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The gaming market has been thriving in 2011 thanks to a steady release of quality products from Razer, Steelseries and Thermaltake. Today we are looking at the new Tt eSPORTS MEKA G Unit Gaming Keyboard which is targeted at the FPS, RTS and MMORPG audience.
In a similar fashion to the MEKA keyboard which we reviewed in July, the MEKA G Unit is supplied with quality Cherry MX Black switches which deliver a ‘normal' noise level and a life expectancy of over 50 million keystrokes.
Cherry Mechanical switches are some of the best available today and the Black switches have a travel distance of 3.6 mm. If you have never used a mechanical keyboard before then the changeover will be dramatic. The technology is superior to anything on the market.
The MEKA G Unit keyboard is supplied with 2 USB hubs to support other devices, and there is an advanced anti ghosting function, meaning that 46 keys can be pressed anywhere on the board without interference. It also features a 1000hz polling rate, which is ‘8' times faster than a regular board. This is to improve problems with lag.
The keyboard has illuminated sections with brightness control, a large 64kb memory buffer for saving configurations from over 20 macro keys. With the Instant Switch System in place, gamers can access all 60 macro keys in one simple profile.
The MEKA G Unit packaging is dramatic and very eye catching, with an image of the keyboard on the left, in front of a firey background. The box measures 553 mm x 271 mm x 70 mm (LxWxH).
When the outer box is opened the user is presented with a full colour overview of the keyboard, which highlights some of the functionality. There are two smaller packages, one containing literature, and a felt pouch which contains the USB cable.
The bundle contains two stickers, a user manual and warranty information.
The little felt pouch contains a quality braided cable to connect the keyboard to the computer. The connectors are gold plated.
Unlike the MEKA, which we reviewed in July, the G Unit is a full sized keyboard. It measures 517 mm x 233mm x 35.8mm (LxWxH).
The keyboard is very heavy and is clearly designed to withstand abuse and rough handling under daily circumstances. The rear is nicely designed and almost looks like the hull of a spaceship.
Each side has a movable section which raises the keyboard at the back to adjust the typing angle.
At the top left of the keyboard are three switches, which toggle between macro profiles. There is also a button in this area to disable the Windows Key when gaming. Top right are various keys which can be used for media functionality.
The macro keys are positioned on the left of the keyboard, from T1 to T12 -we will discuss these more later in the review.
Each side of the keyboard is accented with a red strip. which looks quite attractive.
At the rear of the keyboard are two USB hubs, and a headphone and microphone port.
Thermaltake have supplied the keyboard cable separately, which means that if it gets damaged then it can be simply replaced. There is a routing path cut into the keyboard underneath as can be seen in the image above.
The keyboard is supplied with a detachable palm rest which matches the design. It clips into both sides and there is an additional support section for added rigidity.
The palm rest improves comfort and the company logo takes centerstage in the middle.
It might be slightly difficult to see in these images above, but various keys on the board, such as the W,A,S,D and 2,4,6 and 8 can be adjusted across 4 levels of brightness. There is a ‘light' switch top right of the keyboard which toggles between the various settings – more on this later.
On this page we present some super high resolution images of the product taken with the 24.5MP Nikon D3X camera and 24-70mm ED lens. These will take much longer to open due to the dimensions, especially on slower connections. If you use these pictures on another site or publication, please credit Kitguru.net as the owner/source.
The software is downloaded from the Tt ESPORTS website and only takes a few seconds to install.
The software package is accessed from the Windows task bar. The Graphical User Interface loads in a few seconds and communicates with the keyboard. There are two modes: ‘normal' mode and ‘gaming' mode.
Macro functionality is accessed from the Macro Key button on the right hand side of the GUI. The user can create new macros which can be recorded directly from the keyboard. Delay time is also included. Users can adjust the delay time by pressing “Adjust Delay Time”.
When the recording is finished, the STOP button can be pressed. If needed, the macro key contents can be adjusted by pressing “∧/Up”, ” ∨/Down” or the “Del” button. The delay time between key actions can also be adjusted as well.
Normal mode and Gaming mode offer completely different sets of Macros for the end user. Macro's can then be set to a ‘T key'.
If the user presses the “INSTANT SHIFT SYS.” button beneath the GUI, the “Instant Shift Sys.” screen will appear as shown above.
Select the profile you want and assign one quick key (Shift/Ctrl/Alt) and you can reach all 60 T Keys within one profile.
You can select a Macro setting from the drop list to assign a T Key. For REPEAT actions, you have the following selections. Once : It repeats the Macro key function once when the key is pressed. Multiple Times : You can enter repeat count to your preference. When Press & Hold :It repeats the preset function when you press and hold on to the Macro keys function. Until Pressed Next Time: Press the Macro key once and it repeats the function until any key is pressed.
