Logitech today introduced what they deem a "Game-Changing Gameboard" called the Logitech G13 Advanced Gameboard. Hyperbole aside, the Logitech G13 Advanced Gameboard is an interesting concept. It sports a naturally contoured design, on-board memory, customizable backlighting, and programmable keys. A keyboard with memory? What's next? A keyboard which is a full-fledged PC? Oh wait, that's been done.
Anyway, the Logitech G13 advanced gameboard is a hybrid gaming keyboard designed to complement your Logitech keyboard and mouse. It gives you 25 programmable keys and an analog stick, as well and three game modes to help the PWN factor against your gaming buddies.
The Logitech G13 is basically a mini-version of the Logitech G15, which is a full-sized traditional keyboard that costs just about the same as the G13. Personally, I prefer full-sized keyboards for gaming, with programmed buttons & macros, but to each their own.
Logitech stated, "Whether you're rescuing hostages, on a quest with your guild or saving humanity, you don't want to worry about hand fatigue or hitting the wrong key."
The iconic contoured design complements the natural shape of your hand and fingers, while the smooth, concave home-row keys make it easy to locate buttons by touch. With three game modes, 25 programmable keys and a programmable analog stick, the G13 gameboard offers up to 87 ways for you to control your game (software installation required). And you can set up custom button-profiles for each one of your favorite titles. You can even create macros on the fly without having to pause your game.
And for another tactical advantage, the 160-by-43-pixel GamePanel LCD shows live game stats, system info and even messages from other players. Though look away from the computer screen at your own peril!
With the G13 gameboard, you'll also get backlit keys that help you easily locate the right key in low-light conditions or lights-out play. And you can select from hundreds of available backlight colors.
A handy solution for the laptop gamer, the G13 gameboard includes onboard memory, letting you program up to five ready-to-play profiles and take them with you to your next LAN party. The G13 gameboard also offers pre-configured settings for many popular games, including World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade, Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™, Call of Duty® 4: Modern Warfare™ and many others.
Pricing and Availability
The Logitech G13 advanced gameboard is expected to be available in the U.S. and Europe in December for a suggested retail price of $79.99 (U.S.). Question is will it be available before Christmas?
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Computers "in" the keyboard used to be the norm for the home market. See:
Amiga 500/600/1200
Commodore 64/128
TRS-80 Model 1 (kinda)
CoCo (Radio Shack Color Computer)
TI 99/4
Apple II (more-or-less)
etc, etc.
Pretty much started changing with the original IBM PC. (Yes, these are simplifications.)
Wow, someone mentioning my beloved TRS-80 CoCo? Check my About Me menu option. Yeah, in the 80s there were plenty of computers integrated with keyboards, including the CoCo, which was my first computer. Guess I should have used that as an additional example for nostalgia sake. Seems that as the IBM PC started to take off we went away from computers integrated with the keyboard. Though now the trend seems to be sticking the CPU, HDD, video card, etc. in the monitor as these "all-in-ones". Here's a good example : http://www.amazon.com/Sony-VGC-LT31N-22-inch-Processor-Business/dp/B0019R29Q6
Although the keyboard and the mouse are not attached - they're wireless.
Still, a friend of mine almost bought this as a kitchen PC due to it's space-saving traits, night flat screen, and built-in TV tuner. So you get a TV and a PC in the kitchen.
This seems cool but I haven't tried it yet. I still rely on my good ol' keyboard when playing WoW.