Logitech G513 CARBON - CARBON

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The wrist rest itself is one of the most luxurious and comfortable wrist rests I have ever had the pleasure of using. I will frequently take it with me for use with the G Pro keyboard, too. (I have even been known to use it while playing Xbox so that I can rest my hand on the desk in premium comfort. It’s unorthodox, but it works!) On paper, the Logitech G513 Carbon is a typical 101-key typer, with 12 additional keycaps available in the box (replacements for the WASD and function keys); these have angled tops for your fingers to distinguish by feel. But don't judge this keyboard by its key count and specs alone—the G513 Carbon pulls off a sophisticated look with a unique set of key switches that don't quite parallel anything in Cherry's portfolio. The Romer-G switches aren't as sharp or snappy in their key-press response, but they feel sturdy and make the G513 Carbon a lot quieter to type on than most mechanical keyboards.

The G513 is a very comfortable keyboard; compact, yet with a pleasing angle and a wrist rest deep enough to support even larger hands. I spent multiple hours playing PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds and never felt any wrist strain or general fatigue while using this keyboard. Another big change from the G413 is the inclusion of full RGB lighting, as opposed to the former model's single-color setup. The change has brought this keyboard in-line with other high-end mechanical boards in terms of vibrant, customizable RGB light shows. Logitech’s Romer-G switches do a great job with lighting as it only comes through the keycaps instead of from underneath the keys themselves, and the effect looks fantastic glowing through each key’s iconography. I was, however, impressed with the RGB effects shining through those legends. I found them to be particularly vibrant, with a crisp, precise feel to each color and very little blur between wave effects. There is a little bleed around the bottom of the caps, but everything generally feels remarkably restrained yet bright. Performance Like nearly all of its gaming peripherals, the G513 Carbon utilizes Logitech’s Gaming Software for lighting customization and recording macros. I used an updated version of the client to review the G513, and while there’s little in the way of changes from recent iterations of the software, it’s fairly easy to use. Most notably, the G513 takes advantage of Logitech’s LIGHTSYNC functionality, which is similar to Razer’s Chroma or Alienware’s AlienFX. This system allows for deep customization of lighting animations synced to games and other compatible Logitech devices. There’s even an applet within the software that changes the colors on the G513 in-time with on-screen color changes. The new Logitech G560 speakers use the same tech to sync lighting with in-game action.As usual with Logitech’s Gaming Software, you can also assign lighting and macros—the latter using a convenient drag-and-drop setup—to specific game titles. The software will scan your PC and look for compatible games, so the setup is fairly straightforward and simple. A couple of excellent features that make the G513 even better are the inclusion of a USB passthrough and two cable channels underneath. G513 is crafted from incredibly strong and durable 5052 aluminum-magnesium alloy which allows for both a minimal design and a beautiful aesthetic. The rigidity of 5052 alloy also provides a sturdy, non-slip chassis that houses a full suite of features for an unbeatable gaming experience. title=More%20Expert%20Tech%20Roundups&type=articles%2Cvideos&tags=tech-roundup&count=6&columnCount=6&theme=article One of the stand out design features that set the G513 apart from the vast majority of gaming keyboards is its aircraft-grade aluminium-alloy body. This brushed finish gives the G513 a premium and sturdy feel while giving it an air of elegance usually absent from gaming keyboards.

G513 can be customizable per key with approximate 16.8 M colors. Create your own animations or choose from a selection of preset effects. And with LIGHTSYNC technology, lighting is driven by games, audio, or your screen to deliver the most immersive RGB experience ever. Of course, the G513 Carbon being a gaming keyboard and the year being 2018, there would simply have to be an RGB lighting angle.

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Notably absent from the mix are the dedicated macro/media keys and controls found on many gaming keyboards in this price range. An equivalent to the Corsair K95's volume roller, for one, would have been appreciated in a board at this price.