SteelSeries 7G Gaming Keyboard

I'm a keyboard nut. I've purchased and used every keyboard that Microsoft sells as well as several major Logitech keyboards. Mavis Beacon and various websites rate me at 180wpm+. I spend 9 hours a day at work on a keyboard and the rest of my free time at home on a keyboard (gaming, WoW, Eve-Online, etc...).When I got this shipped from Amazon - several keys had "popped" off during shipping (a rough shipping no doubt). They slid back on without a problem and they don't fall off even if I try to shake them off. Just not something I'd expect from a $120 keyboard (keys falling off during shipping). Might be a positive note for those of you that like to re-arrange your keyboard to a DEVORAK layout like my co-worker.When I first plugged this keyboard in, my computer was off. When I booted up the keyboard was not recognized. Solution? Boot up into Windows, log in *then* plug in the keyboard. After that, the keyboard is recognized during bootup. This is due to the fact that I'm using the PS2 to USB converter.First off, after unpacking, this keyboard is extremely heavy. I like this because cheap plastic keyboards slide all over as I type on them. The keyboard does not have any feet in back but the design build of the keyboard has a slight raise in the back - which I find very comfortable. The keypress is not "long" like all the other online reviews I've read. Maybe it is if you are using a laptop. The normal Dell keyboards have a longer keypress in my opinion. When you begin to type on this keyboard you'll note how amazingly easy it is to type. There is absolutely no resistance to keypress even if you hit a key from the side like some keyboards I've used. The key rebound is solid and provides great "tactile feedback." Also, the sound of the keys is a little different. Yes, the keypress noise is loud. Another note - keypress is registered about half way through allowing for some seriously fast typing when you want to go full speed. Overall, it has been a very positive experience typing on this keyboard. I'm trying to find any excuse to type because I like the keyboard so much.The LCD lights for Num, Caps, and Scroll are incredibly bright white LED lights that will blind you if you look at them too long. However, that is only the case if you look at them directly above them - from where you are typing - the light is perfectly fine. I really enjoy the bright white light because I can detect if I have a key on out of the corner of my eye instead of looking down and wondering if I have the num lock key on or not.-----------------------------------------------------------------Overall, this keyboard rocks. I definitely recommend it to friends who want to enjoy a good quality keyboard.Pros:1. Solid build - you'd have to try hard to break this.2. Ease of keypress allowing for some really fast wpm speeds.3. 50 million rated keypress - this thing won't be dying anytime soon.4. USB ports and headphone jacks right at your finger tips - no more ducking under your desk and fiddling with wires to connect your headset anymore. (I have a USB Creative headset).Cons:1. The "Windows" key is on the right side only. The Left side key is actually a SteelKeys function key that allows you to do music controls. This may bother some but I found it easy to adapt.2. When shipped 1 day air - keys were popped off the keyboard - not something you expect from a $120 keyboard - however, placing them back on the keyboard = everything was ok.

The design is great when it came out years ago. What it worth is the wrist rest compared with 6Gv2. It's a bit pricey as only USB 1.1 port and without led back-lit, without macro keys.Anyway, with the great wrist rest and cherry black-switch, it is a decent keyboard.

First, too many keys just fell out inside the box. That's what I can tolerate, but it's suspicious anyway. What was very disappointing, it failed to work with USB. Only PS/2. OK, I used PS/2. Then, during normal programmers work some keys kept popping out, which was very annoying. So, I had to use small pieces of clear tape to fix them. Then, after a couple of months, right Ctrl stopped working for no reason (no beer, tea or coffee - the keyboard still remains very clean). I was using it for a while, but when Insert failed, it became unusable. Epic fail. I won't return it, I'm too lazy for that. It's my loss and it was nice to crush it. But don't buy it ever, unless you want to buy just a number of nice but useless metal springs for more than $100. Total failure.

