Peripherals News - Page 1

Adding RGB to anything and everything related or adjacent to PC gaming is something we've all been observing for years. The idea of adding lights to a mouse mat isn't new, and there are several options out there. That said, they all do the same thing: putting an LED light strip around the edge of the mousepad.

The new Razer Firefly V2 Pro does things a little differently. Razer describes it as "the world's first LED backlit gaming mouse mat." The Razer Firefly V2 Pro (available in Black and White) features a frosted surface to catch the light, and it has a 15-zone LED backlight system similar to a traditional LED LCD monitor, amplifying the lighting to spread it around the mouse mat.

Now, you're probably wondering why. You're probably wondering how distracting it could be to have a fully lit mouse mat with a bright neon glow. As with anything RGB, the best thing is to embrace it - and join the party.

With the release of the Fallout TV series on Prime Video, a Fallout 4 remaster coming later this month, and everything post-apocalyptic still as popular as ever, Elgato has just launched a new limited-edition line-up of Fallout gear created in collaboration with Bethesda. The line-up includes a Fallout Edition Stream Deck, Wave DX, Wave XLR, and Wave Mic Arm LP.

This is the first time Elgato has developed a custom dynamic microphone, audio interface, or boom arm, so it's also offering Vault Overseer Kits that bundle the new Fallout gear. But it doesn't stop there, as Elgato and Bethesda are offering some very cool bonus digital goodies for fans that draw on the franchise's long history of mods and customization.

Available separately and free for all Elgato users (via the Elgato Marketplace), you can now download Pip-Boy-inspired icons for the Stream Deck, Vault-Tec Stream Deck screensavers, and a voice modifier that includes several presets and settings to make you sound like another wastelander wandering the wastes.

The new Logitech G PRO X 60 LIGHTSPEED Gaming Keyboard is the company's latest flagship keyboard for competitive gaming. The overall design and features were tailored with insight and input from over 70 pro players. According to Logitech, developing the new PRO X involved eight rounds of research and testing and the creation of 30 or more prototypes.

The Logitech G PRO X 60 LIGHTSPEED Gaming Keyboard falls into the 60-percent form factor range, the preferred size for portability and compact performance. Pro gamers gravitate toward this form factor because it also leaves ample room for mouse movement.

As a 60-percent keyboard, it's missing several keys, but all those features and more can still be accessed via Logitech's new remapping and secondary functionality KEYCONTROL system.

ASUS announced the ROG Keris II Ace ultralight gaming mouse at CES 2024. This mouse follows up on the excellent ASUS ROG Keris Wireless AimPoint we reviewed in 2022. The Keris II includes several upgrades, notably the reduced ultralight build, which is now just 54 - 20 grams lighter than the original.

In addition, the optical sensor has been upgraded to the new ROG AimPoint Pro, which features 42,000 DPI sensitivity with less than 1% deviation and can accurately track on glass. With ROG Polling Rate Booster and ROG SpeedNova wireless technology, you can get up to 4,000 Hz polling rate over wireless and 8,000 Hz in wired mode.

Interestingly, ASUS has made significant changes to the shape. The new esports professional-tested ergonomic shape includes a higher bump on the body compared to the original and most gaming mice with

The Sabrent 7-Port Hub with Switches (HB-3A4C) is a straightforward device. It's a USB-C hub with three 5Gbps USB-A ports and four 5Gbps USB-C ports, one of which can deliver an impressive 20W of power. If you're in the market for a hub, then this is definitely one to consider, as each port also comes with its own switch and LED indicator to make managing multiple connected devices a breeze.

With charging and hosting, this powered hub arrives with a dedicated power adapter to ensure reliability when connecting multiple accessories and devices. One of the key features of the hub is the per-port switches that let you enable and disable devices without having to plug or unplug them. This is an excellent feature for external devices like an Xbox controller or headset - allowing you to turn them on and off with a button.

And some good news: there's no need for additional software. Simply plug in the single USB Type-C interface to your PC, laptop, smartphone, or portable gaming handheld like the ROG Ally or Steam Deck, and you're ready.

MSI has announced a new affordable gear range, the FORGE Series. This range will comprise FORCE G for gamers and FORGE (non-G), which is "ideal for office use and professional environments." The first products to carry the new FORGE branding are the FORGE GK100 keyboard and FORGE GM100 mouse, available as part of the FORGE GK100 COMBO.

