From Review: SteelSeries 7G gaming keyboard (crunchgear.com):
... is exactly what i expect from a keyboard. Nothing more, but most certainly nothing less.One of their flagship products is the keyboard I’m typing on right now: The 7G. It’s aimed at gamers, but more in that it’s extremely durable and reliable as opposed to being covered in buttons. Read on for the skinny.
I have checked its availability which is not very widespread but i've found a few etailers. When i can afford it i'll take one or two.
My Merc Stealth is a very fine very solid and trustworthy board but it's slowly wearing off letters: A S D and E are becoming abstract. Its second minor to me is its whole area at the left with the gaming keys: i don't use them! I would just saw that section off. I long for a similar board with just the layout of a normal board.
In the near future i will have to replace my Merc because of the blind letters anyway.
The 7G looks exactly like the board i need.
CrunchGear’s recommendation
This is a premium keyboard, and you’re paying a premium price. What makes it premium, you ask? It’s a bit like the difference between a regular flashlight and a Maglite. Sure, the flashlight lights up and you can see stuff in the dark, but the Maglite does that and it’s also solid enough to deflect a bullet or be used as a bludgeoning tool. It’s not likely you’re going to need that capability, but it feels good to know it’s there. The feel of this keyboard is the same feel I get from a Maglite, or a hard pair of workboots, or a canvas backpack you know will never die. If you’re okay not having gimmicks like LCD screens, dials, and touch-sensitive buttons, all of which are very breakable, then this is probably the last keyboard you’re ever going to have to buy. But the fact is that few people can justify spending $150 on a keyboard at all, less still for one with as basic functionality as this one. It’s probably $150 worth of sturdy, but it’s up to you to decide whether that’s what you want in a keyboard.
Read full mini review @ crunchgear.com. A review that is short because the truth is simple.
Another SteelSeries 7G Keyboard Review at Extremetech:
IMO yes that is the right way to go!If you're a gamer, what sort of keyboard should you use? There are those with custom key layouts like the Z-Board, or with game-specific features like the LCD on Logitech's G15; keyboards with new features specifically targeted at games.
Then there are keyboards like the 7G from SteelSeries. It has no features especially targeted at games, but rather focuses on improving the core mechanics of the keyboard itself—the number of simultaneous key presses, the action of the keys themselves, the fundamental build quality. Is this the right way to go?
OOooops But it has no backlight...!The unit also offers an amazing anti-ghosting feature provided it is connected using the PS/2 connector. This means that the device will recognise simultaneous key presses not just for a couple of keys, but for every single key on the unit which will prove to be very useful.
Read full SteelSeries 7G Keyboard review at DriverheavenAlthough the keyboard lacks fancy features such as extra macro buttons and an LCD screen, it is clear that a lot of time and effort has been invested into the build quality and durability. The only thing we would love to see in a future revision is a backlit keyboard option for those late night gaming sessions. Many people end up using their computers in a dark environment and a backlit device can make life a lot more comfortable.
Yes i would miss that too now i'm so used to it on my Merc!!!
Happened ofter and ofter. Yes, i have used it a lot (gaming), for 4 years...