Oh great, another gaming keyboard from Logitech with an LCD that the gaming industry won't support thus making it useless once again! Thanks logitech, but I'll pass this time around.

Um, didn't the original G15 offer that same feature, just the LCD flipped up instead? Oh, and the backlighting was blue instead of orange.

I have the original G15 (guess I can call it Mk1 now) and it's the best keyboard I ever had. Question is, will the new G15 design and specs be that much better to justify another $100 spendt on gaming accessory? Hm.
Maybe, if the LCD screen has better resolution this time and possiby more colors it would be cooler to program custom apps for it, the old one was cool enough but a bit limited. They have removed a lot of "G" keys from the G15 on this new model, which is good in my opinion, I never use like half of them on my current G15.
And orange > blue backlight =) Go Logitech!

Why would you pay $240 when you could buy a nice 19" LCD monitor for less than this and have it do the same thing? Or perhaps a small 10" color LCD?

It's amazing how many "neat" ideas others have that duplicate what is already ongoing?

Darn those automatic logon programs.

I love my "old" G15 keyboard. Best one I've ever owned. For gaming, the backlighting is the best feature. As to the LCD, one of my favorite functions is the countdown timer, so I don't get too carried away when playing and my wife doesn't get too upset.

Ahem... you know, I never look at my keyboard while using it... comes with typing for over 15 years.

ORANGE! Go Longhorns!

Hey bonus to them for at least getting the Insert/Delete Home/End Page Up and Down keys in the correct configuration.

I don't like that they removed most of the side G-Keys. What I liked doing was setting the middle keys as movement keys and the upper and lower as various functions. Worked really well in WoW and most FPS games I played. But hey, the new one has an orange light so I guess that is something.

ok, what gamer is going to take the time to look down at the 2 inch screen on their keyboard in the middle of a game? and you can download programs for free that have more customization options for macros than this keyboard. but you know, a sucker is born every minute.

I use the original G15 and it rocks. I can read my Xfire messages while in game or have it show my WoW and BF2 stats. It's $99(probably $70 retail) and worth every cent. Definitely the gamers keyboard.
If you don't appreciate this keyboard, then you probably think all mice "do the trick" also.

Another keyboard released with no details on the key technology.

I'm assuming this is yet another rubber-mat-and-membrane affair that'll be just as horrid to type on as the legion of keyboards before me.

I'll stick to my current mechanical Cherry-MX-tactile-click based one until they wise up.

[)amien

"in game status" Do people ever look at their keyboard when playing a game?

The peeve I have with my G15 (MkI) is that it doesn't have a non-slip base, so it tends to "roam" around my desk a lot in the heat of battle.

Logitech, please make this one LESS MOBILE.

I think the original poster misinterpreted this press release. This is merely a revision of the G15, which had an LCD in its previous model as well.

The actual differences appear to be:

* Change from blue to orange backlight
* Reduction of macroable "G-keys" from 18 to 6
* Change from adjustable angle LCD display hinged at top edge of keyboard to fixed angle display embedded in keyboard, and display control buttons moved down correspondingly
* Change from backlit black on bluish-white LCD to amber on black
* Media player controls reduced in size and moved to the sides of the display
* Volume control changed from dial to buttons
* Ctrl keys given angled corners
* Windows key icons covered with a clear, round window to make them stand out better
* M1, M2, M3, and MR macro keys, as well as Windows Key disable switch, mute button, and backlight control button made thinner and glossier
* Removal of "Shift" and "Enter" text on main keyboard keys
* Centering of some previously asymmetrical key icons
* Minor repositioning of USB ports, backlight control button.
* Other minor accents and branding changes

Overall, it doesn't look so much like an exciting new announcement as an attempt to cut the cost and the complexity of manufacturing the G15, with a reduction in features and a possibly easier-to-read display, and I would probably be slightly disappointed if I were forced to switch from my current G15 to the new model.

I personally like the redesign. I own the original G15 and love it. The only beef I have with the original is the 2 USB 1.1 ports, so as a new revision in this day and age I would hope Logitech made those USB ports version 2.0 by now. I do not see a reason to switch from the old revision to the new revision, but if anyone is considering the original G15/G11 maybe this might be a better option.

This looks like a down-grade from the orginal G15.

I use the original, and like others I can easily say it is the best keyboard I have ever used.

The LCD is very useful, though not so much for the general game applications. I use it to control my mp3 player during a game, and to see who is speaking on Vent.

The only real downside for me is that it is absolutely enormous.

You guys poo poo-ing on the G15 LCD screen are obviously just using the basic programs Logitech offers.

Load "LCDStudio" then get back with us, because once you can "roll your own" LCD apps the little screen becomes something you cant live without. Trust me, LCDStudio is so easy to use my 14 year old daughter figured it out.

With the removal of 2/3 of the programmable side keys (it used to have 3 groupings of 6 keys each) this looks like a downgrade.

:(

Though technically considered a gaming keyboard, this thing (the original model at least) has been a godsend for me at work. I'm a CAD designer and have each of the 54 keys programmed. At first it seems too complicated to be useful but after a few months I honestly couldn't imagine working without it. Add to that the fact that many of the standard LCD programs I find useful (Such as performance monitor for RAM usage). The main reason I'm actually posting though is to tell you that downgrading from 54 keys to 18 makes thing nothing more then a triviality. Shame on you Logitech. I better be able to find the original on ebay if mine ever breaks down!

