-swappable key sockets, with Corsair’s typically good gaming pedigree. The result is a keyboard that does a lot, for a lot of users, for a relatively low price.
While the K65 skips a couple of exotic features like adjustable actuation or an OLED screen, and it doesn’t include a wrist rest in the box, it nails just about every other facet of design. It’s simply the best gaming keyboard you can get at the moment.
Who should buy the K65 Plus Wireless
Anyone who wants a high-quality keyboard with tons of options for customization, both hardware and software, will be pleased with this design. It also has some excellent bonuses, like PBT keycaps and a dedicated button for turning RGB on (or off, if you want maximum battery life).
The 75% form factor isn’t for everyone — you’ll have to look elsewhere, or wait for Corsair to offer more models, if you want a different format. It’s also considerably less “flashy” than other gaming keyboards, and doesn’t offer the heft and quality of a metal body
Read our full
Corsair K65 Plus Wireless keyboard review
Alienware Pro Wireless – Best gaming keyboard for travel
Pros
Unique curvy body
Great switches
Dual wireless
Cons
Expensive
Janky software
No wrist resto wrist rest
Best Prices Today:
$269.99 at Dell Canada
Why I like the Alienware Pro Wireless
Dell’s Alienware sub-brand has made gaming keyboards for a long time, but they’ve really stepped it up for this wholly new design. The Pro Wireless incorporates feedback from pro gamers and custom keyboard fans in order to deliver a solid, compact product with great components.
It’s that compact, curvy body that gives it our nod for the best travel board. In addition to an incredible battery life (turn off the lights to make the most of it), the compact size and shape of the board means it’s practically begging you to throw it in a backpack for gaming on the go.
It doesn’t hurt that the Pro Wireless offers both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth multi-device wireless, with a USB-C dongle that’s both tiny and perfect for the latest gaming laptops or even mobile devices.
Who should buy the Alienware Pro Wireless
If you need portability, wireless options, and battery life over all other features, Alienware’s newest design fits the bill. While its software leaves a lot to be desired, once you get over its foibles it makes the best traveling companion of any gaming keyboard to date, easily fitting into almost any space without sacrificing capability.
Alienware demands a pretty penny for its flagship model, so if you’re looking for a bargain you might want to look elsewhere.
Read our full
Alienware Pro Wireless keyboard review
Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro keyboard – Best low-profile wireless gaming keyboard
Pros
All the features of a big Razer board in a small size
Comfy media controls
Many connection options
Cons
Default mute is a bit tricky
No wrist rest
Best Prices Today:
$249 at Amazon
Why I like the Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro
Low-profile keyboards are hard to find for gamers, since those designs tend towards the big and chunky. But Razer, ever the trendsetter, offers up the Deathstalker series as a throwback. It has all the gaming features of the more conventional BlackWidow, but with a slinky low-profile and wireless build that turns heads while delivering headshots.
In both full-size and TKL variants, the Deathstalker V2 Pro literally shines with Razer’s usual Chroma lighting and excellent Synapse software, plus some good fit-and-finish touches like a finger-friendly wide volume bar. But it’s the quality switches, hard to find in any low-profile design, that put it above the competition.
Who should buy the Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro
If you want all of Razer’s high-end gaming features without the heft, the Deathstalker is right up your alley. While I wish it came with a wrist rest and perhaps a 60% “mini” size option, it’s still an easy pick for the best low-profile gaming board on the market. Those who want a slightly cheaper board can get the wired, non-Pro version at a discount.
Read our full
Razer Deathstalker V2 Pro keyboard review
Redragon K596 Wireless Keyboard – Best budget option
Pros
Low price
Included wrist rest
Long battery life
Volume wheel
Cons
Ugly keycaps
Can only program G keys
No Bluetooth
Best Prices Today:
$79.99 at Gamestop
Why I like the Redragon K596
Gaming keyboards usually don’t come cheap, and that goes double for wireless models. Redragon is a company that thrives in the bargain bin, and the K596 offers up most of the options if its full-priced competition at under 100 bucks. It also manages long battery life, a fancy volume wheel, and even a column of dedicated macro keys. Not bad.