You can assign any key as another key definition within the standard key area. After completing the macro key (T Key) or single key setting in each individual profile, you MUST save the profile configuration into the keyboard memory or the configuration will fail to set up properly.
T keys can also be set up as a launch program function. Simply browse to the correct EXE file to setup the Launch function. The refresh icon at the top right of the panel is actually a ‘reset' button, not a refresh button. The large ‘R' allows you to register the keyboard with Thermaltake.
The light options are useful. The image above shows ‘red' marked keys. These are lit up by default. The row of buttons along the bottom are based on the strength of the lighting from 1 to IV which translates to 0% / 33% / 66% / 100% lighting. Unfortunately there is no way to light all the keys.
There is also a ‘pulse' option, which can be seen in the video above.
Test System:
Processor: Intel Core i7 990x @ 4.2ghz
Cooler: Noctua NH D14
Motherboard: Sapphire X58 Pure Black
Memory: Kingston 6GB H20 @ 2133mhz 9-10-9-28 1T
Graphics: Sapphire HD6950 FleX CFx
Monitors: Dell U2410 x 3
Chassis: Raven 02
To get the most from the MEKA G keyboard, the proprietary software and driver should be installed to improve functionality and to offer Macro functionality.
As with the previous MEKA keyboard we have reviewed, Thermaltake have opted for the Cherry MX Black switches which they say are the ‘number one' choice for gamers.
As this is predominately a gaming keyboard, we tested with a variety of games, such as Black Ops and Crysis 2 and found that it delivered great real world results, being both responsive and quick to react when in demanding situations.
As I don't play MMORPG's or RPG games I gave the MEKA G Unit to my younger brother who is a World Of WarCraft aficionado/fanatic. I left him on his own to set the keyboard up and he mentioned later that it took him a while finding the software on the TTeSports Site. For those also having problems head to the TTeSports home page, then go to Support/ Downloads & FAQ/ Product/ Gaming Keyboard/ MEKA GUnit/ Driver. Then search and download. It will find a 5,011k compressed file. Extract and then run the EXE file. Finally a reboot will be required.
Initially he said he had to spend time working out how to record the Macros, but after half an hour or so he was setting up recordings for WOW like a pro. In the end he didn't want to give me the keyboard back to finish the review, so we can consider that to be a huge success. The palm rest is very comfortable and will help support a gamer when fragging online over long sessions. It is a heavy keyboard which won't move at all when gaming, making it ideal for intense situations.
While gamers will clearly find this keyboard a pleasure to use, a wide portion of the audience will need the keyboard to handle other duties – after all most of us aren't clan gamers. I normally type thousands of words every day, and a great keyboard can positively influence my working day.
Sadly, I find the Cherry MX black switches to feel slightly ‘spongy'. This is a criticism I have pointed out before and while it is very much personal taste, I could not use this keyboard on a daily basis for work duties. This is a shame, as it looks great, and is a fantastic choice for gaming.
I tend to use either a DAS Professional keyboard, or my trusty MX3000 which use Cherry MX Blue stem and MX Brown switches. The reason for this is simple, the black switches only give feedback when they reach the very bottom of the length of travel. I was trained as a touch typist on old IBM keyboards and they have always felt natural to me.
Unlike the more compact MEKA, the keyboard layout on the MEKA G Unit is as good as I have seen. There is a double width return key, a full sized numerical pad at the right and the spacing is just right across the full width. The media keys are also very handy, even though I wouldn't really miss their omission on a day to day basis.
When typing, my performance dropped from 120 wpm to around 100 wpm … this is always the case when I use the MX Black switches, my speed immediately suffers.
The last time I reviewed a Thermaltake keyboard people asked me to explain the differences between the Cherry switches:
Cherry MX Blue – (Click Tactile)
The Blue switch provides a tactile feel and an audible “click” when pressed. These are the noisiest, but also my favourite for fast and heavy duty typing sessions.
Keyboards that use these switches: Das Keyboard Model S Professional, Das Keyboard Model S Ultimate, Razer BlackWidow Ultimate, Razer BlackWidow
Cherry MX Brown – (Soft Tactile)
The Brown switch provides a similar tactile feel as the Blue, but is softer and lacks the audible “click.” They are almost as good for speed typing as the MX Blue, but remove a lot of the noise which can annoy people in your vicinity. Consider this is a ‘middle ground compromise' switch.
