SteelSeries 6Gv2 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

This keyboard is nearly perfect in almost every way. Next time I'm going to spring for one with internal lighting, but that is in no way a knock on the Steelseries 6Gv2 - you simply won't get a quality mechanical keyboard, which also has internal lighting, at this price point.The only deficiency I've identified so far: very strange placement of the backslash/pipe character key. Why on earth did Steelseries move it to the bottom row? This makes it completely different from every other keyboard I use daily (including but not limited to: Saitek Eclipse II, Samsung laptop, Lenovo D-91275 keyboard) and is annoying. I suppose if I typed on it more I would get used to it, but it's an unnecessary distraction. I didn't need a monstrously-huge "Enter" key - the traditional 2-key-width "Enter" is big enough. But this is a personal preference, and not really a shortcoming as such, so I'm deducting no stars. At least this...unique...design choice is readily visible, so you know what you're getting into.The build quality and responsiveness of this keyboard are excellent. After years of settling for lousy membrane/rubber dome keyboards, I just did not know what I was missing. From now on, I'm only buying mechanical keyboards.One of the benefits I hadn't realized beforehand: responsiveness. The keys on the Steelseries 6Gv2 are simply more sensitive than on typical, cheap-o keyboards. This can be helpful in playing games, as well as ordinary typing. What I mean by responsiveness is this: The amount of force required for a keystroke to register is less than for rubber dome keyboards, and keypresses are smooth from start to finish. Contrast with a rubber dome keyboard, which typically has a stiff start to the movement and a "bounce" at the bottom. For example, the Lenovo D-91275 I'm typing this review on. It isn't terrible, but it's no Steelseries 6Gv2.Noise: No, this keyboard isn't the quietest, but it's not the noisiest either. The switches are not at all clicky; the only noise will come from the keys themselves hitting the bottom of their travel.Weight: This is not a lightweight keyboard, and that's a good thing. The weight helps it stay in place as you type. I was pleasantly surprised at how much this helped.Feet: No, it doesn't have fold-out feet. Instead there are built-in ramps at the back. Again, I find this to be a superior arrangement. These ramps can't collapse or break off, and put the keyboard at a good angle.Size: This keyboard is exactly as big as it needs to be and no larger. This is a valuable trait where desk space is at a premium. Spacing between the key groups (numpad, arrow keys, etc.) is perfect.The "Special" key: I like the special key with the Steelseries logo, which replaces what would usually be a "Windows" key. It did take some getting used to, but now I love it. No more accidentally hitting the Windows key while in a game - and thus accidentally switching to the Start menu - and no need to do a registry hack to deactivate it to prevent same."Function" keys: These are handy and work well. For example, the volume down/up keys, which are used in conjunction with the Steelseries logo key.This is absolutely the best keyboard I've ever owned. At this price point, you aren't going to do any better.Minor update:Mine does not have all the European-language symbols on it as in the photo, and the LEDs are *white*, not red, as in the photo.

I just received this keyboard in the post today. Plugged it in, re-managed my cables, and waited for windows to recognize and install software to run it.So far, I like it. I've never used mechanical keyboards before, and I was nervous about this. But these keys are nice feeling. It doesn't really take much force to press them down, and through a little experimenting I've found that they actuate 3/4 of the way through. My last keyboard was a Razer Tarantula, a very nice rubber dome keyboard that actuated all the way down. I'm probably always going to bottom out my keys, but if you were wondering about the actuation, there you go.IF YOU HAVE NEVER USED MX CHERRY BLACK OR MECHANICAL KEYS BEFORE, my first thought was "cushioned". These feel like pressing on a a light spring against a table, the way it resist a little bit going down and then helps you back up. It does not feel like it resist going down though, and it doesn't feel like it PUSHES you up though. Really, its like drumming with my fingers on my bed lol. Typing on a cloud? I'm thinking of ways to describe mechanical keys. Oh and these do make a little noise. I don't think that it's because of the construction of the keys, it may just be the plastic of the keyboard, or maybe the dometop/scissor keys are just quieter actually. I don't know. It's not CLACKCLACKCLACK But this other guy has a video review up and it sounds just like that.Media keys don't work with iTunes. I'm a little upset about that.Keyboard is fairly minimal, just your basic keys. It's the inside that has the good stuff. The keyboard LOOKS cool, not a lot of gloss, no frivilous LEDs. Nobody would call this a gaming keyboard, but it is.******A few personal notes on comparing my Razer Tarantula this:1) I have to get used to the slightly different layout. My Tarantula had a slightly different layout: The shift keys were both 2 regular key lengths. This has a regular shift key and a 3/4 sized shift key. The Enter button on this is reverse L shaped. My old keyboard had the backslash/| key above the enter key, this has it between the shift key and the question mark/slash key, which will take a little getting used to, since I go to hit the right shift key and hit the backslash instead. The keys are slightly closer, but not so much that I'm messing up all the time. The keyboard does not lay flat. It is slightly elevated, but not a lot. has no elevation feet. ******PROS:-Nice key feel and make.-Very sturdy feeling. I could wack someone with this.-Great size. Not compact, but not huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge like other gaming keyboards. It's simple-No |33t LEDs, normal looking, but asthetically pleasing-discreet-sturdy feeling cable-right click key, for those who like it-numpad feels better than others, don't know why-good feet, won't slide around on the desk-keys are curved in a way that leads down to the lowest row, adds to comfortCONS:-this is personal, but im not used to the layout-the printing of the letters on the keys is like they did it in whiteout. I can tell that these markings are going to fade soon.-media keys only work with winamp (with a mod) and WMP-keyboard is forever elevated/no elevating feetOverall I'm happy with this. I know I will adjust to the layout shortly.