Note that this is still very much a budget model from a budget brand, so it’s missing some of the fit and finish of more expensive keyboards. For example, you can only custom program those five G keys on the left. But for anyone who needs a deal, Redragon delivers, and throws a wrist rest into the package.
Who should buy the Redragon K596
There are a surprising amount of wireless keyboards that claim to be for “gaming,” even on the budget side of things. But Redragon is one of the few that walks the wireless walk, with most of the bells and whistles you’d expect and performance that doesn’t lag behind. Note that this is one of the few boards on this list that doesn’t offer Bluetooth — a fair trade for the value.
Read our full
Redragon K596 Wireless Keyboard review
Keychron Lemokey L3 – Best `custom` wireless keyboard for gaming
Pros
Typical Keychron build quality
Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless
Lots of extras
Cons
No per-game programming
No adjustable typing angle
Takes forever to disassemble
Best Prices Today:
$214 at Keychron
Why I like the Lemokey L3
You might call the Lemokey L3 a more high-class kind of gaming keyboard, thanks to a design borrowed from parent company Keychron’s Q series. It has all the highlights of those excellent designs, like a heavy all-aluminum body and PBT keycaps, in a more gamer-focused package.
With Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless, plus a few macro buttons on the side with plenty of alternate keycaps, the Lemokey looks a little more at home in a “serious” office setup.
It’s no slouch for gaming thanks to speedy linear switches, though programming is limited to one (very flexible) custom layout. If you want per-game profiles, you have to look elsewhere.
Who should buy the Lemokey L3
The Lemokey L3 is a fantastic value considering everything that it offers, but it’s still a very premium design, and would also double as a pretty good doorstop. Gamers who want a ton of flexibility in terms of hot-swap switches and keycaps, plus wireless capabilities, will be well-served here.
Even so, it’s a pretty pricey keyboard that sacrifices the more game-focused driver software of other boards on this list. If you want dedicated game profiles or a more “flashy” look, you’ll be better served by Corsair or Razer.
Read our full
Keychron Lemokey L3 keyboard review
Apex Pro TKL Wireless keyboard – Best wireless analog board
Pros
Only wireless board in this niche
Good software package
Cons
Chattery, uncomfortable switches
Limited dual actuation
Poor build quality
Short battery life
Best Prices Today:
$249 at Amazon
Why I like the Apex Pro TKL Wireless
Analog keyboards, with their adjustable actuation key switches, are rare. Wireless analog keyboards are even more so, and in fact the Apex Pro TKL is the only one that fits the bill at the time of writing. If you demand the hypersensitivity and customization of adjustable actuation and untethered performance, this is the only keyboard that offers both.
But that doesn’t mean this is a great choice outside of that very particular niche. The Apex Pro’s magnetic swtiches are impressive, but noisy and chattery at the same time, and its built-in OLED screen is more of a party trick than an actually useful feature. I appreciate the included wrist rest…but at this price point, it can only do so much to help.
Who should buy the Apex Pro TKL Wireless
Gamers who need both adjustable actuation and wireless have one choice, even if it comes with a lot of caveats. Anyone who can live without the wireless should go for a Razer Huntsman, and if you don’t need the adjustable actuation, any other keyboard on this list is a better choice.
Read our full
Apex Pro TKL Wireless keyboard review
What to look for in a wireless gaming keyboard
Pardon me for being obvious, but wireless keyboard shoppers should care about the same things they would for a regular keyboard…only wireless. Expect to pay a significant premium over wired designs, at least when looking at multiple models from the same category or brand. More personal and subjective features, like the feel of mechanical switches, might necessitate a trip to your local electronics store (or tracking down a handy key switch tester for trying dozens at once).
The questions and answers below will help you determine the features and qualities in a wireless gaming keyboard that will best meet your needs.
FAQ
1.
What kind of wireless should a gaming keyboard use?
Gaming keyboards tend to use RF wireless with a USB dongle, instead of a Bluetooth connection, which is more popular with modern “standard” wireless keyboards. That’s because it allows manufacturers to use a more reliable direct connection, with a higher polling rate — that means the connection between the board and your computer refreshes itself much more often, minimizing input lag. Some advanced models still include Bluetooth, along with fancier options like pairing multiple devices to the same USB dongle. Range typically isn’t a concern if you’re using a keyboard with a gaming desktop, but you might want to think about it if you have a gaming PC hooked up to your TV. Most high-end wireless gaming keyboards can also use a direct wired USB connection, if you’re worried about wireless interference in a crowded environment.
