What is a gaming keyboard?

[GoodEnough]

Someone gave me a Logitech g910.
I don't play games, but am curious what this does besides light up certain sections of the keyboard.

 

[lehtv]

For me, a keyboard qualifies as a gaming keyboard if it has some anti-ghosting or NKRO feature that enables simultaneous keypresses of keys typically used in games, e.g. SHIFT+SPACE+W at the same time, and other similar combinations. Logitech G910 is essentially NKRO.

Some other features found in G910 and other gaming keyboards:
- programmable and macro keys (I've never found much use for them)
- in recent years, mechanical switches have become very popular and tend to be included under the "gaming" umbrella term, even though many non-gaming keyboards also have mechanical switches (especially Cherry MX switches)
- and of course, backlighting which makes the keys visible in a dark room and more customizable

 

[GoodEnough]

Can you explain mechanical switches?
It seems like any other keyboard. Not the 1980s clickety IBM ones.

 

[DigDog]

i'll make it simple.

generally speaking, you got two kind of keyboard switches, membrane(AKA rubber dome), and not membrane(AKA mechanical).
rubber dome switches are cheap garbage (with some rare exceptions) because: 1) they require you to bottom out to actuate the key (the key is only pressed when it's all the way down), and 2) they have a short lifespan where they become much stiffer after a few months. because of these two defects, mechanical keyboards are superior; they feel better when typing, they give more feedback on key actuation, they last practically forever, are build better. And they have various versions of NKRO, which means you can press as many keys at the same time. On membrane, you can generally only press a few keys at the same time (or some keys will not register), and some combinations are impossible to do (my membrane could not do shift and the number 2 at the same time).

mechanical keyboards come in many formats and with many switches, each with its pros and cons. read more at deskthority:
wiki: https://deskthority.net/wiki/Main_Page
forum: https://deskthority.net/

"gaming" is generally marketing bs.

 

[whm1974]

Most people once they start using a mechanical keyboard will find them far better then a rubber membrane one and will almost never go back.

 

[DigDog]

i recommend to watch this youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/Chyrosran22

 

[Rayniac]

When it comes to cherry MX switches and gaming I'd try back or red ones next. I have blue switches and I don't quite like them for the purpose of gaming. I feel like I could spam a key faster if it didn't have that built in clicky thingy. They are great for typing though.