Keyboards that use these switches: Das Keyboard Model S Professional Silent, Das Keyboard Model S Ultimate Silent
Cherry MX Black – (Non-tactile Linear Action)
The Black switch is a non-tactile linear action switch, it is quiet and won't annoy people in the vicinity. This switch is popular for gamers, especially when the demand is there for quick double tapping of keys. They are the worst however for speed typing.
Keyboards that use Cherry MX Black: Thermaltake MEKA range, SteelSeries 6GV2, SteelSeries 7G
The Tt eSPORTS MEKA G Unit Keyboard is a fantastic design and is without a doubt their best keyboard yet. The product is built to last, and will make a great partner for a gamer who demands minimal lag, and fast response times.
As a gaming keyboard, there is little to fault. The lighting options are useful, although we can't imagine too many hardcore gamers will need backlit W,A,S,D, Control or 2,4,6 and 8 keys as their eyes will be focused completely on the screen.
The Macro functionality has been well developed and the software is robust and works exactly as it should, which is refreshing as the product could have been hampered if this was flaky or broken.
Cherry MX Black Switches are popular with gamers and it is a logical move for TtEsports to use them for the MEKA G Unit. They are after all quiet, and long lasting – rated to 50 million keystrokes or more.
On a personal level, I find the MX Black switches to the be the least appealing in the Cherry range due to the non tactile linear design. When gaming, its perfectly fine, but once I had to use it for work related duties I ended up swearing at the screen. I noticed my speed dropping off to just under 100 words per minute and I started to make typing errors as I was used to the ‘clicky' tactile response of the other switches in their range. As I said however, this is very much down to personal taste.
I can live with the MX Brown switches on a day to day basis, but I easily prefer the MX Blue as an ‘overall solution'. This is why I mainly use the DAS Professional Keyboard, although I have a soft spot for the Razer BlackWidow Ultimate, which is, in my opinion the best gaming keyboard on the market.
It would be a great move if Thermaltake could offer an upcoming gaming keyboard with a choice of black/brown or blue Cherry switches, because if the MEKA G Unit was equipped with MX Blue switches it could very well be the best all round keyboard on the planet. In my humble opinion anyway.
Pricing is expected to be $129.99 which should translate to just over £100 in the UK. It faces some stiff competition at this price, but if your primary duties are gaming then it makes for a wise investment.
Pros:
- Built like a tank.
- Macro system will prove useful for MMORPG gamers.
- No corners cut, quality in all areas.
- one of the best gaming keyboards on the market.
Cons:
- Not ideal for serious typing or work related duties.
- Would be nice if the whole keyboard could light up.
Kitguru says: A great hardcore gaming keyboard, but if you don't like MX Black Switches then look elsewhere, this won't change your opinion.
I am a member of a clan, and I like the black switches, but I havent tried the blue cherry switches yet. my friend has a cherry keyboard with the brown switches and I like them more. I do type a lot also and I agree with reviewers opinions. I dont understand why black is the ‘gamers choice’. I know some say that rapid key pressing is better, but I tried this out myself and I dont understand why it would be. It doesnt make a difference.
It would be a great idea of gaming companies would offer more choice. maybe have a coloured sticker on the front for the switches used and offer more ethan one choice. but it might be costly for the company involved as three different vresions would need to be made.
I like it. shame they dont allow a setting for full backlighting.
Yeah nice looking keyboard, but its very expensive, or am I just poor ? 🙁
I have an older microsoft keyboard and I want to upgrade, but my budget is £50. this is going to be twice my budget. I shall aim lower !
It looks well made and ill shortlist it. hopefully our local store gets one in to play with.
It looks well made and ill shortlist it. hopefully our local store gets one in to play with.
These keyboards cost so much money, maybe im just skint, but once it hits £60 I start backing away.
I can’t believe that it is not fully backlighted. I am sure there is somewhere a setting or you don’t had the final driver version as it is not on the market yet. Doesn’t make sence to light up only the view key on which you have always your fingers while gaming.
Honestly, I have used a Keyboard with Cherry MX blacks and I didn’t really like it for typing or gaming. I’m a lot faster at rapid key presses on my Razer BlackWidow that runs Cherry MX blues. I realize that the key press happens about half way down on the blue versus the black that happens at the bottom but, honestly I have gotten used to rapid key pressing by holding the key very close to the actuation point and just moving it that tiny bit up and down. Works well for me. This definitely wouldn’t be for me as the backlighting isn’t across the whole keyboard. I feel like that is a shoddy half attempt at backlighting if the whole thing doesn’t light up.
I mean come on, as gamers, most of us probably know where WASD is just by habit. The rest of the keys on the other hand….. ;-P
I would really like to see a version with full backlight and Cherry Mx Brown.
I’ve got a Meka and I like it, but one of the keys has a slight squeak, is that a warranty job?