Logitech G11 Gaming Keyboard (Black/Silver)

10 Review to this product

• 

  T. Gabert
  November 26th, 2006 on 5:16 pm

  Rating

  I have owned MANY keyboards, I usually stick with a design and only buy that kind once I get used to it. This keyboard was recommended because of the ability to add Macros, Gamming setups for those of you who play games (WOW). It’s lighted, the keys are perfectly spread apart so I am not hitting the wrong keys at the wrong time. It has a lighted display, so I can see right on the screen what the volume is, Time, etc. It also has two USB ports very easy to reach at the back of the keyboard, which is VERY convenient. I had to write, anyone questioning buying this keyboard should have reasurrance that this keyboard rocks!! Even if you don’t play games, it’s still very nice to have the lighted keys (typing in the dark)
  
  Hope this helps.
• 

  Jeremy Johnston
  January 9th, 2007 on 9:25 am

  Rating

  This keyboard in my opinion is by far the best backlit keyboard I have found and used. Other KB’s light everything but this only lights the actual letters which makes it easier to see in the dark. I really don’t look at the keyboard much when typing but when I’m playing games or working on music etc., I can see what I’m doin in the dark with no issues.

  The volume dial and other shortcut keys make things very simple and if I had to find one thing I don’t like in the few months I’ve used this item, it would be the tabs that tilt the KB up are not high enough. However, this is a minor issue that maybe logitech can resolve in later models. I say buy it!!
• 

  Deborah Emery
  January 18th, 2007 on 8:15 pm

  Rating

  My son was extremely happy when he received this gaming keyboard for Christmas. It was exactly what he wanted and has made his online gaming experience much easier! Thanks!
• 

  L. Freed
  May 20th, 2007 on 3:28 am

  Rating

  Caveat: I am not a gamer. I bought this keyboard on a quest for something better than the mediocre, mushy-feeling, gimmicky keyboards that have lots of features but which fall short on the fundamental purpose of keyboard — typing.

  The first thing you notice about this keyboard is that it is big. Really big. It measures 21.5″ from side to side. I was so concerned about this keyboard taking over my limited desk space that I almost put it back in the shipping carton unopened. That would have been a mistake — this is a fabulous keyboard, especially for those of us who grew up on the original IBM PC/XT, and AT keyboards.

  No, it doesn’t have the clicky sound of the original IBM boards, but the layout is nearly perfect and the feel is excellent.

  I had been using a Logitech MX3000 keyboard, which met an untimely death by coffee. I was happy enough with the MX3000, and I almost bought a 3200 to replace it. But I didn’t really need a cordless keyboard, and I never really cared for the mouse that comes with the Logitech 3xxx cordless desktop sets. Now that I have them side-by-side, there is no comparison. The G11 feels solid without being stiff; the MX3000 feels mushy and imprecise. The F-keys on the G11 are full-sized and are located where my fingers think they ought to be!

  The provided keyboard profiler software is unobtrusive and easy to install. I have found the “G” keys handy for storing passwords, my e-mail signature, and other short snippets of text. The backlighting feature is more useful than I imagined. I don’t miss the extra buttons on my MX3000; the G11′s volume control and media buttons cover about 99% of my needs. I would have liked a standby button, but I can understand why you wouldn’t want one on a gaming keyboard.

  $69 is a lot of $$$ for a keyboard. But if you spend most of your days typing, it is money well spent!
• 

  Frank
  July 27th, 2007 on 7:20 am

  Rating

  I use this keyboard for playing WOW online. It’s very easy to assign keystroke combos or macros to the programmable keys on the fly… I find this a very useful keyboard. I also like the blue LED back lighting for the keys. This feature makes it easy to see the keys in dim lighting.
• 

