SteelSeries 7G Gaming Keyboard Review

SteelSeries 7G Gaming Keyboard Review

by Henry Butt

SteelSeries is a Danish company founded in 2001 with the aim of developing products oriented around professional gaming across the globe. It is now a leading manufacturer of gaming peripherals and accessories including headsets, keyboards, mice, mouse mats and software.

Features

• No-click mechanical professional gaming keyboard
• 18K gold-plated connectors for extremely low latency
• Gaming grade lifetime: 50 million keystrokes
• Endorsed by the world's best eSports-players

Specifications

• Switches: Gold plated no-click
• Switch lifetime: 50,000,000 cycle
• Assembly: Face plate mounted keyset
• Dimensions: 480 x 250 mm / 18,9 x 9,8 in
• Cable length: 2 m (6,6 ft.)
• Connectivity: PS/2 + USB





The 7G gaming keyboard sits at the top of SteelSeries' range. At around of £100, it certainly isn't the cheapest keyboard on the market either. But the 7G isn't no ordinary gaming keyboard; SteelSeries have used MX Black mechanical switches rather than the more modern 'membrane' alternative, giving it a totally different feel to a normal keyboard. When typing on the 7G, you only have to depress the keys half way down for them to register. This takes a while to get used to but seems to improve typing speed quite a lot due to the very responsive action.



The build quality of the 7G is nothing short of fantastic. The plastic used in construction is very good quality and the keyboard has a rigid metal base that is sure to improve durability. SteelSeries have also used braided shielding around the wires which adds to the overall quality feel. All of the keys are removable so cleaning the keyboard thoroughly is very easy. It also means you can switch the keys around or remove them altogether. The mechanical switches are quoted to have a life of around 50 million keystrokes which means the 7G should last much longer than standard keyboards whose switches generally have a life of around 1 - 5 million keystrokes.







Unlike most other gaming keyboards, the 7G doesn't have any bells and whistles; in fact it is quite limited on the feature front. It doesn't have any macro buttons, key backlighting or dedicated multimedia keys. But this isn't what the 7G is about; it is about providing the best typing and gaming experience. SteelSeries haven't sacrificed typing performance for gaming performance at all as the key action suits both very well. In fact once you're used to the superior typing experience, you'll find every other keyboard you type on disappointing. SteelSeries have opted for the somewhat outdated PS2 connector meaning you can depress every key on the board simultaneously and they will all register. In case you're computer doesn't feature a PS-2 port, a USB adapter is also included.



While the layout of the 7G is pretty much standard, SteelSeries have made some alterations. Firstly, the backspace button is reduced to half the size and the enter button is much larger in size. This reduced backspace button takes a little while to get used as it is quite awkward to access. Also, SteelSeries have disposed of the Windows button in favour of a second function button. This allows you to use the media keys which are a second function for F1 - F6. I would personally prefer the windows button as I find second function buttons a bit of a waste of time. Around the back of the keyboard there is a built-in USB hub and two audio jacks which connect into the back of your system. These are easily accessible and are a useful addition to the product.





To improve comfort, SteelSeries include a palm-rest with the 7g. This is very simple in design and sits around the keyboard. It doesn't actually fit to the keyboard and can easily be removed by simply lifting it up. It has a number of rubber feet so the keyboard and rest remain firmly planted on the desk.



I have never used a keyboard before that even compares to the 7G. It may have a hefty price tag but it is definitely worth the premium if you take comfort and quality seriously. I'm not sure whether it should be described marketed as a professional gaming keyboard as it lacks some features which will be desirable for professional gamers. But otherwise, it provides a fantastic all-round experience and is sure to grace my desk for a good number of years.

 

Nice review. I like Steelseries stuff and considered this kb at one time but the price put me off.

Do you use this keyboard with your laptop? Just curious since this is 'notebookreview.com'.

 

Nice review, thanks for posting it. My only criticism is that SteelSeries touts their gold-plated connectors on this keyboard as offering extremely low latency during gaming. Quite frankly, this is a load of BS. I refuse to believe that there is that much of an electrical latency difference between a gold plated versus aluminum/steel connector that a gamer would notice it. The difference, if any, would be so minute as to be nearly inconsequential.

I mean seriously, I'm all for providing fodder when putting spins on products as companies market them, but this is simply ridiculous.

 

Excellent review. I'm in the market for a keyboard, but that's way out of my budget.

And garetjax makes a good point...some things will definitely affect latency, but I can't imagine how the particular metal used to conduct signals through connectors would make any significant difference.