I've got one of the current G15's, and I love it. I play World of Warcraft (which the LCD in the pictures above is showing a stats screen of on its LCD), and when I'm doing raids, it shows who is speaking on Ventrilo (voice server), as well as gives me a single place to look when I want to check my vital stats.

Excellent gaming keyboard, definitely worth the upgrade!

You know for a minute there I was pissed, because I seriously just ordered a new g15 mk1 from amazon because my old one broke on me. The I took a good look at this thing and realized that I think I'd rather the old one than the new.

The new LOOKS much spiffier than mk1 but only 6 gkeys? That sucks. Plus I liked the positional screen better than this. /shrug

And for you guys that say the screen is worthless, you're uninformed. Yes there might be little in the way of official uses for the screen, but its been invaluable for with with programs like Vent and TS which do support the screen and the wealth of community made plugins that are available for many games, and also add the ability to monitor computer functions and statuses.

I agree, the original G15 is far too big and bulky. Awkward to bring to LAN parties! Judging by the images this looks much more compact than its predecessor and a sweet design! (I only ever use about 6 of the G-Keys on my G15 anyway) Loving the orange backlight...gimme gimme gimme

does anyone have issues with the original G15's led? mine quits after a while (the screen stays on but its blank; the volume dial works though) but I cant see anything. The only solution is to restart the whole computer. Other than that it was a worthwhile $35 investment. I like having 2 easily accessible USB ports at my disposal.

Keep in mind that just like the original G15, hackers and modders are going to jump on this since I am assuming logitech will provide open source to allow individuals to cater it to their liking

This, to me personally, is more of a downgrade than an upgrade. I use *all* of the g-keys and constantly reposition the screen when I lean back, etc. However, this only applies to me personally and I am sure there are many people lusting after this piece of hardware. I doubt any one would upgrade from the original to this one, though. Just not enough improvements to warrant spending that much cash.

The orange (amber) lights go with their new color scheme. See their new remote control mouse which I love: www.logitech.com/index.cfm/mice_pointers/mice/devices/3443&cl=us,en
(Sorry, you'll have to copy the link, the commenting system wouldn't let me put the whole link in). Anyway, too bad they didn't make it cordless, I'd be all over it.

LCD looks smaller than current G15. Orange backlight is nasty. Thanks, but no thanks.

Looks like the reduction of physical G keys is to shorten the width of the keyboard. Check the picture for those three "M1-M3" buttons at the top left, they are probably switches for the G keys, giving you all 18 functions.

Meh, I'd be all for this version if it was blue instead of orange. Hopefully my current G15 never dies.

Looks like I should get in on ordering my G15 soon I guess... I much prefer the old Mk1 to this and would hate to miss out on it.

I also have an original G15. Here are the advantages (IMHO of course) that Mk1 has over Mk2:
1. Blue back light on all the keys works better than the orange/black with most modern desk and electronic aesthetics.
2.LCD is easy to read because of a white backlight (although mine seems dim.. hmm)
3. LCD is positional (meaning you can angle it to your eye level) Or close it completely for transport.
4. 3x as many physical G-keys. (and yes the Mk1 has M1, M2, and M3)
5. the handles make it easy to carry, and it really isn't that huge if you have a fair sized desk. I like the stablitity of the form factor.Hell it could be a little heavier for my taste to keep it in place more securely.
6. I suppose since it is light for its size it is easy to pack up and move.
7. physical windows-key switch makes me happy :)
8. Oh hell blue and black just look better than halloween-all-year-long to me.

I think the only advantages here are the smaller form factor because of the reduced G Key count (if that's an advantage to your application) and that the USB ports could be upgraded to support 2.0 and possibly full power? (only some powered devices work now) The BIGGEST advantage I see is that the soft keys and the play/pause/etc buttons are easy to reach and see and look more substantial than Mk1's.

Hope this helps!

bring on the optimus keyboard

@aponly: Partially because this keyboard costs 99$...?

@klew: The original G15 has the 3 M-keys as well. Which means it has 54 macro keys.

Releasing a lesser product a year and a half after its predecessor makes no sense...obviously it's not a downgrade! Apart from looking a lot slicker than MKI, having less G-keys means this one will actually fit on your desk! ;)

I've been a gamer since Beyond the Titanic (text based). I can say that the G15-MK1 was totally worth buying. For those that say "oh but I never look at my keyboard" here's a few reasons it kicks butt.
1: Original placement of Home Ins Page Up.. etc bank.
2: Large keys (fat man friendly :P)
3: Lots of macros. You may not use all of them, then again you may, depends what you play. (I use a lot in WoW and Counter Strike, as well as programming).
4: Some games, it's easier to read the LCD values than on screen. Best example, Timeshift.
5: LCD for other apps, like winamp or Ventrilo. This is especially great if you don't have dual monitors.
6: Heavy wearing. Had mine now for almost a year, and it's kicked around to more LANs than I'd care to tell the GF about.
7: Backlit makes it easier to type at night.

Ok so you may not use everything, but if you're one of those gamers that loves to kick around LANs, it's really a great keyboard.