  M. Dicharry
  January 22nd, 2008 on 12:57 pm

  Rating

  I’m a serious gaming fool and was dismayed to see the New G15 board had reduced the number of programable keys from 18 to 6 as opposed to the “old” G15 The programable keys are the heart of the board, able to record macros as well as any key action. I am happy again to see that the G11 is the “old” G15, with all 18 keys intact. To me, the New G15 only offers eye candy at the cost of the best advantage the G11 ( and the Old G15) have, the number of keys to program. Apparently Logitech saw the error of it’s ways and is keeping the old board alive under a new name. My guess is that the New G15 will fade away and the G11 will live on.
• 

  Matthew Eland
  February 5th, 2008 on 8:54 pm

  Rating

  Great keyboard. I could do without the backlighting (and the LEDs on the key surface make the keys feel slightly awkward at times depending on where your fingers touch them). The keys are where you expect them to be for the most part, though I have stumbled a couple of times and mistaken the F1 key for the F5 key and it’s very usable.

  The reason you buy the keyboard isn’t for the backlighting, though – it’s all about the 18 programmable keys on the left side of the keyboard. Very convenient placement, good key separation, and solid software behind the programmable keys makes it a very good purchase, despite the high price.

  I knew about the 18 keys when I ordered it. What I didn’t know about was the M1, M2, and M3 buttons above them. What these do is allow you to move between pages of hotkeys, effectively tripling the # of programmable keys to 54.

  The Memory record button is very useful too – it’s intuitive to use (for me at least) and automatically associates your keymappings with the program you’re using so I can have one set of 54 bindings for Visual Studio, one for Firefox, one for Team Fortress and not need to tell the keyboard which set I want to be currently using (though I can force it to use one set if I really wanted it to).

  The import / export feature is nice and Logitech was kind enough to store the key binding files in XML format so they can be easily manipulated.

  Very good keyboard. The only downsides of it are the backlit keys which are excessive and feel a little funny, the centered placement of the media wheel (it’d be more usable if it was above the F3 key and nearer to where my non-mouse hand usually is). The software could be slightly improved to allow me to have certain keys stay the same on different pages while letting others change (it’d speed up configuration, not introduce new functionality). I can’t gripe about the width, since the key size on the 18 programmable keys is great and the spacing is perfect.
• 

  J. Proctor
  May 17th, 2008 on 4:21 am

  Rating

  Logitech products are never mediocre. They’re either awful or great. The G11, fortunately, falls on the “great” side.
  
  If you’re in the market for a nice keyboard (whether you’re a gamer, a heavy computer user, or someone who enjoys aesthetic and tactile perfection, the G11 is a sound investment.
  
  I bought the G11 after deciding that I wanted a really well made, wired, back-lit keyboard. There are far to many cheapo keyboards, stocked with useless media buttons and silly ergonomic designs. I decided, as I’m a heavy gamer, that a gaming keyboard was the way to go. The nice thing about computers is that, usually, what’s designed for a gamer works REALLY well for any other user.
  
  The G11 is no exception.
  
  The back-lighting displays very nicely, whether seen straight on or at an angle. I have NO trouble with the brightness, and the keys don’t look at all blurry. The blue lighting is quite sleek looking, and serves its purpose really well.
  
  The G keys (G1-G18), in coordination with the M1-M3 keys give you 54 macro keys. This is a feature I didn’t think I would use, but have grown to love. I’m able to do everything from saving username and password combos (thus able to them inserted at the click of a button), to binding spell set-ups and weapon choices (Oblivion, CS:S, etc.). I also have most of my oft-used programs set to a key, so all I have to do is a hit a button to load my favorite game, firefox, etc.
  
  The media keys work for me, although I almost never use them. Same goes for most of the top row of keys. I keep the keyboard in “gaming mode”, thus preventing the Windows key from working, and I only adjust the back-lighting when watching a movie. I’ve found the ability to record macros to be very useful.
  
