The Must Have Features Of A True Gaming Keyboard

Whether you are only a beginner or a veteran online gamer, there is a keyboard for your skill level and budget. Gaming keyboards and keypads offer a wealth of features at your fingertips. Typical keyboards that come with desktop packages are designed to get the basic tasks done and nothing else. Although such keyboards have gained new features in the last few years, they haven’t changed much. Purchasing a professional gaming keyboard for the first time is like buying your first HD television set. As soon as you experience its benefits first-hand, you’ll never look back on what you had before. Gaming keyboards take your whole gaming experience to the next level. Here are the must-have features of a true gaming keyboard:

 

Macro Keys

These are keys on the keyboard that can be programmed to execute a series of actions with only one key press. Without macro keys, a keyboard won’t even qualify to be called a gaming keyboard. These keys are usually found on the left part of the keyboard and come in a set of three or four keys.

Macro keys are a necessity if you are a strategy player or MMO, but they go well with just about any game genre.

 

Programmable Keys

These keys can be re-programmed to execute a different function. The best gaming keyboards allow almost all keys to be programmed according to the player’s choice.

Some keyboards can accommodate up to 15 programmable keys, which is sufficient for all games.

 

Macro Recording

While the macro keys increase the speed of your games, the macro recording keys enable you to assign lengthy and complex combos while in the game.

A keyboard with this feature usually has a record button that starts and stops recording macros in the gameplay, so that you don’t have to do it manually.

 

Anti-Ghosting

Ghosting is a state when more than three keys are pressed simultaneously and the keyboard doesn’t register all the keystrokes. Gaming keyboards can handle more than five keystrokes without dropping or losing one.

This feature is called anti-ghosting.

 

Gaming Mode

Gaming is a very popular sport. Being able to battle online, make a welcome channel in Discord, and communicate with your friends at the touch of a button is necessary in the online gaming world. A simple but powerful feature of an efficient gaming keyboard is disabling the Windows key. So why does this matter? How many times have you ended up in a desktop window while in an intense battle just because you accidentally pressed the Windows key?

A good keyboard features a gaming mode that shuts off the Windows key when in a game and then reverts to its normal function when you are done with gaming.

 

Backlighting

Backlight keys are an important feature in gaming keyboards. They don’t just add an element of style but also aid in a dark ambiance.

Many intense gaming sessions are held in a dark room or less lighting, so the backlights come in handy.

 

Media Control

This feature extends the efficiency of your keyboard and is perfect for gamers. Media control keys allow users to have full control over music tracks and volume without game interruption.

Many modern gaming keyboards are also compatible with gaming systems like Xbox or PlayStation. Look for a keyboard that is labeled as “universal” to enjoy this feature.