Of course, the most notable aspect of this keyboard is the illumination of the keys. It is the main draw, perhaps more than anything else offered by the Merc Stealth, since a keyboard is used for much more than just gaming. Not only does a cool, all-black keyboard go easy on the eyes, but being able to change the colors of each letter and symbol on the keys makes using a computer slightly more appealing.
You can toggle between three colors: red, blue, purple; also three brightness settings: subtle, ambient, intense (also off). It never gets old changing the colors around, and playing/typing in the dark is possible, if you are into that sort of experience. If nothing else, taking something that epitomizes work and boredom, and making it cool and stylish will make any computer that much more enjoyable.
Perhaps the most convenient feature is the inclusion of the two USB ports along the upper edge. Though USB ports are becoming more and more numerous on computers, the two extra for any hardcore gamer’s accessories doesn’t hurt. You may actually like the easier access to a USB port for those things you keep unplugging, such as jump drives and mice.
The headphone and microphone jacks at the top are nice, though the wire on the earphones will need to be long because the wire will either need to go over the keys or go under the keyboard. So the jacks could have gone at the bottom edge, but it shouldn’t be a big deal. I almost thought the headphone jack didn’t work until I realized the two connectors on the USB wire needed to be plugged in as well. Also, there was a slight buzz in my earphones through the keyboard, but it was only heard on little or no volume, and it could just be my board; no big deal either way.
Gaming
The only part to this keyboard gamers are interested in is the part that helps them play games. The game pad on the left side is positioned similar to those keyboards you’ve seen that are split in the middle and bend inward. The 11 degree tilt does feel more comfortable and is more natural at the end of the day.
The keys themselves are each designed with gaming in mind. The WASD setup of most games is transferred here into larger, more rounded keys, and being made of rubber allows more grip. The keys around this main cluster are more or less nothing new, but it’s that each key is different; some are rounded, others are dimpled, and the rest are wider. Also along the left rim and above the game pad is a row of specialized keys. There is also the Z Engine key that brings up the software as well as: volume controls, video controls, the illumination keys, and programmable web keys (the three roman numerals).
The change that will please any PC gamer is the stacked number keys. Most typists don’t quite master the exact distance to each normal number key, hence the birth of the num pad. The number keys on the Merc Stealth are smaller than usual and there are eleven of them. Even if you have to look at the keys, just the fact that all your spells and/or weapons are reachable by one hand will save you from many a goblin/soldier attack. Over time, the cluster of game keys will be easy to memorize and easy to play with.
