Logitech launches salvo of G-series gaming peripherals
by Zach Yonzon 
Jan 6th 2009 at 6:00PM
The first of these is the $199 G19 keyboard, which has a GamePanel LCD, a 320x420 color monitor that displays "valuable in-game information" for over sixty games including -- ahem -- World of Warcraft. Aside from macro-bound buttons, the keyboard also has a switch for disabling the Windows button, so players don't accidentally lock themselves out of their game when they nerd rage.
There's also the G35 (I don't really know where they pull the number suffixes from), a $129 headset with 7.1 Dolby surround-sound capability and a "voice-morphing" option that allows players to disguise their voice or -- as the Logitech press release states -- "sound like (their) World of Warcraft character". With three different, swappable headbands, the headset seems configurable in more ways than you can shake a Snufflenose Command Stick at.
Finally, there's the equally configurable G9x mouse, a $99 variant of the award-winning G9 mouse and should give the Steelseries World of Warcraft mouse a run for its money. Or your money, since that's almost a full hundred smackers for interchangeable snap-on grips, five ready-to-play profiles, and on-the-fly adjustable dpi. The keyboard and headset will be available by the end of the first quarter, and the mouse soon to follow.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, News items, Hardware
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
erogroth Jan 6th 2009 6:12PM
I was just getting ready to buy one of the logitech gaming keyboards but now I am holding out for this one.
Skeleetor Jan 6th 2009 11:29PM
you might want to check o ut the Rpoc headset b4 u spend all that cash.
Skeleetor Jan 8th 2009 4:47PM
sorry thats Epoc headset not Rpoc
Corazu Jan 6th 2009 6:13PM
I'm still as of yet unable to find the G13 anywhere in Canada :/
And I'm hoping that screen is moddable or at least by stock contains something useful. I have an original G15 (with all 18 macro keys) and the lcd isn't that useful - so far all it's good for is alt-tabbing and having it show how long I have left in the queue...
wowinsier Jan 6th 2009 6:53PM
The G13 became In Stock on Logitech's website today. I got my order in.
I have the 1st gen G15 keyboard and I like it. In battlegrounds it shows rank/time/kills/deaths/etc... During normal play it shows character stats, weapon damage/speed, bag slots free (although that's been bugged since 3.0), and some defense stats. It will also show channel/server/who's talking in vent.
I read on Logitech's forums that the G13 display will be able to be separate from the G15 display if you have both.
Gloomy Jan 6th 2009 6:19PM
You know what screen also displays valuable information about your game? Yeah.
Manwell Jan 6th 2009 6:29PM
By Valuable information I hope they mean ProN.
alt255 Jan 6th 2009 6:33PM
The old G15 displays, mp3 info, vent info, email info and system resource info.
Everrest Jan 6th 2009 6:36PM
Terribly overpriced imo.
It's good that companies are becoming interested in catering to gamer's wishes/needs, but those numbers are still way to high to be practical.
The "gamer tech" space needs more competition it seems.
Zul Jan 6th 2009 6:39PM
I need a nerd rage proof keyboard... the new hard modes for heroic raids can be stressful on a healer :p.
What I really want is that headset, and if it can really imitate or produce 7.1 digital sound thats amazing.
hold up Jan 6th 2009 6:41PM
If you need all of this equipment your doing it wrong. But stuff like this isn't really about needing... its more about wanting. =P
I use a generic 3 button mouse and keyboard. Never had a problem doing exactly what I need to get done.
I guess if you had money coming out of your ears it might be nice to have something like this, but if someone came up to me and said "You can have this mouse or a free year of WoW", I'd take the WoW.
Amaxe Jan 6th 2009 7:12PM
Have to agree. I see no use for any of this stuff they are using as their selling point. By now I know where everything on the keyboard is, and extra buttons would only make me less efficient, not more.
I guess a hardcore PvP or the like could benefit from the things where a split second can make a difference.
I'd pass even if I had the money
Rob Jan 6th 2009 9:30PM
I agree, I used to have a really fancy gaming mouse and keyboard, but after a while it just seemed silly. Trying to force myself to use this over complicated keyboard mouse, plus it was "wireless" and sucked badly. However, the only thing I see interesting is the headphones. I think it would be well worth it for good improved audio, especially the vent filters. Everything else is a gimmick.
Roflpanda Jan 6th 2009 10:53PM
I have to agree. I always thought that about the G13 too. It has 100+ "programmable" buttons... they don't tell you that windows XP doesn't support more than 5 mouse buttons and the normal QWERTY keyboard... the rest are ctrl+alt+shift codes.
The things are gigantic too. I personally like slim keyboards... so that my fingers can slide from one spot to another. Easier typing... easier to use special keybindings.
Lemons Jan 13th 2009 3:16PM
I'd have to say some stuff is actually worth it. I use an Ideazon MERC Keyboard and I'll be the first to attest it really helps.
I had used up all the keybinds around my WASD keys and was tired of moving my hands over to the 8,9, and 0 keys to cast an important spell. I also didn't want to to have to click shift + (insert random key here) as I feel it does waste a bit of time to do it that way.
With my merc keyboard however I could have everything I needed bound to a single key and within no more than an inch and a half of my fingers. Sure, it was awkward at first but now I don't think I could play without it.
And yes I do enjoy myself some hardcore pvp, I've played over 1,000 arena matches in my lifetime, and have over 50k HKs.
Azbulldog Jan 6th 2009 6:54PM
So all the G9x pretty much adds is additional dpi? I picked up my G9 for about $60 and it does just fine. It came with the two grips, weights, and the program for making profiles; so I don't know how much better it is going to get.
murpes Jan 6th 2009 7:06PM
Does it have a Windows key wedged between CTL and ALT? Removing or simply relocating that is pretty much the primary feature I'd like to see on a gamer's keyboard.
Amaxe Jan 6th 2009 7:09PM
Using the windows key is a quick way to tab out if you need to
Sonicandtails Jan 6th 2009 7:14PM
Or you know, for shortcuts such as Windows Key + R or + D.
arycogre Jan 6th 2009 7:53PM
Of course the Saitek Cyber keyboard has an option that lets you simply turn that key on and off.
I never cared for the G9. I loved the G7, but the physical design of the G9 was uncomfortable for me. I do intend on getting the Steel Series mouse after testing it out and an extensive talk with the lead designer at Blizzcon.