SteelSeries 7G Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

When you are shopping for a gaming keyboard what features are at the forefront of your mind? If you are looking for LED backlit keys, an LCD display or macro keys then you won't find them here. Benchmark Reviews brings you the SteelSeries 7G mechanical Gaming Keyboard. SteelSeries have taken a much different approach to the gaming market with their first mechanical gaming keyboard, by bringing durability and quality in the form of individual 18k gold plated spring loaded mechanical switches. I can't say for sure if this keyboard is an IBM Model M killer because I dont own one of those, but if this keyboard lasts anywhere near as long as some of those Model M's have lasted then it will be a very worthy investment indeed.

The SteelSeries 7G sports a rigid metal inner chassis for extreme strength and each key on the 7G is an individual 18 karat gold plated and spring loaded mechanical switch which are guaranteed for 50 million presses and provide excellent tactile and audible feedback. The anti-ghosting system allows for as many simultaneous key presses as there are keys on the keyboard. If this isn't enough for you then you also have a removable wrist rest bundled with the 7G and on the back are two USB ports and headphone and microphone ports built in for added convenience when you come to attach a headset or mouse to your PC.

This is my first experience with a mechanical keyboard which means that I can't comparatively compare it to any other currently on the market, but what I can do is report back whether or not if there are any real benefits over a standard keyboard. Before we take a look at the keyboard itself, let's read up on the features and specifications of the SteelSeries 7G Mechanical Gaming Keyboard.

Manufacturer: SteelSeries
Product Name: 7G
Model Number: 64022
Price As Tested: $149.99 (PriceGrabber)

Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by SteelSeries.

Features and Specifications

Below is a snippet from the SteelSeries 7G product page:

As we began to design the 7G, we wanted to offer a keyboard that would do more than emulate the bridge console on the USS Enterprise NCC-1701 and instead, we focused on raw performance and durability.

We took a long look at the most extreme use scenarios for keyboards and designed a keyboard that would meet and (in most cases) exceed every one of them. That's why we refer to the 7G as the "heavyweight of gaming keyboards". It's not the prettiest chick in the beauty pageant. It doesn't glow or pulse. But it packs a punch. A serious one.

• GOLDEN QUALITY: 18K gold-plated mechanical switches and USB connectors for extremely low latency.
• EXTREME ANTI-GHOSTING: Allows as many simultaneous key presses as there are keys on the keyboard.
• RAPID RESPONSE TIME: No-click mechanical switches ensure low latency and fast response.
• UNRIVALED LIFECYCLE: Guaranteed keyboard lifecycle of 50 million keystrokes.
• SUPREME COMFORT: Large removable handrest assures superb comfort even during the longest gaming sessions.
• INCREASED APM: All facets of the 7G are included to increase the users' actions per minute.
• CONNECT YOUR HEADSET: Audio ports available for headphone-in and microphone-out.
• MEDIA CONTROLS: Quick access to volume, mute and other audio controls.
• DURABLE BUILD QUALITY: Durable metal inner chassis and 2 meter long deluxe braided cord.

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