I've been in love with the Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard for years now. I love the macro keys, the LCD screen, and the various buttons that do a whole host of interesting things - it basically makes multi-tasking while gaming a whole lot easier.

So, when I got a chance to play with the Logitech G19 and G11 gaming keyboards, I jumped at the opportunity (the G11 review is coming tomorrow).

First, the bad news: the G19 is, essentially, an upgraded G15. Unless your keyboard is broken or on its death bed, there really isn't much of a reason to upgrade to the G19; however, if you want to replace your keyboard with a new gaming keyboard, then the G19 fits the bill nicely (although the price tag is probably going to make you cry).

Unlike the G15, the G19's LCD screen is clear, crisp, and adjustable. Like the G15, it can be programmed to show various system or game related information, but for the most part you're going to end up using it mostly as a clock. Because of the LCD's small size, its usefulness is really limited to displaying small blocks of information, although if you're really smart you can get video to play on it - I've never successfully accomplished this, but I'm told it's possible.

The media buttons make a return in this model, along with an additional four-way keypad next to the LCD (for navigating menus on the LCD screen). Personally, I don't use these keys. Every keyboard I've owned that has had the media keys has had those keys go unused for one outstanding reason: when I'm playing a game, I usually put a whole bunch of songs into a playlist, put the media player on shuffle, and game with a random assortment of heavy metal music. Essentially, I have no use for media keys - at least on the G19 they're pretty.

While the media buttons are convenient to have, they just don't get used that often, unless it's for the occasional skip to the next track.

The programmable macro buttons are back, and I still love them. They function in essentially the same way as the G15 - you program them through Logitech's included software and they just work.

The keyboard is also tiltable and backlit. Again, two features that I think are a must have for gamers. While many professionals may not think highly of backlit keys, let me assure you that despite your experience with a QWERTY keyboard, being able to see the keys late at night is a godsend for finding the magical WSAD spot (especially when you're hopped up on Mountain Dew and Cheetos).

Overall, I like the Logitech G19 Gaming Keyboard. I don't, however, like its price. At almost $200, this is one hell of an expensive media keyboard to be purchasing. While the LCD screen accounts for most of that cost, you're just not going to be using it for much outside of a clock. Still, it's a very well made keyboard: it doesn't "feel" cheap, it "feels" like it can take a pounding from endless hours of gaming. I suspect it'll last just as long (if not longer) than my trusty G15.

Stay tuned, because tomorrow we'll review the substantially cheaper G11 Gaming Keyboard.

Do you have a question you need answered? E-mail me! lordkat@gmail.com

Click here to check out How to Build a Gaming Computer for Under $1000.

Be safe,

Jason