USB programmable keyboard like AnyKey for Mac/PC?

October 14, 2005 8:15 AM

Can anyone recommend a programmable USB keyboard for use with a Mac/PC? I want one that works like the old Gateway AnyKey keyboards that let you define the macros on the keyboard itself NOT via software. This should allow it to work smoothly with Mac/PC/Linux and play nicely with my KVM. Personal experience is preferred, since I already know how to poke around on google.
posted by phildog to computers & internet (8 comments total)

I haven't tried it, so no personal experience, but this Logitech G15 I heard about a little while ago looks like a programmable keyboard on steroids.
posted by Zed_Lopez at 9:41 AM on October 14, 2005

Logitech G15 is a gaming keyboard, but you can program keys from the keyboard directly. Might be overkill, but worth looking into. There was an excellent review of it online yesterday on one of the harware sites (it wasn't Tom's or Blue's) but I'll be damned if I can find it.
posted by furtive at 9:48 AM on October 14, 2005

Zed, interesting link. I hadn't even considered the potential for such a device, but it's a great idea. Thanks.
posted by odinsdream at 9:49 AM on October 14, 2005

Ah found it. Extremetech reivew of Logitech G15 keyboard.
posted by furtive at 9:51 AM on October 14, 2005

Zed - would you believe that product is what led me to asking the question in the first place :-)

It wasn't clear to me from the review that you actually define the macros on the keyboard itself. I also couldn't tell from Logitech's website. As mentioned, software macro setup is not acceptable.

But thanks.
posted by phildog at 10:24 AM on October 14, 2005

This photo from the review: your can record with keyboard only, no software. So the answer is yes =)
posted by jacobjacobs at 10:34 AM on October 14, 2005

Unless.. the software has to be running concurrently, then no o.O Anyone have one?
posted by jacobjacobs at 10:37 AM on October 14, 2005

Yeah, like you, phildog, I tried to figure out whether it was programmable from the keyboard-only from Logitech's site, and couldn't reach a conclusion. Seems like an obvious enough choice, especially given the built-in LCD screen... but the reviews posted imply it takes Windows software. Drat.
posted by Zed_Lopez at 11:08 AM on October 14, 2005