2.
What kind of mechanical switches should I choose?
Modern mechanical keyboards come in a staggering array of switch varieties, from smooth and linear to loud and clickly, with tons of options for mechanisms and spring strength. The only real way to know which one you prefer is to try ’em out (retail store displays are great for this). That being said, more expensive keyboards tend to come with nicer, high-quality switches from name brands like Cherry and Gateron. For the ultimate in customization, track down a keyboard with hotswap switches, which let you swap out the switches for new and different ones whenever you want. Recently more advanced types of switches have emerged, like optical and “laser” switches tripped by interrupting a beam of light, or “mag lev” switches that allow you to adjust the actuation force it takes to activate the key. These are interesting, but tend to lack actual utility (unless you have truly superhuman perception), and increase the price of keyboards phenomenally.
3.
Can I customize a keyboard’s keycaps?
Keycaps are the little pieces of plastic that sit on top of the switches — what your fingers press down on. Switching out the keycaps for a set of nicer ones, maybe made of better PBT plastic or themed after your favorite TV show, is a popular and easy keyboard mod. Some keyboard makers even sell their own upgrade sets. Keycaps with a Cherry MX-compatible stem will work with almost all modern mechanical switches, just make sure you find a set that matches the layout of your keyboard.
4.
What keyboard layout should I choose?
The layout of the keys on your keyboard varies more than you might think. Full-sized (100%) keyboards include a 10-key number area to the right of the arrow cluster, but gaming models often omit this in order to make more room for mouse movements, calling this the “10-key-less” or “TKL” layout. Some keyboards go even smaller, with 60% being the smallest that mainstream brands use, chopping off the Function row, 10-key area, and even the arrow keys (which have to be accessed via a Fn button). A few designs go even larger than the full layout, with an extra column or two of programmable keys for custom bindings or macros.
But there are a wide range of layout choices between these broad categories. Popular 65% and 75% keyboards are quite small, but still keep the arrow keys for ease of use, while smooshing down some others to make room. Ergonomic layouts on split keyboards try to emulate the curvy designs of some elaborate conventional keyboards. Which one you want comes down to use-case, available space, and perhaps more pertinently, taste.
These general layouts shouldn’t be confused with country- and region-specific key layouts for letters and numbers, like ANSI and ISO. Most popular designs are available in at least those two variants.
5.
How long does a wireless gaming keyboard battery last?
Unlike gaming mice, battery life generally isn’t a big concern with gaming keyboards. They’re big enough that there’s plenty of space for internal batteries that last for weeks, or even months, between charges. That is, unless you over-use that fancy RGB lighting with dazzling animation…in which case, it might last just a few days or hours. It’s best to turn off the lights if you don’t know when you’ll get your next charge. If it’s available, check the milliamp-hour (mAh) rating for the battery.
6.
Do I need LED lighting on a gaming keyboard?
Even budget gaming keyboards come with LED backlights these days, giving you a little extra help when hunting for keys in the dark. More elaborate models — especially from brands like Razer and Corsair — offer fully synchronized RGB light shows with elaborate animations. But unless you’re constantly playing in the dark and you can’t touch-type, it’s entirely cosmetic. It’s fun, that’s about it. You don’t need lights on a keyboard, it’s just a fun extra.
7.
What extras should I look for in a wireless gaming keyboard?
Keyboard makers are forever trying to one-up each other with extra features. Larger boards usually include dedicated media controls, and the nicer ones get a fully programmable wheel or knob, as well as hot-swap switch sockets that let you experiment with different types of key switches. An especially nice option is on-device memory, allowing you to keep key layout programs without running a driver program on each new computer. The most expensive boards have premium metal bodies, internal foam for sound reduction, and sometimes even gasket mounting, which gives the keys an extra bit of bounce by suspending them between two layers of foam or silicone.
None of these are really necessary, but they’re all nice and enhance the experience. Depending on your taste and budget, you can look for a board with a few extra features, or hunt down a super premium “endgame” design with all of them.
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