After our reviews of the Razer Barracuda HP-1 and the Everglide S-500 headsets, we're now taking a break from the sound gear sector and take a closer look at another very important piece of gaming equipment: The keyboard.

As for every other category, the product range grew tremendously during the last decade. In the 90s, a keyboard was just a board with keys. But with more and more demanding customers, or at least what the marketing teams want them to demand, nowadays, keyboards cover most parts of one's desk. They offer additional hotkeys for controlling literally every application on your PC, backlights (for those who have to work or play in the dark), ports for USB, sound and memory cards and even lcd-displays.  As already mentioned, competition is great, but it seems harder and harder to just buy a simple and solid keyboard. Most of  the extra functions and capabilities of the so called "multimedia" or "gaming" keyboards are -especially during gaming- rarely used and require additional drivers. SteelSeries, known for their legacy of  topnotch mousepads (Steelpad, Icemat ..), set out to build a pure gaming keyboard with simplicity in mind: the Steelkeys 6G.

The 6G comes in a standard blister box including a manual, a USB adapter, a black transport bag, a complete set of white extra keys and a key changer. Hard edges, no bumpy design curves, heavy weight and a detachable wrist support. Missing a bulky design, the 6G is comparatively small and flat. Good for crowed LAN events, where you need every square cm of your desk. Unusually: it has a PS2-connector with an additional USB-converter. Two rubber strips on the bottom keep the keyboard in place, the collapsible feet allow finetuning of the board's vertical angle.

Yes, the only fancy thing is the selection of the key colour. Beside this, there are no extras that would justify the 100€ price tag.