Oct 19, 2008, 6:36 GMT
Munich - Most PC users are happy enough with a standard keyboard and mouse. Gamers, however, can be very demanding when it comes to their hardware, and manufacturers have responded with keyboards and mice specially tuned to their needs.
While these devices include a variety of extra functions, the question of whether the extras justify the significantly higher prices is a matter of debate.
Peripherals maker Logitech is the poster child for the potential sales awaiting those who do specialised gaming keyboards right. One name repeatedly pops up in a quick look through forums where games are discussed: G15. The Logitech keyboard is considered the Holy Grail for many gamers.
The 'G15 gaming keyboard provides gamers with extended gaming control,' explains Tatjana Nuding from Logitech. That includes things like a display for specific information from the game or about the computer system. There are also six programmable keys which can contain complex sets of operating routines, known as macros.
A measure of just how far the specialization of keyboards and mice has come can be seen in the products of Raptor Gaming Technology. Its' product program is not primarily aimed at casual gamers, rather at the specialized but growing market of eSports. This subset of gaming has evolved into a spectator sport, complete with substantial cash prizes.
'In these competitions, milliseconds matter,' says Raptor business director Dirk Schunk. 'There are gamers who execute up to 600 actions per minute,' he notes. Raptor uses precious metals to avoid losing time.
'That includes, for example, gold contacts under the keys, which gets actions up onto the monitor a measurable 30 per cent faster,' says Schunk.
Gaming-ready mice also allow for fine tuning for specific games. According to Schunk, some models even use small removable plates so the weighting of the mouse can be adjusted as desired.
This all comes at a price. While a traditional keyboard costs between 10 and 20 dollars and a mouse even less, products here are on another level of magnitude. The Logitech G15 has a list price of 99.99 dollars; however, it can generally be found in stores for between 60 and 80 dollars. Raptor charges around 100 dollars for the Raptor Gaming M3 Platinum mouse.
But it remains to be seen whether gamers can also profit from the benefits intended for eSport professionals. 'A normal gamer doesn't require anything like that,' says Daniel Visarius of Munich-based Gamestar magazine. Unless you need all those extras, then traditional input devices are sufficient.
The key factor remains a personal one: 'I need to feel good with the keyboard and mouse,' Visarius says. The typing action is also important for keyboards. A hands-on test is always worth the effort, presuming the dealer allows it. 'Otherwise, you can't tell if the mouse will be able to keep up when it comes time for quick movements,' says Visarius.
One benchmark of how well a mouse will perform is the sampling rate, although even there a good value doesn't always ensure that the movement picked up by the sensor will appear on the monitor without delay.
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