  The action on these keys is very satisfying. Typing on it feels great. It’s immediately apparent that this is a quality keyboard. Not too clicky, not mushy or overly soft, the G11 hits the sweet spot. It’s styled as a desktop keyboard, rather than a laptop (full layout, full sized keys with full action). I prefer this, as it gives a more tactile and concrete response.
  
  The keyboard fits well on my desk. It doesn’t seem overly large, but it may be tight on some setups. The included wrist-rest is actually useful ( I initially didn’t plan on using it).
  
  Downsides? The software isn’t the best in the world. It takes a little playing around to figure it out, as it’s not entirely intuitive. Also, the USB hubs should be 2.0, but they’re not. I never use them as a result, but I’m not upset about this. Finally, when resting flat, the keys seem to face back away from the typer. In order to even this out, you have to use the little feet on the bottom/back of the keyboard. They are very short, and if you like your keyboard at an incline facing you, you will be disappointed. Other than that, I have NO complaints with this keyboard. It’s truly amazing and well worth the price.
  
  Absolutely grab one if you’re in the market for a gaming keyboard, a back-lit keyboard, a programmable keyboard, or just a nice keyboard in general.
• 

  Student Advocate
  March 6th, 2009 on 7:11 pm

  Rating

  This our favorite keyboard of all time, at this time that is, out of all the keyboards we have ever used. And, we have used a lot of keyboards. This keyboard replaces our Microsoft Ergo Keyboard 4000. We have been using the Logitech G11 keyboard for about one week now.

  We like this keyboard because:

  1. Quality construction/durable, does not feel “cheap”. We do not want to have to replace the keyboard for a long time, and we don’t think we will have to with this keyboard.
  
  2. Softer touch keys, great for people who use computers alot, like gamers, OR people like us who type all day long on the computer for work; This is a very important factor, besides high quality/durable construction.
  
  3. Has keys that are NOT painted on, so the letters won’t rub off, like they did on our Microsoft Ergo 4000 keyboard. We almost bought a Saitek Keyboard for this reason, as the keys on those keyboards are laser etched (or something to that effect); they are not painted on. However, we did not opt for the Saitek because it did not appear as well constructed as the Logitech G11; Many reviews state the Saitek is cheaply constructed which would make us go bonkers.
  
  4. Some people complain that this keyboard is big, but we do not think so. It is a tad longer yes. We do have a large desk however.
  
  5. Another great feature of this keyboard, is that it works well with people, specifically men, with bigger hands/fingers.
  
  6. Love the backlit keys, for evening typing, when you don’t want to turn the room lights on to avoid disturbing others who may be sleeping.
  
  7. Sleek & stylish.
• 

  Stoney
  June 24th, 2009 on 4:27 am

  Rating

  I do not use the keyboard for gaming. I use it for wordprocessing and graphics. The touch and feel of the keyboard is quite good with strong tactical feedback. The subtle mechanical “clatter” provides audible feedback. The backlit keys are a joy when working in low light levels. Creating and assigning macros is very easy, and works well.

  The audio controls work well, particularly the volume control which rotates (like an old fashioned rheostat) to more easily and precisely control the volume (just swivel it with your index finger). The “speaker” on/off button is especially appreciated when surfing websites with loud annoying music which cannot, or cannot easily, be turned off. Unfortunately, it remains lit whether “on” or “off”, and there is no other inidcation of whether the sound is turned on or off.

  CREATING PROFILES
  
  Although it may seem logical to just start using the macro recorder with the “default configuration” profile, resist the temptation. You cannot import/export macros across profiles. Nor can you rename the “default configuration” profile to a specific program profile. So, it is important to specify a profile name for the application program you are using. It is very easy to create a new profile: From the keyboard window (labeled “Logitect G-Series Keyboard Profiler”) menu, just select “profile”, then “new”, and enter any appropriate name, usually the application program name. That’s all. You do not need a “description” nor to “select game executable”. When I installed the macro program the first time, and choose “select game executable” the program failed to find the executables for the running program or any application programs I use, so I had no other choice than to define my profiles as described above.