The first thing that stands out here is the FORGE GK100 keyboard's physical design and look. It looks like a PC gaming peripheral from the early 2000s-the complete opposite of the more minimal keyboard designs of recent years. MSI made a bold choice, and it will be interesting to see if it catches on. If you're a fan of angles and sci-fi flourishes with plenty of RGB, you're sorted.

Based on the specs, at least with this first offering, the FORGE series should be affordable for budget-conscious gamers. MSI describes the switches as "durable" but provides no other information, so they're likely not mechanical. The FORGE GM100 mouse also sports a modest 6,400 DPI optical sensor.

The Cooler Master MK770 Hybrid Wireless Keyboard is described as a 'state-of-the-art mechanical gaming keyboard' with 'unparalleled customization' and 'outstanding gaming performance.'

And sure, companies love to talk up new releases. Still, with Cooler Master's mechanical keyboard track record and the fact that the new Cooler Master MK770 also comes in a stylish (and not for everyone) pastel color option, like me, you probably want to know more.

This is a premium feature-packed mechanical keyboard with a reasonable price point of $129 USD. With this, you get hot-swappable switches for that extra layer of customization, a gasket structure, pre-installed KailhBox V2 switches, silicon dampers to keep noise levels down, per-key customizable RGB lighting, double-shot PBT keycaps, stabilizers, and more.

The new CSTM65 Keyboard from Drop is a compact 65% mechanical keyboard that aims to take customization to new heights thanks to its interchangeable magnetic case (available in polycarbonate or aluminum) that can easily slip on or off the keyboard while covering the entirety of the board.

It's an excellent addition to a customization-focused keyboard, with various keycap options, switches (Gateron Brown Pro 3.0 Switches or Gateron Yellow KS3 Switches), weights, and even cables. This mix-and-match design lets users personalize theDrop CSTM65 Keyboard to suit their style. Polycarbonate cases are sold separately, in a range of colors, for $25 each, with aluminum cases available in silver or black for $59 each.

The specs here are impressive, with a gasket-mounted design, ABS keycaps, PCBA-mounted stabilizers, and 5-pin switch support. The Drop CSTM65 Keyboard is available in a barebone (MSRP $79) and fully assembled (MSRP $129). Fully assembled includes the keyboard, keycaps, switches, stabilizers, and black polycarbonate case.

Corsair has launched a brand-new wireless keyboard for enthusiasts and gamers with the new K65 PLUS WIRELESS, and it looks beautiful thanks to the 75%-layout and stylish two-tone keycaps. Compact, powerful, and wireless, it ticks and checks many of the most sought-after boxes and features for a high-end keyboard.

With two layers of sound-dampening foam and silicon, screw-in stabilizers, and PBT dye-sublimated keycaps (in midnight gray and silver), the K65 PLUS WIRELESS comes pre-installed (and pre-lubed) with Corsair's impressive MLX Red switches that we recently saw in the award-winning Corsair K70 CORE SE - which are hot-swappable so you can swap them out for full customization.

On that front, to coincide with the launch of the K65 PLUS WIRELESS, DROP Holy Panda X tactile switches are currently 50% off (via DROP.com). The K65 PLUS is a wireless keyboard with low-latency 2.4GHz for gamers, Bluetooth for mobile devices and tablets, and the ability to connect and switch between multiple devices. It's also compatible with PC and Mac.

ASUS announced the ROG Falchion RX Low Profile 65% compact (and wireless) gaming keyboard at CES 2024, and it immediately grabbed our attention based on its sleek and stylish design. Also, it's not every day that you see a low-profile keyboard designed for gaming - with the ROG Falchion RX Low Profile using ASUS's new pre-lubed RX Low-Profile switches.

The Red Linear version features a 1.0 mm actuation point for fast input, with a feel and rebound designed to provide the feedback you're after in a keystroke and paired with two layers of dampening foam, a touch panel, and tri-mode connectivity (wired, Bluetooth, and ROG SpeedNova wireless), the hardware here sounds impressive. Of course, a big part of the appeal here is the look.

With a white, grey, and reflective surface appearance, the ROG Falchion RX Low Profile looks futuristic, sleek, and stunning. Somehow, ASUS managed to fit the 65% form factor and key layout in a 60% frame, so there's not a millimeter of wasted space.