 

I actually use it mainly with my desktop (for gaming) but do use it with my laptop when working as it is sooooooo much better than the built in keyboard

 

If you're looking for a gaming keyboard, have you considered the Logitech G110... it is my second favourite keyboard after the 7G

 

I used to own a Logitech G15 actually, the second revision (with the orange backlights), and I was quite disappointed with how mushy the keys felt. Tactile response just wasn't there for me. If the G110 uses the same basic keyboard mechanics, I'd probably be just as turned off.

I've been looking into some Saitek models, I've heard good things about the Eclipse and Cyborg series.

 

After owning a G15 (G1, the blue one) i need to completely agree with you.

Logitech put lots of flashy psychedelic lights, useless macros, useless keys and forget the most important on a keyboard: THE KEYS lol.

 

blacks are not that good for typing..but its perfect for gaming because of the stiffness of the keys..preventing accidental keypresses

for the tactile response..either cherry blues or browns are great..
black have no tactile feedback at all just a sheer force needed to bottom it out but not as much as you need to bottom out the IBM model M keys

 

I like the fact that it has a usb hub and audio ports built in, but I detest keyboards that have an enter key and backspace key designed like this. Notice the pipe+backslash key next to the smaller left shift too. What type of layout is this considered? Is this an international layout or something?

 

I just noticed that too; I've never seen that before.

 

Im also in the market for new keyboard, the Steelseries is way to expensive, while i havent really liked logitech key feel in the past, the good reviews and the illuminated slim design of Logitech Illuminated Ultrathin Keyboard got my attention, so i just ordered. If i dont like it ill probably will go with Saitek Eclipse II Keyboard or Saitek PK24 Eclipse III

 

It seems to be a UK layout. Which is better of course

Thans for the review and bringing this to my attention. I didn't know about this one when I switched over wholesale to the X6. Perhaps it's worth a try - I've found it very difficult to find a keyboard with a key feel that I like and 'm perfectly happy to give up bells and whistles for it

The X6 is the closest so far (and the G15 is the furthest, especially given its tendency to 'bind' mid-stroke after some wear has set in) but there's always room for improvement.

 

People really rave about the 7G and mechanical keyboards in general.

Personally, I don't know, I'll probably end up just getting a G15v2 or G110.

The new Sidewinder X4 looks nice though...

 

Nice review Henrybutt. I almost got the SteelSeries 7G. The thing that turned me off to it [besides the price] was the minuscule backspace key. I would never be able to get used to that.

 

you just made me preorder one, kinda been a microsft fan over the years with the way the keys feel, i just didnt find anything that intrest me till now , woulda been great if you could posted this couple days before, i guess post some side by side with the logitech illuminated keyboard once i get them.

 

lol, it definitely looks like the G110 will have some competition when the X4 comes out. It's cheaper and has pretty much the same features.

IMO, the X4 looks a lot nicer than the X6, with its huge size, two gigantic knobs, and unnecessary removable numpad.

The Logitech illuminated keyboard interested me as well. It looks nice and resembles a notebook keyboard, but I heard about people having problems with it failing to register multiple keys at once during gaming and, seeing as that's how I'd be using it, I have ruled it out.

 

I read the same about not registering multiple key presses or ghosting while gaming, but i use nostromo n52 for gaming, so for me its more get a better typing keyboard, i kinda like more the looks of the logitech but will see, its more the way that keys feel than anything else for me.

 

The X4 shouldn't have that problem seeing as how it can supposedly register 26 keys at once... not that you'd ever need that many...

 

There are still many keyboards (cheaper ones too) out there with mechanical key switches.

http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Mechanical+Switch+Keyboards+Sorted+By+Switch

I have been considering the "iOne Scorpius M10" and various unicom keyboards for a while. Getting sick of my Logitech Wave.

 

Good link. Thanks

 

I just got the Logitech Illuminated keyboard, i might do a more detail review or side by side when i get the x4, but for the first time i liked the key feeling on a logitech keyboard, they barely do any noise while still keeping the nice feeling to the touch, its very similar to a laptop keyboard, but better construction and feeling, the illumination is awesome, even better than i expected, i dont see background light just on top of each key, but even with all this, it might not be for me... the keyboard lays to low, i might have to get used to this new position, but i almost cant lay my hands on the desk cause of this, its very slim also, it might be just getting used to it, but its certainly different than what im used to with a normal keyboard, ill use it for some time see if i get used to, but i got a feeling that im gona like more x4 because only of this reason, but its a well constructed beautiful keyboard.