  UPDATE: After my harddrive crashed, I had to reinstall the software—and it acted totally differently, for no reason I can tell. It would not accept a profile name without a “select game executable”. So, I had to define macros with the default profile—which the macro program then automatically associated with the application program I was using—magically finding the corresponding “program executable” that it could not find previously. That is, the macro program created a “profile” from the program exe file name—but I still have to manually select the corresponding profile. Note, the macro program also used the executable for the profile name, but you can edit the profile name. I don’t understand, and I would prefer more control.

  I include instructions above for both situations, depending on how the macro program is working (or not) for you.

  CREATING MACROS
  
  Although the instructions for creating macros seem clear, and there seems to be multiple ways of doing most things, I’ve developed my own procedure which seem simpler: Manually select the appropriate profile. With your program running full screen, (so that you can confirm the actions selected), press the “MR” key to turn recording on, then press the “G” key you want to assign the macro to, then enter the macro keystrokes, and finally press the “MR” key again to save the macro. When you are satisfied that the macro is working properly, then name it. To name a newly created macro from the keyboard window (labeled “Logitect G-Series Keyboard Profiler”) menu, choose “Edit”, then “macro manager”, then click on the temporary name “quick macro”, “edit” type in a new name).

  Once named, you can rearrange the macros if desired—just click on the macro name on the keyboard window, select “assign macro”, and choose the macro you want for that key. Changing the macros assigned to the keys does not destroy the old macros formerly assigned to the keys. The old macros are still available, and can be assigned to other keys.

  CAVEATS
  
  Since I’m a non-gamer, I often have several application programs running simultaneously. I’d like to be able to use macros for several programs without having to manually change profiles. According to the instructions, the macro program is supposed to sense the active “game” or application program and automatically switch profiles, but it doesn’t do that for me, I have to manually select the active profile.

  The descriptions of functions on the box and the enclosed written instructions are worthless. The built-in help is pretty good. However, the help instructions often refer to consulting an LCD screen which is incorporated into some models, but not into this one. Such instructions are potentially confusing.

  The description, “3 key light levels” is a bit misleading, because one of those “levels” is “off”. I use only the brightest level. If left “on”, the backlight turns on when the computer boots, and “off” when the computer is shut down.

  The key labels are very small, much smaller than on my default HP keyboard. Larger labels would be more legible. The backlighting washes out at high ambient light levels and the labels are dark grey on black, and therefore difficult to see in bright light. This is not a significant problem–but I’d suggest cheaper non-backlit models if you plan to use the keyboard in a bright ambient light environment.

  The key labels are all blue (except for the three yellow “M” keys). It might be more functional if different groups of keys were different colors, at least for the “central keyboard”. For example, the home keys (a, s, d, f, j, k, l, might be green, alphanumeric keys blue, control keys (tab, caps lock, shift, cntl, windows, alt, backspace, , enter etc.) yellow, and the escape key red.

  The two USB ports are only 1.0, which is okay for mice, joysticks, and other controllers, but not for data transfer.

  NOTES TO MANUFACTURER
  
  It would be handy if “quick macros” could be renamed on the keyboard window, without having to open “macro manager”. Similarly, it should be possible to name a new profile by choosing “new profile” from the “current profile” window.

  I would appreciate an optional, preferably repositionable, compact menu bar reflecting macro assignments as an alternative to the “keyboard profiler” window takes up nearly ½ of the screen horizontally and vertically, and cannot be resized.

  It would be handy if there was an option “import macros from default profile”, or better yet “import macros from an existing profile”

  It would be nice if there was a “scan for other programs” in addition to the “scan for games” option–since many users, like me use the keyboard for applications other than games.

  The default assignments of the upper two rows of G keys is are the “functions keys” 1 to 12. It would be more functional to assign these to the lower two rows, because this would make one-hand “shift-alt-F11″ etc. combinations (which may be so defined in some programs) possible.