Wednesday, December 10th 2008

Logitech Debuts the G13 Game-Changing Gameboard

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. Today, Logitech introduced the Logitech G13 advanced gameboard - a hybrid gaming keyboard designed to complement your Logitech keyboard and mouse - giving you game-changing comfort and control on a Mac computer or a PC.

"If you're into serious gaming, there's no better feeling than playing with the G13 gameboard by your side," said Ruben Mookerjee, Logitech's director of product marketing for gaming. "Unlike other gameboards that focus only on programmability, the G13 advanced gameboard incorporates the principles of our award-winning Comfort Wave design. So whether you're getting into World of Warcraft or walking into your next LAN party, the G13 gameboard gives you a powerful advantage over those forced to work with less."

With its sculpted, ergonomically inspired shape and pushing-the-envelope functionality, the Logitech G13 advanced gameboard completes your search for gear, augmenting a Logitech G15 keyboard for gaming and a Logitech G9 Laser Mouse.

Delivering increased comfort, 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.

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, so your gameboard looks just the way you want it.

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.

With its sturdy weight and strategically placed feet, the G13 gameboard won't move during gameplay, giving you rock-solid support all the way to victory.

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.).
Source: Logitech
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15 Comments on Logitech Debuts the G13 Game-Changing Gameboard

#1
ShadowFold
Doesn't look appealing to me at all.. For 80$ I would rather get a whole new gaming keyboard like a Razer or Logitech..
Posted on Reply
#2
BloodTotal
If you’re into serious gaming
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, so your gameboard looks just the way you want it.
if you're a hardcore gamer, you don't need backlit keys. You know where keys are!
Posted on Reply
#3
Exavier
so it's basically a Belkin N52te with a screen..great..
tbh I've heard poor things about the thumb-based joystick..

think I'll be sticking to buying a Sidewinder X6..
Posted on Reply
#4
TRIPTEX_CAN
It does look comfortable but the price is a really steep for what most people would call a novelty item. Most people that have used a device like this wouldn't consider it a novelty though. I use a Fang Gamepad like this and I would never go back to a regular keyboard for gaming. $79 US is really expensive but i would have to see the build quality first.
Posted on Reply
#5
Octavean
I like using the keyboard now.

I used to hate using a keyboard and started using a Belkin Nostromo n50. I then moved over to a Belkin Nostromo n52. Then Vista came out and killed the n50 / n52 funtionality (driver / utility issues). Then I just gave up and got really good with the keyboard. Belkin eventually addressed the driver / utility issue with the n52 or at least the n52te utility can be used with the n52 but I couldnt care less now.

LOL, Belkin with their very poor support drove me to use a keyboard and now I wouldnt have it any other way.

The Logitech G13 looks great though.
Posted on Reply
#6
hAKtivate
I've used the Nostromo Speedpad products for going 6 years now... Started with the n50, then the n52, now the n52te. I can't play an FPS without it. I may give this one a shot sometime down the road, but my nostromo has been very good to me.
Posted on Reply
#7
Kovoet
Wouldn't swap my Nstromo N52te for anything excpet the older model which I have two of
Posted on Reply
#8
Unregistered
What are these Nostromo things? are they mice with keys built in? or just keys for speed use? I might have to try one, I mainly FPS game so it could be a good investment ;)
Posted on Edit | Reply
#10
Unregistered
Might order one of these for christmas. Do they really offer benefits over a keyboard?
Posted on Edit | Reply
#11
Octavean
Yeah, the thing is that these things are like a drug. You get hooked on the junk and can't get off it. If you can't play well with a standered keyboard how good are you to begin with? It took me time to re-learn how to play without one of these things and to me its little more then a dependency that need never be there.

If it were not for the poor driver support from Belkin I would still be on the junk man ;)

Lets see, Vista is working on what,...two years now,....so I have been clean for about two years ;)

Just say no man,....just say no :)
Posted on Reply
#12
hAKtivate
OctaveanJust say YES man,....just say YES :)
FIXED!
Posted on Reply
#13
eidairaman1
The Exiled Airman
these always have a learning curve, too bad they wont release Customizable Macros for Games, its always hard to assign games keys to these (too much work to do) Especially for those Games that Require you Order your Troops around, even under a firefight
Posted on Reply
#14
caleb
No PRO will ever trade the good old WSAD.
Posted on Reply
#15
RallyRoach
calebNo PRO will ever trade the good old WSAD.
But WASD needs 3 fingers, On speedpad I have WASD mapped to my D-pad. 1 thumb, all FWD-BCK-Strafe controlled. Finger free for other functions, like scopes, squad commands, etc.

I've been hooked for 7+ years, ever since the n50. I've wore-out 3 n52's. Didn't like the N52te tho, programming software nowhere near as good as Belkin's (once they finished the Vista driver, that is).

I'm going to try the logitech, once it goes down in price. My n52's are getting harder to find...
Posted on Reply
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