They’re some of the cheapest components in
your entire build, but your mouse and keyboard are also some of the most
important. It doesn’t matter if you’re running triple GeForce GTX Titans;
you’re going to end up as the meat shield in Battlefield 3 if your input
devices suck. We’ve grabbed some of the hottest new keyboards and mice on the
market to see which deserves an intimate relationship with your digits, but
first we’ve got a little advice on how to buy.
When it comes to mice, the quality of the
sensor is paramount. Generally speaking, the higher the sensor’s Dots Per Inch
(DPI), the more accurate it will feel in-game. 8200 DPI is currently the
maximum native DPI we’ve seen, though some companies fudge the figures by
artificially boosting it. Ergonomics are also equally important, so first
identify in you’re a claw, palm or fingertip grip user and find the right shape
for your type. If you’re an MMO or RTS player, you might like to have a gazillion
different buttons, so consider buying a mouse festooned in them. Finally,
there’s the old wireless versus cabled debate. Despite what the likes of
Logitech might have us believe, claiming that there is absolutely no noticeable
delay when using wireless, we swear on Captain Price’s grave that there
definitely is a difference, which is why our Tech Editor recently swapped back
from a G700 to a SteelSeries Sensei.
Which keyboard to buy comes down to one
major question – mechanical or not. Mechanical keyboards use special switches
instead of the rubber membranes found on mainstream keyboards, resulting in
that satisfying click when typing. They last longer, but they also feel better
while gaming, as you can tell exactly when the keystroke is going to register.
Note that most mechanical keyboards use Cherry MX switches, and they come in a
wide variety of colors. Not to match your gaming den’s décor mind you; each
color represents a different texture and pressure. Do some research to see
which color is right for you?
Corsair M95 Mouse
Keeping your thumb busy
Price: $75
Like Razer and Logitech’s MMO mice, the M95
places a plethora of buttons under your thumb. Unlike those two though, they’re
not placed in a grid-arrangement, instead being placed in a much more natural
circle around the resting position of your thumb. There are nine thumb buttons
in total, and while it’ll still take a while to get accustomed to, it’s a
better layout than the aforementioned MMOers. Six more buttons lay elsewhere,
giving this mouse plenty of macro options.
Corsair
M95 Mouse
The 8200 DPI sensor is an A-grade behemoth,
delivering razor sharp accuracy as it pokes out from a small hole in the
aluminum base. Huge glide pads ensure it slides over your surface of choice,
though it’s rather heavy compared to some of the lightweights.
With a killer sensor, and more buttons than
you’d find in a shirt factory, we have absolutely no hesitation in recommending
this for users who don’t mind their mouse being a little heavier than the norm.
Corsair M95 Mouse specs
·
8200 DPI sensor
·
15 buttons
·
Huge glide pads
·
A tad heavy
·
No ergonomic adjustments
Verdict: 9/10
Delivering all of the goods at a very
affordable price tag, the M95 offers outstanding value.
Corsair Vengeance K70
Corsair can do no wrong
Price: $155
This mechanical keyboard form Corsair makes
some clever decisions that sets it apart from the dozens of others begging for
your fingertips.
Extra WASD keys with a rough texture can be
installed, making it super easy to find your shooter keys without looking. Each
key is backed up by a Cherry MX Red key that doesn’t need as much force to
activate, and lacks the noisy clack of other versions. Up to 20 keys can be
activated simultaneously without the keyboard wigging out thanks to the
anti-ghosting tech. customizable backlighting adjusts the brightness, while the
slick volume roller makes precise volume adjustment a breeze.
Corsair
Vengeance K70
It requires two USB connectors, but only if
you choose to use the built-in USB pass-through. Unfortunately, it’s not USB
3.0. Finally, the aluminum chassis will withstand even the most heavy handed of
keyboard warriors. It might be a little bit pricey, but this is seriously a
nigh-on perfect mechanical keyboard.
Corsair Vengeance K70 specs
·
Cherry MX switches
·
Adjustable backlight
·
Solid construction
·
High price
·
Only one color of flight
Verdict: 9/10
Pricey, but even penny is justified, with
top quality features and even higher quality build strength.
Ducky DK9087 Shine II
What the duck?
Price: $130
The DK9087 differs from most mechanical
keyboards thanks to the removal of the numpad; a move which is accompanied by a
rather tiny price tag.
The configurable backlighting makes this
perfect for naughty gamers who ignore health warnings and game in the dark,
with six levels of brightness. Each key is laser-printed, which means it won’t
wear out for the next century or so, while the dual layer PCB behind the keys
should last almost as long. A dip switch allows users to swap the alt, windows,
control and caps lock positions, just in case you don’t like the default
layout. The same dip switch can be used to deactivate the Windows key entirely,
a much cleaner solution than ripping the key out. The version we reviewed came
with the more sensitive Cherry MX Red keys, though it’s possible to find other
keys if you shop around.
Ducky
DK9087 Shine II
It might not have a million and one
features, but the Ducky focuses on delivering a solid, reliable and relatively
affordable Cherry MX keyboard.
Ducky DK9087 Shine II specs
·
Solid construction
·
Cherry MX Red switches
·
Petite dimensions
·
Lacks cooler features
Verdict: 7/10
If you’re looking for a basic mechanical
keyboard that just does the job and will last long, you could do a lot worse.
Logitech G19s
‘S’ for ‘same’?
Price: $260
Logitech has recently released updated
versions of its most popular gaming products, adding a small‘s’ to its product
names. In the mice, we see a new sensor, but when it comes to the keyboard, we
can’t actually see anything different other than the price tag.
Logitech
G19s
Everything from the G19 seems identical;
the same LCD screen, custom color backlighting, programmable G-keys (basically
extra macro keys), and twin USB port. Unfortunately, it’s also stuck with the
same membrane keyboard of its predecessor, a shame considering the world long
ago moved onto mechanical. Going back to the membrane of the G19s felt very
unsatisfying, with Mooshy feedback that didn’t feel as precise.
If there is one good thing about the G19s
compared to its predecessor, it’s the price drop. Having said that, this is
still twice the price of premium mechanical keyboards, and we just don’t think
a small LCD screen is worth the difference.
Logitech G19s specs
·
LCD screen
·
Lots of extra buttons multimedia controls
·
Mooshy membrane keyboard
·
Overly expensive
Verdict: 6/10
Logitech missed a great opportunity to
upgrade its high-flying G19s with mechanical keys.
