Our friend
Drayner over at twinkinfo.com sends word of a brand new Logitech "gameboard" (keyboard extension?),
called the G13. It actually looks really cool -- it's got the G15's screen, but it's actually an extra set of 22 keys that you can control outside of your normal keyboard. And plus, the keys are all backlit (with hundreds of available colors), and it even has an analog thumbstick on there for extra-precise movement.
World of Warcraft gets mentioned not once but twice in the press release, and they say that it comes with support for "
Burning Crusade," which we would assume also means
Wrath of the Lich King as well.
Pretty groovy. It works with both Windows and OS X, and it'll set you back a tidy $80, which seems like a lot for a "gameboard," but then again, if this is the kind of thing you play
WoW enough to actually make good use of, you've probably got a way to justify the purchase anyway (and if anyone's looking for a gift for me this year...). Anyone intersted in
replacing their Nostromo with this one?
Tags: accessories, backlit, burning-crusade, g13, g15, keyboard, logitech, nostromo, nostromo-speedpad, thumbstick, wow, wrath-of-the-lich-king
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Fan stuff, Odds and ends, Leveling, Wrath of the Lich King, Hardware
Dec 10th 2008 at 1:30PM 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
ninjasuperspy Dec 10th 2008 1:37PM
More buttons than my Nostromo? Yes, please! I'll have to find a Best Buy with one in stock so I can futz with the thumbstick, but we may have a winner.
ninjasuperspy Dec 10th 2008 1:39PM
This gamepad and a refurb Logitech MX Revolution (which Amazon is selling for $35) and I'm in a very happy place.
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Revolution-Laser-Mouse-Refurbished/dp/B0014TJSMM/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1228934334&sr=8-2
Telanis Dec 10th 2008 3:41PM
Logitech is saying this can handle 85 actions. The Nostromo N52 can do 115. I think the choice is a little ambiguous.
Lichbane Dec 11th 2008 1:12AM
DAMN! If only that thumbstick could be swappable to the left hand side, it would be a WINNER for us lefties!!!!
Keyra Dec 10th 2008 1:40PM
This definitely trumps (in my book) that monstrosity of a mouse with the hefty $100.00 price tag! I might just have to look into this!
Lenny Dec 10th 2008 1:43PM
I still have the first Nostromo and I think this is quite the contender to replace it. My Mage has too many darn spells :P
pax368 Dec 10th 2008 1:48PM
I have a very large hand and my nostromo is just not big enough sometimes and the placement and shape of the palm pad really doesnt fit all hand sizes. Ill definately be picking this up to try it out.
And yes, the MX Revolution is an amazing piece of hardware that any serious WoW player should have.
Chaotique Dec 10th 2008 11:32PM
Interesting, I have the opposite problem (tiny hands) and am intrigued by this device. I tried my boyfriend's N52 and it's too big, in part because of the slope of the hand rest. The G13 one seems less steep so it might be better even if I can't reach all the keys. Also, can I really has pink backlighting??? That seems too good to be true.
shyara Dec 10th 2008 1:51PM
oooooooh i want this.
i've been thinking about getting one lately, and this may fit the bill.
Archon129 Dec 10th 2008 2:00PM
I play on a 64" tv while sitting on my couch. Is there something similar to this that I can use that is wireless? I've been looking for a while but have come up with squat so far.
Keyra Dec 10th 2008 6:51PM
WoW on a 64-inch screen...damn. Now you've gone and done it! Does anyone want to front me a loan? I need TOYS!!!!!!!!
Wrenzo Jan 6th 2009 8:26PM
I'm with you Archon, although I'm only playing on a wimpy 50". I have a USB cable extender for my headset when I use Vent, but other than that I'm couch surfing as well.
I know a lot of gamers say that wireless is not uber enough...but I'll take a comfy couch for farming over phat lewtz.
Archon129 Jan 7th 2009 8:09PM
The closest I've come to finding something is the logitech dinovo line, but i'm still on the fence about that one, too many mixed reviews.
If I find anything, I'll let you know.
Mike M Dec 10th 2008 2:03PM
I've been using a Nostromo ever since about a month after I got WoW, and this is the first time I've really wanted to replace it. I want this thing bad. I'm a little worried that the thumb stick is set too far back from the buttons, but Logitech usually knows what they're about.
I too use the MX revolution. I'm going to have one sexy desktop soon.
UndefiledRage Dec 10th 2008 2:21PM
With the extra buttons and LCD it looks like a nice upgrade for my Nostromo.
Jason Dec 10th 2008 2:30PM
Damn the economy and my loss of pay! I want one!
Deekin Dec 10th 2008 2:27PM
This will make me retire my Nostromo.
Flyntlock Dec 10th 2008 2:31PM
I just replaced my G15 keyboard (old style w/ the display and extra G-keys) after spilling a drink into it with a G11. I was disappointed that the new G15 doesn't have the same key layout and that the G11 has the key layout but no display. Having the key layout won that battle easily.
I'll probably buy the G13 and use it for the display (nice to show who's talking in Vent...) but will now have to free up some desk space for both the G11 and the G13.
Fyve & Boomstick Dec 10th 2008 2:39PM
This looks really cool, and while im happy with the normal keyboard I'm using I'd very much like one of these.
One question though. This isnt one of those keyboards that causes the warden program to freak out and say you've been using bot programs is it?
Dave Dec 10th 2008 2:40PM
Considering the quality of Logitech peripherals over the years, I'm %100 sold sight-unseen on this one. I don't need to test it to know that it's probably going to be better than my Saitek Cyborg (which itself is a bit better than the Belkin N52) just because I really, really trust Logitech stuff.
I've found that having a control pad like that really makes gaming a lot more fun. It's not just for wow, it generally makes every other game better in its own way, if only to be able to macro up some hotkeys and turn repetitive things into easy actions. Once you learn the software with everything it's cake.
Once you get the hang of using the d-pad for movement which frees up all of the buttons to be used for spells or macros, there's absolutely nothing like it. I'll definitely be getting this as soon as it's available at bestbuy or wherever.