-----------------------------------------------------------Update 9/12/2012:The keys have started repeating. At first I thought it was just me hitting certain letters twice, but it keeps happening and I see another reviewer is having the same problem. Also, because the corded cable is so heavy, it causes some wear on the ports they're plugged into. In the end, this keyboard (and the Xai mouse) was not at all worth it and I don't think I'll be getting another SteelSeries product.-----------------------------------------------------------After excitedly getting the 7g in I noticed that behind the clear plastic of the box the keyboard was missing the END key. After opening the box up and taking everything out I did end up finding it and I put it back on. So far it seems secure in its place. Hopefully no other keys find their way off of the keyboard. I also couldn't find the armrest that came with it. It was sitting right in front of me and I looked right at it. I found that funny after I did find it though. It must have been the black (matte?) finish against my TV stand of the same color. The armrest is great though. Maybe a little long, but it stays in place and doesn't move around which I wasn't expecting from reading a review of a guy saying it felt a little loose.I find the 2 USB ports and the headphones jacks completely useless. I use a USB headset that would require USB 2.0 and the ports on the keyboard are 1.1. What the keyboard could really use is a led backlight. Maybe they really wanted to be unique by being so basic, but when your gaming in the dark you need to at least see the outline of the keys some times. That being said, I can see the nice and large white keys on the black background surprisingly well with just the light from my monitor. Speaking of light, the 3 led lights for Num lock, caps lock, and Scroll lock are extremely bright. I never understood why companies think having a bright leds all in your face while you should be concentrating on the monitor was a good idea. If it distracts me too much I might put a piece of electrical tape or something over them (My fix for bright leds).I liked the fact that they replaced the left windows key with their own steelseries logo that functions as a media key. They could have just opted for a kill switch ala Logitech's G series of keyboards (That I have and use). The best thing about this keyboard though is the feel of the typing. It feels so good to me that it is worth looking over all the little issues I'm having with it. The short delete key and the extra large enter key was a big design mistake in my opinion. I've come across this keyboard design before and never really liked it. But alas, my fingers are already used to it and I'm not hitting the \ key anymore.Overall I find this keyboard a nice change from all the fancy macro keyboards I've been trying out lately. The feel to me is what sets it up on the pedestal. Oh yeah and the fact that it is so heavy is great. I have a big problem with keyboards sliding around on me due to lame placement of rubber stoppers and light weight (Logitech G19,13 for example) and let me tell you, for me anyways, this keyboard doesn't move after you set it were you want it.To Summarize, it is a great product but a little pricey for the lack of features. It could have used a backlight but the weight of the keyboard and the tactile response you get from the keys are what make this keyboard great.

I have to admit that the keyboard is rock solid although more than a bit pricey. It is well constructed but has that key clicking sound that many had from the 1990s. Perhaps the biggest drawback is it's lack of a USB connector. You are provided with a converter, but it is a bit loose and I have had to re-seat it twice because it came unconnected. Please understand that this should not be taken as a disparaging review for there are no overwhelmingly negative showstoppers ... and the keyboard response/performance is excellent. Construction wise this keyboard will probably last longer than anything else I own ... construction is amazing. Just a few things to think about before making this purchase.

Basic, Reliable, Durable. The gaming center I frequent has these on every computer and they've withstood daily abuse for years without any issues. Basically identical to the 6GV2 but with two USB ports and audio jacks on the back. All the media keys functionality is built into F1-F6 when used with the modifier key which replaces the usual windows key. The connection is PS/2 by default but it comes with a USB adapter.The Cherry MX Black switches might be a little heavy if you aren't used to them and/or plan to use this keyboard for long typing sessions. They are slightly quieter than most mechanical switches I've had experience with, being linear, but there is still a satisfying click when bottoming out a key, without being too loud or distracting. Definitely my keyboard of choice when it comes to accuracy and reliability for gaming.

Magari non ha un look strepitoso, ma in fatto di comodita` di utilizzo e` il massimo.Maybe not the best in terms of looks, but in regards to its use: it's probably the best.

問題なく使えています。初めてだから黒軸って重いんだろうなぁとおもっていましたがそれほどでもありませんですた。むしろ軽いぐらいだと重いました。反応速度も早くてゲームにはもちろん最高のキーボードでした。悪いとこれというと値段が高いのとキーの文字がすぐに汚れてくるぐらいかなと重いました。ですが食器用洗剤ですぐに汚れは落ちました。そのもの自体にもよるそうですがチャタリングがよく起こるようです。自分はまだなったことがないのですが他の人の話だと二三ヶ月でチャタリングが起こったそうです。２年使っても起こらなかった人もいるそうです。でも一年かんはチャタリングが起きても一年保証があるので箱と領収書を置いておけば新品と変えてくれるようなので安心して使えます。

Really like the aestethic and the wrist rest and the overall feeling of the keyboard. But it lasted so shortly for 300$ it was the worst buy ever.

Great solid mechanical keyboard. The keys are a bit glossy and do not have a real solid feel to the action compared to the Coolermaster CM storm keyboard I have with Cherry MX Blue switches.Pros:They keys have a nice action and are also quiet which is what I wanted. Very solid feel as it sits on your desk. No flex or twist as you type and it stays planted. PS/2 plug.Multiple connetions that you can plug right into the keyboard. Handy if your tower is buried under a desk. I think you can plug in USB, speaker and Mic to the keyboard.Con:The left hand "Windows key" is a multi media key that is used in conjunction with the function keys to control volume and other media player controls. This is annoying with the advent of Windows 7 and 8 which make a lot of use of this key.