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. The keycaps on the G513 Carbon have a comfortable, soft-touch finish. Key spacing felt great while typing, and I rarely produced any errors while typing out long strings of text. Moreover, even with the floating design, the keycaps are solid and there’s no cheap-feeling, wiggling keys on the G513. Larger keycaps, like the spacebar in particular, don’t suffer from wobble when you’re hitting one side of the bar. Logitech has also included a set of replacement keycaps for the WASD keys as well as the Q, E, R, and 1 through 5 keys. The replacements have a satisfyingly deeper recess that cradled my fingers, and the WASD keys in particular are wonderful for gaming. This new Romer-G Linear Switch, according to Logitech, promises a quieter and 25% faster keystroke than competitors. After using the keyboard for about a week, we feel the peripheral maker has fully delivered on its claims, and has developed a key switch that’s better than the Cherry MX Red switch.

Anyway, enough about the keyboard design. It’s attractive, it’s functional, it hits all the same notes that Logitech’s been hitting for the past few years—ever since the G610/G810 at least. IDG / Hayden Dingman Unfortunately, there are no dedicated media keys or volume wheel on the G513. But the keyboard’s array of function keys do offer media control as well as other secondary actions including a key to cycle lighting effects and brightness, and to switch on a customizable game mode which prevents errant Windows key presses. As I’ll discuss later, the Logitech Gaming Software is still the preferred means for tweaking presets, but it is nice to have some functionality on-the-fly via the function keys instead of needing to do it all in software. But it’s been a long time since I’ve voluntarily kept a Logitech keyboard on my desk, and the reason is Romer-G. As I said, I hated Logitech’s proprietary switch. Modeled after the “tactile bump” of Cherry MX Browns, I nevertheless found Romer-Gs unpleasant to type on, even going so far as to compare them to the loathed rubber domes most mechanical keyboard lovers are trying to escape from.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. title=More%20Expert%20Tech%20Roundups&type=articles%2Cvideos&tags=tech-roundup&count=6&columnCount=6&theme=article The G513 now boasts a similar wrist rest. Coincidence? My guess is not. But either way, this is a great trend, in my opinion. The G513’s wrist rest is large, comfortable, and slightly more ergonomic than Razer’s—there’s a subtle slope to it, and it’s padded all the way to the edges instead of being framed by plastic. I’ve had the latter on my desk for a few weeks now and…well, that’s all I really have to say. I kept it on my desk, for weeks. IDG / Hayden Dingman While plenty of mechanical keyboards use the venerable Cherry MX switches, Logitech has for some time now opted to develop its own mechanical switches named Romer-G. The G513 uses an all-new version of the company’s proprietary switches, so instead of just one type there are now two: either Linear or Tactile. Comparatively, the Romer-G Linear is akin to a Cherry MX Red switch with a smooth, fast keystroke. The Romer-G Tactile is closer to a Cherry MX Brown, with a tactile response with each key press.

Size: First and foremost, you should make sure you're buying a keyboard that fits your desk and your hand size, whether it's a full-size keyboard or a TKL. 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. Most brushed metal finishes on PC peripherals are fingerprint magnets, but Logitech’s blend of aluminum and magnesium seems to be built to repel them. The frameless design of this keyboard also features floating keycaps that make cleaning up dust and food crumbs with a can of compressed air a lot easier.

Would I reach for a Romer-G keyboard first? Probably not. Romer-G Linear hasn’t suddenly leapfrogged to the top of my charts. But it’s a damn good step for Logitech. I’ve spent four years praising Logitech’s keyboard designs (except the short-lived G410) but not using them. Romer-G Linear finally gives me an option I’m comfortable keeping on my desk. It’s also surprisingly quiet for a mechanical keyboard switch—something office workers might be interested in. By comparison, the Romer-G Linear switch feels firm but without introducing too much resistance. Thanks to the boxy nature of the underlying mechanism, each key press actuates evenly and comes to a nearly silent stop. Comparatively, we’ve always felt Cherry MX Red offers so little resistance, the keys chatter and feel uneven when actuated. 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. Lighting: Lighting doesn't just make your keyboard look cool, it also helps you see the keys you're pressing when you're gaming or typing in the dark. And, lighting can be programmed with LIGHTSYNC RGB to color code your keys to stand out. This is great for games with special key commands.